Free Lillian Duncan - Until Death Do Us Part by Lillian Duncan

and turned toward the outside door. “I’ll do it myself.”
    Reaching for the key card, she snatched it out of Misty’s hand. “Oh no, you will not. You stay, I’ll go.”
    As Reggie walked outside, her eyes gravitated to the restaurant. No one in sight. She breathed a sigh of relief as she hurried to Misty’s door. Her own hand shook as she stuck the keycard in the slot.
    She ran to the door and slid the bolt lock shut. With heart fluttering, she ran back outside and sucked in fresh air. She glanced over at the restaurant.
    Frank walked out.
    Moving fast, she made it back to her own room and slammed the door shut. Her heart pounded as she bolted and latched everything she could. Motel doors weren’t known for the best security.
    Nearby knocking made both of them jump.
    “Honey, let me in. I’m sorry I lost my temper.” No screaming this time. His voice oozed sweetness and honey. “We can work this out, Misty. Just open the door, sweetheart.”
    Misty stood transfixed, staring at the door. Her eyes reminded Reggie of a deer stuck in headlights. She knew enough about battered women to know Misty might succumb to the man’s sudden sweetness, fake though it was.
    Reggie herded her toward the bathroom. “Go.”
    Misty nodded as tears eked out her eyes.
    “Come on, now let me in. You’re my wife and those are my kids. You got no right.” The voice wasn’t quite as sweet.
    Misty’s feet slowed. “Maybe, I should let him in. He said he was sorry.”
    “Think about your kids.” Reggie whispered. “You don’t want them to live like this. Would you want Suzie to be in this kind of a relationship?”
    Misty’s lips trembled, but she turned her back on the door and walked into bathroom, both kids followed behind.
    Nice guy was gone and the screaming had started again as a torrent of cursing rolled through the room. It wouldn’t be long before the police would be called.
    How was she going to keep Misty and her kids safe? If Dylan were here, he’d know what to do.
    Misty huddled with her two children on the floor in the bathroom with a protective arm around each of them. Similar scenes from her own childhood foster homes flashed through her mind. Children shouldn’t have to experience this kind of terror, and certainly not from a parent. “Maybe, I should go out and see what’s happening.”
    Misty wiped tears away. “I wouldn’t do that. He’s a smart guy. He might figure out why you’re so interested.”
    How smart could the man be if he spent his time terrorizing his wife and children? “I’ll pretend I’m getting something out of my car.”
    Misty nodded and scrunched further down on the floor. Reggie grabbed her car keys and walked out the door. Several people stood outside their own doors watching the drama.
    Better than reality TV.
    Misty’s husband turned from the door and approached the manager. “You’re gonna let me in that room or there’s gonna be big trouble.”
    Even from where she stood, she saw the blood drain from the young manager’s face. Thin and on the short side, his brown hair was neatly cut and he had on a button-down shirt and khaki’s. No tattoos, just your average-all-American boy. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, but he managed to choke out. “I can’t do that, sir.”
    Frank pointed a n intimidating finger at him. “You can and you will if you know what’s good for you.”He abruptly turned away from the manager and marched toward Reggie.
    Her pulse raced until he stopped at the faded red Bug. He pulled a key out of his pocket and poked the car. “This is my car. And the registration will prove it. That’s my wife and kids in there. We had a fight. What if she did something stupid to herself and the kids? I need to make sure they’re ok ay.”
    The young man looked at the gathering crowd as if praying for someone else to step up and help him. Frank opened the passenger door with the key and a second later emerged from the car holding a paper up. “This