Page 69 of Lure

“Until we have verifiable proof otherwise, we work with the assumption the sister is alive and wewillfind her for Grace.”

“That’s mighty damn optimistic of you, Bones,” Alphabet said and the cap just gave him a bland look. Not that it had any effect on him. “You haven’t said whether you want her here or like having her here yet.”

With a snort, Bones looked at the board. “She doesn’t really care what I think, remember?”

“She isn’t the one asking,” I countered.

“If I said no?” He raised his brows as he turned back to face us. “What would you all say then?”

I opened my mouth, then popped it closed. What could we say? Alphabet frowned, but it was Voodoo who said, “I’d call bullshit. But you’re not asking me.”

“I am committed to helping her. We’ll find the problem, then eliminate the problem so she stays safe. That’ll have to be enough for you, Lunchbox.” Then he left the room.

“Well, that went well,” Alphabet said. “I need to walk and stretch. Goblin could use a break too.”

“You want company?” Voodoo asked and Alphabet shook his head.

“Nah, I’m good. Keep an eye on Gracie. She seems better today and I want her to keep feeling better.”

“Already on that,” Voodoo nodded, then Alphabet and Goblin left and it was just me and Voodoo. He eyed me. “Spit it out, before you choke on it.”

“I like her.” Not even going to mince my words. “I like her a lot. So does Alphabet.”

“Same,” Voodoo said, shrugging. “Not complaining about your interest or his. Not apologizing for mine.”

“Don’t recall asking you for an apology.” I rubbed the back of my neck.

“Just saying,” Voodoo said with a shrug. “One piece of advice, though.”

I raised my brows.

“Leave Bones alone on this subject.” The other man nodded to the board. “Let him focus on that. He doesn’t want to split where his attention is and she is very much a distraction. His problem with you and Alphabet has everything to do with your interest in her in the first place.”

“I’m sure you bedding her five minutes after he passed her off to you really went over well.”

He shrugged again. “I don’t care what he thinks either. It works out well. I have some work to do. I want to get some feelers out there, pin down supplies and transport, especially if we’re going to France.”

Yeah. Once he was gone, I turned to face the board again. I had the information, the names, and the faces memorized. If any of them were behind the hell she had gone through, we’d disassemble them piece by piece.

Wasn’t sure it would be that easy though.

Putting a pin in that, I headed for the kitchen as Grace descended the stairs. Her damp hair fell around her shining face. She moved a little gingerly and I frowned. “Overdo it, running?”

“Maybe,” she admitted. “I haven’t been that active and I may have pushed it.” Then she held up the phone. “The music helped.”

“Good.”

“C’mon and hang in the kitchen. I’ll find you something to help with that.” I waited a beat to see if she would follow, then made myself move. Giving her a choice also meant getting out of her way so she could make it for herself.

It took her a moment, but she did follow me. “Where is everyone else?”

“Alphabet went for a walk with Goblin,” I told her as I went to get the meat out for dinner. I studied the contents of the fridge. We needed to go through whatever was defrosted before we left. No sense in letting food go to waste. “Voodoo is working.”

“And Boney Boy?”

I slanted a look at her over my shoulder. “Do you really care?”

Her grimace was adorable. “I suppose I deserved that.”

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