Page 76 of Lure

“Still have a few more hours of travel to go, so pace yourself. But a shower always helps after a long flight.” The advice was sweet.

“This, I actually do know.” I put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re coming back with Alphabet? And Goblin?”

“Can’t keep me away. Don’t let Voodoo talk you into bed, we won’t be that long.”

I snorted. “You forget, I’ve seen Paris traffic. But I’ll be ready by the time you guys get here. Promise.”

“Looking forward to it.” Then my door opened and Voodoo stood there with a hand out for me. “See you when we’re back!”

He brushed his fingers over my hand. My stomach clenched a little, but then I was out and I took hold of my own overnight bag from Voodoo.

“I can carry both of them if you’re going to get both suitcases.” Not that I thought he would go for it and his bland look said no, he wasn’t.

Bones didn’t say a word before he climbed back into the SUV and then they were pulling away from the curb and heading back to the airport.

“Think they have an elevator?” I asked as we went inside.

“They do,” Voodoo told me. “It’ll be a squeeze though.”

He wasn’t kidding, but then I didn’t mind leaning back against him after he closed the gate and hit the button for the top floor. The ride was slow, but steady.

“Good thing we can handle cozy,” I teased.

“True,” he said, then slid a hand over my hip.

“Ah-ah-ah.” I clasped my hand over his and pulled it back up to my waist. “Lunchbox said no hanky panky.”

“Did he?” Voodoo mused. “Interesting.”

Five minutes later in the apartment, Voodoo picked me up and carried me toward the shower. “Too bad for Lunchbox he isn’t here to enforce that rule…”

I laughed. “We have to be ready when they get back.”

“Don’t worry, Firecracker. We will be.”

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

ALPHABET

The flight had been delayed, but we made up some time once we were in the air. Goblin wasn’t the biggest fan of the length. Not that I could blame him. It wasn’t my favorite either. Fortunately, his service dog vest kept others from trying to pet him since he was “working.” At least we both managed to relax some.

Arrival went smoothly, with the cabin crew allowing me to deplane first. Normally, I preferred to not take any advantages when it came to my prosthetic. Still, it was kinder for Goblin if we cleared the terminal and found a place for him to pee.

Also, I was more than a little stiff after the time spent on the flight. Goblin and I went through passport control swiftly enough. I had his travel papers in order and special permissions. Once we had my bag, I followed the route to the nearest pet relief area. While he emptied his bladder, I sent a message to the guys.

Their acknowledgement said they would be at arrivals in ten. The pickup was appreciated but I needed to stretch. “Hopefully, before we get on the train…” Still, the sooner we got to theFrench Riviera, the sooner we could track down the jackass who wanted to “buy” Grace.

Disappointment speared me that she wasn’t in the car, but Bones confirmed they had arrived safe and sound. They’d also left her and Voodoo at the apartment. It took more than an hour to get through the snarl of traffic, but then we were there and I got a good look at her.

Her smile relaxed all the tension in my spine and eased more than a few aches. Before we took the journey south, Bones and Voodoo had supplies to gather, including some we needed in case of fast extraction. Backups and weapons would be useful too. It was better for them to take the time now and since three traveled less conspicuously than five, we would go ahead. They would be a few hours or more behind us and arrive via an alternate route.

That was fine.

Three hours later, I walked with Grace and Goblin as much to let him stretch his legs as for me. Lunchbox was going ahead to take our luggage to the train. We would catch up soon enough. There was a metro we could take, and Grace knew the language and the routes.

“You okay?” The quiet question tugged at me. Grace was dressed in capri pants, anI heart Parisshirt, unzipped hoodie, and running shoes. She had sunglasses tucked into her shirt collar, a dark hat on to shade her eyes, her hair pulled back into a ponytail and she was absolutely stunning.

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