Page 28 of Own

“We’re fine, Firecracker,” Voodoo said. “Barely even a scratch.”

“Good work,” Bones stepped back into the conversation. “If you’re clean, take the scenic route. Go dark for forty-eight, make sure everything cools off. We’ll meet at Perrault in the wood.”

“Copy,” Voodoo said, then the call ended.

They were okay. They were okay and they’d found out that Amorette wasn’t being held by the people here. I was going to hold onto that good news with both hands.

Bones poured two glasses of the wine and brought one over to me.

“What’s Perrault in the wood?”

“Weapons. Supplies. Safe house.”

“Does it have to be forty-eight hours?” That was another two days of us just wandering around? “Not complaining…” When he raised his eyebrows, I made a face. “Okay, I’m not complaining much. It was just—really good to hear they were okay.”

“Yes, it does.” He touched his wine glass to mine with a light clink. “Come eat your spaghetti and you can ask the rest of the questions I can see burning in your eyes.”

I sipped some of the wine, it was excellent. “Does that mean you’re going to answer all my questions?”

There was no mistaking his smile when he glanced over his shoulder at me. “No.”

Figured.

Chapter

Eleven

GRACE

Food coupled with relief from hearing from the guys relaxed me to almost boneless. That was my only excuse for not fully registering our surroundings until weariness had me yawning.

“You should get some sleep,” Bones said. “I’ll take Goblin out for a last walk.”

“I’ll go with,” I volunteered, already standing up and reaching for leggings to drag on. I hadn’t bothered with a bra after the shower and didn’t intend to now. Shrugging into a hoodie, I finger combed my hair. It was still damp, but I wanted to be able to pull the hood up anyway.

Rather than argue with me, Bones just pulled on his own jacket and clipped the leash onto Goblin. Then they both waited patiently for me to stuff my feet into my shoes.

I forgot my taser, briefly, but Bones just gestured to it. Right. I stuffed it in the inner pocket of the hoodie. It created a slouchy, saggy look, but who really cared? Smothering a yawn, I shuffled out with the pair and down the stairs.

At least I’m getting a lot of steps in.

I snorted a laugh at the thought. Both of my companions just shared a mild look at me but I waved them off. Outside, the night had turned cooler and the drizzle had all but stopped.

Lights gleamed off the damp streets and puddles decorated the walk. It added a little magical flourish to what was a rather quaint location. “So many places here and in Germany look like they belong in a fairytale,” I said before covering my yawn with my hand. “Sorry.”

“You’re tired,” Bones said simply, seemingly accepting the apology without any other comment. I didn’t argue with his assessment either.

While I was tired, yes, I didn’t want to stay in the room by myself. Neither of us said much as we walked. There was a park area not that far. The quiet blanketing the area was occasionally disturbed by the sound of a car passing in the distance. Somewhere else music spilled out into the night air. Dogs barked and laughter trickled along the breeze.

It was—nice.

Just nice.

I zoned as we walked, just—existed. In the park, it occurred to me I needed to be paying more attention. So I tried to shake myself back into wakefulness. It wasn’t going well. Bones seemed ever vigilant though and maybe that was why I didn’t have to worry.

He wasn’t going to miss anything.

Once we were back at the hotel, I stripped the shoes, taser, hoodie, and leggings with more efficiency than I’d put them on. In the bathroom, I emptied my bladder, then washed my hands, face, and brushed my teeth on autopilot.

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