Page 53 of Box of Frogs
‘Then what?’ I demanded.
Morgan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. ‘I know this guy,’ he said. ‘And I know who he works for.’
When he didn’t immediately elaborate, I demanded, ‘Well? Who?’
‘Rubus, of course,’ Morgan answered. ‘But if he works for Rubus, why is he trying to hurt you? Why is your own employer after your blood?’
I wondered how many times I was going to have to remind him that I had amnesia. Honestly, the man had a worse memory than I did. ‘I don’t know, do I? Besides, if this truce that you keep harping on about is in place and is so damned important, Rubus can’t be trying to kill me.’
Morgan didn’t take his eyes off me. ‘Not with his own hands. But he could hire someone else to do the deed for him.’
‘Oh for goodness’ sake. Did no one think about this loophole when they set up the truce?’
‘Normally Fey possess more honour than to abuse the system like this.’
‘Not enough honour to manage without the damned truce in the first place,’ I snapped back. ‘Besides, you’ve spent every conversation we’ve had telling me that I’m not honourable and neither is Rubus. Couldn’t someone have foreseen this happening? And why would my boss want to kill me? I’m supposed to be one of his best employees!’
‘That’s exactly what I want to know,’ Morgan said. Oddly, he didn’t appear all that perturbed.
Rolling my eyes in vexation, while acknowledging to myself that I was beyond glad it was Morgan I’d found first rather than the enigmatic Rubus, I stomped over to the Redcap’s wrecked car and peered inside. His phone was on the dashboard, displaying a small map. I scooped it up and examined it. A red flashing light at the top of the screen was moving slowly away. So itwasthe Redcap arsebadger who placed the tracker on Julie’s car. She was clearly still on the run – and still had the tracker with her. At least I’d be able to find her.
Taking the phone with me, I tramped off to Julie’s vehicle. Morgan watched me as I twisted the keys and tried to start the engine. It spluttered and coughed.
‘That car’s a write off,’ he called out over the noise.
‘No, it’s not,’ I muttered. I tried the key again. It was going to work because I willed it to do so. I thumped the dashboard. ‘Start, damn you!’
‘Madrona,’ Morgan sighed. ‘It’s done for. We can take my bike and find your friend. You’ll have to leave the car here for now.’ He waggled his phone at me. ‘I’ll get my people to come and clear the road so there are no more accidents.’
I ignored him, still intent on getting the stupid car to do what I needed it to do, but no matter how much I wanted it the arsebadgering piece of metal wasn’t going to spring back to life.
‘Fine,’ I said through gritted teeth. I got out and glared at him.
As if he were out for a Sunday stroll, Morgan ambled to the hedgerow and straightened his motorbike before hooking his leg over it. Then he grabbed the helmet and held it out to me. ‘Here,’ he said. ‘I think you need this more than I do.’
‘My brain is already damaged,’ I informed him sniffily. ‘Keep it.’
He didn’t blink. ‘Put on the damned helmet, Maddy.’
‘Now you’re concerned for my safety?’
Morgan didn’t bother responding. I sighed and walked over, taking it from him and squeezing it down over my head. Inhaling deeply, it occurred to me that this was clearly part of his devious master plan. Now all I could smell was Morgan, all around me. Well, just because he smelled divine didn’t mean I was going to fall to the ground and worship at his feet. I was made of far stronger stuff than that.
‘Get behind me and put your arms around my waist,’ he instructed.
I did as bade me. Good grief, his body was strong and wide and comforting. Without even thinking about it, I leaned against him. Okay. I’d worship him if he wanted me to.
‘You don’t need to cling quite that tightly,’ Morgan murmured. ‘I’m good at this.’
I didn’t relax. In fact, I tightened my hold, enjoying the heat of his body against mine. Mmmm. Snuggly. ‘If you say so,’ I answered. I inhaled again. I could get used to this.
Apparently yielding to the fact that I was going to hang onto him like a limpet, Morgan switched on the bike’s engine. ‘Which way?’ he asked.
How was it possible for someone to come out of a brutal fight to the death and still smell so good?
‘Maddy!’ he said sharply. ‘Which way?’
I shook myself. He doesn’t want you, I reminded myself. And Julie needs rescuing from a field. I raised the visor and glanced at the phone. ‘Straight ahead,’ I muttered. ‘Then take the first right.’ At least Julie was on foot and hadn’t got very far. I pressed myself against Morgan’s back. I’d have to take my comfort where I could get it.
