Page 87 of Deck of Scarlets

Josh grabbed my hand and placed it on one of the handles. “Before you go through the windshield.”

“As for the boxes, those are spare bows and makeshift bombs,” answered Baron. He took his position in front of me, grabbing his handle.

Why would they need makeshift bombs? While my mind tried to keep up with everything going on, I peeked at Josh, who held on tight to his handle, looking straight ahead.

Chloe looked over her shoulder from the driver’s side. “Hold on!”

She put the van in drive and peeled away from the curb, skirting hard into oncoming traffic and barely missing the minivan behind us. I lost some of my footing and almost collided with Josh’s back, but Baron gripped my arm and held me in place.

“I’m not used to standing in a moving vehicle,” I admitted.

Baron smiled, and when he did, so did his eyes. “I can see that.” Then he winked like he wasn’t just bitching about the inconvenience of picking me up, but I couldn’t help but giggle, because he had a charm about him.

I peeked back over to Josh, his eyes catching mine out of his peripherals.

Josh, I said.

I watched him stretch his neck, massaging it at the same time. The action was somewhat attractive, and I caught a glimpse of black ink just under his shirt when he stretched forward, but I wasn’t getting his attention to pant like a dog in heat. He deliberately chose to ignore me.

Josh, I hissed.

What? he hissed back. The tension was inevitable in his shoulders, as he rolled them back. What the fuck was his deal?

Are you going to ignore me all night? I snapped.

No, I’m trying to clear my head. I don’t have time for petty conversations, and neither should you. Your focus should be on the mission, he chastised.

Anger sizzled under my skin. Are you serious?

Hundred percent.

How did you find me, Josh?

Not an appropriate time to ask me, Remi.

Fuck you, it is.

I saw his jaw clench as if he were holding himself back from shouting at me. Good. I hoped the restraint hurt.

Please don’t make me ask again, I muttered.

Please don’t, your voice is grating, Josh deadpanned.

I gripped my dagger in the sheath, not missing the glance from Josh, his eyes wandering down my thigh.

Are you going to use that on me? He chuckled.

Do you want to find out? I threatened. The sudden urge to pierce him in between the eyes had me grasping the pommel until my knuckles turned white.

The van continued to swerve through traffic as we rocked back and forth, never letting go of the handle no matter how bad it began to hurt my fingers.

I heard his audible sigh. Father Benedict assisted me with your whereabouts.

How?

You’re not going to like it.

Something told me to press further. Tell me, now.

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