Page 64 of Burn

“Do you need more food?” Bones asked as Voodoo opened his door.

“If you want to save time on stopping later. The breakfast burrito was actually pretty good.” And not at all greasy, so I didn’t feel an ounce of guilt for eating it.

“I got it,” Voodoo said, then he closed the door leaving me and Bones alone. The silence dragged between us, stuffy and oppressive.

Maybe I should have gone inside with Voodoo. The realization of someone watching me crept over my skin, leaving chills in its wake. I glanced at Bones and he had his head turned, like he was splitting his attention between me and the shop.

Or maybe he was watching the shop behind us. He had backed into the slot instead of just pulling straight in. There was no reason he was watching me. I was just being paranoid.

I shifted, trying to not rub against the seat back. I was already uncomfortable. The pain reliever had helped, but the dull throb seemed to be there to stay.

“Is your back bothering you?” The question pulled my attention to Bones.

“Yes, but it’ll be fine,” I said, dismissing the discomfort. “I just need to get used to it for the moment. I’m sure theacetaminophen will kick in soon.” The tracker was out of me and that was worth some pain.

“When did you take it?” Coolness framed the second question.

“Before we left the hotel, after I ate, but before we showered.” My voice hitched a little when I saidwe, but I didn’t let that slow me down. “Are you pissed at Voodoo?”

“Does that matter?” Answering a question with a question was kind of rude.

“I don’t know.” That was the truth. “I also don’t know if you’re mad at him or not.” He seemed unhappy for certain.

“You don’t need to worry about it.”

“Unless I’m the reason you’re angry,” I countered. “Am I?”

Instead of just giving me some platitude and telling me no, not at all, he went curiously silent. The truth was always preferable to the lie, but the lack of response grated on me. I’d just opened my mouth to prod him when the passenger door opened to let Voodoo back into the car.

Wreathed in the scents of sugar, coffee, and grilled sausage, Voodoo twisted to pass me a huge takeout cup of coffee. He passed a second to Bones, then held onto the third himself.

“I picked up some pastries, breakfast burritos, and three breakfast sandwiches.” Voodoo held up the bag. “You good for now or do you want to have one?”

“The coffee is more than enough.” I could probably eat more, but I had no idea how long we were going to be in the car. Safer to take my time. “Thank you.”

“You got it.”

Bones said nothing at all, he just drove. It wasn’t long before the long, winding two lane roads began to widen. Eventually we were back on an interstate.

The coffee was long gone, though it had been fantastic. I finally asked for one of the breakfast burritos. I should havesaved some of the coffee. Voodoo had water bottles though. That definitely helped.

Two hours of silence in the vehicle while the tension between the pair in front of me thickened to something I could touch kind of made me want to scream. Then Bones took an exit off the highway.

“Change of plans?” Voodoo asked abruptly.

“You could say that.” Bones’ response was less than helpful, but I sat forward a little to see where we were going. We left the interstate and then followed a series of signs to a small, local airport. I didn’t even realize there was one out here, but the place was pretty small and most of the planes were two engines or props.

The idea that we were going to get on a plane settled into my system. My stomach bottomed out and my heart began to race. If we got on a plane, we could go anywhere.

Then again, they’d been in control since they showed up at the clinic so it wasn’t like I could just run away. Bones cleared the main gate, then continued through the airport to the far side where a small plane waited with a couple of familiar faces.

Alphabet stood with Goblin seated right next to him. Lunchbox, however, crossed to the SUV as soon as we stopped. He opened the back door and glanced in at me. “Hey Gracie, looking good.”

“You’re a sweet liar,” I retorted. The absence of cosmetics or hair styling meant I looked rough and pale. But that was fine. Once I unbuckled the seat belt, Lunchbox was right there with a hand to help me get out. My ass was numb and my legs were a little sore.

“At least you think I’m sweet.” Lunchbox winked. The droll comment made me laugh. “Go on and see Alphabet. We’ll get the gear.”

“Are we getting on that plane?” Cause it looked awfully small for all of us.

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