Page 69 of Burn

Fuck, we hadn’t even really tracked how long she’d been held. It wasn’t a point I wanted to bring up and interrogate her, but knowing would just be another piece of intelligence to add to the puzzle.

Relaxing would be good for all of us. She was here where I could keep an eye on her. Base was also a hell of a lot more secure than anywhere on the road.

Food was next on the agenda. Food, rest, and once she was settled, the team could debrief and plan.

“You promised.” The wounded note in her voice sliced. Alphabet’s expression tightened. I had to imagine mine was as well, considering the fact we all knew she wanted to find outabout her sister. It was why Alphabet had started investigating as well.

“I know, Firecracker. I did.” Voodoo’s voice carried all the elements of regret his expression seemed to deny.

“But he can’t keep the promise,” Bones said, in a chilly voice that wouldn’t be persuaded or argued with. He was issuing an order. For team cohesion we made it work in the field. The same could not be said for in private, but we’d really never had a reason to test it. “None of us can. So, do what Alphabet said, get some rest. We need to debrief and then we can get to work.”

Son of a bitch…

It was quite possibly the worst way to address the issue. The threat was right there in her posture as Bones turned away from her. I should have predicted the next actions she was going to take. Should have predicted and should have done what I could to prevent it.

It was just the remote, though in our case the remote was almost ten inches long, four inches across and controlled more than just the television. Gracie balanced the remote like it was a throwing star.

Strategically, the overhand shot shouldn’t have worked. But the thud of the remote hitting Bones in the head seemed abnormally loud. I blew out a breath and headed forward. Bones was turning with a cold look at the same time Voodoo moved to intercept him.

I clocked Gracie reaching for something else. Flashes of her throwing everything at the attackers in her apartment danced across my mind’s eye. She already had a lamp in hand when Alphabet laughed.

His amusement triggered Goblin’s barking, but the dog was still parked right next to him.

“Gracie—” I said, but she was throwing the lamp. Shit. “Voodoo.”

He caught the lamp narrowly, but it was more because of the awkwardness. Gracie was already going for the next item on the table. It was a coaster, but a marble one. I leapt the railing as Bones crossed toward her. He narrowly knocked the coaster aside before he reached her.

Fuck.

Without comment or explanation, he put his shoulder into her belly and rose with her over his shoulder. He locked her legs down with one arm and pivoted. In four strides, he was at the stairs. His quick ascent echoed in his rapid footsteps.

Funnily enough, I wasn’t the only one who’d gone still as we tracked his passage through the house. Then a door slamming closed—and I didn’t doubt locked—drifted down the stairs. Bones returned with an even less fucking happy to be here face than earlier.

“Is she—” Voodoo started.

“She’s fine. I didn’t do anything that would open that wound. I am not going to vouch for her own temper not doing it.” He reached for the remote to pick it up and then the discarded coaster. Voodoo had put the lamp down. Instead of following suit with his items, Bones paused to stare at Alphabet.

“Her temper amuses you?” Irritation rifled the words despite Bones’ cool voice.

“Yep,” Alphabet said. “That temper means she’s alive and you still don’t know shit about women.” With that, he turned to head into the kitchen. “We should do the debriefing sooner rather than later.”

“Or we can wait to make sure she is fine, fed, and given an explanation that involves a little more nuance thanI said so.” I shook my head. “Then debrief. I think she’s had enough emotional upset the past few days, don’t you?”

“Depends on the debrief,” Voodoo argued. “If we have significant facts to cover, then yes, by all means, let’s make thiseasier on her. If you can do it in five minutes or less, just get it over with. Then we don’t have to lock her away twice.”

“We’re two votes to do the debrief, one to take the time with Gracie,” Alphabet said, then looked at Bones. “You voting, Captain, or are we just getting the debrief done.”

Bones glanced at me. I sighed. The debate was not one he wanted to have at the moment. No, he’d rather address the Gracie situation. “Fine, I withdraw my suggestion. Get in here and start the debrief Alphabet, I’ll start food.”

Alphabet took a seat, the stiffness in his posture had improved, but he was still sore. Bones folded his arms as he leaned against a pillar separating the kitchen from the living room. Voodoo rested against the wood rail that also demarcated the two rooms.

“In short order,” Alphabet said, leaning forward. “The men who were controlling the truck are ghosts. They don’t exist, their fingerprints are in the system, but they trace to men with identities that don’t exist or died thirty years ago. They were backstopped damn near perfectly. If it wasn’t so frustrating, I’d be impressed.”

Goblin moved to settle next to Alphabet, but he’d also relaxed his wariness. I trusted the canine and started pulling out the burgers I’d prepped for grilling before we went to the airport.

“That said, I moved onto a full background on Grace Black. She is exactly who she appears to be on all fronts. A very influential and in high demand model who has been working in the business for nearly seven years. It’s an impressive career if you read the stats.”

“And because she’s the perfect tiny pixie instead of a six-foot Amazon.” Not that I had a problem with either type. I liked women in general. I liked them tall. I liked them short. I like them flat and a little curvy. I likedwomen.

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