Page 76 of Burn

It took discipline tonotlaugh aloud. Voodoo didn’t even bother to disguise his amusement. “You tell him, Firecracker. Now, Lunchbox is going to take your hand, you’re going to hold on tight to his hand with both of yours and then he’s going to lower you. You will fall—but not far and I’m right here.”

“Oh shit.” The shudder in those two syllables translated clearly. “Can I go back in through the window?”

“Maybe you should have thought of that first,” Bones suggested.

“Shut up,” I said in the same voice as Lunchbox, and the captain scowled at me. Ignoring him for now, I added, “Gracie, just let Lunchbox do the work. You relax. Don’t tense up—and yes I know that sounds easier said than done. Just grip and let him do it. Trust us.”

Silence greeted those last two words and I winced.

“You lied to me before.”

“We didn’t lie,” I promised her. “The situation changed. Intelligence is still being gathered. We should have explained it better.”

“We can work on that ‘explanation’ after we get you down,” Bones tacked on. “If you’re ready to cooperate.”

“Bite. Me.” The vehemence in those two words had Lunchbox chuckling.

“Take my hand, Gracie, I won’t let you get hurt.” It wasn’t about falling, cause she would have to drop some, but we would make sure she landed fine.

Goblin had gone incredibly tense next to me. We were both laser focused on what was going on above.

She said something that I couldn’t hear as she focused on Lunchbox but then she took his hand, he locked his around hers then she was covering his hand with her free one.

“Hang tight,” he said, then he dangled her over the edge. He didn’t take his time or go too slow. Speed was on our side in this maneuver. Then he let go and dropped, only to grip the ledge they’d been standing on with his free hand.

It took a lot of control and there would have been a definite jolt. But she was a lot closer to the ground and Voodoo was right below her.

“I got you,” he promised her again.

“Okay,” she agreed in a shaky voice. Lunchbox didn’t let her rethink it because he dropped her the four feet to land in Voodoo’s arms.

Then, Lunchbox dropped after Voodoo backed away, still holding her bridal style. Relief raced through me.

“So,” Voodoo said, pivoting to head back to the door. “Lunchbox made burgers. Are you hungry?”

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

GRACE

Voodoo carried me into the house, not setting me on my feet until we were inside. Then he pointed me to the sink and hovered as I washed my hands. There were scrapes on my palms. After taking a moment to study them, Voodoo hummed under his breath.

“I don’t think we’ll need to bandage them. Do us a favor, though, Firecracker, heal before you get hurt again?”

“Funny,” I deadpanned. “I’m totally laughing on the inside.”

“I’m glad you find this entertaining,” Bones responded in a cool tone. Clean dish towel in hand, I pivoted to face him while I dried my hands.

I thought of and discarded a dozen responses, then just looked at Voodoo. “Why can’t I have a phone?”

He didn’t answer immediately. The glances exchanged between the others wasn’t lost on me, but I kept my attention on Voodoo. Did I think intimacy earned me any answers?

No.

Did I think I could leverage it?

Maybe.

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