Page 45 of Perilous Healing

“Sure. No personal talk. Got it.” She looks annoyed, though. “We go in and keep an eye out for anything that might prove what River and the entire organization is up to in Boston. If we can get enough proof, we can shove him in a cell and throw away the key.”

“Weapons? What if there’s a fight?”

“I have a nail file in my purse. If they let me keep it, that’s the closest thing I have.”

Given her arm is in a sling, the bulk of the fight will be on my shoulders. I’m responsible for not just my life, but hers as well.Who am I kidding, I would have considered myself responsible even if she hadn’t been shot yesterday.

The weight of tonight is crushing, and I lean back to close my eyes, hoping to alleviate even a bit of the pressure. The last time I was face-to-face with River Culvers, he was driving a dagger into my shoulder.

A sharp blade that had been heated so it cauterized as he ripped it out. And it wasn’t the first time.

“‘Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand,’” Bianca says.

I open my eyes, surprised to find her reading from the open Bible on her lap.

“‘Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ I’m sorry, I needed it, and I thought you might, too.”

The words she read aloud settle in my mind with a warmth I hadn’t expected to feel. “Feel free to keep reading,” I reply.

She smiles, and a vise tightens around my heart.

And as she continues reading aloud, saying words that I’ve never heard before, I realize just how desperately I’m craving the same peace she seems to have found.

The driveto Boston takes hours, but in my mind, it’s mere minutes. I’ve managed to talk myself out of making Michael turn the limo around at least three times, but I remind myself that whether we go or remain in Hope Springs, River’s still coming for us.

The difference is, at least if we’re here, he has no reason to be there.

“We’re here,” Michael calls back.

Bianca’s pale complexion shows just how afraid she is, but as she bows her head, I’m fascinated to watch a total calm settle over her. Color returns to her cheeks, and when she opens her eyes and raises her head, she looks like a woman ready for battle.

Her emerald expression lands on mine. “You ready for this?”

“No,” I reply. “But let’s do it anyway.”

Michael climbs out and opens the door, then offers us a brief nod as I hand him a twenty I’d brought with me. A tip to keep up appearances. He closes the door behind us, and I offer Bianca my arm. She slips her uninjured arm into mine, then takes a deep breath.

We start walking, heading into the hotel lobby where a man dressed like a butler awaits. “Miss Culvers and Mr. Williamson?” he asks.

“Yes,” Bianca replies, stiffening beside me.

“Right this way.” The man doesn’t show any expression, just turns and begins walking down the hall toward the elevators. He presses the call button. As we wait, I check the surroundings.

Armed men at both ends of the hallway.

Likely more outside the hotel.

So much for no weapons.

Bianca leans her head against my shoulder. “I see them,” she whispers.

I don’t respond.

The elevator arrives and we climb on. The man who’d greeted us scans a white plastic badge against a reader inside, and the doors close. Confined, I start to feel a familiar panic. I hate small spaces.

They all feel like cages. Bianca leans against me again, and I know she’s trying to soothe my fear. So even as I desire to keep at least some walls up between us, I rest my head against the top of hers, breathing in the feminine scent of her shampoo.

It eases my frayed nerves and helps me recenter.

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