Page 74 of Johnny

trembling.

I’m just about to tell her we’re coming in heavy when the line goes dead.

I stare at the phone in my hand, wondering if I should call her back. Let her know.

But I just flip it closed and stick it back in my pocket.

Because sometimes even sure bets need to be hedged.

Fuck these people. Fuck all of them.

One way or the other, I’m coming out ahead on this deal.

CHAPTER NINE - JOHNNY

I don’t know why , but something about Megan seems off.

I mean, for sure, everything about Megan is off. She’s the daughter of some big-deal researcher.

She grew up on an island. And whatever science they’re up to out here, it’s not the good kind. It’s not

cure cancer stuff. You don’t set up labs in out-of-the-way places when you’re researching shit on the

up and up. When you’re doing science to help humanity your work needs to be seen. That’s how you

get funding.

The only people who hide their science are the ones who don’t need funding. Can’t get funding.

Not the legit kind, at least.

She can navigate a boat but not drive a car to save her life.

That’s what she said back on the yacht.

And it just came out so innocently. So casually. Like this is normal.

Which should make me feel better about her. Because that means maybe she is innocent? Maybe

she has no idea what kind of science the Way does?

A guy could hope.

Because I like her. Not like her like her. But don’t want to kill her. I’d prefer to let her live.

It’s just… I might not have much of a choice in the matter.

I sigh as I walk into the first boutique. I grab a selection of shirts, shorts, slacks, and swim trunks,

add a pair of quick-dry hiking water shoes, pile it all on the counter in front of the young male clerk,

then turn back and look at the women’s section.

She can’t wear my clothes tomorrow. She can’t storm an island with me in too-big cutoffs. And she

can’t relax tonight in that either. I don’t know what’s gonna happen tomorrow. Anything, I suppose.

But I get one night to be normal. One night of letting Logan take care of shit. One night before I have to