Page 19 (1/2)

Aha! I knew it

When the blood co ss his hands "Isla, I am so sorry Are you sure it’s not broken?"

My srin "Positive"

His discomfort eases, but only momentarily His brow refurrows in confusion

"Un nouveau record," I say "Combien de te did that take? An hour?

Josh’s eyes narrow He realizes that I caught hih he it-dix ly At least ninetyfor me to learn the truth

I stare at hihs I smile – sweetly, this time – to let him know that his secret is safe Josh rubs the back of his neck "I don’t suppose you’d still want to showplace?"

"I don’t know," I tease "It’s a secret place Can I trust you?"

"I’ently "I know you are"

The air outside is gusty and crisp, and it adds toof recklessness I don’t know if I’ll be able to tell Kurt what I’ soht be But I don’t care

We’re radiant, the thrill of the evening having been returned, as we hurry up the next four blocks I take a left on rue Chapon and lead hi paint and red wooden shutters I stop at the keypad Josh look surprised, maybe even shocked "Don’t tell me you have an apartive hi to a bar or club or soued, Martin"

I wrinkle es "Yeah That doesn’t ith ato myself, and he follows quietly After we’ve passed several floors, he shoots me a curious look "All the way up," I say We spiral and spiral until we reach the top landing Josh glances at the purple door with the leopard-print mat, expectantly Nervously "Not that one" I steer him around a hidden corner towards a second, ss on the knob and discovers that it’s locked I fish out the skeleton key fro It’s heavy and iron "You know," he says, "if you weren’t tiny, cute, and reht now This feels like the set-up to soirl because she looks innocent" I wag the key at him, but my heart pounds faster He said I’m cute I turn the key, the lock thunks, and the door creaks open

Josh squints into the darkness "Ah More stairs Of course"

"Last set, I proesture for him to shut the door We’re enveloped in pitch black "Wait here," I whisper

"Are you getting your axe?"

"Handcuffs"