She freed the horses fromthe coach and tied all the supplies she knew they needed around their necks. She packed weapons. A bit of food for herself. Some boar’s blood for the brat.
Carolina cinched a knot with a grunt. Lalo was lying to her. He may believe her to be the one to wear her emotions on her face, but he should study himself in the mirror sometime.
“The toad. The wretch. The—” She couldn’t come up with anything else and growled in frustration.
He wanted to play the part of a gentleman. The part of poor martyr. Well, she wouldn’t make it easy for him. No, señor. She knew what had to be done. She understood that traversing Devil’s Spine and killing Vidal was going to be the hardest thing she’d ever completed, but that didn’t mean they should lie to each other. Not when neither knew if they’d make it back.
“Coward,” she spat. “Selfish pile of dung.”
Dung or not, she had to find something to cover his face completely with. The sombrero would only do so much. She hadn’t brought any extra clothing with her. Carolina hadn’t thought it would be necessary. She should have known better.
Her fingers gripped the first layer of her skirts, and she ripped at the seams.
“What are you doing?” Lalo’s voice was an octave too high.
“I have nothing else to cover you with. This will have to do.”
“I…can see your underthings.”
She snorted while tearing more of her skirts. Nothing inappropriate was showing. She had on pantaloons. But the way Lalo’s mouth opened and shut like a guppy, one would think she was wearing nothing but what she was born with.
She flung the torn fabric at him. “Cover your face and put your sombrero over it to keep it in place.”
Lalo didn’t move, his eyes were glued to her figure. She held in her smile. If their kiss was such a mistake, why was he looking at her with such feverish lust in his eyes?
“Lying dog,” she whispered.
“Beg your pardon?”
“I said, are you ready?”
“Do I have any other choice?”
It wasn’t going to be a simple journey to the trees. There was nothing to shield him from the sun for at least a mile.
“I’ve tied our horses together. I’ll guide us to the woods. You simply need to keep out of the sunlight to the best of your abilities and not fall off.”
“I can promise nothing.”
He wrapped the scraps of her floral embroidered skirts aroundhis neck and face. It was a pity to cover something so perfect, but it was better than watching him suffer as he blistered beyond recognition.
When every part of Lalo’s skin was covered, Carolina reached into the coach and grabbed the lapel of his coat. “Time to go. Hold on to the back of my bodice,” she ordered, then took one of his cloth-covered fists and brought it to her lower back. She wished she’d had time to make him a proper mask to see through, but she’d be his eyes. “I’ll lead you to your mount and then we’ll ride like pinche bandidos.”
He said nothing.
“You aren’t going to chide me for my foul language?” she asked.
“Perhaps later.” His tone was tight edged. “If there is a later tohave.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. I will get you across this valley.”She hoped.
Carolina discarded that thought, stuffed it right behind her need to punish him for pushing her away. She’d make certain Lalo survived, just so she could make him regret what he had said after. Their kiss was anything but a mistake. Something that beautiful and breathtaking should be cherished. Should be done over and over and over again.Whenthey made it through the valley, she’d make certain to set him straight.
“I’m taking you out of this carriage. Don’t let go of me.”
His fingers dug into the thick material. In a voice as quiet as mist, he said, “Never.”
Chills rippled over her skin. Her heart fluttered painfully. Never was too hefty a promise.
