Page 159 of Johnny

must surprise her because she covers her mouth in a gasp. “It took a really long time,” she squeaks

out. “I was so hungry. And thirsty. And they were going to let me die there. They were. And then you

came and saved me. And I was back on the job. Don’t you see? I set you up!”

I flop to the side and laugh. “Shit, Megan. Do you really think I didn’t know that?”

“What?” She props herself up on one elbow to see me better. “You’re such a liar! You did not

know!”

I raise my eyebrows at her. “OK. Is it better if I did know and fooled you? Or didn’t know, and you fooled me?”

“What?”

I laugh again. “Megan. Come on. I’m Johnny fuckin’ Boston. I’m the most cynical motherfucker on

this planet, so when I land on a burning island and stumble onto a forgotten girl chained in a dungeon,

the very first thing I think is… ‘OK. Who set this shit up?’”

“You did not know,” she insists.

I put up a hand. “OK. You got me. I didn’t know you were sent to the dungeon to hook me. Fine. I’ll

pretend that’s true. But I’d have figured it out on the lab island anyway. It was all so very obvious.”

“It was not obvious!”

“They didn’t even know you!” I laugh.

“OK. Maybe then. But before that moment, no. You did not know. You suspected nothing.”

“Holy shit,” I say, covering my face with my hand. “Are we really arguing about when I knew you

were setting me up?” I take my hand away and look at her. “Because that’s kind of stupid.”

“You didn’t know when you saved me!”

I sigh. “Fine. You’re right. I didn’t know right then. But I knew the next night. That’s why I called

Logan and changed the plan from looking for maps to aerial assault. Remember? You said that

yourself when I put you in the helicopter.”

“I did not!”

“Megan,” I say. Incredulous.

“Johnny.” She sneers back.

“OK. Truce. I didn’t know for sure in the dungeon, I just suspected. But I did know for sure before

we even went to dinner last night. Just admit you’re not as sneaky as you think. OK? It’s fine. I’m just

really good at my job.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” She flops back into the pillows and we lie there, silent for a few minutes.