Page 86 of Romancing in Rot

Carlos’s eyes flick to Luis.

Luis meets his eyes, still shaken, still breathing, still here.

Carlos rests his forehead against Luis’s. They both close their eyes. His hand leaves Luis’s shoulder and cradles the back of his head.

I look away because the moment feels too private.

Carlos exhales hard, his shoulders dropping just a fraction. “All right,” he says finally, pulling back from Luis. “We’re in.”

Outside, the growls and moans don’t stop. The whole place shudders with them. A few picture frames rattle loose and crash to the floor.

Lyla glances toward the back hallway. “Great. Emotional recruitment complete. Move.”

No one argues.

We start moving, quick and quiet, weaving through the aisles toward the back. Jacob takes point, machete low. Lyla moves behind him, knife ready, eyes scanning every dark corner and half-open doorway.

I move last, ears tuned to the front door and every thud of pounding fists.

“Wait.”

Carlos’s voice cuts through the store.

We all stop.

He looks between us, then lands on Joanie. “Were you the one on the walkie? The one who had Luis at gunpoint?”

Joanie grins like she’s been waiting for this. The glittery star sticker on her cheek crinkles as her mouth stretches into the biggest shit-eating grin I have ever seen. “Yep. That would be me, Peaches. You can call me Joanie. Or O Captain, My Captain.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

Carlos scoffs and looks at Luis. “You let this kid get the upper hand on you?”

Joanie’s smile drops. “Who the fuck are you calling a kid, asshole?” she snaps, stepping into his space.

Carlos doesn’t back up. Instead, he leans over her, black curls falling across his forehead, grief still wet on his face and attitude already crawling back into place like armor. “Apparently you, Jo-Jo.”

Lyla exhales. “Oh, hell. Joanie, don’t.”