Cuffed Read Free Page B

Rex. Not that she could blame him. It did feel like a setup.
    “What are you up to, Rex?”
    The innocence on Rex’s face made Scarlett’s skin prickle.
    “Nothing. You two are too suspicious.” He put his hand over his heart, but with the Loki outfit, the effect was less than comforting. “I swear that I will do nothing to you guys at this con.”
    Jackson stopped dead, bringing Scarlett to a lurching stop next to him. “Not good enough. We’ll find our own way.”
    Nodding, Scarlett didn’t protest. She’d rather take her chances on her own than trust Rex. Something was off, and even though she couldn’t put her finger on it, she was going to trust her instincts on this one.
    “Fine. Just don’t be late.” Rex simply sauntered off in the direction he’d been leading them in the first place.
    She still didn’t like it. “Let’s go back the way we came. I think we can figure it out between the two of us.”
    “I remember the way.”
    He held out an arm for Scarlett and this time she didn’t refuse. Looping hers through his, they walked for a long while in companionable silence.
    That was until Jackson looked down at her and chuckled, “I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t trust that guy.”
    Scarlett shrugged. “I think anyone who has ever seen his channel would have a problem trusting Rex. It’s just who he is.”
    They quietly turned a corner. The crowds were getting louder again so they were headed in the right direction. Not that she had any doubt.
    First, they heard a staccato beat of footfalls coming toward them. Then a frightened little Obi Wan Kenobi rounded the corner and nearly crashed into them. He couldn’t have been more than ten years old and by the looks of it, he was nearing hysterics.
    He ran straight for Scarlett, skidding to a halt just short of knocking her over.
    Jackson steadied him and turned him around. “You okay, kid?”
    The boy shook his head, sniffling loudly. “I lost my dad. We got separated in the crowd and now I can’t find him and I don’t know where to go for help.”
    Scarlett smiled as comfortingly as she could. “Don’t worry. We’ll find him.”
    With him in the middle, they started walking back in the direction the boy had come from.
    She patted him on the shoulder. “Is he dressed up too?”
    “Yeah, he’s Darth Maul.”
    Great, to find one Sith lord in the middle of Comic Con.
    Just as they were about to walk back into the exhibition hall, they heard Rex’s voice from behind them. “You guys were right. I was going the wrong way.”
    Scarlett and Jackson turned at the same time to see him smiling quite evilly behind them. And that’s when she felt cold metal close around her wrist.
    Jackson tried to jerk away and accidentally yanked her arm along with him.
    Little Obi Wan had handcuffed them together.
    “What the hell?” snarled Jackson.
    They glared at Rex, who was now laughing and holding a phone to film their plight. “I knew you two bleeding hearts couldn’t help yourselves when it came to a kid in distress.”
    Jackson jabbed a finger at him. “You said you wouldn’t do anything to us at this con.”
    “I didn’t.” His gaze landed fondly on the boy. “He did. Great job, by the way.”
    The kid bowed proudly. “So I get to be on your channel?”
    “For sure.” Rex winked at him.
    The kid grinned and ran off back onto the exhibition hall.
    “I can’t believe you bribed a kid to do your dirty work.” Scarlett tugged at the cuffs but to no avail. They weren’t going to get free without the keys. “Unlock us right now.”
    He held the key up then flipped his hand up, making it disappear from sight. “Sorry, you didn’t say the magic word.” Instead, he held his camera closer but just out of reach of the enraged Jackson. “Smile for your fans. Better yet. Show them what happens when you two really start to fight.”
    That’s what he’d done this for? A show for his followers?
    Jackson took a half step toward him.