Burn Those Who Burned Me novel Chapter 238

Chapter 238

Chapter 21: How to kill heo birds with one stone,

As the October sky began to set, josie stared out of her office window as the fall breeze danced acroat her face, It was serene moments like this that she missed the most during her four years in prison. The past few days had been rather hectic. She hadn’t told her costie set about Lawrence Tillman’s death. The police ruled it as a homicide which meant it was only a matter of time before they came to Bridgeton.

Tillman was a dirty bastard… finding someone that actually liked him was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Still, it was no question who had him killed. Not to mention, she was sure Christian would leave it so that not even the slightest trace of a Taylor could be found. A sudden knock on the door broke Josie’s deep thoughts.

“C–Come in!”

Joshua walked into her office with a concerned look on his face.

“Hey Josh! When did you get back?”

Joshua had been in the city of Johnston the past week. Johnston was located in the Southern region and was the base city of House Delgato.

Silence.

Joshua contínued to walk towards Josie, his face serious but laced with empathy. Confused, Josie stood up from the window stoop.

“Josh? Are ok-”

Before she could finish, Joshua pulled her into his arms hugging her tightly. Josie’s eyes widen in shock as Joshua continued to embrace her. Thinking something must’ve happened to him, Josie nervously hugged Joshua back.

“H–Hey…are you okay? Did something happen? Need me to cook something for you?”

Josie’s tone had a hint of amusement as she tried to cheer Joshua up from whatever was causing him pain. Not missing the purpose, Joshua began to laugh stepping back from his embrace.

“I have absolutely missed your cooking Josie Taylor; the Southern Region just couldn’t compare.”

Josie could feel her ears redden as she smiled. The last several months, she and Joshua developed a deep bond. It was almost as if she’d known him her whole life. Joshua’s face became serious again.

“Are you okay?”

???????

“What do you mean? Why wouldn’t.”

“Tillman.”

Josie’s eyes widen once again at Joshua’s response.

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Chapter 238

Ah…so that’s what was bothering him. He’d heard about Tillman’s death. Josie’s eyes glanced at her bay window.

“Do you know why the fall is my favorite time of the year?”

Joshua’s brows furrowed. That was random. Silent, he waited for Josie to tell him. Smiling lightly at his confusion, Josie continued.

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“It’s practically magical. Watching the sky, the trees, the sunset turn these magical colors. Matching the epitome of warmth with a cool crisp breeze. That type of freedom can’t be matched….. It’s perfect.”

Joshua’s eyes glanced at the window; the sky was now a deep orange with hints of pink and purple.

Beautiful.

“I’m not going to say I’m happy about his death. I would have much rather he paid for his crimes. Not to mention knowing he only died to cover up that scum of a family’s dirty deeds.”

Josie’s voice trailed off slightly as the disdain danced in her voice like a lump that wouldn’t swallow.

“BUT….I’m not sad about it either. He’ll still burn in hell for what he did to me and so many other women. Honestly, hearing about his death brought me just as much peace as this beautiful October sky. So yeah…I’m okay.”

Joshua stared at Josie with an overwhelming feeling. He’d felt this way about her from the moment he saw her beautiful face. And even though she had seemed malnourished and too thin at the time, there was a fire in her that pulled him like gravity. Stuck in her orbit, he couldn’t escape. Those days long behind her; now stood this beautiful and radiant goddess of war. No longer able to control himself, Joshua walked up directly to Josie. Now, staring her straight in the face, Joshua could feel his heart pounding as if it were about to burst out of his chest. Unconsciously, his hand gently touched Josie’s face.

“Josie…I think I-”

But before he could finish, Marlon walked into the office causing them both to quickly pull from each other’s embrace.

“Jose I say we go somewhere to eat ton-”

ぬ

Startled from seeing Joshua standing in front of him, Marlon instantly walked up and shook his best friend’s hand.

“Oh shit! When’d you get back?”

Joshua’s eyes darted down as his ears still burned from his heated moment with Josie.

“Not too long ago actually. Y’all are going out to eat?”

Marlon immediately began to laugh.

“Sorry dude! I know you miss my cousin’s cooking, but she’s been working really hard these past few weeks.”

Joshua smiled warmly.

“Actually, that’s not a bad idea. How about it be my treat. I’ve got something I want to talk to you both about anyway.”

Joshua, Josie, and Marlon entered the five star restaurant around 7pm. Joshua informed them he wanted to celebrate what he’d been

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Chapter 238

working on the past two weeks while in the Southern Region. The tension between him and Josie was thick but maintained as they each wanted to make sure Marlon hadn’t noticed the sudden shift in their behavior. After leading them to a VIP booth, Joshua ordered a proble of the restaurant’s most expensive wine.

“Alright Watson, spill it. What’s got you in such a celebratory mood?”

Marlon looked at his best friend with a confused expression. Before Joshua could answer, the waiter came over with the wine and glasses. With a smirked expression, Joshua held up his hand.

“Patience cookie hoarder…I think we should toast before I reveal everything.”

Josie let out a loud giggle causing both of the men to immediately stare at her. Marlon’s eyes widen; he had been very familiar with the sounds of Josie’s laughter. They always reminded him of the most adorable and cheerful sounds. But since her homecoming, even if she did laugh; it wasn’t that same joyous giggle. Marlon cursed the Taylors for stripping away everything that made her innocent. Joshua, however, he’d never heard her laugh. A chuckle here and there whenever he and Marlon would bicker, but never an actual laugh. As her head lowered while she tried to compose herself, her eyes were filled with innocent joy.

That look…it became painfully clear; without even realizing when it happened. He’d fallen in love with his best friend’s cousin.

‘Shit.‘

After composing herself, Josie beamed at each of the men. It felt good laughing organically; it had been so long since she felt natural joy. Even before going to prison, the Taylors were slowly chipping away at what made her feel whole. Giving a mischievous grin to Marion, Josie began to speak.

“You know I’m never letting you live that name down right?”

Marlon shot Josie an angry look before bursting out in laughter. While eating their appetizers and waiting for their meals; Joshua pulled out a folder with documents. Curious, Josie opened the folder. As she began to read over the contents of the documents; her eyes began to widen.

“Josh…what is this??”

Puzzled, Marlon leaned closer so that he could also see the documents.

“Wait…Josh…these documents…..are contracts from House Delgato for Watts–Corp and Bowen Architectural Designs. When did you-”

“I figured out how to kill two birds with one stone.”

Joshua displayed a mischievous grin on his face. Closing the folder, he straighten himself in his chair.

“Now…shall I tell you both why I spent two weeks in the Southern Region”

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“Burn those who burned me!*