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Simon watches me handle it, his big eyebrows crouched low. “Killer said we shouldn’t let you bully us into–”

“This thing come with ammo, or does it shoot the blanks your daddies should have?” I look up at them, waiting.

The Maddox kid lets out a laugh, head shaking. “You’re a real bitch, you know that?”

I stare at him. “You look like a bored middle-schooler’s vandalized desk.” His jaw drops in silent outrage as Simon pushes a box of bullets toward me. I finish off my gin. “Tell me about the Lucia girl.”

“She’s not a part of this.”

I laugh at Maddox. “Oh, kid, you’re not pretty enough to be that dumb. He is.” I nod at Nick. “But you’re not. She’ll always be a part of this. Rain or shine, duck or run.” I ask the next question to Simon, because he’s the King. “You treating her right?”

He looks startled, but only briefly. “Trying to.”

“You want to know the secret to loving a Royal woman?” I ask, tucking the pistol into my purse. “Give her one of these,teach her to use it, and pray to whatever god you believe in that she never turns it on you.”

The pity in Nick’s eyes almost makes me want to turn the gun on him. “Times change, Delores. Not all men are like Mr. Crane.”

I fix him with a stern look. “I’m willing to be proven wrong. Bring her with you next time, and maybe I will.” Before any of them can accuse me of being disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to reacquaint myself with the Lucia girl, I pluck my cards back up. “It was a business doing pleasure with you, boys.”

They stand slowly, like they’re unsure if they’re being dismissed. But then Nick sighs. “Are you okay? Because if you need protection from someone in particular, then–”

“Don’t patronize me,” I snap. “I’ve had messier kills than you, Bruin.”

He glances at his brother, almost as if he wants to argue that fact. He doesn’t. “Stay safe out there, you wrinkled old cunt.”

I flip him off before calling out, “Rosenstein! Roll your decrepit ass over here and get me stoned.”

4

WINGS OF MAYHEM

Iwhistle a jaunty tune as I waltz up the sidewalk toward the gym.

It’s a good day, nice and warm. Blue sky, glittering roads, and rebel bugs. A little old lady passes me, giving me a kind smile as I move aside for her, sweeping my arm out dramatically.

She giggles like she’s twenty-two again. “Aren’t you a gentleman?”

I tip an invisible hat. “Good day, ma’am.”

Leaving happy colors in my wake, I continue on my journey, dipping down to pick a purple deadnettle that’s climbing from a crack in the pavement. Even our weeds are badass. West End is the best in the summer, from the laughter of the kids playing in the newly restored park fountain, to the way the metal roofs of the warehouses reflect the sun like diamonds.

Also, Lavinia walks around the clock tower practically naked.

Summer’s where it’s at.

When I step inside the gym, I whip off my shades and am immediately greeted by whistles and hoots.

“Getting another one, eh?” Kaz gives my shoulder a brotherly punch, grinning from ear to ear. “There’s only reason she’d call you in on a weekend.”

I spread my arms wide, not bothering to batten down my grin. “What can I say? Mama B knows what’s good.”

Weasel snorts. “Maybe try not to get stabbed in this fight.”

Holding up a finger, I explain, “Stabbing is a radical exaggeration. It was a cut, and frankly, my Duchess cut deeper.”

“I bet she does,” Kaz laughs.

I flip them both the bird as I saunter toward the back. Usually, a Duke wouldn’t be assigned a Fury so soon after his last one, but Mama B called me in and I’m going to do my Dukely duty.