Page 52 of Nitro

As I leave, I’m floating on cloud nine.Cookie Monster.What the fuck? But I actually like it. It’s funny as hell. Seeing her more playful side is awesome. Everything has been really intense and serious since we got together, but that can change. I need to do something fun with her. Something better than going to the lake. That was great, but if we’re going to stay together, then I need to know that she’s ready to go on wild adventures with me. That’s not something I’m willing to give up for anyone. Not even her. It’s who I am. I’ll die if I have to live a boring life. That’s not happening. But what would she be down to try? I’ve got to figure that out.

I’m the last one to make it to Church, but I’m right on time. I take my seat just before Scar hits the gavel.

“First, let’s talk about Polson.”

“I can’t believe that fuck got away again,” Talon says. “I sent a flock of birds after him, but he disappeared. Like a ghost.”

I’m surprised Talon’s animals couldn’t keep their eyes on him. His ability is crazy. He’s able to communicate with animals enough to get them to help him. He developed that ability at Blackstone’s. Without it, we never would have escaped that place.

“Okay, keep our extra resources on him until we find him. In the meantime, we’ve got huge news on Blackstone.” Scar nods to Matrix.

“I’ve been trying to hack his computers for years. He’s got that shit locked up tighter than Fort Knox. So I went anotherroute. I did some phishing. His dumbass executive assistant opened one of my emails and clicked the link. I got his login and password. Using that, I was able to get into his computer and use a back door to—”

“Get to the point,” Reaper says.

“Fuckin’ nerd,” Talon teases.

“You guys are such assholes. Anyway, I found his videos.” The look Matrix gives each of us makes my stomach roll. He found videos.Thosevideos.

“How many?” Scar asks in a tight voice.

“Just one so far.”

“One of us?” Reaper asks the question we’re all dying to know.

“No.”

Everyone visibly relaxes in their chairs.

“I’m still looking.”

“If you find any…” Scar doesn’t have to complete the thought. Matrix would delete them in an instant. Even if it were the only evidence we could find against Blackstone, we’d never want those videos to be made public.

“I know,” Matrix says.

“Who’s in it?” Nitro asks.

“Blackstone.”

“Wow.” I sit back in my chair. This is huge. “What does he do in it?”

“He’s not with a kid, but wait—” Matrix holds up a hand to stop everyone from talking at once. “He talks about bringing boys and girls to his ranch to have sex with a senator.”

“Who?” I ask.

“McNash.”

“Oh, fuck. There was talk that he’d run for VP in the next election,” Talon says.

“Not anymore,” Reaper says.

“What are we going to do with the video?” I ask.

“That’s where you come in. I need you to take it to Walter Reynolds,” Scar says.

“The reporter?”

“He’s the most reputable guy in the business. We need someone like him. People won’t take it seriously if it’s coming from a small-time reporter in some podunk town.”