Page 46 of Fragile Facade

“I won’t,” Lock declares.

Ransom goes next. His hood lowers and his red mask lifts to rest on the top of his head. Seven lifts his orange mask, winking at Lock because they know each other from high school. When Kyd lifts his, his smile is so fucking big his eyes are squinted.

“Hi, Lockey! I’m Kyd!”

Lock laughs again, taking Kyd’s outstretched hands and letting the lunatic spin him in a circle. “Hey, Kid.”

“With a Y.”

“Right.”

Facts removes his copper mask, nodding at Lock with a quick hello. Krypt takes his purple mask off, almost glaring at Lock.

Lock is more and more shocked with each face. He knows all of us, except Kyd and Monster, in some form or another. Moros isn’t that big of a town, so we all have history. When Lock’s eyes get to Monster, the smallest one of us shakes his head. He’s not ready yet. Lock nods to accept that.

Glitch steps forward, chest to chest with his ‘brother.’ “Told you I’m more badass than you,” he says.

Lock barks out a laugh. “Makoa?” He rips the mask off, and Glitch is already smirking.

“Glitch here, you dick.”

“You fucking liar. How long?!”

“Long enough,” Glitch answers. They bro-hug, and then Glitch tugs Riot forward.

When Riot lifts his mask, his eyes are as riotous as his name, and his smirk is sexy.

“I fucking knew it!” Lock shouts. “No way you knew all that shit the night of the attack. You called me! Wait, you were the one Yates met with. You fucked with Sauder…”

“He fucks with me daily.” I shove Riot to the side and pull my mask off. “But I fuck with him right back.”

Lock’s smile is genuine. He tugs me into a hug, whispering in my ear, “You two totally fuck, right?”

“Hell no.”

When I pull back, there’s admiration in Lock’s eyes. That’s the exact look I’ve been waiting for since I joined The Misfits. It’s appreciation, respect, and awe, and I’m fucking drinking it in. Finally, I’m not Soren Sauder, the lame as fuck Misfits prick. I’m Ghost, the Vile Boy.

“Meet the Ghost of Moros,” Glitch tells Lock. “This fucker can move anywhere without being seen or heard.”

“Not even sensed,” Ransom adds. “Prick.”

Knew my boys would pump my tires. “Finally don’t have to fake it in your gang anymore.”

“Ah, you were never good enough anyway,” Lock jokes. “You been spying on us all this time?”

“Just since Yates.”

Director steps forward again. “That’s Ransom, Seven, Ghost, Menace, Krypt, Facts, Riot, Glitch, Kyd, and this one…” He pauses in front of Monster, waiting for permission to give his name. There’s a pause, and then…

“Monster.” His chin lifts, his voice shocking us all, but it’s none of Lock’s business, so we hide our shock and show pride instead.

Director nods at Monster. “And you can call me Director. Welcome to Vile House.”

It’s not required that he do it, but Lock fists his hand over his heart and gives us all a nod. He gives Monster an extra nod, as if to say he respects his choice.

“Thank you for letting me in. I won’t fuck up. Now, what the hell are we doing about Reaper Corp?”

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