Page 16 of The Wicked

Upper’s jaw clenched. “Fine, you fuckers, I climbed up a few ventilators, so bloody what? I’m still fucking educated, better than the lot of you.”

“I read actual books from the trash and still remembered deets from them—fuck. If I had finished school, I would have been one smart motherfucker,” Dog said.

“You’re pretty good with numbers,” I mused.

“I’m a fucking genius with numbers,” he corrected me, and the room went silent again, followed by the music in the background descending.

I sat up, finally looking back at Elio, Casmiro, and Angelo.

Elio still had a look of indifference on his face, but his gaze was sweeping over our little group with wonder. Casmiro’s jaw was hanging open, and Angelo just sat there, eyes wide, a slight smile curling at his lips.

I cleared my throat. “There you have it, we’re Street.” Then I let my taunting stare settle on Elio as I said, “It is only right to prepare your family for what awaits you, as you’ve decided to consider my request.”

Elio was silent for a few moments before he spoke. “What makes you think I’ve considered it?”

“I’m still breathing,” I answered without blinking.

“And I’m beginning to think Casmiro knows best after all.”

At the mention of his name, Casmiro cleared his throat. “I was wrong. I think they’re perfect,” he said.

“Just because that one crawled up a vent like a deranged rat?”

Devil sighed. “I think what Casmiro is trying to say is,because Upper crawled up a vent for years and got a full education without beingseen.”

Elio’s gaze snapped in Devil’s direction, and I saw that shift in his eyes again; the look was an obvious dare, almost as if he was daring Devil to speak again.

I could swear I saw Devil roll his eyes as he relaxed back in his chair, crossing his arms against his chest, looking straight ahead, his jaw locked.

What the fuck was that?

Elio’s gaze rested on me. “Your introduction was comical but not appreciated.”

My gaze flickered between him and Devil before I responded, “I beg to differ; if we’re going to work together, you should know who you’re dealing with.”

Casmiro frowned at my tone. “Or maybe you have forgotten how you got here. You workforus now, notwithus. There is a big difference.”

“I know, but just because we workforyou doesn’t mean we change how we work. Or the way we communicate with each other; getting engrossed in a stupid argument when our lives are in danger is how we work well together.”

“It’s the only way we can function, honestly,” Dog added.

Upper nodded. “Chaos is Street.”

“And it’s kind of fun”—Milk blinked—“most times.”

Elio’s gaze settled on each of us—except Devil—before he relit the cigar he’d discarded, placing it between his lips. I watched him take a long drag and let it out slowly, tormentingly, before he finally spoke. “Why don’t we test that theory?”

CHAPTER SIX

Elio

I should have killed the short one when I had the opportunity.

While audacious, she constantly placed her foot in her mouth.

Aggravating.

I looked away from her to take them all in individually. I could tell they had a tight-knit relationship, built on trust and relatable life experiences.