Page 24 of Hell and High Water

“Holy shit. I can’t even… what the fuck, Hell?”

“I really don’t even know what it all means. And I’ve been out for several days, so I haven’t figured any of it out yet.”

“Which comes back to the shooting. We don’t know who did it, but whoever did it was hired or had a vendetta against Hellena and Rachelle. Rachelle is still in the ICU,” Gavin continues for me. “As far as new intel about these Seven, Evan and Tell are doing as much digging as they can, but no word back yet.”

We all sit there for a second, lost in thought. I can tell Ora is grinding, gears turning.

“Tell me something. The trouble you got in a few months back. That was when it all started, huh? When we met in jail?”

“Yep. The drug dealers were Holy Ghosts. I meet you, part of the Block. Aunt Rachelle sends me to Gavin, who works for all of the above in one way or another… and then I get suspiciously followed by a charming spy who puts me in touch with a favor dealer who puts me to work, all apparently preparing me to somehow wind up in service to the Sinful.”

“Fuck.”

“That sums it up pretty well. Working for Evan was just one step in the plan. Or at least that’s what I could gather before we got blown away.”

“Working for him and on him, unless I’m wrong?” Ora snickers.

Gavin’s eye roll says it all.

“I knew it! You’ve been holding out on me, Hell.”

“I’ve been a little busy, and I text you all the time. Or I did. I just didn’t mention… certain things.”

“Fix that shit. We’re neck deep in it now. No more secrets, you hear me?” She wags a finger sharply.

“Yes, Ma’am. On that note, everything sort of culminated at the ball before I ran. Rachelle said something about training me, keeping me where I needed to be when we talked, and I think part of that was being auctioned off to a high bidder.” I avoid bringing up the fact that Evan was the one who did it, still not ready to face that hurt. “Whatever the intention… it wound up being someone I hoped never to see again.”

“It’s okay, Hell.” Ora rests her hand on mine. “Take your time.”

I fight back the tears, the terror.

“My stepfather, Marco Vice, was invited by Mayor Vanderberg. He has the power and the money to become a huge player in Sanctum, and I think he intends a lot worse than that. And as far as I am concerned… he knows I’m here now.”

“Do you think he would have you shot, though?”

“I don’t think so. He wants me for some reason. And he told me that my mother—” I choke, unable to finish the sentence.

Ora’s around the bar in a second, holding me against her small chest, comforting me. Gavin’s hand finds mine, too, squeezing lightly, letting me know he’s there.

“I’m okay, I promise. Thanks, Ora,” I manage after a few moments of letting myself cry. It hadn’t occurred to me to grieve, to face the reality of her not being in this world anymore.

I know it won’t be the last time I cry for her, either. Even if I haven’t seen her in so many years.

“Just another tally of things we’re going to pay Marco back for. But to do that, we need a plan. And we need to know more about the Sinful—who is left of them, who they are, and what they intend to do, if anything.”

“We will figure it out, Lena,” Gavin assures me. “And if not that, we will make our own plan to save this town.”

“Fuck yeah!” Ora chimes in. “This is our home. No way we’re letting it go without a fight. The Block may be putting up walls, but I know my grandfather. Xavier Clive loves this town more than anyone I know. So whatever you come up with, we’ve got your back.”

“You really do have him wrapped around your little finger, huh?” Gavin huffs a laugh.

“Don’t let him hear you say it! He hates that kind of truth.”

“You’re ridiculous. But you make my day. I’m so glad you found us.” I pull her close again. This is what was missing, another piece of the puzzle I need to try and rebuild myself, my life.

Friends.

My loves.

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