Page 7 of Looking Grimm

“My brother just died, you ass,” I growled. “I’m grieving.”

“You’re sulking.” He gave the tea bag another dunk. “It’s unbecoming. And no kind of tribute to Donovan’s memory.”

Grumbling, I dug into the pocket of my borrowed gym shorts to get the cigarettes I’d stopped for on the way here. No sooner did I have the pack in hand than did Ripley cluck his tongue at me.

“Don’t even think about it,” he said.

I shot him a sour look. “Prude.”

“Nonsmoking room.” He indicated a sign on the wall with an icon stating the fact, then shrugged. “I don’t make the rules.”

Tucking the cigarettes away, I shifted forward to sit with my elbows on my knees and bridged my fingers. I’d come here with a half-baked plan and an offer Ripley could very well refuse. Despite whatever assistance I might get from the Capitol, I needed other boots on the ground—firepower in the form of another confirmed villain.

I’d asked him about the gang’s whereabouts weeks ago. It was the only time I’d been able to face him since Donovan’s death, not trusting myself not to spit venom at anyone who crossed my path. But Ripley knew even less than I did, having fulfilled his obligation to poison the city after Grimm and the others sprung him from jail. It seemed that was all he was worth to them—a one-trick pony, valued until the novelty wore off. I could sympathize.

“You remember what you said to me after we got out of Thorngate?” I asked.

He held the mug to his lips, sipping slowly in lieu of replying.

“About me running the gang?” I added.

Despite that we were alone in the room—dozing zombie notwithstanding—I scooted closer, creating a sense of conspiracy between us. My lips curled back from my teeth inwhat must have looked like a mad grin at the thought of what I said next. “I want to run it into the ground.”

I hadn’t expected him to jump at it. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, really. But it threw me when he pitched back on the sofa and raised his mug in a mocking toast.

“Bully for you,” he said joylessly. “A far better use of your energies than getting knackered and raining terror on your enabler of a boyfriend.”

“Nash isn’t my—” I stopped myself. It was a familiar argument, one I’d shared with Donovan more than a few times. Heartache twinged.

Ripley eyed me, waiting for me to finish my statement. When I didn’t, he bent forward and set his cup on the marble coffee table. “Yet you knew immediately who I meant.” He sniffed.

“Not hard to guess when there’s no one else around,” I retorted. “I’ve burned all my other bridges.” I thought back to standing on the docks watching the houseboat go up in flames. “Some of them literally,” I mumbled.

“You have allies, you sad sod.” Ripley crossed one leg over the other, then folded his arms, getting comfortable or at least more ready to listen. “You have a plan, I assume?” he said more than asked. “Or rather, I hope. It wouldn’t be prudent to assume with what I know of you.”

“I have ideas.” My reply earned a scoffing laugh. I flexed my jaw before continuing, “And the Capitol’s backing.”

That was meant to add credibility to my mission, but Ripley’s immediately sour expression indicated the opposite effect.

“Those who have served us so well thus far,” he sniped.

I’d had the same thoughts, the same reservations. It waswhy I hadn’t gone to Holland already and why I hoped Briggs wouldn’t involve her now, though that may have been too much to ask.

I rubbed my hands over my face. “I know, but they have the resources I need.”

When Ripley looked at me again, his gaze was cold and cutting. “Marionette may be the perfect name for you, after all. I used to think it a pity, but perhaps youenjoybeing jerked around and told what to do.”

“The fuck is that supposed to mean?” I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t think I liked it.

“It means you can’t even enjoy freedom when you have it!” he exclaimed. The blankets piled around Maggie rustled again, prompting him to finish in a harsh whisper, “Can’t leave well enough alone.”

“Grimm deserves to pay for what he’s done,” I replied. “Foreverythinghe’s done. Don’t you want revenge? I’m sure he’s done plenty of shit to you. And Maggie.”

“He has. But I’m not foolish enough to think I can undo it.”

I would have undone everything. Erased my own existence if I could. But he was right. Killing Grimm wouldn’t right all the ways I’d been wronged; it wouldn’t bring Donovan back. But I’d given up on that. Now I just wanted to feel better.

After filling my lungs with an exasperated breath, I pushed out of the chair and stood.

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