Page 85 of Spades

But despite the walls I built around myself, Alissa managed to worm her way in. The way she speaks her mind without thinking, the way she twirls her hair around her finger when she’s contemplating, the way she zones out as she ponders something meaningful.

And…shit.

She’s going back into the same alleyway where that gang of thugs cornered her last night.

What was she thinking?

What wasIthinking, letting her leave like that?

Where would she even be going? It’s not like she can figure out what Rouge is up to—if Rouge is indeed up to anything—by hitting up the Harold Washington Library.

If anything, my political connections are going to be the way to go about this.

She needs me to help her. And to protect her.

I get to my feet and run up the mirrored staircase, pounding on the door.

Chet opens it, cocking his head. “Leaving so soon, Mr. Hathaway?”

“Yeah.” I button my jacket. “Did you see Alissa?”

“Alissa?”

I roll my eyes. “I believe you call her Miss Wonder.”

Chet grins. “Are you looking for her?”

“Yes. That would be why I asked if you saw her.”

Chet clasps his hands together. “Do you think she left?”

“She went up the staircase, Chet. There’s only one direction she could go from this room.”

Chet raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure about that?”

“For Christ’s sake, of course I am. Did you see which way she went?”

“Which way do you think she went?”

“I swear to God, Chet…”

“Do you believe in God, Mr. Hathaway?”

I grab him by the shoulders, pressing his jacket up against the wall. The button keeping it together snaps off, revealing his pale hairless chest. And his nipples are…purple? Covered in violet makeup.

What the fuck is up with this guy?

“Give it to me straight, or I’ll fucking pound your skull against this wall until there actuallyisanother exit out of this room. What the hell is going on here, Chet?”

His lips twitch. “What doyouthink is going on?”

I groan, exasperated. “Fuck this all, and fuck you.” I let go of Chet and exit through the black door. I look around the alleyway. No sign of Alissa. I grab my phone out of my jacket pocket and shoot her a quick text.

You okay?

I stare at the screen, willing the three dots to show up.

They don’t.

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