Page 16 of Fanning the Flames

“Yes.” Zee glanced at Kade, who was attempting to make himself smaller by crossing his arms and hunching inward. “We’re here to find out if you’ve heard any rumors about Villains coming to Vector City. Anything from your prior contacts.”

“Nobody talks to us,” Mark said. “We’ve been blacklisted since we worked with you to bring down Trick.”

“So you haven’t picked up on any gossip from other Villains?”

“No onetalks to us,” Joan emphasized. “Even if we wanted to reach out—which we don’t—we’re known as the Villains who ratted out their own. That’s unforgivable.”

Zee studied the Malone twins for a long moment.

Sadie shifted her weight. “I can vouch for them because I’m with these two every day. They aren’t having clandestine meetings.”

“I said they wouldn’t know anything,” Kade stage-whispered.

“It was worth a shot,” Zee said. “Of course, if I find out you’re lying…”

“Why would we lie?” Joan said, flashing hot as her internal fire flickered.

“Why would we team up with Smash?” Mark pointed out.

“TheSmash,” Kade said.

Zee shrugged.

Joan curled her hands into loose fists. “You guys took him down in five minutes. If we were planning on reentering the Villain scene, we’d pick stronger allies.”

Sadie slid her fingers through Joan’s and squeezed. “Not that you’re planning on that, right, Joanie?”

“Of course not, but?—”

“He threw a car at my head,” Kade said, unfurling his arms and knocking over two mixing bowls. “It might’ve looked easy, but he was mean and strong.”

Mark squeezed his brawny shoulder. “And we appreciate what you did. We don’t want bad guys throwing cars around town.”

Zee picked up the bowls. “If you do hear anything, we’d appreciate it if you told us. I’m sure you can agree that protecting our city is important for all of us.”

“Important for us staying out of jail, you mean,” Joan said.

“Itisin your best interests.”

Well, it was a good thing nobody talked to the former Villains anymore. They wouldn’t be put in another situation where they’d have to align with the Supers.

“Do you think this was a one-off, or the start of something?” Sadie asked.

“Hopefully a one-off,” Zee said. “We’re monitoring the situation.”

“I hope so, too.” Sadie squeezed Joan’s hand.

“Me, too.” Kade scratched at the blond curls springing from under his ballcap. “Things are a lot better now that we’re not fighting all the time.”

“I am a lover, not a fighter,” Mark said.

“You’re hard to fight against.”

“Thanks. You’re hard?—”

“Could we get some food?” Zee interrupted. A hint of irritation played across their face. Huh. Was that a touch of jealousy or just general annoyance with Mark?

“Absolutely,” Sadie said, untangling from Joan. “We’ve got a new sandwich. It has pesto and chickpeas, and I know you like to eat vegetarian sometimes.”

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