Page 100 of F*ck Steal Kill

Lacey: Never.

Ava and Lukas had joined the Shadows a few months ago. After two months on their own, they both realized they were bored and wanted to help people like themselves. Jackson created an intern program for people like them who’d been victims of their circumstances. It gave them scholarships for college and a place to feel useful by sharing their knowledge on how organizations like the Savages worked. Both of them had bloomed into amazing young adults already, and I saw bright futures for them. Killers could have awards, too, you know.

Holland: No one is replacing anyone, and Ava is a little sister to all of us. Stop acting like you don’t care about her.

Lacey: I hate you both.

Joy: It sounds like Lacey needs to play the game.

Holland: Speaking of FSK, did you give in to Ryan yet? He your boyfriend now?

Ryan and his team still followed Lacey around like a lost puppy. She said she hated it, but she’d been working with their team a lot more recently, so I wondered if that had been changing. I didn’t know if they hooked up after the first time since she ignored him and his team when in public, but it seemed almost too much protesting, and I had a feeling my dark and stabby bestie had caught feelings and didn’t know how to deal with them yet.

Lacey: Who?

Joy: The cute guy who’s your shadow. Omg. Get it; he’s a Shadow, who is your shadow?

Holland: Don’t forget H-squared. They’re both just as bad.

Lacey: Have you been sucking the helium again, Joy?

Joy: No. Why?

Lacey: Did James and Mallory give you special brownies?

Joy: Nope. It’s all me, baby.

Joy had met a married couple on one of her dating apps who were looking to add a partner. She hit it off with both the husband and the wife and had been happily coupled up with them ever since. I was happy for Joy. She was a rare light that the world needed more of. Now, if we could only get Lacey to pull her head out of her ass, then I wouldn’t feel so guilty for leaving her alone.

Lacey: Either of you coming back to the apartment tonight?

Joy: We’re having a slumber party. Gotta try out the new strap-on I made this week.

Lacey: Pretty sure the Shadows don’t want to fund your sex life.

Joy: You never know when it could be useful on the job.

Holland: I’m staying over at the guys. They said they had something for me.

Joy: Do you think they’re popping the question?

Holland: Ew. God no. They better not. I still haven’t changed my stance on marriage. I’ll have to stab them if they do.

Lacey: Are we still having drinks tomorrow for your birthday?

Holland: Yep. Girls’ day first, and then everyone for tacos and tequila later.

Joy: Yay! I miss seeing you both.

Lacey: You saw us at lunch today. You literally talked to us for thirty minutes about the new lipstick you were making.

Joy: Gosh, that was so long ago!

Holland: Miss you too, Joy. Have fun at your sleepover, and let me know how the toy works.

Joy: XOXO

Lacey: Since I have the house to myself, it’s time for some Lacey naked cleaning and dancing.

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