Page 72 of Fly's Path

Vex won’t let them do anything stupid…that’s not totally true, but he will ensure they have people protecting their backs. I needto focus on that fact and not on who she’s with and what they’re possibly doing.

The thought sends a chill down my spine.

Pulling onto Willow Street is a complete change of reality. Urbium is like most of the other big cities in the world: dirty, noisy, and filled with people. Willow Street is spotless. There’s literally not a single piece of dried gum on the sidewalk, let alone a stray wrapper. It’s wild.

But even wilder because there are dozens of teenagers just wandering around. Havoc and Rogue have talked briefly about Willow Street, but I didn’t get the sheer magnitude of it.

Knowing that the kids hanging around are street kids…kids that the rest of the world doesn’t see baffles my mind. There aren’t any cars on the street, so I stop right as my tires roll onto the cobblestone.

There’s no visible security, but knowing Maddox, that isn’t surprising. I probably have more than a few weapons trained on me. The question is, can I find them?

A big guy walks by with a nod. “Nice bike.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t offer them to any of the kids.”

Um, what? “Do people actually do that?”

He just glares at me.

That’s a yes, but the question is, which brother did it?

He keeps walking.

Well then, that was warm and fuzzy. Why do I suddenly want to get one of the kids into motorcycles just to irk him?

The question would be, which kid? The Whiz Kid would be the easy answer, but there’s no way his family is going to let him join the Children of Chaos.

Hmm…

The teenagers playing basketball on the street watch me walk by, but don’t stop their game.

During the weekdays, there isn’t a teenager to be seen on the streets of Silent Valley during school hours. Here they’re riding bicycles down the street, playing, eating, reading, and a few even look like they have textbooks open, studying.

The cutest ones are the couples walking together, hand in hand.

Would Sheri and I look that cute? Probably not…stupid teenagers in love have these silly grins on their faces and hearts in their eyes that are impossible not to find adorable.

What would Sheri look like with silly heart eyes? Magnificent. Though I do prefer her kiss-dazed gaze. I need to kiss her again soon.

Very soon!!! Why hasn’t she messaged me yet?

She’s busy. She has a life just like you.

Get the job done.

Make sure Vandal is safe.

Stop checking your phone.

Maddox’s office building is perfect for sight lines and fortifications. But the part I like about it is the elegant style. The little fifties vibes with a blend of gangster and art déco, but with modern elements. It creates a powerful feel as you walk in, giving him the upper hand before you even enter his office.

Not that he needs it with his office. I’m not afraid of snakes. Never have been, never will be, though having a healthy respect for the ones that can kill you isn’t a bad thing.

But his office—which intimidates most people—doesn’t affect me. The fact that he knows how to kill people a dozen different ways…now that’s a different story. I can fight, but my skills tend towards avoiding fights altogether. If they never see you, they won’t ever want to kill you.

As I step into Maddox’s office, his collection of pets is on full display.