Page 196 of Bitter’s Sweet

Mama used to say strange things when I cried. Not comforting things.

Useful things.

If somebody wants you scared, baby, make them work for it.

I can almost hear her.

Razor has already worked plenty.

The front door rattles.

Lark jumps. “Jesus.”

Mercy’s voice comes through the glass. “Open this damn door before I kick it in.”

Junie unlocks it.

Mercy comes inside with Hyde directly behind her.

Of course.

Apparently telling Mercy not to bring the president of a motorcycle club somewhere works about as well as asking Boogie not to touch a microphone.

Hyde shuts the door behind them.

“What happened?”

I hold out the phone.

Mercy takes it, and Hyde reads over her shoulder.

His face changes at the photo.

Not shock.

Calculation.

“Apartment’s locked?”

“Yes,” Mercy says.

“Steel door still closed when I came down?”

“I didn’t get that far.”

Hyde is already on his phone.

“CSI. Bitter’s apartment. Now. Nobody goes inside till you clear it.”

My pulse kicks at Bitter’s name.

I hate that.

Mercy hands my phone back. “You stay with me.”

“I know.”

Hyde looks at me. “Razor wants you moving.”