Page 44 of Bitter’s Sweet

“Sure it is.”

I walk back toward the main room before Mercy keeps looking at me like I’m an open casket with secrets showing. Every step away from Sweet feels irritatingly wrong, which only proves I need distance. Distance keeps things clean. Keeps women from making nests inside a man’s ribs. Keeps the dead where they belong.

I find Nevermore near the side entrance with Ghoul. One look at my face and their conversation dies.

“What?” Nevermore asks.

“Reaper just rode past the school.”

Ghoul straightens. “Colors?”

“Half hidden. Matte black Dyna, busted left mirror, fork wraps, no plate.”

“He do anything?” Nevermore asks.

“Marked a car.”

“Whose?”

I don’t answer fast enough.

Nevermore’s eyes narrow. “Mercy’s new girl?”

“She has a name.”

“What is it?”

“Sweet.”

“That ain’t a name.”

“It’s the one she gave us.”

“No, it’s the one Mercy gave her.”

I step closer. “You got a point coming, or are you just trying to hear yourself survive?”

Ghoul whistles low. “Damn. Sunshine got him growling already.”

I point at him. “You want to be useful, find the bike.”

Ghoul grins. “Yes, sir, Mr. Not Interested.”

He heads out.

Nevermore waits until he is gone before speaking again. “What was scratched on the car?”

“Reaper mark. And ours.”

His face hardens. “That’s personal.”

“Yeah.”

“Does she know who?”

“She lied badly.”

“And you pushed badly?”