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Wait.

Let the dangerous men handle danger.

Except what if Razor sees them?

What if he drops the frame before they reach him?

What if the picture slips from the broken backing?

What if the one thing I have left of Mama disappears into sixty feet of darkness because I waited for Bitter’s club to save something that belongs to me?

Bitter’s club.

The thought comes ugly.

Yesterday they used my car because the club needed it. This morning Bitter stood in front of them and made sure everybody knew I came second.

No.

Not second.

Nothing.

A woman I fucked.

Not enough.

I hate that those words matter right now.

I hate that Razor knows they matter.

I hate Bitter for putting them inside my head where Razor can use them.

Mercy turns back. “Hyde's sending men toward the dump from both sides.”

My stomach clenches. “What if Razor sees?”

“He will not.”

“You don't know that.”

“They know what they're doing.”

So did Bitter.

The thought is immediate and vicious.

Bitter knew what he was doing too.

He knew exactly what he was breaking.

“Sweet.”

I realize Mercy has said my name twice.

“What?”

“Stay here.”