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“If you’re someone who needs to leave a signature on their work like they’re some blood-stained Picasso, then yes.”

“You said you liked my work,” Dizzy says.

“I do. But we’re talking amateur hour here.” Willa stops. “Sorry, Kelsey. I don’t mean to be rude, but have you ever killed anyone?”

“No.” But thought about it... I’m definitely taking notes. “How do you know all this?”

“Comes with the job, I’m afraid.” Willa turns back to Dizzy. “What she needs is a disposal method that is almost guaranteed to go unnoticed.”

“What job?”

They both go silent and ignore my question.

“We should really talk about weapons,” Dizzy says.

Either I’ve had too much to drink for this conversation. Or not enough. I’m leaning heavily toward not enough. “What we need is more drinks.”

“Yes,” they both say.

“Axe,” Dizzy says.

Willa shakes her head. “Too hefty. Hard to wield. Impossible to conceal.”

I get up and go to the bar. Order another round of the same.

By the time I bring it back, they’re talking about knives, blades, and daggers. Freaking daggers?

“How big is your purse, Kelsey?” Willa asks.

“Uh.” I measure it out with my hands. I feel like I’m being swept up in their conversation.

“I just don’t know.” Dizzy collapses back in her chair. She takes her drink from me.

Willa stares at my boots while she sips her Sambuca. “You can kick ass, right? You must be able to. You escaped a kidnapping. Or... please don’t tell me you needed a man to save you.”

“I can hold my own in most situations.” I sit. Another notification comes through. I’m tempted to ignore it, but I’m still waiting to see if Lennon will join us. “But I might not have gotten away if the guys hadn’t found me in time. My past is an obsessed gangster. One of the reasons he’s after me is because I saw him murder two people. The other is because he’s obsessed with me.”

“Well, shit.” Willa’s chest falls. “That would be an impossible situation for most women.”

“Is that why you’re with the band?”

“Can you see any other reason I would come back?” It comes out harsher than I mean it to.

Dizzy shrugs.

I light up my phone screen and pull the notifications down.

“I know exactly what weapon you need,” Willa jumps in before Dizzy can say anything about Riot.

“What?” It’s from an unknown number. My heart catches, but then Lennon’s message would be from an unknown number.

Unknown: The dress is beautiful. Thank you.

Dizzy reads over my shoulder. “Tell her she is so welcome.”

Me: You’re welcome. Does this mean you’re joining us?

Lennon: Only for a little while.