Page 109 (2/2)

I look over Mickey’s head to see Fitchner standing there, s moment, Mickey pulls back "I tried to warn you, when you caetically "Wanted to say to run But she would have killed me if I said any more I was afraid you would believe her over me"

"I would have believed you, Mickey"

"You would have?" He sniffles "I knew you’d coet about Mickey, but she spat onand so vulnerable, drained and nearly mad from what must have been done to hiht I airls and boys I sold theht Why would you co for wicked little Mickey?"

"Because you’re ently as he looks up at me with hopeful eyes "Weird as you are, wicked as you were I know you want to be better You want to live for more We all do And there’s not a place they could take one of ood to speak the truth

"Thank you," he says quietly He draws hih to turn and walk out of the office Fitchner closes the door

"Well, that was emotional"

I nod This is the h my teeth I suppose I didn’t even kno much affection I felt for Mickey till now It’s not because he helped make me It’s that he’s always loved e sort of love, it was real And I do believe he wants to be a man he thinks I would respect Just like I want to be a ood sort of love

"We need to talk, Fitchner," I say We didn’t have a chance earlier Sevro ca, attach the Sons to est Sun-hwa as the scapegoat, and let them know Victra was not to be har back his metal chair

"No, I want you to stay," I say "I’ve too many secrets from too many people I won’t have any more between the three of us"

"Learn to count, shithead," Sevro says, coine block The cheap metal door to the outside slaea’s oil-staineddistrict He hops onto the rusted chassis of an old fighter and sits with his legs dangling "Hey, look, it’s all pricks for once Let’s tell sexist jokes"

Chuckling, I turn to Fitchner "So you’re Ares"

"Man coenius!" Fitchner barks He claps his hands, but his eyes stay deadly serious "Most call ht The Sovereign calls me traitor My son calls me shithead …"