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“Are they good to you, Aida?” he says

I hesitate, thinking of how Calluht, how he pounced on me in the car and cut my dress off How his mouth tasted How my body responded to him

“You know I can take care of myself, Papa,” I say at last

He nods “I know”

“Tyht,” I tell him

Papa sucks in a sharp breath If ere outside, he round

“The Butcher,” he says “What did he want?”

“He said he wanted some Transit Authority property that’s about to be auctioned off But I don’t think that was it, not really—I think he was testing Callum And maybe me, too To see hoe’d react to a demand”

“What did Callum say?”

“Told him to fuck off”

“How did Zajac take it?”

“He left”

My father frowns

“Be careful, Aida That won’t go unanswered”

“I know Don’t worry, though—the Griffins have security everywhere”