Page 67 of The Phantom's Vice

“I still can’t believe he lets you pet him,” Brett murmurs, resting her chin in her hands as she stares lovingly at her cat.

“That’s Snow White for you,” I say, chuckling at the murderous glare Orion sends my way. “Strays love him. I’m always coming home to some roadkill-wannabe being nursed back to health. It’s endearing, really.”

“I do not!” Orion grumbles, crossing his arms.

“Oh, yeah? Want to tell Brett about thecrowsitting in your room?”

“That’s different! He can’t fly anymore. Heneedsme.”

I sigh, leaning back in my chair with a glance at Brett. “You see what I have to deal with?”

She giggles, reaching over and giving Rupert some scratches behind his ears. “I think it’s sweet. Everyone needs help sometimes, right? Does the crow have a name?”

At this, Orion brightens. “Yes! His name is Bacchus. He’s literallysocool. Sometimes, he’ll find me coins and shit from outside, and?—”

“And Orion is not supposed tohavean animal.” I interrupt, crossing my arms. “It’s too dangerous.”

“You have Rupert! Why can’t I have a pet?” Orion grumbles, crossing his own arms to mimic Ghost.

“Because.It’s for the animals' safety.”

Orion’s eyes glaze over, and he pounds his fist on the table, sending his glass falling to the side, spilling water across the table and floor. “I won’t hurt him, I promise!”

I groan, shaking my head slowly. “Orion?—”

“No. Fuck you!” he yells, shoving away from the table and standing. “You don’tknow! Bacchus is theonly one who makes me feel better about what I… what I…”

I see the rage clouding his eyes, and I know I need to stop thisnow.“Orion. It’s okay. You can keep…Bacchus. At least until he can fly again.” Brett reaches under the table and squeezes my leg, and I have to stop from leaping into the air as the electricity thrums beneath my skin. “Does that sound fair?”

Orion’s eyes clear, and he plops back down in his seat with a nod. “Yeah. I guess…”

I nod, satisfied. “Good. Now, I wanted to talk to you about the information you’ve gathered.” Orion shoots a nervous look at Brett, and I wave him off. “Anything you found out can be said in front of Brett. She is trustworthy.”

He nods, dropping his eyes to his hands resting in his lap. “I just… I don’t want to scare her.”

This piques Brett’s interest. “What? Don’t want to scare me with what?”

He shrugs, refusing to look at either of us. “I’ve heard… rumors.”

“Out with it, kid,” I growl, my fist tightening at my side as I run through the possibilities.

He sighs, jerking his chin toward Brett. “They’re looking for her. The FBI,andthe Sanctum. She evenhas one of the lower-ranking MCs out on the streets, looking for info—the Hounds, I think?” Orion sighs, running a hand across his face. “And that’s not the half of it. They’re looking foryou,Ghost. Madam—she doesn’t trust you anymore. She’s starting to suspect that you’ve flipped.”

Fucking motherfuck. This is so not good.

“And? What do they know?” I demand, gritting my teeth as my heart picks up pace. “Do they know Brett is with me?”

“They suspect it,” Orion says, shooting an apologetic smile toward Brett. “I guess you’re pretty glad to be here with us, huh?”

Brett grumbles something I can’t quite make out, but my mind is too far from it to think about it for long.Madam suspects me, which means my plan is officially in motion now. I thought I had a few more months to work out the kinks, but… There’s no other option now. She’s coming for me, and I have to hit her before that happens.

It’s the only way any of us will make it out of this alive.

After cleaning up dinner, Brett, Orion, and I retire to the living room with the pets. A large flat-screen TV hangs opposite the massive leather L-shaped sofa, and it turns on as soon as Brett plops onto the sofa.

“Whoa. That’s kind of cool,” Brett murmurs, taking the remote Orion thrusts at her while Venom snuggles onto her lap. I go to take the seat next to her, but Rupert has other plans. Before I so much as bend my knees, he hauls his furry ass onto the leather cushion, placing his large white head in the small space Venom left unoccupied on her lap.

Damn traitor.I give Rupert a few scratches on his head before stepping around the coffee table to sit on her other side. Orion notices what I mean to do and gives me a wicked smile before sliding into the seat I planned to occupy.

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