Page 110 of Chaos Kills

“But how long do you think that’ll last?”

His hazel eyes flick over to me, but he doesn’t say anything at first. He doesn’t have to. Leaving South Shore isn’t the all-time solution to our problems.

It’s not home.

“I’m honestly not sure,” he finally replies. “However, I do think it’s worth a shot.”

You’re gonna run, Little T? You’re gonna let this man run you out of town? Your father built South Shore. This is your legacy. Take it and own the shit.

“Do you think we could take Emilio down?”

His eyes squint at me in suspicion. “Why?”

“Just answer the question.”

You are South Shore.

Cairo’s words have been haunting me for the last twenty-four hours, and I’m not sure if my staying would just benefit him or if he is truly trying to get me to see what was meant for me.

What I’m entitled to.

“It’ll be hard,” Hot Rod deadpans. “Many have tried?—”

“And none have succeeded,” I finish for him just as another burnout starts. “However, you didn’t have me.”

He shakes his head. “No.You’renot going to be involved.”

“You’ve been hanging out with Levi too long.”

“Still doesn’t mean we’re going to have you go out and do some stupid shit.”

“Like pretend to want to be his daughter?” I counter with a perked eyebrow. “Sounds pretty stupid to me.”

He scowls. “Bay, get real.”

“I am getting real. Why should we leave home when we can nail this asshole?”

“Because it means war if we miss.”

“Are The Nameless not ready for it?”

He tsks and straightens his spine, hovering like a palm tree and casting down his opinion. “It’s about innocent lives being lost.”

“And what do you think Emilio will do when he discovers I’m gone? Do you think he’s going to leave South Shore alone?”

Hot Rod stares at me, but I know I’ve already won this so-called argument. Emilio will rip this place apart, South Shore will go to war anyway, and everyone I love here will suffer.

“I’m starting to second-guess the idea,” I convey honestly. “I haven’t told Levi yet since he’s not here. But…I feel as though we’d do more harm than good if we left. If we do still go, I’m afraid of what Emilio might do if he finds us. He found me under a different name before. What makes us believe he’s not going to be able to do it again?”

“I dunno,” Rod answers flatly. “I can…suggest it to Levi.”

“Might want to leave that to me,” I volunteer. “He’s out there doing silly shit, and now I’m being a woman and possibly changing my mind.”

“Alright.”

I press my lips together and inhale. “What do you…” I release my breath because I loathe these conversations. “What do you think is best, Rod? I need your honest opinion. What would you do?”

Hot Rod is the most rational of us all. He’s the thinker and the planner. He does nothing without looking at the pros and cons of everything first before speaking.

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