Page 145 of Chaos Kills

“Sounds good, be careful.”

“I will.”

I hang up and stride over to my sisters to help with their change, and Mrs. Cooper starts going off.

“Oh, Bay, sweetheart, I was just tellin’ your sisters about the time I pied your father in the face at the South Shore Summer Festival.”

My lips coil into an immediate smile. “Oh yeah? That sounds…rewarding.”

“Oh, it was. The man thought no one was gonna get him.”

I count out fifty bucks and hand it over to Ellie. “I would’ve loved to have seen that.”

My cell phone buzzes in my hand as Mrs. Cooper starts off with another story. She gets one more before I save my sisters from her rattling off. I know her heart is in the right place, but it’s still a bit overwhelming at times even though the girls have been taking Dad’s death in impressive stride.

UNKNOWN: Hi, Bay! It’s Luisa, Cairo’s sister. I was wondering if you’d like to come to a party with me tonight. Free booze and college kids.

Whoa.

How did chica over here get my number? And, I know she said she wanted to see me again, but I didn’t take it seriously.

BAY: Hey, girl. Sorry, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it.

It’s a lie.

I’m not ready to make friends with Cairo’s family like that, and I feel scheme written all over it.

Lorenzo might be pushing for the girls to become my homies so I stay in South Shore and get them the ally Wharf Bay has been obviously wanting so much.

LUISA: I completely understand. I know it’s not my place, but I figured you could sell your “candy” there to make some extra money. The kids are rich and shit. You could probably triple your price.

LUISA: And the only reason why my noisy ass is talking about it is because I know you’re trying to do better for your family. I’m not on board with you staying and taking a Titan seat even though it’s about time a woman stepped in.

Huh.

Luisa Black isn’t all power tripped up?

BAY: Thanks for the invite. I appreciate the tip.

LUISA: You’re welcome.

LUISA: And sorry. I know this was out of the blue. I didn’t mean for it to sound weird.

It did.

This girl doesn’t know the correct protocol to not making it sound weird, but I can’t blame her for trying.

However, triple the money on pills, that’s sticking with me.

BAY: Got an invite from Luisa Black about going to a party with her to sell. A bunch of rich kids.

LEVI: Where at?

BAY: She didn’t say. I guess she heard her daddy was trying to get me to take over the Titan seat, and now SHE knows we’re leaving too.

BAY: Emilio is going to find out.

LEVI: Don’t worry about Emilio. How is she?

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