n Colli

he main street, the gravel crunching under my boots, the low chuckle o

nged to someone who had nothing left to lose. He wasn't Salinas. He wasn't anyone I recognize

onged to Chas and his Church

e floorboards the moment I slipped throug

in torn denim and leather bustiers hung around the pool tables, laughing loudly over the clatter of billiard bal

guard by the stairs shifted s

Cinnamon," one muttered. "Chas

e door open, and walked

ong slate pool table sat in the center, functioning as the official Church table. Half

e a soft cream knit sweater that looked absurdly clean against the stained

hut behind me. He scowled, tapping h

eat in the back and keep your mouth

f the pool table, pulled out a metal chair at the opposite end

ed hard on my sho

in close. Her breath was hot, sour w

clap when they hand Kristina her rocker, and you make sure the catering bill for her celebration run

t hand, and peeled her fingers off my shoul

e, Bettie," I said, my voice quiet, carrying

ushed an ugly re

side called out, bringing a heavy wooden gav

his chest out, smoothin

na's field trauma skills and the emergency medicine she brought across the lines, half the northern squad would be in pine

mbers banged their fists

h! She ea

ling with well-practiced tears. "Thank you, everyone. I just

directly at me, his chest sw

courtesy. "As the current Old Lady on paper, the

toward me. Bettie glared from the side

y. I didn't

black-bound ledger Rachel had finalized an hour ago, and

A

ing the chalk and sending a billiard ball rolling int

tanding up and resting my palms flat

ipping the first page. Her smug expression melted

this garbage?"

six months," I announced, my voice cutting through the smoke like a fresh

back against the wall. "Shut your m

r directly at Kristina, whose delicate smile had completely vanished. "Right up until you started blowing tw

real panic flashing in her wide eyes. "She's lying! Sh

table. "As of eight o'clock this morning, I have executed a formal Charter Cut-Off. My capital is frozen. My n

The elders looked at the ledger, then at

rd, slamming his fists onto the table. "You walk out on this club, you won't

lmet from the c

ho freezes f

e shouting table and w

reamed behind me. "You don't get

st step, glancing b

ersonal holding company two hundred and twenty thousand dollar

d out into the cool air of the b

nsive navy suit was violently shaking a bright pi