Levi smiled at her, his expression hopeful. Just because they weren’t hurting each other.
Of all the devastating secrets he’d told her, it was this moment that broke her heart the most.
She shook away her thoughts—she couldn’t get distracted. Tonight, Enne would finally claim power for her own.
“Let’s get on with it, then,” Levi said, significantly more lightness to his step. Enne plastered on a business face and recited the words she’d perfected with Grace from earlier.The gangs are opening up for investments and you—yes, you—now have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy in. After all, no industry in New Reynes is always on the up like crime.
They headed into the first building on their right, its foundation of wooden beams resembling stilts and painted in rainbow stripes. The third and fourth stories leaned to the right, as if trying to spill into Tropps Street, and blue lights blinked from inside, making Enne’s head spin.
“We’ll start with a tame one,” Levi said, pushing open the door. “It’s called the Beck and Call. Pretty clever. So you can have me—”
“At my beck and call,” Enne finished. “Notthatclever.”
They stepped into a lounge area. Because it was still early, Enne only spotted a few workers—dancing to the sultry music, wiping down the bar.
Enne felt her shoulders relax. This was no worse than any New Reynes tavern.
“Can I help you?” one of the workers asked. He was dressed in a suit jacket and matching trousers, but with no shirt underneath. His eyes widened as he took the two of them in, recognition dawning on his face.
“We’ve come to speak to the madame,” Levi explained.
The man nodded and hurried off. He returned a minute later with a surprisingly young woman dressed in gold from head to toe. Although very little of her was exposed, her clothes were tight enough to be a second skin.
“I don’t know why the pair of you are here,” the woman said, “but I don’t want any trouble.”
“No trouble,” Levi told her, “only opportunity.”
The madame narrowed her eyes, but nodded and motioned for them to follow. She led them down a narrow hallway and opened a door to a small office, where Enne and Levi took seats on fur-lined chairs in front of her desk.
The woman pushed away this morning’s copy ofThe Crimes & The Timesto clear off the surface. “Dreadful things in the papers, all thanks to you two. Dark times repeating themselves.” She looked between them accusingly.
“We’re not looking to revive the old war,” Levi said. “In fact, that’s exactly why we’re here. We all share the North Side, and we’re doing our part to keep our home safe. We wondered if you might be interested in helping us achieve that.”
She raised her eyebrows expectantly, but said nothing.
Enne cleared her throat. “Membership in the gangs is exclusive, but now, each of the gangs have committed themselves to supporting the North Side. However, as the attack on the Orphan Guild proved, the whiteboots have weapons, numbers, and resources we don’t. So every business in the North Side is being given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest—”
“What you’re saying,” the madame snapped, “is that you want us to pay for our protection.”
“Not at all,” Enne said, all practiced smiles. “Every volt you invest gives you a share of ownership. When the gangs profit, so will you. When the North Side is protected, we are all made safe.”
The woman was silent for several moments, and Enne wondered if they had sold it. According to Grace, everyone in the City of Sin spoke the language of volts, but this was no simple transaction—this was risk. This was history.
This was power.
The woman leaned forward, lowering her voice to a hiss. “And when you and every gangster hang in Liberty Square? Where do my volts go, then? Who protects us, then?”
Levi stood abruptly, the charm never leaving his smile. “If you change your mind, you can find the Spirits in the Ruins District.”
Enne shot him an irritated look, but he pulled her outside before she could confront him.
It was drizzling now. Levi opened an umbrella and offered it to her, but Enne took a step back.
“The ‘Spirits’?” she demanded. “Did you just name my gang, Levi?”
“I think it sounds good. It suits your street name—”
“It sounds ridiculous.”
