“Watch your tone, boy.” Vince’s voice was cold as ice.
“Or what? You’ll finish the rest of the list off yourself? You’ll replace me?”
“We’ll be forced to eliminate a distraction.”
Chang hit the wall behind him, held down by ice.
“I don’t likeyourtone, Mr. Chang. Need I remind you all who’s been doing your dirty work and why?” I sauntered over to my newest icicle, currently trying to fight the full body cast I’d locked him in. “When I joined your crusade, you assured me that no innocent life would be taken. If you so much as touch a hair on the volunteer’s head, I will make you beg for death. Do we understand each other?”
“Perfectly,” he spit out.
“Excellent,” I chirped, letting him loose. “Now. If anyone has ideas for trying to get the judge again, I’m all ears. Let’s get planning lady and gentlemen.”
They left an hour later.Adam looked like he was going to try and stab me with a pen the whole time. He could certainly try, but it wouldn’t have gotten him anything except a bad case of frostbite. The others were actually helpful in planning. It was agreed that I would go after Plowers in the new year.
He’d had a police escort since my attempt, but it was draining resources and they couldn’t afford to do it any longer. He would be an easier target next week and even easier if I gave it a bit more time with no attacks. Plus, this time I would go in knowing he might be prepared.
“How many of the other villains can we trust?” I asked once the door was locked behind them.
“With what?”
I began pacing behind the counter. “The benefactor is insinuating that they’ll kill Violet and you’re going to stand there and ask me for what? Are you kidding me? How many can we trust to keep tabs on her? We’ll need regular check-ins—by phone and in person. Someone should be in her general vicinity at all times. Not necessarily right there but close enough that they can help her if she’s in trouble.”
“Matt, the best way to eliminate any danger toward her is to distance yourself and stick to the plan.”
My eyes snapped to her. “I will. I just need to know that she’s being protected otherwise. So, how many can we trust?”
“At least half a dozen. But are you sure you’re okay with letting that many people know how much you…care about her? She’ll likely be turned into a weapon against you.”
“No one is going to know. You’re going to do the contacting. You’re going to tell them that an attempt to kidnap her was made and you stopped it. In order to keep us all protected, we’ll need to set up a schedule of contact. That’s how you’ll frame it.”
She sighed. “Okay. Consider it done.”
“Good.”
“How long have you known her?”
I knew this was coming, but I was hoping the threat on Violet’s life would distract Eva for longer.
“Two—”
“Don’t you dare fucking lie to me, Matthew.”
I cringed but she pressed on.
“She told me about the icicle you dropped on that cop’s car. He wasn’t on the list, and you don’t go after people not on the list. How long have you been stalking this poor girl?”
“I swear to god, E, I haven’t been.” I sighed running my hand through my hair. “You remember when I went after Mathers? I missed, ended up totalling that car? Apparently it was that guy’s.”
She stared at me in disbelief.
“You’ve been totally obsessed with her since that hospital visit and you expect me to believe it was a fucking coincidence that your icicle ended up on that cop’s car?”
“No, I don’t. It sounds fucking unbelievable but it’s the truth. I met her for the first time in the alley across from the bar the night after I went after Plowers and failed.”
“Then why the fuck are you so obsessed?”
“She’s warm.”
