“Protection money,” Blue cuts in.
Zusanna looks up again. But this time, doesn’t go right back to her phone. Just looks at Blue.
“For you,” he goes on. “That they didn’t get.”
Zusanna tenses her shoulders. “I tell you,again,Mr. Bike, I don’t do that. I don’t play their games or pay their money?—”
“I saidforyou, notfromyou,” Blue cuts in, striding toward Pan.
Oh, shit. My stomach drops.
“Pan,” I mutter. “Did you ever make the drop for Krye?”
“Did I…” Pan scratches the side of his head. “He never called!”
“Hedidcall,” I say, thinking of the stupid burner phone back at the shop. “Like, a thousand times.Youjust lost track of the phone.”
“Youwere gonna help me remember?—”
“Hey, idiots,” Blue barks, pushing a hand into each of our chests. “Shut the fuck up. The girl’s shop is wrecked, okay? Too late.”
I jump back, away from his touch. Pan glowers and folds his arms.
“Well,” he says at last. “My bad, I suppose. But?—”
“No.” Zusanna nods, eyes gleaming. “No, is good. I don’t want any part of that. I don’t participate.”
“Bold choice,” Kit says under his breath. Zusanna snorts.
“I am big girl. I fight on my own terms.”
A beat of silence, just the rustling of palm trees and the distant whine of traffic. Pan chews his cheek.
“Well, now what?” he says at last.
“Now whatwhat?” Zusanna repeats, looking back at her ruined gym. “Now I order new fucking windows, is what. You are window-glass technicians?”
Fox, who happens to be nearest to her accusing finger, shakes his head and backs off.
“C’mon, Zuzu.” Pan wanders forward. “You know what I—I’m supposed to help you. I’m gonna look like a dumbass in front of your old man unless there’ssomethingwe can do here.”
Zusanna snorts. “Again, sounds like you problem.” Then she considers. “I tell you what. You givemethe money, eh? I buy new windows and my father’s business insurance stays clean as whistle.”
Fox frowns. “But what if they come back? To, you know…” His eyes drift to the few shards of glass still dangling in the frames.
“First? If I catch them here, thenIpoundthemintokofte.” Zusanna grinds a fist into a palm. “And if they want money, I tell them to find whoever he is”—she gestures above her head in the air—“clown-haired boy on bike.”
Pan narrows his eyes and chest-passes her the bundle.
Zusanna catches it one handed. “Sounds like you are the ones needing protection now, eh?” She laughs. “Maybe next time you need help you callme,not my father, now you know who has muscle.” She gives the bundle a smack against her chest and bows. “Goodbye, Lost Boys.”
“Waste of fucking time,”Pan mutters. “Just like I thought.”
“Uh, did you?” Kit’s voice crackles in. “Didn’t you call this a rescue mission before? Sounds like you’re just cranky you didn’t get to do the white knight thing.”
“Yep,” Fox agrees. “Probably.”
“Or mad that Zuzu said his hair was stupid,” I add.
