Page 16 of Glutton for Punishment

A knock lands against the door behind me, and I don’t bother looking up. “Come in.”

The door opens and Lucas steps inside, shutting it with practiced silence. He takes in the map on my desk. “You’ve been staring at that for hours.”

“Working,” I respond.

“Obsessing.”

I look up. Lucas is leaning against the wall, arms crossed, shoulders broad enough to claim the space.

"Anyone else would bleed out for that accusation,” I say. “Are you here just to criticize me, or is there something that actually requires my attention?”

He drops a folder onto the desk in front of me.

“Three of our dealers got picked up by the Salt Wardens last night in Devourne,” he says. “One of your siblings is testing our borders again. Also, the Crimson Crew from Vex’s region has been sniffing around the casino floor in Gluttara. David said their security teams dropped them off at the border… after removing a few fingers.”

I sigh in frustration. My sibling’s tendency to test me is nothing new.

“They’re probably trying to see if we’re distracted,” Lucas says.

Distracted…

My eyes skim the folder without taking in details.

Normally, this is the kind of problem I’d already have handled. Territory disputes, law enforcement pressure, rival crews looking for weaknesses to sell to the highest bidder—this is the usual rhythm of the city.

But the past week hasn’t been usual. I’m sure my father has filled everyone in on my bond situation and his other spawn are seeing it as a weakness.

“Handle it,” I say.

Lucas studies me for a moment.

“I did,” he replies. “But eventually the guy in charge needs to act like the guy in charge again.”

Lucas hasn’t moved from the wall, but something in his expression has shifted.

“They’re not questioning you yet,” he says. “But they’re watching. You sent half our people into the Wastes, and you’re sitting up here staring at a map like it’s going to talk back to you.”

The words settle somewhere uncomfortable. Because he’s right, and I know he’s right, and knowing it changes nothing.

“You questioning my leadership?”

“No. But our top people are. They know something is up. You sent half our crews into the Wastes.” He pauses. “For her.”

I should have a response to that. I look back down at the map instead, my fingers tracing one of the outer sectors.

“Any word from the units in the Wastes?”

Lucas’s expression shifts, just enough to tell me I already know the answer.

“No sightings,” he says. “None of the scouting teams have found anything in the zones we’ve been able to reach. Hardly any signs of life.”

A dull pressure settles behind my ribs.

“What about the smugglers running the southern ridge?”

“We questioned them yesterday. They have seen no one matching her description, but they’ve been more focused on dodging the rebels in that area.”

The bond pulses again, as if reacting to the conversation.