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My phone rings somewhere between Blackridge and Hollow Creek. I dig it out of my purse. Violet’s name is on the screen. “Hey.”

“Please tell me you're somewhere near Hollow Creek.”

I glance out the window, then at Roman. “Define near.”

Violet groans. “Callie.”

“What?”

“I need you.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“It is.”

Smoke leans forward from the back seat. “Who is it?”

I twist around. “Violet.”

“Tell her I said hi.”

“Smoke says hi.”

“Why are you with Smoke?”

I look at Roman again. His hands tighten slightly around the steering wheel.

“Long story.”

“Is this a hitman long story?”

“Kind of.”

“Jesus Christ.”

Smoke leans forward again. “What did she say?”

“She said Jesus Christ.”

“Tell her I said that's rude.”

Roman exhales through his nose.

“What happened?” I ask Violet, putting her on speakerphone.

“Marissa.”

My smile disappears. “Oh, fuck.”

Roman looks over.

Smoke says, “Who's Marissa?”

“The reason I occasionally question my career choices.”

“Aren't authors your career?” Roman asks.

“Yes. But you haven’t met her. She’s the bane of our existence.”