Chapter 54: | Completely Mad

Stroke eased himself onto the front row of rotting wooden benches and looked at Ava expectantly. Clearly, he was seeking her opinion.

'So,' she managed at last, 'this is all yours, huh?'

'It's Maski's.' Stroke's chest puffed up with pride. 'But I get to run the events here.'

'Just who is this Maski?' she asked. She couldn't let Stroke think she knew anything about this.

'Maybe I'll introduce you. I think he'd like you.'

Ava tried to keep the alarm from her voice. 'He's coming here?'

Stroke nodded. 'Tonight.'

'Tonight? Well. Cool.'

Stroke looked at her strangely. 'You all right, honey?'

Sure, she thought. I can't wait to say hi again to the murdering freak I screwed over. The murdering freak who wants to get with me. The temperature suddenly seemed a couple of degrees colder, and she knew she had to change the subject. 'You seem to know Ray's people, were you a part of their gang?'