Mark took a step away from Derek. “So yeah, we’re still here. We’d appreciate you going back to Oceanview, which let’s face it, has better weather and gorgeous beaches. Ether, you still having those off-the-hook parties? Remember that one a few years ago when I made those ice slides into the ocean? Good times.”
“Oh yeah,” Derek said with a laugh, then sobered. “I mean, there’s no way I trust a word you say. You’ll turn on your own kind.”
Joan shared a look with her brother. Might as well go with it. “This is a courtesy as much as a warning,” she said. “Leave our city, or share a cell with our former friends.”
Her breath hitched. If this went badly, she’d be the one locked up with Volt.
Ricki snorted a harsh laugh. “You’re full of shit. You’re not doing anything illegal. You wanted a way out of villainy and did whatever it took to get out.”
Joan met her piercing gaze. Ricki knew exactly what she was doing in trying to provoke a reaction.
Keeping her voice steady, Joan forced out, “Then I guess we fooled you, too.”
“No kidding,” Mark said with false bravado. “You’re making this way too easy for us.”
Ricki curled into a half-crouch. Joan used to think it was sexy, but now knew it was the precursor to a verbal attack.
“The thing about you,Spark,” she purred, “is that you’ve always thought you were too good for this life. You became a Villain out of necessity, not by choice. And now you’re fighting to keep the peace in your city.” She turned her smirk on Mark. “You do whatever she tells you to, so I’m not worried about your motivation.”
“Hey,” Mark said.
Fire rushed to Joan’s fingertips. “Iwillfight for what I have.”
“You shouldn’t be fighting with your own kind,” Ricki said. “We evolved past the norms. Stop giving them so much importance.”
“Trick said the same thing. I didn’t stand for it with him.” Joan’s glare said she wouldn’t stand for it with anyone else either.
“You’ve never wanted to hurt people, even though norms are insignificant. I saw the news footage. You helped that hostage.”
“She was really cute,” she said calmly so she didn’t blurt outAnd the woman I love.
“So what, you wanted her to think you’re a hero? You’re a coward.”
True, she’d been a horrible coward before that day. But she’d finally done the right thing.
“Hellooo,” Mark said. “Helping a hostage got us big brownie points. Who would suspect any more wrongdoing from us after that?”
“No, Prowl’s right,” Derek said, moving toward Mark. “You’re bluffing. And you’re cowards.”
Twin flames flared from Joan’s palms. “Call me a coward one more time.”
Ricki blinked up at her. “Aw, did I hit a sore spot?”
“Joanie…” Mark muttered through his teeth.
“And here I thought you were miffed at me for not being into you.” Ricki sneered. “Or women at all. Thanks for clearing that up for me.”
Mark stood over her. “That’s a homophobic low blow.”
“I thought you liked low blows,” she snickered.
Joan’s flames crackled in irritation. Fucking Prowl. Taking her bait would draw too much attention, but damn it.
Derek puffed up like a proud rooster. “This is our city now. We’re making bold moves you never dreamed of.”
Ricki hopped onto the concrete barrier. “Keep doing corporate espionage or cooking or whatever. You’re no match for us. Stay out of the way.”
“Get out of our city.” Joan enunciated every word.
