The blue Sabre rumbled north through Downtown, past the glass towers that still smelled like fresh money and old corruption. Marina drove with one hand on the wheel, the other drumming the dash to the faint synth leaking from the radio. Nikki sat in the passenger seat, one hand resting on her belly, the other clutching a paper bag of tamales Elena had somehow convinced Marina to take during last Sunday's call.
Hector rode in the back, long legs cramped, smoking a cigarette out the cracked window.
"You sure about this place, Red?" he asked. "Shinton Condo ain't exactly cheap."
"Fifteen grand," Marina said, eyes on the road. "I've got ten saved. The rest came from Sal. Even after buying, we'll have two grand left."
Nikki glanced sideways. "You're really buying a condo with a helipad?"
Marina shrugged, that wild edge still humming under her skin. "Figured the baby needs fresh air. And if Kalumba's people come knocking, we can always fly away. Don't forget, we have two garages."
Hector chuckled low. "Or crash spectacularly. Either way, memorable."
The Shinton Condo rose ahead like a green-and-white monument to questionable eighties architecture. Its upper floors curved in a lazy C-shape, catching the morning sun off the glass and making the whole building glow like cheap jewelry. Palm trees lined the entrance, their fronds swaying in the humid breeze. A discreet sign promised "Luxury Living with a View of the Future."
They parked and stepped into the lobby—all polished marble, fake plants, and a faint smell of chlorine from the rooftop pool nobody ever used. A short, wiry man in a bright Hawaiian shirt and too many gold chains bounced toward them like he'd been waiting his whole life for this exact moment.
"Welcome, welcome, beautiful people!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands. His accent was thick Chinese-Vex City fusion, every sentence half sales pitch, half fortune cookie. "I am Mr. Li 'Lucky' Chang, number one property guru in Downtown! Feng shui approved, dragon energy flowing, no bad juju here unless you bring it yourself!"
He winked at Nikki's belly. "Ah, little dragon coming! Very auspicious! Double happiness! I give special pregnant discount—maybe."
Marina fought a smile. Hector just raised an eyebrow.
Mr. Chang didn't wait for introductions. He herded them toward the elevator like an enthusiastic sheepdog. "Come, come! Top floor unit, just finished renovation. Two bedrooms, perfect for family or… underground fighting business, eh? I hear things. VEX City has big ears!"
In the elevator he kept talking nonstop. "Previous owner? Very unlucky. Lost everything in Nightrain deal. Boom—gone! Now I bless the space. I put lucky cat in corner, red envelope under doormat. You pay full price, I throw in free bamboo plant for good chi."
Nikki stifled a laugh. Marina leaned against the wall, arms crossed, but her eyes were amused.
The doors opened on the upper level. Mr. Chang flung them open with theatrical flair.
"Behold! Your new empire!"
The apartment was bright and surprisingly spacious for a Downtown condo. Sunlight poured through large windows overlooking the glittering sprawl of VEX City—the stadium to the west, the ocean haze to the south, neon still faint in the daylight. The living room opened up with sleek tile floors and a decent-sized sitting area that could fit a couch, TV, and punching bag if Marina had her way. A half-wall separated it from a small kitchenette with new appliances that probably wouldn't survive the humidity for long.
Two bedrooms branched off the main space, each with its own attached bathroom—nothing fancy, but clean tiles, decent showers, and enough counter space for Marina's split-knuckle ointments and Nikki's prenatal vitamins. A third, smaller washroom sat conveniently beside the living room for guests. Tucked near the rooftop access door was a tiny bonus room—barely bigger than a closet but perfect for storage, a makeshift gym corner, or whatever eccentric purpose they'd find for it.
Best of all: the private rooftop access led straight to the helipad. The C-shaped upper structure gave the unit sweeping views and a surprising sense of privacy despite being in the heart of Downtown. A helicopter could land right there if they ever needed a dramatic exit.
Nikki's eyes widened as she stepped into the larger bedroom. "Two bathrooms… I can actually pee in peace without waiting for you to finish washing blood off your hands."
Marina snorted. "Don't get used to it. I'm still turning one corner into a heavy bag setup."
Hector wandered the space, nodding approvingly. "Solid. Garages downstairs for the Sabre. Rooftop for… whatever crazy shit you two cook up."
Mr. Chang clapped again. "See? Perfect chi! Dragon and phoenix harmony! You buy now, I make paperwork disappear faster than Tommy Verona's enemies. Fifteen thousand, cash or… creative financing? I accept stolen bikes, watches, maybe one small favor if Kalumba people come sniffing."
Marina stared at him. "You know about Kalumba?"
Mr. Chang waved a hand like he was shooing a mosquito. "Everybody knows everybody in VEX City. I know, you know, the city knows. But here? Safe. Helipad very good for running away. Or landing with… new friends."
He grinned, gold teeth flashing. "So? We shake on it? Lucky Chang never lose a deal!"
Marina looked at Nikki, who gave a small, hopeful nod. Then at Hector, who shrugged like "your funeral, Red."
She pulled out the thick envelope of cash they'd scraped together. "Fifteen grand. Count it."
Mr. Chang's eyes lit up like fireworks. He counted with lightning speed, muttering lucky numbers under his breath the whole time. When he finished he slapped the keys into Marina's palm with dramatic flair.
"Congratulations! You are now proud owner of Shinton Condo Unit 1402. No ghosts, only good fortune. If Nightrain zombies show up, call me—I have cousin who does exorcism and car detailing."
He practically danced back to the elevator, still talking. "Tamales next time! Bring some for Lucky Chang! Dragon needs spicy food!"
The door closed behind him, leaving the three of them standing in their new apartment.
Nikki let out a breath and smiled—genuinely, for the first time in days. "It's… actually nice. Two bedrooms. Real bathrooms. A helipad for when your revenge plan inevitably goes sideways."
Marina walked to the window, looking out over the city that had taken Marco and was now trying to take everything else. The anger was still there, banked but ready. But for a moment it felt lighter.
She glanced at Nikki. "You get the bigger room. Baby needs space."
Hector leaned against the wall, lighting another cigarette. "You two settling down already? Next you'll be asking me to babysit."
Marina smirked. "Only if you teach the kid how to throw a proper hook."
They spent the next twenty minutes exploring—opening closets, testing the water pressure, arguing lightly over who got which bathroom. The small room by the helipad access already looked like it was begging for a radio and a map of rooftops.
Marina stepped out onto the rooftop for a moment alone. The helipad sat there like a promise—or a warning. Wind tugged at her red hair as she looked south toward Ocean Beach, where her parents still thought she was just a lost waitress figuring things out.
She touched the keys in her pocket.
One step closer to something that felt like control.
Down in the apartment, Nikki called out, "Red! There's a weird lucky cat statue in the corner. Should we keep it?"
Marina laughed despite herself. "Hell yes. We need all the luck we can get."
The afternoon sun slanted through the windows, painting the new apartment in shades of gold and amber. Boxes were stacked everywhere—clothes, kitchen supplies, the heavy bag stand that Hector had wrestled up the stairs with creative cursing. The place smelled like cardboard and possibility.
Marina stood at the window, the one that faced south toward Ocean Beach, and let herself feel something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Home.
The word was foreign in her mouth, strange and warm. She'd had places to sleep—the cramped Downtown apartment, the biker club's back room when things got bad—but nothing that felt like hers. Nothing with Nikki's laughter echoing off the walls or the promise of mornings on a rooftop with a view of the whole city.
She was still standing there when Nikki found her, moving quieter than a woman her size had any right to, settling onto the windowsill with a gentle grunt.
"So," Nikki said, drawing the word out like taffy. "Are you going to tell me what happened last night? Or do I have to guess from the look on your face every time you think I'm not watching?"
Marina's jaw tightened. "Nothing happened. We did the job. Got the photos. Got paid."
"Mmm." Nikki's voice was syrup-sweet, laced with something that wasn't quite teasing. "And the part where you gave him your first kiss?"
Marina whirled. "Who told you—"
"Nobody told me anything." Nikki's smile was gentle, knowing. "But you've been touching your lips every few minutes since we got here. Like you're checking if it's still there."
Marina's hand dropped. "I haven't—"
"You have." Nikki's voice softened. "So tell me. Was it part of the job? Or was it something else?"
Marina turned back to the window, watching the cars crawl along the distant roads, the tiny figures of tourists on the beach, the whole sprawling mess of VEX City spread out like a wound that refused to heal.
"It was part of the job," she said finally. "We needed to get past the bouncers. He kissed me—I kissed him. It was quick. It didn't mean anything."
"Okay." Nikki's voice was patient. "So why are you blushing?"
Marina's hand flew to her cheek. The skin was warm. Too warm.
She glared at Nikki, who was watching her with an expression that was equal parts amusement and tenderness.
"I'm not blushing."
"You're blushing so hard I can see it from here."
"I'm—it's hot in here."
"It's November."
Marina opened her mouth.