“A few?”
“Depends where the day ends. Which part of Villain. I go wherever’s closer.”
She blinked. “You mean… you just pick a property based on proximity?”
“Yeah.”
Her jaw dropped slightly. “That’s insane.”
I lifted an eyebrow.
“No, really,” she said, turning to face me fully. “You just go to whatever penthouse or fortress is nearest and crash? Like you’re choosing between corner stores?”
I tilted my head. “They’re not that different.”
She laughed. “You realize this place isinsaneright? I know I said it already but it’s not normal, Vince. Most people don’t casuallyrotatethrough luxury residences like they’re changing socks.”
I shrugged again. “Didn’t know this one was that nice.”
She looked at me like I’d just said water wasn’t wet. “That’s even crazier.”
“It’s practical.”
“It’s concerning.”
“It works.”
“For who?” she pressed. “You? Or all your girlfriends?”
I blinked. “What girlfriends?”
“Well,” she said, glancing out at the city, “if you’re a man who refuses to commit to an address, I figured maybe you commit to a different woman per property. Like… one per house. Rotation.”
My mouth actually opened. “No.”
She held up a finger. “Wait. Let me guess. Penthouse girl. Estate girl. Northside girl. Casino girl. Strip-club-adjacent girl.”
I stared at her while she was fighting a smile.
“Are you done?” I asked.
“Nope,” she grinned, “So, seriously. Women. How do they know where to meet you? Do you text a daily address? Is there a map in a group chat somewhere?”
I stepped inside the bathroom because I couldn’t stand the distance anymore. “Madeline. There are no women.”
“There were women.”
“None who mattered.”
“And they all… what? Knew you lived like a migrating crow?”
I rubbed a hand down my jaw. “Are you done?”
Her grin turned to a smile. Running a hand down her arm. “I don’t know how you do it. I like my bed. Even when I travel, I miss it. I missmythings. My books. My stuff.”
“Stuff,” I said.
“Yes,stuff.” She stepped closer and poked me lightly in the chest. “People own things other than weapons and trauma, you know.”
