Flick seems to like that response because she touches my arm and grins. "Well, if you're happy, then I'm happy."
"Cool, we're all fucking happy!" Stacey says. "Max sticking his dick in another girl is the least of your fucking problems." She spins on her heels and continues down the street.
I cringe and call after her. "Please don't be mad at me, Stacey. I'm seriously sorry. Max was a jerk."
She swirls around to face us again. "Stop apologising for him! I'm used to Max Butcher and his moods and his holier than thou attitude. Bronson and Xander have my back, so don't you dare feel sorry for me. Yesterday was just about Max feeling vulnerable and needing to beat his chest... Anyway, I'm not mad. I'm worried."
I sigh. "About Max."
"Yes!"
"Why, though? I'm not going to hurt him."
She groans at the sky. "Because you're everything Jimmy has ever wanted for Max! With you in the picture... he can control him."
I take a step back and frown. "Jimmy has been wonderful to me."
"I'm sure he has." She closes the gap that I'd just made. "Have you ever wondered why?"
I blink at her. "Because he likes the ballet. He's sponsoring me."
She smirks. "That's very nice of him."
I swallow hard and look around nervously. "Max doesn't care that much about me."
"Even if that were true, he only needs to care a little."
"No one can control Max."
"I sawyoudo it yesterday."
I breathe out fast. "You're making me really nervous."
Flick clears her throat. "I don't understand what you two are talking about."
"The Mafia, Felicity," Stacey whispers the words and yet we still flinch. "I'm so sick of trying to keep their secrets when they are just throwing you guys in anyway and asking me to babysit."
"Woah." Flick steps back and crosses her arms. "Babysit?"
"I was told to bring you, Felicity. I was told by Jimmy because he thought Cassidy would feel more comfortable if you came."
I cover my mouth to smother a gasp.
Flick exhales slowly. "Okay."
"And he wanted Cassidy here because he wants to see her with Max."
Flick frowns. "So you don’t want me here?"
"That's what you're taking from this?" Stacey says, wide-eyed. "What about the part about the Mafia?"
Flick scoffs. "I already knew they were involved in something illegal. The whole fucking District is corrupt. What I didn't know was that you didn't want me here."
Flick withdraws when Stacey reaches for her. "I want to be with you, baby," Stacey says. "But I'd neverwillinglybring you into this world." She shakes her head slowly and swallows hard. "No way."
Flick turns to me. "Did you know?"
"I didn't know anything," I lie. Looking at Stacey, I ask, "Does Max know? That Jimmy has orchestrated this whole thing?"
