Marlowe
Showcase day arrived with the whole den crowded into the main garage bay, and I stood beside my finished bike with my heart going harder than it had during actual combat, watching Reid work the crowd with the particular skill of a man laying groundwork for something he wanted to look like an accident later.
"Heard the fuel line gave him trouble," he said to a cluster of prospects, just loud enough to carry. "Whole build's been a mess from the start, honestly. Surprised Wrench let him enter it at all."
"It's fine now," Nova cut in, sharp, appearing at my elbow like she'd been listening for exactly this. "Better than fine. You'll see."
"We'll see," Reid agreed, easy, unbothered, and drifted off to plant the same quiet doubt somewhere else in the crowd.
I didn't have time to worr
