Bear in Sheep's Clothing | Book #1

eleven: A heist proposal

—Léon— 

Léon huffed, regretting the little show he'd put on a while ago. Usually, he was more restrained and controlled. He was a reasonable man, or so he thought, but something in that situation had hit a nerve. To make things worse, his muscles were weak, and his head was empty as if he had spent a whole week without sleep.

With a long sigh, he turned around to look at Roberto.

This shouldn't be easy for him. He should be struggling, fighting the idea of committing a crime. He should feel terrible about cooking up heists and teaming up with the people he used to fight against. He should be miserable for being a turncoat after so many years as a superhero.

A crease formed between Léon's eyebrows. Was he even feeling anything?

"What are you waiting for? We're listening," Satina said.

"You don't have to rush." Léon turned to Rob and met his eyes. "We already told you we're not helping your sister, so it must be hard for you. We can go slow if—"

"No, we can't," Satina put with a cruel simplicity that cracked a whip on Léon's back. "Spit it out, Roberto."

Rob studied Léon. Taking a deep breath, he focused on Satina. "You may not know this, but The Mayor had a son."

"Antônio McCockay." Mary opened a wide smile. "I liked him very much." She giggled. "He was so funny!"

A gleam of sadness shone in Rob's eyes. "That he was, Mary. He was also a hero. The Gunslinger."

Mary's smile died on her lips. "I don't like him anymore," she said in a stern tone.

It was drizzling outside. A cold breeze squeezed through the closed blinds of the only window in the house and licked Léon's nape, spreading a cold shiver down his spine. "Of course we know that," he said. "The Mayor was the only super in town who is not afraid of telling everyone his real identity, and his son followed his example. I... I almost respect them because of it. A little."

Rob's lips curled in a smile. One that, Léon thought, couldn't be faker.

"Antônio's birthday would be next Saturday," Rob said. "As he always does, The Mayor will throw a birthday party in his mansion so—"

He couldn't finish his line. "Oh, no. No, no, no." Satina shook her head and crossed her arms. "We're not gonna invade their party, Roberto."

"What?" Rob said. "No, I wouldn't—"

Satina ignored him. "You think I'm dumb, don't you? Well, I'm not. And I won't let my team waltz into your trap!"

"That's"—Rob frowned—"that's just foolish. I would never..." He huffed. "You don't trust me. I understand that. But please listen to me, then you can do whatever you fancy. All right? You asked me for an idea; I'll bloody give you one. If you let me."

Satina narrowed her eyes. She licked her lips and clicked her tongue, waving a hand. "Okay, go ahead."

"Thank you. As I was saying, The Mayor will throw a birthday party, and every single hero in town will be there. Besides them, he'll have guests like the Police Commissary and her weirdo of a son, a few of the League's investors, and all the Heroic League members. Cotton Candy, Fire Sapphire, The Sterling Sisters... who else? Curupira, The Grim Reader, Ironhearty, The Ghost Hunter. Oh, and The—"

Satina scoffed. "Okay, dude. They were all implied when you said all the Heroic League members."

"Right," Roberto mumbled. He snapped his fingers. "So, yeah, they'll all be there, which means our club—their club—will be unprotected during the night. It's the perfect opportunity to get in there and—"