How to Save the World by Lexie Dunne

about it?”
    â€œMaybe,” I said, more than a little grumpy. Losing sucked.
    Laughter pealed out from the side of the ring, and I looked over to discover that not only had I lost, but I’d had an even bigger audience than I’d thought. I had no idea when Vicki had arrived. Hopefully she hadn’t seen too much of me getting my ass handed to me by a woman twice my age. “Nice form, mentee,” Vicki said as I yanked off the whole hoodie. “The hood’s a good look for you. Maybe that should be your new uniform.”
    â€œI don’t want a uniform,” I said.
    Vicki pouted. She wore her own uniform, the black bodysuit that would have enabled Plain Jane to blend in to any shadow if it weren’t for the brightness of the white mask currently hooked to her hip. “You should have one, though. You’re too witty not to be on the front lines. I could design you something.”
    â€œGet in line,” I said, thinking about Raze.
    Vicki turned to grin at Jessie. “Raptor.”
    Jessie nodded back. “Plain Jane.”
    â€œGuess Chicago’s a happening place today,” Vicki said, leaning over and digging her elbows into the top rope. “What brings you into town? Please tell me it’s to humiliate Gail.”
    â€œI had other business, but that was the primary objective, yes.”
    I gave Jessie a little bit of a side-­eye, wondering how much truth there was to that statement. Ever since our adventure blowing up the Lodi Corp building together, she’d taken a weird interest in me. This wasn’t the first sparring match I’d endured that had some kind of lesson attached. I had no idea why , though.
    â€œAnd you?” Jessie asked, looking at Vicki’s uniform.
    â€œOh, I’m here all the time,” Vicki said. “Sometimes I use my fame for good. Especially to help my friend. If ­people find out Plain Jane works out at the Power House, they’re gonna flock to this place.”
    I snorted. Vicki liked Angélica okay, but Angélica seemed to find her bothersome.
    â€œThat’s surprisingly benevolent of you,” Jessie said.
    â€œI know, right?” Vicki’s smile could light up billboards—­and did, all over the world. “Gonna go again? That was really funny—­I could stand to see another round or five.”
    I was saved not by the bell but by Angélica, who came hurtling out of the office with a look on her face that made all three of us straighten up. “Suit up,” Angélica said, looking at me. “Our ransomer just got in touch.”
    â€œFinally .” I vaulted over the ropes and headed for the locker room, where Angélica kept body armor for situations like this.
    â€œGail. Catch.”
    I barely had time to catch the object Jessie threw my way, and blinked in puzzlement at the belt in my hands. It had about fifteen little pouches.
    Raptor’s famous utility belt.
    â€œAre you sure?” I asked. After all, we were just dropping off a ransom payment, and Jessie likely had thousands of dollars of tech buried in these pouches.
    â€œI’ve got more,” she said, waving at me. “You keep it. You might need it.”
    I hoped not, but with my luck, she probably had a point. I slung it over my shoulder and loped off, calling a thanks over my shoulder. It was time to meet my maker. Again. And probably save him, too.

 
    CHAPTER 5
    â€œI s this kidnapper serious?” I asked as I stepped to the edge of the building and looked down at the swirling mass of orange traffic cones and pedestrian traffic below us.
    Vicki, who’d taken up residence against a nearby pole and was slouching attractively, mask in place, scoffed. “What exactly is your problem with Union Station? Other than all of the ­people in a potential supervillain’s crosshairs?” The last was clearly an afterthought.
    I gestured indignantly at the pavement below.