He says it with reverence, but his words hit the wrong nerve. “Leave my dad out of this.”

“It’s a compliment. Your dad was smart, an expert at manipulating the media. When he spoke to cameras, he did so in twenty-to thirty-second bites, tailor-made for the evening news. Your dad made bold choices, but he was smart. Everyone in this city knows that.”

He says it like my insides aren’t twisted, like all of that wasn’t eventually used against him. I can only imagine what the media would say if I started flaunting my five minutes of fame. With Cullen Henking of all people.

Cullen’s phone pings. He grabs it from the cup holder and scrolls through texts. “All I’m saying is that a lot of successful people control the spotlight instead of letting it control them. Why wouldn’t you?”

When I was little, my dad and I were watching him on TV one night when I asked him if he was famous. Instead of answering, he loosened his tie and told me it was important for the public to see that those who do wrong get punished.

If I sold out to social media and reporters, things I despise, my reasons wouldn’t be as just. But would it be worth it? Would it distract news feeds or anyone else who thinks I stalk the Death Mob? Are people so desperate for gossip that a ridiculous, pseudo-relationship could accomplish that?

The music bangs around Cullen’s car, muddling everything. I press my knees together at the thought of Lip Spikes, his eyes flickering up at me, his tongue running along his bottom lip like he’s about to devour me whole.

Cullen flashes me a picture. The two of us from yesterday. “We’re almost up to eighty-two hundred likes.” He laughs. “That’s nearing celeb status.”

“A bunch of high school kids fawning over you hardly makes you a celebrity.”

The car rolls closer to the stop sign. “Doesn’t matter who it is. That’s eighty-two hundred people interested in you, despite your little Swarm fetish. And all they care about is whether I’m driving you to school today. Don’t underestimate the power of that.”

I turn away, desperate to escape the conversation. I’m nauseous for even considering it. Ryan told me the Swarm didn’t kill my dad sooner because of his high-profile case. Would making myself relevant at least buy some time to figure out my next move? The media and their audience are among the groups I despise most, but the real enemy is the Swarm. Aren’t I willing to do anything to take them down?