Shady’s nostrils flare. “If that was Darling on that phone, would you wait for church to vote?”
Diablo’s eyes go black.
For one second, I think they might come apart right here in front of us, president and road captain, grief and authority, love and violence wearing the same patch.
Then Diablo leans in close.
“No,” he says quietly. “And that’s why my brothers would stop me.”
That lands.
Diablo lowers his voice more. “You want Lady breathing when we get there? Then be road captain, not just her man.”
Shady holds his stare.
I don’t breathe.
Finally Shady looks away first.
Not submission.
Strategy.
“Fine,” he says. “But we leave right fucking now.”
Vice turns to Diablo. “Teams.”
Diablo doesn’t hesitate. “Magic, Six, Shady with me and Vice. Dune and Tubbs take back road two and watch for decoys. Key Rat stays on comms. Alpha keeps eyes on traffic cams and finds Amour Reyes. Crypt follows money through Reyes and Eclipse. Finn and Dusty guard the doors. Gville and Stick on Darling.”
“No,” I say.
Every man in the room looks at me.
Diablo’s face tightens before I even finish.
“No,” I repeat. “I’m not being guarded by prospects while my best friend is tied to a chair.”
“You’re not coming,” Diablo says.
I laugh.
It sounds ugly.
His jaw clenches. “Darling.”
“Don’t Darling me.”
“You just got out of the hospital.”
“And Lady is in a warehouse because she stood next to me.”
“Which is exactly why you stay here.”
“I can help.”
“You can stay alive.”
“That isn’t the same thing.”
