Rome leaned harder. He switched languages again. “Say one more thing about what Crows can’t do, I’ll send you home in a box and call it mercy.”
He didn’t understand the syllables. He understood the promise.
“Enough.” I dragged a hand down my face.
I could’ve barked it. Pulled rank. I didn’t. You didn’t throw cold water on a brother holding onto control by his fingertips.
“Security’s downstairs. They’ll escort them to med, then the airport. Nik will handle dynasty politics. You’ve made your point.”
Rome’s jaw flexed. He stepped back a fraction, lifted his boot. The heir coughed, gulping air in.
I caught Rome’s wrist as he moved past.
“You good?” I kept my voice low.
His eyes met mine.
So the answer was, no. There went my blood pressure for the year.
“They touched her in my room,” he said.
Third flag.
Notaroom.
His.
“Which room?” I asked.
His chin jerked toward the corridor. “Seven-two.”
Top fantasy suite. The one he’d redesigned himself after the Academy. The floor plan that pushed Luca’s patience to the limit thanks to every very specific feature Rome had insisted on. He’d never brought anyone there, as far as I knew.
“Who booked it?” I asked.
His jaw ticked. “Doesn’t matter.”
It very much fucking did.
I let it go, for now. The guards were back at the door.
“Med. Painkillers, no sedation. Scan for fractures. They sign waivers before they come into our city, they knew the risks. We need them breathing when Nik makes the call.” I told them.
Rome snorted. “You’re too kind.”
“Kindness would’ve been letting you break their hands.”
“I still might.”
I stepped away from him. “Later. After we know how deep this goes.”
He stalked to the bar, grabbed a clean tumbler, filled it with water and threw it back in one go. The glass looked too small in his tattooed hand.
“The twins know?” he asked.
I checked my phone. Unread messages from Luca, Bastion, Nik. Group chats lighting up.
“They will in about thirty seconds.” I scanned the previews. “Luca’s got the footage. Nik’s already drafting letters. Bastion wants to know if he needs to fly back to help you hide bodies.”
