Legend nods, then his eyes flick to me. Just a second too long.
Rye catches it immediately. Of course he does.
“Well hell,” Rye drawls. “While we’re confessing sins, somebody wanna tell me why Oaks was playing guardian angel to that little blonde girl last night?”
Every head turns.
I don’t rise to it. I lean back and cross my arms. “Because you idiots drink like you’re trying to die young, and somebody’s gotta keep the Lockup from turning into a damn crime scene.”
Derby grins. “That her name? Somebody?”
Laughter rolls.
Whiskey smirks. “Pretty sure her name’s Brittany. Heard it at least six times between Rye trying to impress her and Holler telling everyone to behave like they ain’t just seen some jailbait.”
Holler shoots him a look. “I warned y’all to behave. She’s young enough to be my daughter.”
“Your daughter?” Rye laughs. “Maybe if you married someone your own age. She’s old enough to be your ol’ lady’s little sister.”
Lex rubs his temples like he’s already got a headache.
“She’s twenty,” Vandal says. “Twenty-one if you believe that fake ID she flashed.”
Legend’s mouth twitches, but he keeps his tone flat. “Then she ain’t club business.”
Royal’s eyes cut to me, sharp and measuring.
Rye doesn’t let it go. “Didn’t say she was. Just curious. You don’t usually play bouncer for college girls.”
I shrug. “I was on the door. That’s it.”
“On the door,” Bullet echoes. “You were all up on her.”
Rye grins. “You held her drink like she was your woman, VP.”
Bullet adds, “Looked like you were whipped.”
Whiskey laughs. “Hell, man, you tucked her in. That’s practically courtship in this town.”
“Watch it,” I say, finally looking at him.
Legend has the last laugh. “You run your mouth like that, Bethany might hear.”
The room goes dead quiet for half a beat.
Then Derby whistles low. “Ooooh. Prez brought his wife into it. That’s like pulling a knife at Thanksgiving.”
Legend lifts a brow at me. “Everything squared at home?”
I don’t answer right away. I don’t need to. The couch burns into my back even when I ain’t sitting on it.
Royal speaks then, voice smooth and dangerous. “Girl was drunk. Oaks made sure nobody got hurt. End of story.”
I glance at him and give a brief nod.
Rye grins wider. “Secretary vouching now? Hell must be freezing over.”
I don’t look at him. “You keep talking about her, you’re gonna end up freezing over personally.”
