“You hit me in my own building,” he says.
“You touched what’s mine,” I answer.
The air tightens.
For half a second, it feels like someone’s going to miscalculate.
Then Salazar lifts a hand.
His men ease back just enough.
“This isn’t finished,” he says.
“It is for tonight,” Havoc replies evenly.
I don’t take my eyes off Salazar.
He doesn’t take his off me.
Violet’s fingers curl into the back of my cut.
She’s steady.
But I can feel her pulse.
Fast.
Alive.
That’s what matters.
I step back first.
“Next time,” I tell him, voice low enough that only he hears, “you won’t be standing when I’m done.”
His jaw tightens.
Havoc moves first. The rest of us fall in around Violet.
Outside, Tank already has Lyla near the bikes.
Violet breaks from my side and runs to her.
“Lyla—”
They crash into each other.
Lyla grips her like she’s afraid she’ll disappear.
“You came for me,” Lyla breathes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ignored you last night. I wasn’t in a good place. I thought he’d help me forget.”
Violet shakes her head, hands framing Lyla’s face. “You’re okay. That’s all that matters.”
Tank steps in gently. “I’ll take her home.”
Lyla hesitates, then nods. Violet squeezes her one last time before letting go.
Sin scans the lot. Viper keeps eyes on the roofline. Havoc mounts his bike last.
