Darling’s body tenses like she wants to tear him apart, but she stops herself, breathing hard through her nose. Controlled. Dangerous. Rico doesn’t understand that kind of control because he’s never had it.
I step forward and the air shifts with me, the way it always does when I decide something.
Six releases Rico just enough for him to stand, but not enough to run.
Rico’s gaze flicks to me, then to Darling, then back to me, and I swear he looks pleased like he did something clever.
“Prez,” he says, voice hoarse. “Long time.”
Now, I realize this Rico is the Rico who was a Saints Outlaws’ prospect once, way before I was president. We threw him out. Should’ve killed him.
I don’t answer. I stare at him until his smile starts to falter, until he feels the quiet and remembers quiet men don’t bluff.
“Did you hit her?” I ask.
My voice is calm in a way that should scare him more than shouting.
Rico chuckles like he’s flirting. “What, you’re playing hero now?”
Darling’s breath catches, and that sound makes my blood go colder.
I keep my gaze on Rico. “Answer the fucking question.”
His eyes glitter, and he chooses the worst possible path.
“She runs her mouth,” he says. “You know how it is. Girls like her act tough until you remind them they’re not.”
The room turns razor sharp.
Magic shifts.
Vice’s jaw tightens.
Six looks like he’s ready to tear Rico’s arm off and beat him with it.
Darling stands very still, one hand on Disco’s cage like she’s anchoring herself.
I take one slow step toward Rico, then another, until I’m close enough to smell him. Cheap cologne. Sweat. Fear.
I lean in close, voice a whisper meant only for him.
“Say it again,” I murmur. “Say one more fucking thing about touching her.”
Rico’s smile trembles. “You gonna kill me in front of her?” he taunts, but his voice shakes. “You think that makes you different?”
It’s a trap. He thinks I’m stupid enough to jump.
I’m not.
I straighten and look at my brothers.
“Out,” I say.
Magic hesitates, eyes flicking to Darling, to the blood, to Rico’s smug face. “Prez, you sure?”
“Out,” I repeat, and my tone leaves no room for debate.
Vice and Magic move first, pulling Six back with them. Six fights it for half a second, then obeys because he’s loyal even when he’s feral.
