I push back from the table, chair legs scraping across the hardwood. It’s not loud, but it cuts the room sharper than a shout. My brothers freeze.
Some of them exchange glances. Some look away too fast. Some lean forward, hungry for the slip. I don’t give them a look, don’t give them a word. If I do, the truth might be written all over my face.
I pass Draft as he pretends to be checking a clipboard, but he watches me from the corner of his eye. Nova nudges Caine, whispering something I can’t hear. Honor stands in the doorway of the rec room, arms crossed, expression unreadable. The world feels tighter with every step.
I make it ten steps down the hall before City catches me before I make it to my office.
He plants a hand on the doorframe, blocking my way like he has a right to. Which, annoyingly, he does. He’s my brother, my Secretary, my second brain when mine’s too clouded by grief or anger or, apparently, Aria Brennan’s skin.
“You got a minute?” he asks.
“No.”
He closes the office door behind us anyway. “Good. I’ll talk fast.”
I glare, but he doesn’t flinch. “You can’t look that soft and expect them not to notice.”
My jaw tightens. “I don’t know what the fuck you think.”
“Cut the shit.” His voice drops, firm, cutting me off. Brother-to-brother, not officer-to-President. “You’re different. The past few days? You’ve been walking around like there’s something you’re protecting more than us.” Fuck, if he isn’t close.
He steps closer, lowering his voice. “You can’t afford distractions, brother. Not right now. Not with everything brewing.”
Everything. The enemies in the dark. The shifting alliances. Tama’s unfinished wars.
Aria.
“I’m not distracted,” I lie.
City’s eyes narrow. “Then why aren’t you wearing your ring?”
My breath stops. I glance down at my hand, bare knuckles, pale skin where the Saint ring should sit. He noticed. Of course he did.
“It’s being cleaned,” I say flatly.
“Bullshit.” He leans in, voice softening but somehow cutting deeper. “Prez… whoever she is… she’s making you soft.”
“Get out,” I rasp.
He holds my stare for three long seconds. Then he nods once and slips out the door, leaving me with a truth I don’t want and a reflection I can’t ignore.
I stand there alone for a long minute. The office feels too small. Too quiet. Like the walls remember Tama’s voice better than mine.
I look out Tama’s office window, my office window now, the glass catching my silhouette. I look older. Meaner. But the mark where my ring should be looks like a bruise.
Like proof. Like guilt carved into skin.
Would my father have seen weakness, or the same love that ruined him? I don’t know which answer terrifies me more.
His voice echoes in my head, unwelcome and sharp.“Love is leverage, boy. And leverage gets you killed.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I know who it is without looking at the screen. I feel it like a pulse under my skin.
Aria.
I pull it out just enough to see her name.
Aria: Made it to work. Are you okay?
