Vice’s face goes flat in the way that means someone is going to lose teeth very soon.
Key Rat ain’t done. “There’s a photo.”
“Of what?” Diablo asks.
Key Rat’s eyes flick to me. “Old security still. Hallway outside Cherry’s room. Shady going in.”
I remember that night. I remember Lady leaving Eclipse with that promoter because I had no right to stop her and wanted to anyway. I remember drinking too much, finding Cherry crying, letting grief and jealousy turn into the dumbest fuck of my life. I remember leaving before it became worse and telling myself that made me decent.
The world loves receipts when they hurt the right woman.
Alpha’s phone pings.
Then Diablo’s.
Then mine.
Mine is from an unknown number.
A link.
Then a message.
SHE KNOWS NOW.
Under it, another line.
AND SO DOES EVERYONE.
My chair hits the floor behind me when I stand.
Diablo stands too. “Shady.”
I look at Cherry.
She is shaking her head. “I didn’t send that.”
“I know,” I say.
And I do.
This ain’t Cherry. Cherry is messy. Human. Wounded. This is polished cruelty with a Solano smile.
My phone buzzes again.
This time, it ain’t unknown.
It is Darling.
Three words.
She saw it.
The room tilts.
Lady saw it.
Wherever she is, whatever couch Darling got her to sit on, whatever bandage she is picking at so she doesn’t cry, she just saw the whole city turn her kidnapping into gossip and entertainment.