Page 54 of Tico

“That’s not a club issued phone,” Wire whispers as he comes up beside me and it takes me a moment before I realize he’s right.

It’s a small thing to notice from a distance, but it proves it’s not theSamsung Galaxy S26that everyone in the club gets. TheS26has a small, raised section around all three cameras on the back of the phone.

The phone Corvus is using does not have that raised section around the cameras.

My gut twists. Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about one ofmis hermanos(my brothers) having a second phone, but after what I’ve learned today, it makes me suspicious.

“Can you access it?” I ask and Wire smirks in response. “Do it.”

Chapter 27

Ember

Outofthecornerof my eye, I see Xochitl and Poison talking quietly, both of them silently scanning the room every few seconds as they talk. I try to concentrate on what Pyper and Rochelle are saying, but ever since Corvus sat down two tables away and made sure he was facing us…it’s been hard. I feel like he’s watching and monitoring me. But why?

My gut clenches as I remember the hotel security feed. Is Corvus the rat? He was one of the names Wire listed off. Is heworking with Oasis or the Chrome Vipers? Or is he working with someone else?

For the next twenty minutes, I continue talking with Pyper and Rochelle while trying to discretely keep an eye on everything that’s happening in the room. However, the only thing that seems odd or off… is Corvus. I just can’t put my finger on what is off though.

“Hey, are you okay?” Pyper asks quietly and I fight to not flinch in response.

I clear my throat and give her a small smile. “Yeah, I’ve just got a lot on my mind.” Which is true, just not the full truth.

She gives me a look like she doesn’t believe me, but thankfully she lets it drop.

The door to Church opens and my nerves instantly skyrocket when everyone files out. All of the officers look relaxed, but it’s their eyes that are different. They’re sharper, colder, and more alert.

Tico steps out of Church and comes to a halt when he sees me, and then his gaze snaps in the direction of Corvus.

Do they suspect Corvus, too?

He and Wire talk quietly for a moment and then Wire heads down the hallway, most likely heading back to his room.

Tico motions for me, and I turn back to Rochelle and Pyper who both saw the gesture as well.

“Time to kick some Sunny ass?” Pyper asks with a smirk, and I huff out a laugh.

“Maybe. He said we’d talk to her after he was done with Church. As for kicking her ass, that depends on what she reveals during our talk.”

Rochelle pats my hand. “Go on, it’s best not to keep him waiting. Though from what Pyper told me about the incidents, I’m hoping for her sake that she changes.”

“So do I,” I reply quietly.

I cross the room to Tico and a moment later, Daemon’s also at my side. Tico leans forward, kissing my temple and places a hand at the small of my back.

“Let’s go talk to Sunny. I want to get this over with so we can celebrate you becoming my Ol’ Lady tonight.”

The heat in his eyes has me clenching my thighs in anticipation and judging by the twitch in his lips, he noticed my reaction.

We follow Daemon down the hallway and when we get to Sunny’s room, I’m surprised to see Liam guarding her door. My gaze drops to his arm where his bandages are peeking out from under his sleeve.

“It wasn’t your fault, Queenie.”

My gaze snaps up to Liam’s and he gives me a small smile.

“I’m fine, and I’ll heal, but you need to get that train of thought out of your head. What happened wasn’t your fault. That attack was caused by the people who thought they could own you and your sister. By people who thought they could just walk onto our territory and kidnap two of our own.”

My eyes burn with unshed tears but I fight to keep them at bay. “I just hate that you and the others got hurt because of it.”