Page 56 of Tico

“One more thing,” Tico says. “You discuss nothing of the Chrome Vipers with anyone else. If you hear anything about them, you come to me and let me know immediately. If your friend contacts you again about Ember, Pyper, or Rochelle, you reveal nothing about them and notify me immediatly. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand.”

Tico studies her face for a moment before nodding. “Okay. Your confinement is over. I’ve already talked to the other bunnies about tonight. We’re having a party to celebrate Ember becoming my Ol’ Lady.”

Sunny seems to brighten at the news and she nods. “Are we cooking or ordering in?”

“For tonight, since so much time got away from us, we’re ordering in.”

The light in her seems to dim and I wonder if Sunny happens to enjoy cooking.

Daemon’s arm slings around my shoulder and I almost startle, having forgotten that he was in the room.

“My little Sis is all grown up. Becoming my Prez’s Ol’ Lady,” he fake sniffles and I lightly punch him in the side before hugging him.

“Weirdo.”

He chuckles, hugging me tighter. “Yeah, but you love me anyway.”

I chuckle in return. “Yeah, I do.”

A phone buzzes and Daemon shifts before pulling his phone out of his pocket. His face darkens at whatever he received and my stomach sinks. Then I notice that he isn’t holding his normal phone. It’s his burner phone. My stomach sinks even further at the realization.

Sunny clears her throat. “I’ll go help the ladies set up,” she says as she slips out the door. Liam stops her for a moment but lets her go at Tico’s signal.

Daemon looks up from his phone at me and then at Tico. Some sort of silent communication passes between them and I really wish I knew what it meant.

He passes his phone to Tico and Tico’s face hardens.

“My office,” Tico says as he hands Daemon his phone back.

I hesitate, wondering if I’m supposed to follow him or not. A second later, I get my answer when Tico snags my hand and I follow behind him out into the hallway. In the main room, he must signal Taco because he falls in step beside us.

Once we’re in his office with the door shut behind us, Daemon starts pacing.

“Daemon, what’s going on?” I ask, and I hate how even I can hear the waver in my voice.

“Uncle Marcus texted me.”

My eyes widen and I remember Marcus’ silent signal after the fight last night letting us know he had our backs.

“W-What did he say? Is he okay?”

Instead of answering me, he hands me his phone and Taco leans over my shoulder to read it.

D—Wednesday. Dusk. Gym warehouse.

Today’s Monday. That means we have two days before they try to spring their trap. I look up at Daemon and then Tico, wondering if we ambush their ambush, or if we draw them out sooner.

“Two days,” Taco says as he runs a hand over his face. “Question is, do we let them spring their trap or do we lure them to us before then?”

Tico looks at me as his fingers tap against his chair. Nerves instantly bombard me, but so does resolve. My mind goes back to the homestead…the breeding room…how the Collector and other Oasis members took girls back with them whenever they visited the clubhouse…how they treated the women and little girls.

Then I remember walking in on Dad and Scooter holding down Pyper before we escaped. I remembered how Dad and the others would treat Rochelle.

And finally, I remember my promise.

Never again.