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“He wasn’t,” Riot said. “I checked the camera feeds. No vehicles came within two miles of the gate after he arrived.”

“That won’t protect her for long,” Monster said. “The men from the road know Mayhem’s patch. They’ll figure out where to find us.”

Riot smiled coldly. “Let them.”

Monster’s attention shifted to him. “This isn’t a game.”

“I know it’s not a fucking game,” Riot growled.

“You’re looking awfully happy about the thought of a war breaking out here,” Monster challenged.

“I’ve been bored,” Riot said with a shrug.

“Five armed men kidnapped a woman and beat her for four days. If Voss or Holloway is behind it, we could be dealing with an entire organization,” Monster warned.

Riot’s smile widened. “Like I said, let them come.”

Monster shook his head. “You’re a fucking lunatic.”

“That’s why you love me,” Riot teased.

“I tolerate you because Mayhem gets moody when you’re gone,” Monster said.

Riot’s smile disappeared, and Mouse glanced between them. “Should I leave?”

“This is your room,” Riot reminded him.

“That has never stopped a fight from breaking out in here before,” Mouse grumbled.

Monster closed the laptop. “Delaney needs to tell us what she knows.”

“Not yet,” Riot said. The room went quiet, and Monster slowly turned toward him. Riot knew he was challenging his president. He also knew Monster wouldn’t punish him for defending an injured woman—probably being the operative word.

“She’s been here less than six hours,” Riot continued. “Give her time to wake up without someone interrogating her.”

“I’m not planning to waterboard her,” Monster insisted.

“She might not understand the distinction,” Riot said.

Monster considered that before nodding. “We give her until this afternoon. Then I need answers.”

“I’ll talk to her,” Riot said.

“Mayhem found her,” Monster reminded. “Maybe he should be the one to tell her.”

“That’s exactly why it should be me,” Riot said. Monster studied him, but Riot didn’t explain. Mayhem’s emotions were too close to the surface where Delaney was concerned. He’d accept whatever she said without looking for cracks in her story. Riot could be gentler than Monster while still recognizing if she was hiding something. More importantly, Delaney needed to learn that Mayhem wasn’t the only person she could trust. If the three of them had any future—even the possibility of one—she needed to feel safe with Riot too.

“I’ll be careful,” he said.

Monster grunted. “That will be a first.” A scream came from upstairs, and Riot’s chair hit the floor behind him as he ran for the steps. He reached the hallway at the same time Mayhem kicked open Delaney’s door. The lock splintered away from the frame.

Delaney stood beside the bed, swinging the lamp at him. “Get away from me!” Mayhem caught the lamp before it struck his head, but Delaney continued fighting. Her injured ankle buckled. Riot moved quickly, sliding between her and Mayhem as she fell. He caught her beneath the arms, and Delaney screamed and drove her elbow into his ribs. Pain shot through him, and Riot released her immediately. She collapsed beside the bed and scrambled backward until she hit the wall. Her eyes were open, but Riot could tell she wasn’t seeing either of them. She was trapped in a memory.

Mayhem started toward her and Riot blocked him with one arm. “Don’t.”

“She’s hurt,” Mayhem insisted.

“She’s terrified,” Riot said.