“Are you serious?” She scowled. “Do I look like the type who wants to sit around and swap out beauty tips all fucking day?”
“Neon,” I said, deadpan, “go pack your shit. You’re going with.”
“Fuck me,” she muttered, pulling her hand through her blue hair before pinning her glare on Onyx. “This is all your fault, you know?”
Onyx’s hand flew up to his chest, eyebrows raised. “What the fuck did I do?”
“You made her dance.”
“Bullshit. You were the one up her ass about her eating habits.”
Neon leaned closer. “Yeah, well…you could have stopped me.”
“I fucking tried.”
“Next time, try harder.” Neon turned on her heel and stomped off in the other direction. Dutch laughed, and I was slightly amused. Just slightly.
Ink joined us, his eyes finding Neon first. I often wondered if he really did like her, or whether the fact that she was one of the only girls in town who didn’t want his dick fucked with his head.
He turned his attention to the rest of us. “Everyone suited up and packing?” His way of asking if we had enough ammo to go start World War Three.
Everyone nodded, then he looked at me. “Who will be riding with the girl?”
“Dutch and Ink,” I answered simply.
Dutch straightened. “No fucking way, man. I’m riding with you. Let Onyx go with them.”
“Onyx can ride with me. I want my enforcer with Alyx.”
“Granite, as your enforcer, my place is next to you.”
“Don’t fight me on this, Dutch.” I gave him a look of warning.
Onyx crossed his arms, a taunting smirk on his face. “What’s the matter, brother? You don’t trust me with her?”
I clenched my jaw, biting my tongue while choosing not to look at him. “Don’t push me,” I warned.
“Listen,” he moved closer, “you and I both know there’s not a chance in hell Dutch will let you ride without his protection. Besides, having both our SAA and our enforcer on the same run as the girl would be like putting a giant red bullseye on that van. Everyone will expect heavier security around her.” He shrugged. “Assuming they’re convinced we have her.”
“He’s right,” Ink chimed in. “Onyx and I will take a few other guys and ride with the girls. You and Dutch go with the decoy. You have to take Manic, as he’s the road captain. It would look suspicious if you went on a run without him.”
My fists balled at my sides, hating the idea of Onyx going with her while I couldn’t.
“Listen to the man, Granite.” Dutch walked up to me, giving me a knowing look. “I’m siding with Onyx and Ink on this one.”
Ink rolled his eyes. “Thank you.”
“Shut up. Now, Granite. You and I both know Slither will think that if we have the girl, you’d have your entire security detail around her. It’s what anyone would do…which is why we need to think differently.”
Fucking man was right. He knew it. I knew it. But it didn’t mean I had to like it. Not being there myself to make sure she didn’t get hurt was hard enough. Toss my brother into the mix, and it made me feral. Our little standoff in the kitchen that morning proved the tension between us was palpable. I loved my brother. I really did. And we mostly got along just fine. But Kate was a touchy subject for us, and it seemed like Alyx would become one too.
My gaze cut to Onyx, then to Ink, and back at Dutch. For the life of me, I wished there was a way for me to argue this further, but I knew the bastards had me in a corner. A lesson my dad taught me—always listen to your team. A leader was only as strong as the bond between his men. Protect each other. Respect each other.
With a simple nod, I agreed. I didn’t fucking like it, but my guys were right, and I’d be a fool if I acted on impulse rather than on good advice. “A good leadership quality,” my dad always said. The ability to listen rather than dictate.
I glanced at my wristwatch. “We ride in at dawn.”
Everyone scattered out to go do what they needed to do, but I grabbed Onyx by the elbow. “Wait up.”