“I could do without the balls you speak of,” I tease, making him laugh.

“But for real, though, they deserve it.” My eyes slide between his. “I know nothing other than no one should fear without reason and no one should hurt without fault.”

“I’m with you, Raven. Whatever you need, whatever you wish for. If you let me.” He holds my eyes. “I will stand with you.”

I wipe my face, looking away, thinking a moment before asking. “Do the families meet regularly?”

“Once a month, unless we call for something sooner,” he tells me. “I can have them here by end of day if need be.”

“No,” I say. “I want to catch everyone off guard.”

“Then it’ll be six days from now.”

I nod. “Call that designer chick back.” I look to him. “The one redoing the room across from Captain’s for Zoey. Have her come, today. Now. Whatever they talked about, her and Cap, tell her to make it happen and more.”

He jerks his head. “Done.”

“And uh.” I lick my lips, biting into my bottom one before letting it free. I push to my feet, staring down at him. “I’m gonna need a nursery. I’ll pay for it, but I don’t know what, um...”

His face falls, his eyes softening as he pushes to his feet before me. He reaches out, ready to grip my hand but decides against it. “We’ll make sure to get everything you’ll need.” He swallows, hesitating. “When should I be sure it’s ready by?”

“Go, Rolland,” I whisper.

He nods and moves for the door, but pauses when I say, “Purple.”

Confused, he looks to me.

“For Zoey.” I think back to her basketball and the playhouse, the flowers lining the entry. “I think it’s her favorite color.”

He nods, pushing the door open but I hold him back once more.

“Why did they let you come in here?”

He considers what to share a moment before he sighs. “Maddoc didn’t look so hot when he came out, stormed off. They followed, but Victoria locked herself in the elevator shaft with him.”

My features drop. “What?”

“I imagine they’re trying to get it moving.” He shrugs. “Nothing they’ll be able to do until the flip is switched from the inside.”

I turn away, biting on the edge of the cotton cuffs of the sweatshirt. Even if Bass told them everything, like I asked him to, he couldn’t have added in the final piece.

The potential silver bullet, but we’re too far gone for new weapons.

Kings have been named, kingdoms set.

But it all comes down to the power of the queen, doesn’t it?

What about the power of two?

I’m at a fucking loss.

No clue what to think. No clue what to believe or what move is right if a right move exists at all. I’m fucked in my head and see no way out. It’s been three days of silence from everyone all around. Nobody speaks to one another. The only words shared are when someone announces they’re going for a walk or stepping out for a call or some bullshit like that.

I came outside today as soon as I heard Raven puking in the bathroom in the hall. Now, hours have passed, another sun gone, and I’m still sitting here alone against a tree at the edge of the hospital, away from all the windows.

Away from her.

Of course, the second I fucking think it, Bass Bishop drops down beside me, resting his arms on his knees as he lights a cigarette.

I glare at his profile a minute before saying what I should have the second he told me all he’s done for her. “Thank you.”

He takes his time, pulling in a long drag before blowing it out, then slowly slides his eyes my way. “For what, man? Letting your brother get shot, twice? For letting a gun get shoved in Raven’s face, forcing her to kill her own mom when one, I should have been there to prevent all of it, or two, been there soon enough to be the one who drove that knife through Ravina’s side so Raven didn’t have to?”

I shift my glower to the green strip of grass ahead of me.

“How about for not seeing Leo and Vienna coming? Or for letting Raven take off in the Graven house for too long, and having to drag her ass out with the help of Gio while she kicked and screamed, trying to convince a Graven to live instead of die?”

“Stop.”

He scoffs, looking away. “Then don’t fucking thank me, man.”

After a second, I ask him, “Where’s the body?”

“Got it to the crematory, quietly. They’ve got it ready and waiting in case she wants to bury or burn her. And she will.”

“She wig out?” I ask him.

Bass shakes his head, looking to the grass. “Nah, man. She held it all in, hid everything like the soldier she is. Her first crack, Royce was there for, thank fuck. She’s holdin’ on, but not by much at this point. She doesn’t know what to do. Her moves were easier before, helped all of you. She’s having to think now, and we both know that’s not the way she works, so she’s lost. She wants you, man, but she has guilt, a sense of debt.”

“Cap would never hold anything over her head.”

“Nope. He wouldn’t. But she thinks he gave up everything for her, and you? You plain gave up. What’s she supposed to do with that?”

I run my hands down my face, dropping my head against the tree.

“Fucked up shit, yeah?” He takes another drag, speaking with a held breath. “I’d’ve told you to fuck off and walked if I thought for a second you’d leave her after you put me on her tail.”

He meets my glare. “Yeah, well some shit happened after that, asshole.”

“Oh, I know. She tried to do what she thought was best for you. Handled things quietly, out of your faces.” He swings his head toward me. “Every fucking body here knows she’s never been good at decisions, but when she moves, make no fucking mistake, she moves with you in mind.”

“Yeah?” I snap. “Every move she makes, huh?” I mock.

He eyes me a long moment before looking away. He flicks his cigarette before jumping to his feet. He stares at the hospital building behind us.

“Donley mentioned a video when we were there, proof of something.” His eyes come back to mine.

Perceptive asshole.

He pushes from the ground, offering me a hand so I let him pull me up.

I eye him. “I’d bet she won’t be going anywhere for a while.”

He shakes his head, already knowing. “Then neither am I, man. And heads up, your brother’s coming.”

I nod, looking behind him when Royce steps around the small walkway, headed right for me.

Royce makes sure to knock his shoulder into Bishop’s as hard as fucking possible, but Bishop ignores him and makes his way back to Raven and the others.

“I’m tired of the silence. How is it I’ve been here and don’t know shit? Tell me what the fuck’s goin’ on?” Royce demands, crossing his arms angrily.

“She’s pregnant.”

His brows jump, not at all expecting that. He gapes at me, and the longer he stares, the more it sets in. Tension lines his forehead.

He steps forward, eyes hard, but he wraps his arms around me in a hard pat.