LAYLA'S POV
Garrett's flat voice has been living in my head for three days – "that baby is mine" – and I'm trying to drown it in work when Vanessa sits down across from me and slides the knife in.
I'm at a table near the bar, working through observations from this morning's council meeting before they go cold. Megan presided. Bishop sat at one end, quiet in the specific way that means he's watching. Pearl was unreadable at the other. I attended as guest – again – and I noted three things I want to record: Megan's specific phrasing when she redirected the conversation away from financial review, Redbone's reaction when Bishop asked about the eastern border leases, and Sawyer's hand moving to his phone under the table when Megan mentioned Black Viper's trade agreement.
I'm about to excuse
