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“Okay, that’s...” brilliant. Excessive. Something Marco might do. Fuck, that’s not okay. Unless she was okay with it. No, that’s not my Kelsey. “She’s not going to go for that.”

Especially if I’m the one asking. But maybe if Rook suggested it... Or Kodiak. Would she do it for him?

“Didn’t think so.” Micah blows out a breath. “They rarely do.”

“What?” Is that something he’s tried? Or was it West? I can’t even imagine how Dizzy would react to that.

“Never mind.” He clears his throat. “I’ll put together a package.”

“Appreciate it.”

“Yeah, least I can do to help keep another woman safe from assholes like Marco.”

What is it he really does? Can’t just be tech. “I owe you one.”

“Yeah, this time I might collect, rockstar,” he says. “I’ll let you know. And I’ll be in touch when I find something concrete on the money. Or if Marco pops up again.”

“Thanks.”

I stare at the darkened screen between my hands for a minute after he hangs up. Then I light up the screen and open my photo gallery. I still have those photos I took of her.

I feel both sick and humbled as I flip through them from this side of the truth. I’d been so hostile, so angry. I’d written such hateful things on her. I’d been an asshole.

But she still looks so beautiful. Strong enough to fight back and to stand her ground. Sexy. True. These are far better words to describe her.

I swipe to the next photo, which is more of the same. But the way she’s looking at me... If I hadn’t been so jaded, would I have noted the mixed emotions in her eyes?

They really would have made a good album cover, but no one will ever see them. My thumb hovers over the trash can. But I can’t bring myself to delete them. Not yet. Not until I can make amends.

I put them in their own folder instead while I make a mental list for the morning. First things first, I need to talk to Kelsey. Then tell Rebel we won’t be coming home anytime soon. Tell him about the mess I’m in and get his advice.

I want to ask Rogue how he convinced Ivy that tracking her was in her best interest.

I want to reach out to West and ask for his advice on how to handle Marco.

Actually, I’m kind of surprised that none of my brothers reached out. They must have seen the photos on social media, and yet I haven’t been bombarded with questions. Rebel hasn’t tried to dad me.

He’d certainly wanted to when it all went to shit between Kelsey and me. None of them had been happy about the situation that caused her to walk away. They’d been even less happy when I’d started being seen everywhere with Sonatina.

What will they think about this situation? What will they say? How will they look at me when they find out all the ways I’ve screwed up? How much I’ve hurt Kelsey. How we lost a baby I didn’t even know about.

That their little brother got himself drugged and raped. Not that I’ll ever tell them what happened.

What kind of man would they see if they knew?

A weak man? A stupid man? One they’d want nothing to do with probably.

The tiniest of sneezes breaks me free of my thoughts. Lifting my head, I crane my neck to see Sonatina’s assistant hovering a few feet behind me, entry to another room in the suite at her back. She looks startled and uncomfortable at the noise herself.

When did she come in? I didn’t hear her. “Lennon?”

Dressed in a fuzzy, tattered robe, her hands grip and tighten the sash around her middle. She adjusts her weight from bare foot-to-bare foot as though unsure whether to make a run for the shadows. Or take a step toward me. “Are you okay? You’re... not... sleeping.”

I don’t blame her for being nervous around me. Or anyone. She probably spends the majority of her time in fight or flight. Sonatina has always been a bitch to the woman who literally does every little thing for her. Their relationship is... unhealthy at best.

It’s more like the woman is her captive. The last time Sonatina and I were faking it for the media, her assistant hadn’t had a single day off. Sonatina had run her absolutely ragged, calling at any time of the day or night to execute her every ridiculous whim. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Her lips barely curl up in the corners before they drop. Her eyes are kind and soft and they dart to Sonatina’s bedroom door before her shoulders drop from up near her ears. “You’re not sleeping.”