Page 16

Those words hurt. Because she doesn’t mean them. No matter how hard she tries. No matter how much she wants to.

I almost turn around and go back to bed. Until there’s a commotion and someone else arrives.

Sonatina. Here?

This isn’t good. I brace myself for what I am about to walk into.

Kelsey might not be ready for something with me. She may not want anything more than what we’ve already shared. But I can wait. I can give her all the time she needs to get over him and be ready to move on for real.

In the meantime, she needs someone in her corner while she faces off with her ex’s fiancée. Whether Riot and Sonatina’s relationship is the publicity stunt we all think it is or something more, Kelsey isn’t going to have to deal with it on her own.

I stride into the room as Sonatina grabs Riot’s cheek and plants a kiss on his mouth. He looks frozen in place, his desperate gaze still glued to Kelsey.

And Kelsey looks like she would like to stab a bitch as she moves away from him. My chest puffs up. Somehow despite all the bruising, she still manages to be strong.

Sonatina smiles like a wolf and splays her hand on his chest, showing off one big fucking rectangular diamond.

Kelsey stiffens.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Sonatina?” He repeats himself as he shakes her off. He ignores her, his gaze only on Kelsey.

“Don’t be like that, Baby. I missed you.” She presses herself against his chest. “Didn’t you miss me? You left so early this morning. I thought we were going to share the good news together.”

He pushes her away again, holds her at a distance by her shoulder.

Kelsey’s eyes widen slightly and then narrow. “What good news?”

Sonatina doesn’t look at her. She focuses on Riot then me. Presses her hands together in front of her as though she might clap for her own scheming. “I’m joining L.A. Riot for the rest of the tour.”

“No, you’re not.” He scowls at her as I come up behind Kelsey.

I rest my hand on the small of her back. She steps in toward me. It might not be all I want, but it’s a start.

Bronx and Golden both enter the suite. Dressed in athletic shorts and loose singlets, they come in dripping sweat. Each carrying a water bottle, they joke around until they notice the four of us.

Their conversation fizzles out as they take in the situation.

“I really am coming on this tour. As your fiancé and L.A. Riot’s manager, I need to be around to keep you out of trouble.” The look she sends Kelsey, tells me she means her. She smiles up at him. “Daddy said to tell you congratulations. He said we should schedule the wedding between your tour and mine. He’s already organizing a wedding planner.”

“What?” Golden’s brows rise.

“You’re marrying her?” Bronx scratches the side of his head.

“Fuck, no.” Riot scowls.

“Yes,” Sonatina says, like she won’t tolerate any argument.

Riot shakes his head. “That’s not—”

“Unbelievable,” Kelsey mutters. “Of course you are. You’d do anything for L.A. Riot.”

“Kels—”

“Just don’t.” Kelsey raises her voice.

Sonatina sneers. “What is your ex doing here, Riot? It’s a bad look for her to be here when we’re so newly engaged, don’t you think?”

Kelsey stiffens.