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Even though I’m wrapped up in Kodiak’s arms... I’ve fucked him... there’s something between us that is more than friends... Riot is there.

I’ve woken up in a cold sweat a few nights a week since Marco attacked me. With nightmares so vivid I sleep with a nightlight now. And every time I wake, Riot is somehow there.

I don’t talk to him and we don’t touch, but he’s there. Quiet, serious, watching over me like he plans to never let me down again.

Like he didn’t let me down when I needed someone to come find me. The night he helped me vandalize his poster with a smile on his face. That was the old Riot. The one I adored. The one I fell in love with.

But can I trust that? Trust him?

He wasn’t there for me when I was pregnant with his baby. He wasn’t there when I lost Harlowe. Or to protect me from Marco. He’s engaged to her. There is always something that says I can’t believe in him. That it would be stupid to give him another chance to hurt me.

17

Kelsey

Riot’s voice hits me like a punch to my chest as he enters the suite. A second later her shrill one follows. She’s trying to be flirty, but she sounds like nails down a chalkboard. How she sings as beautifully as she does... it makes no sense to me.

Bronx shoves his hands and the condom he’s holding into his pocket and rocks back on his heels. “Did you make a decision about what you’d like to eat?”

“I haven’t had an egg sandwich in forever.” I smooth the front of my dress and gather my hair up with my hands before letting it waterfall to fluff it out. “Let me grab my shoes.”

“Okay. I need to—”

Riot and Sonatina come into sight. Riot takes in the two of us. How close we’re standing. His lips form a thin white line.

“Let me make sure I have my wallet and phone,” Bronx says.

“Five minutes?”

“Yeah.” He turns to Riot as I leave him to play nice. “I was thinking about the setlist, and I think we should make a change for the next show.”

“Something smells like sex in here.” Sonatina sounds like a prude.

I duck into my room and grab the heels Willa sent me a couple of days ago. They’re a gorgeous, glossy crimson with the comfiest insoles in a luxurious fawn color. But that’s not the best part.

The best part is the secrets they contain.

Pushing my feet into them, I check my appearance in the bathroom mirror. I take a moment to slick my pout in a rich cherry color that goes so well with the shoes.

I almost crash into Sonatina as I leave my room. She blocks my path in the little hallway where we’re out of sight of the others. “When are you leaving, slut?”

“When are you going to come up with a more original insult?” I fire back. I don’t like being pushed around, especially not by her. I pull myself up to my full height and step to her. “Get out of my way.”

“He’s mine now.” Her lips turn up as she tilts her chin.

My breath catches at the deep oval bruise at her pulse point. My stomach turns. He can do whatever he wants.

Satisfaction fills her eyes. She knows I saw what she wanted me to. “You’re not going to get him back. There’s no point hanging around, waiting for a man who is never going to choose you.”

My knuckles curl at my sides. Her words land like solid fucking bricks to the face. Of course he isn’t going to choose me. Has he ever? “I’m with Kodiak. Not Riot. I don’t give a fuck who he wants to screw.”

“Good. Because we are...” she turns her nose up and sniffs. “...screwing. In fact—”

“Great.” Do I believe her? Like Bronx said, it’s doubtful they’re fucking. Mostly because that tattoo would have made it very difficult. But I can’t deny that hickey when it’s in my fucking face. I try to slide past her.

She doesn’t budge.

I could use my glossy new weapons to kick her ass, but then I’d really have to leave and I can’t yet. “Get out of my way, Sonatina.”