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I need to come to terms with that. The quicker the better. Honestly, I’ve already thought about this a couple of times. I could call Dizzy and ask if I can stay with them. Marco might find me, but then, maybe no one would ever find him. But it feels wrong to make a clean break from Riot and stay with his family.

Which leaves Willa. I have her number. I could call.

Pushing open the door, I step into the dimly lit room where the others are pretending they didn’t hear the screaming. Mine. Or Riot and Sonatina arguing.

Lennon openly stares at me. She’s probably never seen anyone cause Sonatina as much pain as I have. But I get the sense that isn’t all it is. She’s been curious about my relationship with the guys since day one. And after that game where she kissed Kodiak so innocently that it had to be because she’s inexperienced, I’ve caught her watching us all a little more closely.

I smile at her and she gives me an awkward, timid one back. It flickers on and off her face before giving up. Her eyes are still watery, and her cheek is red from earlier when Sonatina slapped her. Their relationship is a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Except Sonatina. And Marco.

Yes, I would wish Sonatina’s nightmare relationship with Lennon on my worst enemies. I’m not above being vindictive.

The sound tech bows his head over his boards and pretends he isn’t curious as hell. He plays with the sliders. His foot taps the floor to whichever song he’s listening to.

Bronx pats the seat between him and Golden. There’s barely enough room between their big bodies for me to be able to fit. Golden gives me an empathetic look. He knows I’ve just been with Riot. They all do. But Bronx and Golden are my friends first and foremost. There’s no judgment. Or bitterness.

It’s Kodiak’s grim expression that bothers me most. It must have hurt him for me to go backward. It’s like I’m an alcoholic when it comes to Riot. I know I should quit him; I’ve tried so hard to. But like I told him, I’m broken. I must be, to keep landing on Riot’s dick.

Kodiak looks away first, stares into the empty booth. That stings, but then, I truly did warn him that I wasn’t ready. I don’t know... perhaps it is what I deserve.

Rook comes in behind me.

“I want to go back to the hotel,” I tell him. Anywhere has to be better than here. It’s like the first week on the bus all over again in here. Only this time I really am the one making everyone uncomfortable. Kissing Rook to prove my point... what was I thinking?

“Yes, Miss Peterson.” Rook strides over to Jasper and has a quiet and quick conversation with the younger bodyguard. He’s turned formal, putting distance between us that I didn’t realize would make me feel so... uncomfortable.

Jasper nods and leaves his spot. “I’m to escort you back to the hotel.”

My stomach tightens. Rook is disappointed in me. I hate that. I only wanted to make Riot angry when I kissed him and called him Daddy Rook. It wasn’t at all about being attracted to him, though he is handsome for an older man.

I wish I’d had Rook in my life when I was younger. A mentor and protector. Riot was right about that. I shouldn’t have messed with it.

I can’t meet his eyes as we pass him. My cheeks burn.

Jasper and I exit into bright sunlight and T-shirt weather. A warm wind blows across my face, doing nothing to cool the heat in my cheeks. Our car waits. The driver opens the door for me.

I’m about to duck my head to climb in when a cold shiver runs down my spine. It’s like the temperature out has dropped thirty degrees. I scan the area like my life depends on it. Maybe it does. Hopefully I’m being paranoid. Overly sensitive, but I can’t shake the sensation of being watched.

“What is it?” Jasper asks.

“Nothing.” There’s no sign of Marco. Or any random stranger staring at me too long. Or even anyone who just looks creepy. No one who looks like Riot either. When Riot told me I’d gotten confused by the man who was following me and an L.A. Riot poster, I’d been so embarrassed. If I hadn’t had quite a few drinks that night, I would have felt like such an idiot.

“You might want to breathe then.” Jasper watches me closely.

“Oh, right.” I inhale, allowing my lungs to fill all the way and then release it. Climbing into the backseat I slip across so he can get in too. The door is closed and the driver pulls the car away from the curb.

Again, that sensation of being watched makes my pulse spike. My gaze slides across the people on the street. I almost miss Marco, but my gaze is dragged back by instinct.

Our eyes lock.

Maybe he can’t see me inside the car, but it definitely feels like I’m completely naked under his chilling gaze. Did he wait for us to come out of the studio? Did he watch me get into the vehicle?

I hope not.

But how else would he know that we would be there? Even if he has followed us from Vegas using the band’s tour schedule, he wouldn’t have known we would be at the studio. That information wasn’t available anywhere.

Could he have followed us from the hotel? Oh fuck, what if he knows where we’re staying? My mouth goes dry. I scrunch my skirt in my trembling hands as I try to look around without it being obvious that I’m freaking the fuck out.