Is this what all Rhage’s secrecy and mystery is about? Whatever Tobias just did?
Do I even want to know?
Curiosity itches beneath my skin, with reluctance tamping down my thoughts, but finally the question burning brightest in my mind makes its way past my lips.
“Niki, what the hell just happened?”
Chapter 10
Joseline
Our eyes meet, and Niki shoves down the kickstand of the recliner, attempting to wiggle her way out of the chair.
“No, no, you stay right there!” I jab a finger at her, terrified she’ll drop to the floor and I’ll be chasing after Tobias again. Not gonna happen. Not on my watch. “You’re not moving until Sebastian gets here.”
She glowers and leans back without breaking eye contact. “I told you, I’m f?—”
“Don’t you dare say you’re fine, Nik,” I cut her off pointedly, my jaw tensing. “I’ve tried to be supportive, tried not to judge or say anything, but you’re clearly keeping secrets, and it’s more than just your boyfriend’s identity.”
Tense silence fills the tour bus, but I’m not backingdown. I basically put my entire life on hold to come here and help Niki until the baby is born. The least I deserve is honesty, especially if her life is on the line.
I could tell her that—I should tell her that—but I don’t want to fight. I don’t want her getting defensive and upset, because that’s not going to solve anything. It’s certainly not good for the baby.
I just want her to tell me the truth.
“Jos, it’s super complicated,” she starts slowly. “And the main reason I haven’t told you is for your protection, I swear. But I also wanted to pretend for a little while that… that things were semi-normal. That they aren’t… what they are.” Her bottom lip wobbles, but just as quickly her expression hardens. “But things aren’t normal; not even close.”
“You don’t say? I thought you were dying, Niki.” I glare at her. “I thought my best friend was a goner, but then some asshole I can’t stand comes andpraysover you, and all of a sudden you’re better.”
“He didn’t pray.” Her tone is far too calm for my liking.
How can she act like nothing happened? Like I didn’t run to find Tobias, like he didn’t kneel before her cryptically and fix her with a single touch. Like I didn’t just watch somethingmagical.
“I’ll understand if you want to walk away without knowing, Jos,” she says, her blue eyes misting over. My chest tightens, knowing that if she cries, I’m going to cry. I might be a bitch, but I’m forever a sympathy crier. “It’s a lot. A lot of secrets, a lot of precautions, a lot… and if you don’t want to know, if you’d rather just leave so you don’t have to share the burden, I get it.”
A rogue tear slips down her cheek, and she wipes it away hastily.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I assure her, moving to sit on the couch across from her. “I’ve always been in your corner, you know that. I’m not just gonna?—”
She shakes her head sharply to cut me off. “You don’t understand. If you stay, if I tell you what’s really going on, you can never escape it. The information will haunt you forever, and you’ll be sworn to secrecy for the rest of your life. It’s fair for you to have the choice…”
The hair on the back of my neck prickled at her words.
Forever.
What the hell kind of secrets is she hiding? Who are these rockstars she’s found herself stuck with? Why can’t she ever escape?
And why the hell does she think I’ll leave her to deal with it alone?
Whatever she’s gotten herself caught up in, whatever mysterious wizard fuckery just saved her life, I can handle it. It clearly can’t be that bad, not if it’s keeping her safe and well.
“It’s cute that you think I’d just leave you here, Niki.” I lean back on the couch, trying to appear calm despite the bubble of nervous excitement swelling inside me.
This is the secret that will answer everything, and I’m ready.
“I’m serious.” Her bottom lip wobbles, but shecatches it between her teeth. “It’s so much to ask you to keep these secrets, but I can’t do this without you. No one else on the planet can know, but I trust you with my life, Jos. I trust you with this baby. I just… I just want you to be sure that this is where you want to be.”
This time, I shove off the couch and cross to the recliner. Leaning down, I hug Niki into my chest and squeeze her.
