“Then,get… another… band.”
His gaze snaps back to mine, stern. “It’s not that simple. Finding someone mid-tour, with the logistics and timing? Shit like that doesn’t happen overnight. AndSwift Divisionhas a contract. We’d end up in court.”
I stand, pacing, the tension coiling tighter in my gut.
Luke sighs, shaking his head. “Sorry, but you might have to suck it up—”
“Suck. It. Up?” I spin on him. “I’m talking about Effa’s safety here. Or do younotgive a damn about that?”
He steps up, his face serious as hell. “Of course I care. I love those girls. They’re everything to me.” His jaw tics. “I’ve already got Raoul watching Effa whenever she’s not with you. But I can’t pull the band. You get that, right?”
I grind my teeth.
Goddammit!
I get it.
I fucking hate it, but I get it.
Jett holds all the cards, and there’s nothing I can legally do to rip them from his smug little hands.
“At all times?” I ask, eyes narrowing.
“Yes, Raoul or Cooper. She’ll always have someone watching her back.”
I nod stiffly.
He places a firm hand on my shoulder, squeezing tight. “I can see how much you care about her. And I want you to know, I’ll do everything in my power to protect her. I promise you that.”
The sincerity in his voice lands hard. I believe him. It’s not the outcome I wanted, but it’s the only one I’m going to get right now.
Cracking my neck, I exhale. “Thanks for listening. I don’t like it… but I get it.”
As we walk toward the door, I steel myself. Effa doesnotneed to see me this wound up.
“I’ll keep you in the loop,” Luke says.
“Appreciate it.”
He opens the door for me. “Thanks for coming to me instead of handling Jett yourself.”
I smirk. “Thank Effa. If it were up to me, that prick would be eating through a straw. But she asked me not to, and I can’t deny her anything.”
Luke chuckles. “Not saying he doesn’t deserve it, but yeah, that would’ve made for one hell of a day.”
I head down the hallway, muscles still knotted, nerves buzzing. A half hour ago, I needed a sexual release.Now?I need a punching bag with Jett’s face duct-taped to the front.
Rock star life—joyful one minute, rage-inducing the next.
I reach our room and knock. The door opens, and Effa peeks out cautiously until she sees me, then her shoulders drop.
“Oh, praise Gaia. You’re okay,” she murmurs.
“I didn’t go see Jett.”
“You didn’t?”
I pull her into me without hesitation. Her tiny body melts into mine, instantly calming the storm brewing inside.
