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“She’s so close,” I tell him at the same time Kodiak says, “Yeah, she’s close.”

I hate that he can tell that as easily as I can. That he’s had the chance to learn something that only I was meant to know about her. They all have.

If I hadn’t screwed up so badly... I would still be the only one to know.

She cries out and her back arches.

“There it is,” I whisper to her. “Ride it, Little Vandal. Ride it out for me.”

Golden keeps the vibrator on her clit. Until she puts her hand on his and pulls it away.

“Better?” I ask.

She relaxes into me. All those hormones we’ve just released helping with the pain at the same time the meds are starting to kick in. “Mm-hmm.”

“Want to sleep?” I ask.

“Yeah.” She yawns.

“Okay, let’s let her sleep.” Golden gets off the bed. Bronx stands. Kodiak opens the door.

Stretching back, she grabs my hip. Digs her nails into my ass through the pajama shorts I borrowed from her. “Riot.”

“I’m staying.” That decision was made as soon as I walked the fuck out on Sonatina. No, before that... in the bathroom when Kelsey called me Daddy Rockstar. It just didn’t hit me until Rook told me what had happened.

I’d been on my way back to the hotel in the next heartbeat. Because Kelsey is my biggest concern. My priority. And I’ve let her believe for too long that isn’t the case.

My bandmates file out and Kodiak shuts the door, leaving Kelsey and me alone. There will probably be another conversation about whether we have a problem in the band before this day is out.

Fully relaxed, she sinks into me. Her breathing evens out. Grows deeper.

Sonatina can kiss my fucking ass. Rook knows she’s not to step foot in our suite or on the bus when we leave. I’m calling off our bullshit engagement. I will find another way to get her out of our lives.

I have no idea how yet. It twists my gut that I have no plan. No move for when Sonatina comes at us.

But Kelsey is finally letting me in. I’m not screwing that up. Never again.

I hold her for a long time, stroking her hair and just watching her while she sleeps. I could lay here forever comforting her. Although it’s probably been over an hour, I’m no where near ready to leave my little vandal when Bronx steps back into the room. He speaks low so he doesn’t wake her. “Hey, bro. We think you’d better come out here.”

“Can it wait?” I tense and shoot him a look.

“Probably not.” He walks out.

Fuck. Fine. I’ll find out what they want but then I’ll be reclaiming my spot curled up around my girl. With one last stroke, I kiss her hairline and carefully disentangle myself, scooting myself out of the bed.

Striding into the common area, I find the guys all waiting for me. Bronx’s eyes widen on my choice of shorts.

“Nice hearts, man,” Golden says.

Kodiak stares at the pad of his thumb like he’s trying to see below the layers of skin. He looks up. “Is she okay?”

“Kelsey’s sleeping.” I take a seat in one of the armchairs. “The meds seem to be doing their job.”

“I haven’t seen her that bad in... ever.” Golden taps one foot and then the other. Both hands are tucked into the pockets on his hoodie. He removes one to rub the tip of his nose.

“Me either,” Bronx says.

“Yeah, well, she should have had meds on her. But I guess she ran out.” I glance at the door. She used to be mine. Mine to take care of. Mine to look after when it got this bad. Not theirs. Not ours. They were never a part of any of this back then. Will things ever go back to that? Back to a time where she’s mine again? How do we possibly go back? It’s not just me wanting to take care of her anymore. It’s all of us. All three of them look at her like her hurting is killing them. They all look at her like she’s theirs. Like they want more than just physical fun. Fuck. “What did you want to talk about? Because—”