“Love to,” Loren smoothly and immediately responded.

“I’ll quit Succulent and devote myself to this band when the three of you show me some respect.”

Loren snorted. Houston stared.

“And not a moment sooner.”

Ignoring the plate full of steaming eggs, I pushed away from the island that separated me from them. At the entrance, I peered over my shoulder. Both still stood in the same place, watching me like I was some mystical creature they’d just discovered.

“Shall we?”

I was beginning to think my advice to Braxton had done more harm than good. She’d put her foot down and got our attention.

It turns out it was much more than she’d bargained for.

Since she refused to quit her job, Houston never let up, no matter how much her playing improved. Not once—not for a second, an hour, or a day in the weeks since. If Houston was on her ass anymore, he’d be in her ass. No doubt that thought had crossed his mind once or twice.

At least today would offer her some reprieve since we had our first photo shoot and interview with Braxton.

While the magazine that had been promised the exclusive set up, I caught sight of a familiar face entering Clive’s. I was holding up one of the cracked concrete walls the owner tried to embellish with celebrity posters, neon signs, and photos of patrons and employees. The molded ceiling looked like it would cave any moment, and the floor appeared as if no one had cleaned it since opening thirty years ago.

This was the most rundown bar the magazine could find in L.A., with Braxton as the centerpiece to commemorate Bound’s “discovery.”

I snorted.

If we hadn’t taken Savant’s deal five years ago, this wouldn’t be happening right now. This would not be our reality.

“The world must be on fire if you’re bothering to show your face,” I greeted the suited man approaching me in a blue tailored suit.

As usual he’d forgone a tie, so the top few buttons of his white shirt and suit jacket were left undone, exposing the deep-brown skin of his chest. Xavier Gray, recently forty, stroked his beard trimmed close while his dark brown gaze studied me. His black hair was also cut close and had the appearance of waves so deep they made me seasick whenever I looked at them.

Gray became our manager about a year or so after we signed to Savant. According to him, it was the least he could do after we saved his son, who was now a big-time rapper, from sharing our fate. Raleigh, who’d been nineteen at the time and dead set on fulfilling his dreams, hadn’t been willing to listen to his father. The details of how it led to us stepping in were murky, but what mattered now is that it had done some good.

Raleigh signed with a record label that wasn’t shady and was now at the top of his game. It was just one reason Carl was determined to take us down, and Braxton was his way to do it.

“Not quite,” Xavier answered as he slapped hands with me. “How’s it going with your newest addition?”

“You’d know if you brought your ass down sooner to meet her.”

He gave me a look as if I were insane. “You mean leave Portland willingly? Pass. I hate L.A. You know that.”

I scratched my chin, the lie already on my tongue. “It’s not that bad.”

“So you’re not itching to get back home?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.” He peered at me then. “You sleeping all right?”

“Like a log,” I answered shortly, hoping he didn’t push. It’s been nearly a year since I gave them cause for concern. I didn’t need to be coddled.

Reading the “fuck off” written on my forehead, Xavier nodded before letting it go. I exhaled loudly, making him smirk before asking, “Where are your boys?” He immediately looked around as if he could find the answer for himself.

I shrugged, truly not knowing or caring. Houston and Loren had disappeared, losing interest in the scene as soon as Braxton had been pulled away for hair and makeup. I stuck around to make sure at least one of us was easily found in case…I don’t really know. Braxton would chew off her own arm before ever admitting needing us. She put on a brave face, but I was getting good at reading her.

With only a couple of months left until the tour, it was time to introduce Braxton to the world. It was only a week ago that we’d finally assured our fans the tour would go on as scheduled. We hadn’t mentioned the fact that we didn’t have a choice. It didn’t matter. Braxton was good and getting better every day. She’d be ready. Houston’s determination not to be bested by Carl would make sure of it.

Because the alternative, extending our contract in exchange for a guitarist with more experience, made me want to put a bullet in my brain.

Carl had not only underestimated us, but he’d clearly underestimated Braxton. If she hadn’t impressed us with her performance at that festival weeks ago, he might have gotten what he wanted. We were desperately holding on to the past and too proud to admit that we weren’t ready to walk away. It meant giving up on Bound…and each other.

Five years ago, I would have jumped off a cliff, confident that my best friends would magically sprout wings and catch me before I fell. Now I wouldn’t so much as cross the street without my own two eyes to guide me. Loren would probably push me in front of a bus just because it’s Tuesday.

It was an unholy thing to resent the dead, but if I could bring Calvin back to life, I would without hesitation. All so I could kill him myself. We never let him in, so he ripped us apart instead. By the time we’d caught on to the slow yet agonizing rip, it was already too late. Mistrust and resentment had sunk its claws deep, and though Calvin was dead, we still bore the scars.

The clench in my jaw slackened when Braxton appeared, forcing my thoughts to flee.

Artificial lighting shone on every inch of the dilapidated space. Somehow, she was still the brightest thing in the room.

The ripped jeans and cropped pullover she’d worn to the shoot was gone. In their place, she now wore a tiny number that stopped above her unmarred knees. The A-line dress had long mesh lantern sleeves and an empire waistline. The black pleated material looked like velvet, drawing the light whenever she moved. She was so damn enticing that I couldn’t decide if she was wearing a dress or lingerie.

The only thing that mattered was that I couldn’t breathe. Not while my eyes were on her. I’d never felt this clench in my gut before. It was hot, twisting, and painful.

Demanding.

Braxton’s gaze found mine, and for the first time, she looked unsure. Even when she was afraid, she pretended otherwise. Braxton Fawn was nothing short of a marvel.

And right now, she was waiting for me to say something.

My tongue, unfortunately, had been tied by the vision she made in that damn dress. Her hair had been pinned in a messy knot on top of her head, leaving her neck bare save for the collar around her neck. They’d kept her makeup light, simply enhancing her round eyes, full lips, and long lashes that fooled a sitting duck like me into believing her innocent. Houston and Loren hadn’t caught on yet, but they would. When that time came, Braxton would have a different problem on her hands.

I didn’t realize I was moving until I was standing in front of her. “You look beautiful.”

“You wouldn’t happen to think so because I’m practically naked, would you?”

My eyes widened at that. “Are you uncomfortable? I can see if—” Braxton laid her small hand on my arm before I could finish. The simple touch felt like a brand—like I was already hers.

“It’s fine,” she assured me. “I’ve worn less in front of a lot more.” She smiled, and I had the feeling it was to put me at ease rather than herself. Fuck.

I cleared my throat and looked away to keep from being caught in her trance. The door leading to the alley opened, and fucking Houston stepped through. He didn’t notice me watching him because he was already locked on to Braxton, whose back was to him. I watched as his attention dropped to her ass, his lips moved to form a swear I couldn’t hear, and then he turned and stormed right back out the door.

Loren appeared next, but, of course, he didn’t leave like Houston. He sauntered over until he stood in front of her, and Braxton’s guard immediately rose. For some reason, it filled me with glee, knowing she was more comfortable with me. I could see why as Loren’s dark eyes ran over her, checking her out and offering no apologies for it.

“Looking good, baby fawn.”

“Leave her alone,” I immediately barked before I could stop myself or Braxton could speak for herself. What the hell was I doing?

Loren didn’t even acknowledge me. Reaching out, he fingered the velvet choker around her neck. “Looking damn good.”

“Thanks.”