Page 126 of The Darkest Note

She’s wild. Fiery. Mine.

Mine.

That certainty clicks into place when I see Redhead standing close to a security guard.

Cadence has been messing with my head and tearing past my defenses. I’ve got a thing for her and it’s stronger than even I would like to admit. But it’s nothing like this.

Damn. When I heard Redhead play tonight, it wasn’t just my pants that tightened. My heart, my lungs, my fingers, everything responded to her. She’s what music is supposed to be. Everything my music isn’t.

Now, standing so close to her, it’s like a switch has flipped.

Again.

But this time it’s firmly locked on Redhead.

I’m doing everything I can to control myself. Because my hand is begging me to inch over her waist and drive her into my side. It’s not just a physical thing. It’s more than that.

I need her on my skin like a balm on a burn victim. Need to breathe her in until whatever she’s made of is what I’m made of too.

My steps are long and angry. I don’t stop until I’m right beside her.

“Who the hell are you?” the security guard warns. He’s about my height with broad shoulders and brown eyes. There’s something familiar about his face, but I’m too angry to place it.

“Me?” I nod at Redhead. “I’m her number one fan.”

She snorts. “He’s my stalker.”

“You’ve got a stalker?” The security guy takes a threatening step forward.

I square up, ready to take him. It’s been a hell of a long week. Cadence has been out of school and Christa’s been bothering me everyday, asking if I’m ready to pull the trigger.

With one phone call, she can end it.

I just have to find a reason to get Cadence on the board’s radar.

Easy.

One and done.

It’s the answer I want.

The answer I need.

But I’ve been hesitating to take it.

Insanity.

Sol’s waiting for me to break him out of prison. There’s no time to be wavering. I needed to get my head out of my butt crack. Fast.

Which is why I asked the lounge’s manager to do me a little favor.

I’m surprised Redhead took the bait.

She looks up at me with her fierce green eyes. I stare right back. She’s Cinderellaed me way too freaking much. Tonight, I’m not letting her go until I get what I came for.

Her eyes flick to the guard and she waves him away. “I got this.”

“We’re not done talking.” The guy has the audacity to put his hands on herin front of me.