Page 86 of The Darkest Note

Dutch’s back muscles flex as he reaches for something in his truck. His movements are slow and measured, even though he’s in a rush. So I know he’s listening intently.

Breeze watches his lean, athletic body and drool slips down the side of her lips.

“Breeze,” I say.

“Huh? Oh right. You. Hunter. This dress.” Her eyes snap to attention and she grabs my hand. “Cadey, he has to see you in this dress. There’s no way he’ll think of you as just his friend’s little sister again.”

I start to stumble behind my best friend when I feel a strong set of fingers encircle my other wrist. Blazing heat radiates from his touch as he tightens his grip on me.

Breeze looks at us both with wide eyes.

“What are you doing?” I snap.

The scowl crossing his face tells me he doesn’t appreciate my tone. “We need you on stage.”

“On stage?” I hiss. “Why?”

“You’ll see.” His lips curl up and I’m reminded of a lion again. Dutch peers intently at me. “I have other plans for you tonight,Cadey.”

CHAPTERTWENTY

CADENCE

“No, absolutely not.”

Dutch and I are standing in the hallway on one side of the gym while Finn and Zane are on the other.

I thought Dutch was dragging me with him to get in one last argument.

Assuming Dutch wouldn’t be scheming of ways to make my life miserable was my first mistake.

Letting him drag me here while Breeze watched was my second.

“I’m not getting on stage,” I hiss at him.

“You said you’d be my assistant. Twenty-four seven. That’s the deal.” His brows hunker low over his amber eyes. He’s seems extra impatient tonight. It’s weird. Dutch is always in a mood. But this feels different. It feels… volatile.

“Youplay on stage. The screaming fans. The bras that get thrown at you. That’s your thing,” I snap.

“Bras?” The storm in his eyes softens a bit. “Cadey, this is a high school dance. If I pick up any bras here, that’s half a felony.”

“I don’t care. I’m not going on stage.”

Dutch shoves his hands in his pockets. “We need you in our set.”

“Because the triangle issoimportant to the overall sound?” My voice rings with sarcasm. “I seriously doubt it.”

My gaze cuts from Dutch to the exits. I wonder how much brute strength I would need to push him off and make a mad dash for the highway.

I’d rather take my chances with the gangbangers on the street than climb on top of that crudely built platform with the decorations that are already falling off. The only way I’d even consider doing such a thing would be if I had my red hair, makeup and stage name.

“I heard your sister attends this school.” Dutch steps closer.

“How do you know that?”

“Jinx sent a picture.” He smirks. “Viola Cooper. Big brown eyes. Nice smile. Wants to be a makeup star.”

My shoulders stiffen. “Don’t eventhinkabout talking to my sister.”