Page 13 of Broken Harmony (Heartbreak Melody #2)

Taking a deep breath, I fix my hair, my clothes, and shift into my confident self before stepping into the room, a friendly smile on my face.

“Ally, I want you to meet my older brother, Liam,” Skyler introduces, stepping to the side.

Holy mother of god, the face my eyes are privileged to lay upon when he comes into view takes my breath away. No, really. I suck in a small breath, and that’s it. I can’t breathe anymore as our eyes lock.

Deep, hazel eyes stare back at me, and I swear all the air in the room is sucked out. It’s as if only he and I are here, no one else around.

I’m not sure how long we stand there for, just looking at one another, but I don’t miss a single detail about him.

He’s tall, like a damn giant. The guys are six feet, but he’s much closer to seven, not quite, but he’s pushing it.

Well built, but not too big.

His hair isn’t quite brown, nor blond. Almost a mix of both? Like he’s spent so much time in the sun, it has natural highlights.

He’s wearing a black denim jacket with a white t-shirt under it, but I see some tattoos peaking over the top.

He’s like a bad boy wet dream.

“Ally?” Skyler’s voice snaps me out of my own thoughts. “You okay?”

Blinking, I flick my attention from Liam and over to his brother.

“Yeah. Of course.” Get a hold of yourself, woman.

Clearing my throat, I step forward, my smile awkward as hell now because all I can think about is climbing this man like a tree.

“Hi, I’m Ally.” I hold out my hand, only standing a few inches from him now.

He eyes me up and down, jaw ticking, and I can’t help but feel like he doesn’t like what he sees. And why the fuck does that hurt my feelings?

“Liam Cross.” His deep, rich voice has me so damn thankful I have scent-blocking panties on right now, because otherwise, this would get so embarrassing, so fast.

He slowly raises his hand and takes mine in his. I swear there’s like this zap that runs through the both of us and right down to the root of my soul, making my eyes widen.

Liam must feel something, too, because I see the flash of alarm in his eyes before he quickly pulls his hand back.

I can smell him clearly, and while he smells mouth-wateringly amazing, like salted coconut and mahogany, he’s not my scent match, that much I know. So, then why do I feel so drawn to him?

Do not panic, Ally. You're still high from the adrenaline of the concert. That's it, nothing more.

“So.” I smile. “Skyler says you might be interested in a new job?”

He looks to his brother, and the two of them just glare at one another before Liam finally nods. “Yeah. Looking to start over.”

“I get the feeling. So, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” I wave towards the couch.

Would it be rude of me to excuse myself while I make a drink, because I feel like that might be the only thing that keeps me from losing my head right now?

Or maybe not. I don’t think mixing alcohol with how I’m currently feeling would be a good idea. Fuck. I’m fucked.

What has Skyler done to me?

What has Liam done to me?

Who the fuck am I? I've never acted like this.

The only person who’s ever made me feel any sort of way that even remotely comes close to this is Lulu.

And just like that, my heart sinks, and any overpowering urges towards Liam are gone.

Why am I like this?

***

An hour later, we’re leaving the venue and heading to the tour bus.

The interview with Liam went well. He was professional, determined, and on paper, his resume is perfect. He’s worked a lot of big jobs with the security company he works for, like celebrity parties and even some concerts bigger than mine.

But when I told him this job was going to be a lot different then that, he told me it wouldn’t be an issue.

His job was to keep me safe. And that’s exactly what he plans on doing.

I’ll never forget the look in his eyes, the sincerity in his voice.

I might not know Liam, only having met him tonight, but my stupid brain is telling me we can trust him; that he’s the one to have at my side while I do my job.

So, I hired him. Just like that.

He’s going to meet us in the next town in a few days. He has some things to deal with, needs to pack, and all that other kind of stuff before he comes on this tour with us.

“Not going to lie, I’m pretty excited,” Skyler says, sounding like a joyful kid as he sits on the couch of the tour bus.

I still can’t believe this is ours.

Everything is cream-colored, gray, and black. Modern and new. There’s a kitchen, a living room, four bunk beds, and a big room in the back for me. It’s spacious and the perfect fit. For now.

Ask me what I think in a few months after being stuck in close spaces with four male Alphas. One who seems to make my body light up like a Christmas tree when he’s around.

Isn’t that just like some twisted turn of fate from the universe to make me crush on my new bodyguard?

You are not crushing. You don’t even know the guy. He’s hot as sin, but that's just it. An Omega reacting to a hot Alpha.

Yeah, well, Skyler, Ryker, and Tyson are insanely attractive, but you don’t see yourself wanting to hump them like a horny dog.

Kill me. Kill me now, please.

“Me too. This tour is gonna be fucking amazing.” Tyson sits in one of the chairs, leaning back with his eyes closed. We’re all pretty tired. I know I’m gonna sleep well tonight.

“Yeah, there’s that, but also...” He gives me a boyish look. “I haven’t gotten to see Liam much over the past few years. When he left for Calling Wood and found a pack, he started this whole new life. And well...” he shrugs.

Ugh, when I said kill me, I didn’t mean like this.

“You’re excited to spend some time with your brother.” I smile. “I’m glad you get to do that. He seems... like an interesting guy.”

“He’s normally not that broody,” Skyler sighs heavily. “But everything that happened with his old pack changed him, you know? He doesn’t trust easily, keeps to himself for the most part, and has thrown himself into work. He takes his work seriously. So I know he’s going to do the same with this.”

I nod. “I guess we’ll see. I’m gonna go shower real quick, then head to bed. I’m practically dead on my feet.” That high I had after coming off stage is crashing real fast.

“Ally.”

I stop, looking at Skyler over my shoulder.

“Thank you,” he says softly. “For everything.” He shrugs. “Not just with giving Liam a chance. But you know, taking a chance on us. If you didn’t ask us to join you on this journey, I don’t think we’d have made it this far on our own.”

My damn heart feels like it’s gonna explode right now. “I think you three would have kicked ass on your own. But I’m glad you're all here with me.” I smile, trying not to cry, damn it. “I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else.”

“Same,” the others say at the same time.

“We’re in this together, fuckers,” Tyson chuckles.

“All or nothing!” Ryker cheers, and we all laugh.

“Together.” I wink, getting three matching smiles.

As I lay my head down on the pillow, I close my eyes and I’m out in seconds.

And like every night, I dream the same thing. Lulu on the tour bus with me, her laugh, her smile. Lulu at my side before and after every concert. Lulu in the crowd, cheering me on, giving me the courage to take on the world.

I know when I wake up in the morning, none of it will be real. But until then, I’ll delude myself into thinking it is. For now. Just for a little while.