Page 25 of From Angel to Rogue (Four Foxes #6)

LAN

The city lights were a blur as I sped through the traffic, the Windy City’s cold, biting air slapping my face. It wasn’t long before I parked my bike at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

I jumped off the bike and dropped my helmet and gloves into the underseat storage. Wearing gloves was a pussy thing to do, but I needed my fingers to make music.

My eyes couldn’t help but drag to the tank, and heat flooded my blood as my mind took me right back to the vision of fucking Katy on this same bike.

That memory was going to haunt me every single time I got on this bike, and damn, did it make my cock deliriously painful and my chest fill with sick satisfaction.

I dove straight into the venue, flashing my ticket as I walked to my section.

I did draw a few eyes on me, but I didn’t linger, and this crowd really wasn’t interested in a rock star. They were more the proper old-money type who loved a good old musical symphony.

I smiled when my eyes landed on the two familiar faces at my box seats.

Lara and Owen.

The two people who gave me a chance at a normal life. If not for them, I would’ve never met the love of my life.

“Landon, son.” Owen smiled a smile that reached his blue eyes. “How have you been? We haven’t seen you in a long while.”

“Owen. I’m doing great. Hope you’re having fun with your retirement.”

He nodded, patting my back before Linda pulled me into a tight hug. “Oh, Lan, we miss you. The house is empty now that both of you kids are grown up and living your own lives.”

“Call me anytime to tear the house down, Lara.” I grinned. “I know I still have it in me.”

She rolled her eyes. “I think I’ve had enough of your rebellious streak in this lifetime. So tell me? How have you and Katy been? I haven’t seen my darling girl in a long time.”

“She’s good, Lara.” My voice softened at the mention of her. “More than good.”

Both Lara and my mom adored Katy. My entire family did well except for the one person we all gathered here for today.

Serena. She and Katy never became friends, which only caused Ser and me to drift apart.

We were still close but not as close as we used to be.

But I still wouldn’t miss her first debut solo with a major orchestra.

In minutes, the concert started with the hum of strings bleeding into the air.

It was odd how the sound of the symphony was the sound of my past. I still loved to play my classical pieces in private.

But I have grown into rock music so much so that it was how I identified myself.

It was raw, guttural, and real, and that was me now.

I watched Ser give the performance of her life, her music so poignant and brilliant with clear emotions. I was so proud of her for making all her dreams come true.

“Ser,” I called out, grinning just as she exited the backstage area after the show.

When her eyes met mine, she matched my grin before pulling me into a hug. “Lan, so good to see you,” she muttered. “I didn’t think you would make it.”

She was a mini-Lara, with her same caramel hair and light brown eyes, wearing a glittery shift dress.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” I said as I handed her a bouquet of wildflowers. Her favorite. “Congratulations, cousin.”

She pinned me with a glare. “Thanks, but I am not your cousin.”

“To me, you are.” I lifted a shoulder. As much as I loved Ser, I felt the need to assert my boundaries every time with her. I didn’t want her to get any hopeless feelings about me. I was a taken man and was going to remain that way forever.

Thankfully, Lara and Owen swooped in to congratulate their daughter, saving me from Ser’s insistent need to make everything awkward between us.

It was almost close to midnight when I made it back to my hotel room. I’d been riding since the early hours of the morning, and I was exhausted.

I flicked my phone to the nightstand and saw it lighting up with a notification. Frowning, I thumbed through it to see a missed call from Katy.

Not even thinking about the time, I pressed Call.

“You called?”

“Lan?” Her sweet voice spilled through the line. “Umm, I’m called you because Naomi, that’s Luka’s social worker by the way, spoke to me earlier today. She said she would be coming to meet us this Friday. Will you be here by then?”

“I’ll be there,” I replied.

“Umm, okay,” she mumbled. “Did you eat?”

I smiled before I could stop myself but kept my voice flat. “Yes.

“Ah, okay. I’ll see you on Friday then.”

“See you.”

My smile widened as the call ended. Fuck, I can’t wait to play family with my girl and Luka and watch her squirm as I avoid her.

But in all seriousness, I couldn’t wait to start a family with her. It was all she ever wanted, and now, I had the rare opportunity to make every last one of her wishes come true.

And to make her happy was my biggest wish.

Two days later

“That went well,” I said, leaning back against the couch as I stretched my arms over my head. We had just finished an hour-long meeting with Naomi. She was ecstatic that she got to meet a famous person. But turned serious as soon as she started discussing all the important details.

She explained how since Luka’s earlier days weren’t the easiest, they usually allowed the kids like him to stay with their potential parents for an initial trial period, at the end of which they would decide if we were a right fit.

She said it shouldn’t be a problem; this protocol was normal and assured Luka would be ours by the end of it.

“Just well?” Katy slid me a glance. “I think it went more than well. She seemed to love us.”

I lifted a shoulder.

“So there’s one other thing,” she said in a hesitant tone, and my eyes dashed to hers, which gleamed with nervousness.

“What other thing?”

A swallow worked down the delicate length of her throat.

She looked so beautiful that it almost took my breath away.

She didn’t have an inch of makeup on her face except for her matte red-painted lips.

Her blond hair fell in air-dried waves, and she looked so innocent and vulnerable that it tugged my heart.

“I called the boys in; they should be here any moment.”

I flicked a brow. “What for?”

“Because I think it’s time,” she muttered, averting her gaze.

I waited, not saying a word as I watched her inhale a deep breath before slowly bringing those eyes back to me.

“Time for me to quit being the band manager,” she said, her tone laced with sadness. “I never liked it. I only did it because I thought I had something to prove. I don’t want to do it anymore.”

My gaze softened. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t like, angel. I’m sure the boys will understand.”

She flashed me a grateful smile.

A beat of silence passed, but she still kept her eyes on me. I couldn’t help but keep looking at those green-blue eyes that were drenched like sunlight glittering on a tropical ocean.

“Lan?” she said, her lips tugging into a wistful smile.

“Hmm?”

She inched closer, so close that her thighs brushed mine.

“I want to tell you something.”

“What?” I asked, my eyes roaming over her beautiful face.

“I want to say thank you,” she murmured softly.

“I know I haven’t been the best girlfriend to you in the past years, and I know I neglected you.

To be honest, I’m truly sorry and ashamed of everything I did back then.

I just want to say thank you that you’re still here even when you don’t have to be.

For giving me a second chance at everything I’ve ever wanted, and I couldn’t be more happier. ”

I had to fight to keep my grin at bay. Fuck, she was too adorable.

I had no idea how long I could play this game with her because I was on my last resort.

Ever since I moved in a couple a days ago, every night has been a fucking pain.

All I wanted was to break down the wall my room shared with hers and fuck her like she needed to be fucked and hold her in my arms and tell her how much I fucking loved her.

Just then, the doorbell went off in rapid motion.

I cursed, knowing it was that impatient ass, Mikey.

“That must be the boys. I’ll go get it.” Katy darted off before I could say anything.

She was trying.

Trying to be here in the present with me.

More than trying and I couldn’t be more proud.