Page 197 of Second Sets Omnibus

Her lips roll in. “Yes,” she says reluctantly. “I need to go take care of it. But you all have band practice in an hour. So, might as well tear off that Band-Aid.”

I snort, staring up at the looming structure with apprehension. “Yeah. Like a Band-Aid,” I mutter, nervouslybiting into my lip. “If I’m not here when you return, they’ve buried me somewhere or set me on fire. It’s up to them, really,” I quip, fighting through the nerves that are begging me to run the fuck away again.

But that’s not me anymore. I don’t run from the problems I created. I go at them headfirst, even if I’m about to die. Nothing but the truth moving forward.

“I’ll make sure your obituary says something about how bullheaded and brave you are,” she jokes with an edge to her voice.

“You sure you’re?—”

“You’re stalling, Evil Ash. Get it over with or walk away. Talk to them. Do something other than avoiding the problem. If you leave this house by the time I return, I’ll assume it was too much, and Whispered Words will be done with West Records. It’s up to you to mend the brotherhood you snapped into pieces.” Every word she speaks lights a fire under my ass, motivating me to walk up those stairs and face the guys who hate me more than anything now.

“You’re right. Thanks,” I say softly, opening the door and stepping out. “But whatever is bothering you, you know we’ll help. We’re here for you. Even after all this time.”

“Thanks.” She nods a few times and finally takes off, leaving my traitorous ass in the middle of the driveway.

“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. A lying, manipulative piece of shit,” Kieran says from the porch, sipping a piping hot coffee.

I brace myself for the abuse from my brother and nod. “You’re right,” I say, lifting my chin. “But if I leave now, she’s promised to rip up our contract. Either I’m here as a band member, or we’re done as a band forever.”

Kieran sits back in a patio chair, taking another sip, contemplating my words. “Don’t expect those bruises to fade any time soon.”

“Fine.” I shrug, ready to take my punishments like a damn man.

“Good,” Kieran says through a sadistic grin, standing from his chair. “Watch your back, Asher. You have no friends in this house anymore.”

“Jesus,”Olivia mumbles, pacing alongside Carter’s desk, chewing on her perfectly polished black nails. “These are it?” she asks, gesturing toward the screen Carter glares holes at with his vicious stare.

You’re Mine.

Make them leave.

Or I will.

You’ll regret falling back into their arms.

Again.

Remember, I’m watching you, River Blue West.

Always.

“Just got them this morning.” The chilling memory of the email coming through burned into my brain the moment I received them on the porch. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell Asher what was going on, but I knew I had to get to Oliviaand Carter at Veritas first. They’re my contacts with this whole situation.

“This is nuts,” Olivia mumbles in disbelief. “You can’t trace it?” She eyes Carter as he grunts, sitting behind his mahogany desk at the Veritas Headquarters, tapping away on his computer.

“No,” he growls, scowling at the computer screen. “I don’t know why it’s doing this shit. It’s fucking?—”

“What?” Olivia asks, bending over to look at the screen. My heart drops when her eyes widen, but she shakes it off. Olivia can fool many people with her blasé attitude, but she can’t fool me. I know her too well to see when she’s internally freaking out. Even when her eyes dart to mine, and she locks her feelings up behind a tall brick wall—I know when she’s scared. And right now, she’s fucking terrified. It sends shivers down my spine and tightens my muscles.

“What? Am I in serious danger?” I ask in a low voice, nervously bouncing my leg.

“Don’t fucking panic,” Carter grunts, shoving Olivia from the screen.

“Yeah, that’s what you tell a victim of stalking,” she huffs, rolling her eyes. “Don’t panic,” she mocks his deep voice with a roll of her eyes.

Carter side-eyes her with an arctic glare, gritting his teeth so hard the veins in his jaw pop out. She doesn’t seem to notice, though, probably used to his attitude since they’ve worked side-by-side for years. Olivia continues pacing the room without a retort, muttering about what an idiot Carter is.

“As I was saying,” Carter grumbles, running a hand down his drooping face.