Page 15 of Tone Deaf

A deep groove forms between Faller’s and Longe’s brows. “Explain,” they say in unison.

“You don’t have to answer that. It’s not pertinent to what’s happening now,” Dante says, folding their arms across their chest.

I glance at them, and then sheepishly add, “Both are long, boring stories.”

Longe raises a finger. “Quick question and then we’ll get out of your hair. Why do you call your father by his first name?”

“You don’t have to answer that either—Detectives, please! Stick to the case in hand.” Dante glares at them.

“It’s okay, Dante.” I inhale, and continue. “Actually, Brian is his middle name and he has always used it as his first for as long as I can remember. I go by my first name, even though unfortunately I’m a junior.”

“Okay, but why Brian?” Longe insists.

“I call him Brian because he’s not deserving of the title of father. You have to be loving, good to your wife and cherish your child. He hasn’t done that on any level.”

“That’s it?” Longe says before sliding his phone back into his pocket.

“It’s that simple,” I admit with honesty. I don’t know what Longe wanted me to say.

“There’s nothing simple, especially in this case.” Longe shakes his head. “Do you think your father is involved in your attack?”

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” I look away, feeling embarrassed that the man that gave me life is a total jack-hole.

“Okay,” Faller says. “We will keep in touch. And here,” he passes a card to me, but Dante takes it from the detective’s fingers. “If you have any questions, you can reach us at this number.”

With a parting nod, both detectives leave my room.

“Do you actually think your father had something to do with your assault?” Dante asks, a note of anger lacing their voice.

“It’s the only valid thing I can think of.” I slump against the pillow and sigh.

Tobias pinches the bridge of his nose before he looks at me. “I’m sorry to say this, but my number one priority is to make sure you and the rest of the band are safe. Your father will not ever be permitted anywhere that you and the band are. Understand, Callum?”

“I get it. He’s trouble.”

“Dean is looking into your father’s current and past dealings. Would that be okay with you?” Dante asks—but why ask me, knowing they already started investigating Brian?

“I don’t have a problem with that, but my concern is for my mother. I have a feeling she might be unintentionally mixed up in this too—Oh God,” I gasp.

“What?” Tobias asks.

“My mother. I need to call her.” I jolt up right, and pain suddenly tears through my body. “She might be the next target—fuck, I need to call her,” I say as panic weighs heavy in my chest.

Tobias grips my shoulder gently. “Then we’ll get someone on her immediately, I promise, Callum. In the meantime, we need you to rest.”

“I have to tell Pen and Dom.”

Dante leans in. “You need to calm yourself, Callum. Tobias and the team will handle this and your mother will be safe.”

Tobias straightens and eyes Dante. “I don’t want the band to know what’s going down—not yet anyway. Because you know what will happen if Danny finds out.”

Dante slowly nods. “Danny will go ballistic. He’ll try to track down Brian and more chaos will ensue.”

“Yes,” Tobias breathes out.

“I need to call my mother,” I demand, as I fight off Tobias’s grip on shoulder. “Tobias—damn it.”

“You need to calm down first,” Dante says firmly. “Here, use my phone.”