Page 27 of Tone Deaf
As we four stand outside the hospital room, we eyeball each other like we’re in a stand-off. I can only imagine what the passersby are thinking as they look at us. Yes, we are an intimidating group.
I decide to put it out there. “Before you utter a word, Tobias, think about what happened two years ago with Danny,” I say, holding nothing back.
“There’s a difference,” he growls low. “Danny and I weren’t intimate when all that started.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I glare, folding my arms across my chest. “Pen and I aren’t giving Callum up, just because you tell us to. It’s not your place to decide what we do.”
“Maybe you two should—” John begins, but Pen whips his attention to the second lead and frowns.
“You have no room to talk either, Brand.” Pen mimics my stance. “Do you have amnesia or something because I distinctly remember last year. The lengths you went to when Connor’s uncle was threatening him are still very vivid in my mind.”
“I know, I know,” John utters in a reassuring tone. “What I was going to say,” he looks pointedly at Pen, “is that before you get too deep into whatever you three have started—or not started, find out who is after him and why. Then you’re free and clear to pursue whatever relationship you want without any chaos impacting your bubble.”
“John’s right. Safety needs to be first—that’s our job. Warrior Black is our priority,” Tobias says with less vinegar.
“I know Callum and the band’s safety has to be our priority—I’m not an asshole,” I proclaim. “We don’t want grief from you or from the rest of our team, or from Dean and his guys.”
“Hey, if you three are meant to be, so be it. I won’t give you shit about it, but I can’t be sure Danny won’t read you the riot act. He’s very protective of his friends—especially Callum. Just saying,” Tobias says with a slight shake of his head.
“Callum’s safety always comes before anything else—including my feelings,” I admit.
“I echo that,” Pen chimes in with a nod.
With the four of us in agreement, Tobias asks Fig and Jordan to join our circle before announcing, “We’re going to have to call Dean for help once again.”
“Once he hears what happened, Dean won’t have a choice,” John adds, shaking his head. “Besides, it’s not like he has to come here.”
Pen’s brows furrow deep. I have the urge to smooth them out with my thumbs and then kiss his mouth to erase the concern etched in the corner of his green eyes. Instead, I ask, “What’s wrong?”
He glances at me and some of the worry disappears from his face. Then he turns to Tobias and asks, “Are Dean’s guys coming to protect the entire band, or just Callum and Dom—since the attack seems to have been directed at them?”
My mouth drops at Pen’s remark. Why does he think I need protection? If anything, it should be Callum and him. The shooter aimed the gun at Pen after she didn’t have a clear shot at Callum. “I think all three of us are in jeopardy, Pen,” I admit resolutely.
“This protection is for everyone,” Tobias declares. “We can’t chance doing otherwise.”
“I’m staying,” Jordan chimes in. “Dante already had a word with Dean last night because he texted me not five minutes ago to remain here with the band.”
Out of all of the bodyguards, Jordan is the quiet and aloof one. The native Chicagoan doesn’t get involved in everyday band drama. He just protects Bobby, the keyboardist, when the band goes on tour.
“I have to say, Jordan. This is the most I’ve heard you talk,” John says, chuckling.
The man shrugs. “There isn’t usually much to say. Everyone else talks enough without me adding to the conversation.”
That’s true. The band tends to fill the air with chatter, especially when there’s good gossip in the rock and roll industry.
“So is Dean coming?” I ask him, shifting the topic back to what we need to focus on.
“No.”
I figured that. Dean’s been taking care of Ron during his cancer treatments. We hadallbeen surprised by that relationship.
“But we can count on a few of Dean’s heavy hitters,” Tobias says. “We will also have access to Levi, his tech guru.”
“Ron. Fuck.” Pen frowns, then drops his attention to the floor. “I need to call Ron.”
Ever since Ron’s announcement last year about his cancer diagnosis, Pen has called him almost every day to see how the old band manager has been doing. However, with the chaos of our trip here and then Callum’s attack, it seems he forgot to call Ron yesterday.
“Be right back,” Pen says, pulling out his phone and walking off.