Page 28 of Tone Deaf

I have the sudden need to follow him and see if he’s okay. An emotional Pen isn’t always rational, particularly when Ron’s name is mentioned in the conversation. Pen’s super close withthe old band manager. They have a similar past—the reactions of their families when they came out to them almost mirroring each other, just thirty years apart.

The old manager took Pen under his wing when Pen came out to his family and they pretty much shunned him. Except these past few months, his mother has been calling and texting him. I don’t know what all that is about, Pen won’t tell me, but lately he refuses to talk to her.

“Be right?—”

“I’ll check on him,” John reassures me and then walks off toward Pen’s direction.

I want to argue that Pen is my man, and it’s up to me to tend to his needs. But the cautionary gaze from Tobias has me staying firm in my spot.

“Fig, you’re quiet. Got any input?” Tobias asks.

“While we wait for Dean’s men, call Levi so he can start working on Callum’s father’s itinerary from the past six months. That way we aren’t here holding our balls, while waiting for something to happen,” Fig says, cupping his dick.

“Good idea,” Tobias says. “But we need to talk to the detectives about that woman.”

“She’s a hitman—I know it, but who hired her is what we need to know,” I say, my gut churning with fire and the need to punch something… Multiple times.

What if Pen hadn’t been fast enough? That thought keeps swirling in my mind. I don’t care if I get shot, but Callum has had enough brutality for one goddamned lifetime.

“We have seven months—until Rocktoberfest, to find out who’s behind Callum’s attack, track down any leads about this female shooter and who she’s affiliated with,” Tobias says, strain in his tone.

“Jesus,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. The huge event in Black Rock, Nevada is what jumpstarted Warrior Black’s fame.It’s the one event they would never miss a chance to play. And the chaos there makes protecting the band nearly impossible. Wehaveto wrap this up before then.

“What if we don’t?” Fig asks. “What if there are more attempts on Callum’s life?”

“We don’t have a choice. However, if Callum’s father is the cause of this, then we don’t have to look too far to find the answers and extinguish any threats.”

“Now that’s a plan.” Fig raises his hand for a high five.

Both Tobias and I stare at Fig like he’s certifiably strange. Jordan just rolls his eyes.

“What?” Fig says as he lowers his hand, shakes his head and backs into Callum’s room.

“Now the question is,” Tobias’s eyes laser in on me, “between the two of us, who’s going to tell the band and Dante that the band will be locked down until the threat is cleared?”

“I think, as lead, you have a better chance of calming the masses with that bad news.”

“It’s what I live for,” Tobias rumbles out, tilting his head up in frustration. “Let’s get out of the hospital first before I tell the band about the extra security coming at us.”

We decide to secure Callum’s house in Evergreen, then we’ll let the complaints begin. Only I don’t care, because Callum will be completely safe with friends around him, and Pen and I at his back, protecting him.

Chapter Twelve

Callum

“Callum, wake up—you’re safe.” Pen’s voice jars me out of my nightmare. He’s holding my right hand while Dom’s holding my left. Jesus, not even twenty-four hours back in my own place before the nightmares start back up. I questioned coming back here, to the scene of my attack, but Tobias said this was the best place to protect us all.

I glance at them, then down at the duvet. It’s been ripped along the seam. “I thought I was fighting…”

“It’s okay, baby. I’ll get you another blanket,” Dom whispers, cupping my face. “Want some water?” I nod, since my throat is as dry as the Outback. After several long sips, the achiness eases from my esophagus.

“Feeling some pain?” Pen asks with a small smile.

I slowly shake my head. “A little. But I don’t want any meds. They make me restless and I feel even more exhausted when I wake up.” I pick at the tattered duvet. “I’m sorry I woke you both.”

“You didn’t. I was making my rounds in the house when I heard your shouting,” Dom explains, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

“And I was laying on the sofa,” Pen admits sheepishly.