Page 18 of Vengeful Melodies

“Kai? Alix? What do you think?” Koa asks, glancing at me and Grey but deliberately leaving our names out. We’ve done all the talking so far.

“Are we sure we can trust two people with no experience?” Kai asks tiredly. “Especially someone in a relationship? We’re in this mess because of that exact thing.”

“I say we give them a trial run,” Alix replies, fast and sure. “If they’re not cutting it by the time we leave for Europe at year’s end, we let them go. No hard feelings.”

“I’m for it, too,” I say with a shrug. “What’s the harm in giving them a chance?”

“A year,” Koa says firmly, crossing his tattooed arms. “If it’s not working out, you’re gone. That clear?” His gaze locks with Wren’s in a silent dare.

Whoever this Dreya is, she’s damn lucky to have this man in her corner.

“Yes. I understand,” Wren says. “We won’t let you down. Dreya actually won VIP tickets to your concert, so you’ll be able to meet her there—if that’s okay.”

“Sounds great,” Alix nods. “We leave right after the concert. Your dog can come too, but during work hours he’ll need to stay in a carrier. Okay?”

“Understood. Thank you for the opportunity. We won’t disappoint you,” Wren says, flashing a final smile before departing with Grey.

We sit in silence, processing the decision we just made—and the call we’ll have to make to the label to let them know the issue’s handled.

They can call off the hounds and start drafting the contracts and NDAs.

Thank fuck.

Now we can finally get this show on the road.

Well... after the concert, anyway.

Chapter Seven

Kaiser "Kai" Michealson

I look to the others, waiting for some kind of sign that they’re ready to leave this place and head back to the hotel.

It’s different this time. This tour feels like my last. Every opportunity I’ve had lately feels wasted—burned up trying to keep the band from falling apart when, truthfully, we need space. We’re not close anymore. It’s so bad we barely say two words to each other on the bus. I’m not even sure when the magic disappeared, but it’s been draining trying to find it again.

“Kai... baby boy, where are you right now?” Bash murmurs, his breath brushing my ear as his hand slides slowly up my thigh under the tablecloth. “Your eyes glazed over for a second.”

The others are too caught up in whatever this new guy is saying to notice.

I lift my eyes to his and give him a small, tired smile. “I’m fine. But if your hand keeps creeping toward my cock, I’ll have nochoice but to make you take care of it right here and now. Do we need that?”

He raises an eyebrow, amused, but I push his hand away and stand, drawing the others’ attention—and lighting Bash’s face bright red.

“Are we ready to head out?” I ask, faking a yawn. “I need to sleep before tomorrow’s concert, or I’ll play like utter shit—and I refuse to humiliate myself in front of our fans.”

Not that I’m tired. Far from it. I just want to leave. Unfortunately, I can’t bail solo—not with company policy demanding we stay together in public. Apparently, they think we’ll get mobbed by obsessive fans or shot by someone with something to prove. I wouldn’t even blame them. Killing us would guarantee fame for someone desperate enough to try.

“Uh, yeah,” Wren jumps in quickly. “I need to get home and tell Dreya the good news... and make sure we’ve got everything ready. We’ll be at the concert tomorrow. You’ll meet her then.”

He’s blushing hard, and I swear Grey’s eyes flick toward him like a reflex.

“Well, on that note,” I say, stretching with a groan, “let’s move.”

Bash meets my gaze with a knowing smirk, grabs my hand, and tugs us forward. Of course.

“Bash,” I mutter low, “you know we can’t be seen leaving together like this. The tabloids will go feral, and your mother will definitely see it.”

The mention of her wipes the smile from his face.