Page 3 of Vengeful Melodies

Honestly, I’m considering swearing men off for the rest of my life and just focusing on being single while I earn my degree.

“Okay, babe, sending it now. I’ll be at Sinner’s Playground. I’m sure they won’t mind,” I say softly, pulling the phone from my ear and sending my location.

I push open the tattoo parlor door, and a tall man with a beautiful smile greets me kindly.

“Welcome to the Playground. What can I do for you today?”

“Oh, sorry, I’m just waiting for a friend. I just found my fiancé fucking his coworker and don’t feel safe waiting outside… but I can if you want?” I blurt out, cheeks burning from oversharing.

The man steps out from behind the counter, holding out a napkin.

I take it and wipe the makeup running down my face, making me look like a clown.

“He sounds like a dumbass for throwing a girl like you away. You’re good to sit here and wait. But if you don’t mind, can I suggest something? You can say no, but I know what helps when I’m going through shit,” he says softly, a smile cracking at his lips as his dark brown eyes lock onto mine. “My name’s Grey, by the way. Sorry, I should've told you earlier.”

“Well, I’m Dreya. What are you sug—”

The bell chimes at the door, and I turn around, bumping into a man sculpted from God himself. I thought Grey was beautiful, but this man is heaven sent.

“Oi mate, you got a minute to fit me in before rehearsal for the show this weekend?” His thick Australian accent tickles my ears as I tilt my head up, our eyes meeting as he sends me a cocky, panty-melting smile.

My finger traces the now-empty space where my engagement ring used to be.

“Hey there, beautiful. Am I being rude taking up your time, or are you just here to lure unsuspecting men to their doom? With eyes like that, I’d bet on the latter.” His cocky tone doesn’t waver.

“Alix, don’t hit on my customers, man. Do I have to make it a house rule?” Grey groans, like this isn’t the first time.

With the way Alix looks, I believe it. Women and men must throw themselves at his feet just to get a fraction of his attention.

“Actually, Grey was doing me a solid by letting me sit here and wait for my friend to pick me up,” I say quickly.

Then, to the horror that is now my life, I catch sight of a very enraged Bradley through the tattoo shop glass.

Without thinking, I grab the stranger’s face and pull him to me, pressing my lips against his.

Great. Kissing strangers. Please don’t let this man have a disease. That would be my fucking luck right now.

The taste of peppermint dances across my tongue as Alix slowly entwines his fingers in my black curls, gripping my head and keeping my mouth against his as he battles for dominance with his tongue.

A loud crash makes me stumble back just in time to see Wren hit Bradley in the face, knocking the cheating fuck into the tattoo parlor glass.

“Shit... I’m sorry, I’ve got to go. Thanks, Grey, and um, thanks, Alix,” I say breathlessly, the stranger’s lips still lingering on mine.

I weave around the tall blond man in the baseball cap, ignoring his crystal green eyes and the kind stranger with warm brown ones.

I move faster than Alix can react.

Before he can ask my name or number, I’m out the door, pulling Wren away from the now unconscious Bradley.

Chapter Two

Alix Sanderson

I touch my lips, the taste of the mystery woman’s cherry lip gloss still lingering.

Maybe she was a fan, just seizing the moment to kiss the drummer from Heaven’s G.

But that doesn’t feel right. She looked at me like she didn’t have a clue who I was.