She arched into him with a moan, her kiss desperate and needy.
His phone rang, snapping them out of the spell. He took a step back, his eyes on her red-smeared lips as she whispered, “Shit. Please forget I did that.”
“Don’t apologize. Give me a minute.” He gently caressed her cheek, then stepped into her room, shutting the door.
He pressed the talk button and snapped, “Yeah?”
“Whoa, man,” Scotty chuckled, “I was calling to let you know that the queen’s emissary wants to set up a meeting with you. He knows it will probably be tomorrow before you get back to him, but I think something’s up.”
“Thanks, sorry. You just… never mind. I gotta go,” Toryn muttered.
“Interrupted a moment, did I? Yeah, funny thing about that, Tor… you’ve been having a lot those with your girl lately, and she’s awfully confused. You need to fess up, man. She wants you, hell, probably always has, but she’s coming to terms with the idea, and you keep playing this game with Leon. Knock it the fuck off and come clean already.”
“Tonight. I don’t have a choice anymore.” Toryn hung up before Scotty could get in pep talk mode.
He moved to open the door, but froze. What do I tell her?
* * * *
What the hell did I do?
Isadora stood there after the door shut, staring.
Squinching her eyes shut, she turned around and took a deep breath. Stressing over it wasn’t going to solve anything. She needed to blow it off as the mistake it clearly was. If it wasn’t for Leon, she’d leave the outcome to chance. Now, she needed to pretend the kiss never happened.
She opened her eyes to find a crimson-smeared mouth. With trembling hands she washed the evidence away and applied a fresh coat of lipstick.
Please let me find a distraction tonight. One that will help me forget the way Toryn took control, spreading wildfire through my veins.
Isa took one last look in the mirror. Her corset matched the hot pants. So did the boots, thanks to Toryn taking her on a two-day shopping excursion. When they failed to find matching ones, he helped her embellish the closest pair they could find.
One more deep breath, and she walked out the door to find Toryn standing there, a blank look on his face. Dread ran through her.
She blurted out, “You could ride with Leon. Sorry I needed the help.”
“No, I need to talk to you anyway.” That caused her heart to skip a beat.
Feeling stupid she sat on the bed, expecting the worst. “If it’s about the kiss, I wasn’t thinking. I don’t know what came over me. We can pretend it never happened.” At least she sounded braver than she felt.
He shook his head. “I’m worried about tonight.”
The evening was going from bad to worse. She managed to find her voice through her heart that was lodged in her throat. “I don’t have to go, if you don’t want me to.” She didn’t have a clue how she would hold it together if he asked her not to, but she wouldn’t spoil his night.
He dropped down in front of her and cupped her face. His voice was soft. “What makes you think I don’t want you there?”
Thankfully, he sounded as panicked as she did.
“You’re acting really weird, and that’s my fault,” she answered.
He shook his head and ran his hands through his hair before moving to sit next to her. “I do want you there, but if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. I always want you near.”
Okay, so she was lost on where they stood, but she put on a brave face, complete with a grin. “I was thinking I would take pictures tonight. We haven’t updated the website in ages.”
“That sounds perfect. You should never feel unwanted with me. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Try untouched. That wasn’t fair and she knew it. He wasn’t hers. He was good with Leon. “Of course not,” she replied more brightly than she felt. “Don’t worry, I know you’re with Leon tonight. You two have fun.”
He shook his head. “What are you going to do?”
She rolled one shoulder. “Don’t know, but you go have fun. I’ll figure something out.”
His eyes narrowed. “We’ll talk about this after the show.”
“Okay.”
Toryn’s head tilted as he studied her. “Let’s get going.”
Hopping up, she snagged her camera before locking the door.
Chapter 12
Isa squeezed Toryn’s hand, sending a thrill through him as a mischievous smile graced her lips. “I’ll be right back, got to make a quick stop.”
“All right. I’ll be with the guys.” He turned and hurried up the stairs. He was dreadfully nervous, a feeling that was foreign. It was time to fess up, and he hoped she didn’t take his diversions as a lie. He never said he was with Leon, but he did make it look as if he were. It was easier than fucking a stream of faceless people the last two months.
With his concerns about Remus and his plans, she needed to know what she was, if not who. To keep her safe, he was going to give her the truth. Regardless of her reaction.
“Where is she?” Scotty asked in amusement. “How’d the talk go?”
Thankfully, Remus hadn’t shown up yet. That asshole would throw a wrench into things if he had any clue what Toryn meant to do. He still wanted to stomp the shit-licking scumbag for what he’d said about Isa that morning.
“I think she’s getting a drink. Was I supposed to drag her up here?”
“You didn’t get one?” Scotty snorted.
“Too much on my mind.”
“Like Isa.” Leon snickered. “Stop stressing. I swear, she’s in as deep as you, but neither of you see it.”
“I’m telling her everything after the show. I don’t want to do it before, because when it goes all wrong there’d be a huge scene.”
“You are so fucking blind,” Scotty quipped. “She’s going to be fine. Spill it already.”
Lonny sat down next to Scotty and glanced back at the stairs to see Isadora coming up with pair of green drinks. “I’d ask who we’re talking about, but gauging your reaction, all I got to say is, do it. Put us out of our damned misery already.”
“Fuck you, all of you,” Toryn mumbled as Isadora sat on the coffee table, and not next to him.
Scotty gave her a very appreciative look and Toryn was tempted to punch him for good measure.
Shaking his head, Scotty told her, “You know, looking like that, you shouldn’t be buying anyone drinks, much less yourself.”
She shrugged. “No one’s even noticed me. Besides, I snuck off to get them.” She passed Toryn his drink.
“Bullshit.” Lonny snorted. “Honey, every man has checked you out by now. You’re not paying attention.”
“He’s right,” Leon grinned and took a seat on the table next to her.
“Don’t argue with her, she’s stubborn.” Toryn gave them all a playful sneer.
“What is that anyway?” Lonny asked with a glance at her drink.
“Scooby Snack.” She licked her lips. “It’s really yummy.”
“It is,” Toryn agreed.
“Like the cartoon?” Lonny chuckled.
“Somehow, I don’t think Scooby ever went for anything this fruity.” She laughed and Lonny joined her.
* * * *
With Remus staying away, and Toryn acting like nothing happened, Isadora was feeling pretty comfortable hanging out. If only Scotty would stop nodding encouragingly at Toryn when he wasn’t looking. It definitely wasn’t helping.
It was almost time for their set when Lonny placed another Scooby Snack in her hand. “If you’re going to be taking pictures, I figured I could bring you another.”
“Ah, thanks.” She grinned at him.
He nodded before heading down the stairs. Leon followed him, leaving her alone with Toryn, as Scotty took off after the other two.
Toryn grabbed her hand and she turned to look at him. He opened his mouth, shut it, swallowed and then sighed. “Coffee after the sh
ow?”
She nodded awkwardly, but a trill of hope worked its way through her. Maybe things weren’t working out with Leon after all. “Sure, go break a leg.”
He grinned, blues eyes sparkling as he took her hand and flipped it over to kiss her palm. His lips lingered as a current travelled up her arm and through her entire body like wildfire.
Before she could think to say anything, he headed down the stairs, leaving her standing there, dumbstruck, staring after him.
A moment later, she shook it off and followed.
Isa slid through the crowd and found herself at the side of the stage. She snapped a shot of Scotty who gave her a cheesy grin.
As soon as the flash happened, he pointed to Toryn and nodded meaningfully.
She flipped him the bird and took a picture of her least favorite drummer, who gave her a seedy look. To be fair, Remus was good, but their old one was so much more fun and a lot less skeevy.
Focused, she moved around the stage to take pictures of everyone equally. It was one of the few times she paid attention to anyone but Toryn. She took his picture too, but no more than the rest of the guys.
They started her favorite song, and she took a shot of Toryn as he climbed the chorus. She had to stop to watch for a moment. As always, she lost herself in his voice, in the music, in the words he sang. Effortlessly, he captivated the crowd.
Letting the camera hang around her neck, she swayed to the music. He really worked the stage, drawing the whole crowd into his own little world.
She wished she could see that world, because she intuitively knew it was different than hers. She had always wondered what inspired him to write such vivid scenes. Not to mention, why the world went fuzzy around the edges, and reality started slipping away, when he climbed those notes.
Someone slid their hands over her hips, pulling her close in an indecent way. Her blood ran cold as realization hit her. Looking over her shoulder, she found Evan’s cruel smile.
Isa stomped on his foot and tried to scramble over the barricade for the nearest bouncer. She didn’t make it to Vinnie but yelled at him as she was pulled back into an iron embrace.
She caught a glimpse of Toryn, who looked pissed as he yelled at Vinnie to get his ass in gear.
Evan spun her around and she clawed at his face which only seemed to excite the sick bastard because he licked his lips and crushed her into the barricade, cruelly grinding his hips into hers. She shoved at him, trying to summon all the energy she could, but nothing came.
When the sparks failed to work, she punched him in the face for all she was worth, rocking his head back.
He sneered as he picked her up by the throat with both hands.
Isa couldn’t pry his grip loose, so she kicked at him, and screamed but no sound came out. Her windpipe was being crushed as he muttered something in a vaguely familiar language. Her energy seemed to slip away.
Forgetting about the room full of people, she tried once more to summon whatever strength she had, and shoved as hard as she could with both hands, but there was no sizzle, no sparks. Nothing happened!
With a maniacal laugh, he slammed her into the barricade with a bone-jarring thud.
The world faded to black. Toryn yelled something and everything went blazing white, but then she couldn’t see through the light. Evan shook her relentlessly and she felt another burst of pain spread through her ribs before the dark claimed her again.
* * * *
When Vinnie didn’t move fast enough, Toryn hopped over the barricade and pried Evan’s hands from Isa’s throat. He whispered a spell at Vinnie as he threw Evan over the barricade at the bouncer’s feet.
Vinnie drew the gun he had concealed, putting a bullet in Evan’s head and a second in his chest.
Toryn cast a blinding flare before putting everyone under a trance. He swept Isa off the floor and into his arms as Scotty and Lonny started weaving a spell to alter everyone’s memory. It would be as if Revolt had never played.
“Where are you taking her?” Remus demanded as soon as the crowd and security were under.
“Doesn’t matter, I’ll keep her safe.” Toryn grabbed Remus’ shoulder and cast the same trance spell, but ten times more powerful. “Scotty, can you give him whatever memories you give the rest? I need to get her out of here.”
“Go. We’ve got this. I’ll give Remus some memories all right.” Scotty still blamed Remus for what happened with his mate. He threw an evil smirk in the pervert’s direction. They had an old score to settle and Toryn wasn’t going to stand in the man’s way.
Leon showed up beside him. “I’ll help you get her to the car, but you’re on your own from there.”
“Thank you.” Toryn hurried to Isadora’s car, pulling her keys out of the hidden pocket in her corset.
“How do you know where that is?” Leon laughed.
A small smile pulled at his lips. “It’s not the first time I’ve helped her dress. And don’t worry, I plan to tell her everything. Tonight.”
“Start with the important part—the part about you being lost without her.” Leon opened the car door and as soon as Isadora was settled in the passenger seat, he hugged Toryn. “Take good care of her. I’ll see if I can get to the bottom of how that asshole got out of jail. He didn’t make bail. I know that for damned sure.”
“You’re a true friend,” Toryn told him, before hurrying around to the driver’s side.
Chapter 13
Isa woke to pitch black and a familiar, comforting scent. Unfortunately, it hurt to breathe. She couldn’t remember why everything hurt so damned bad.
Sitting up sent a piercing pain through her head and she thought she might be sick. She ran a hand over her corseted ribs and grimaced. It was dark, but she knew the bed, the blanket, and that heavenly smell that was distinctly Toryn. Like dark chocolate with a hint of cinnamon and some full-bodied spice.
Okay, why the hell am I in Toryn’s room? And why does it feel like a steam roller ran me over? Better question… Where the hell is Toryn?
Like the stubborn moron she could be, she climbed out of bed to find the light. The world spun violently, sending her careening, face first into his dresser with a loud thud followed promptly by her pained groan.
A door banged open and she flinched as the sound reverberated in her skull. He threw the light on and her head exploded in a kaleidoscope of pain.
Curling into a ball on the floor, she whimpered, “Fuck, that hurts.” It hurt to talk, too, and her voice was raspy. She opened her eyes cautiously and saw his tear streaked face. “Who died?”
He half-laughed, smiled slightly, but still managed to look devastated. “You nearly did.”
“What?” Her eyes went wide, but then the pain kicked back in and she knew it had to have been bad. She couldn’t remember ever passing out before. “What happened?”
“Slow down.” He scooped her up urgently and cradled her against his chest. Her heart damn near stopped. Toryn was trembling, tense, and had been crying.
What the fuck happened? She had never seen him that close to breaking down.
Toryn brushed his lips over her temple. “I’ll explain, but let’s get you some food first.”
Her stomach flopped over at the mention. “Oh, food isn’t such a great idea. Unless you want me to puke all over you.”
“There’s my girl.” He chuckled. “You need it though, Princess.” Toryn was so damned intense, and he was never that serious. “Think you can walk to the kitchen?”
It felt good in his arms, so she almost told him no. “Of course.”
He stood her on her feet but the second he let her go, the world spun out of control. She had to cling to the damned dresser to stay upright.
“What the fuck?” she sobbed in frustration, tears spilling over.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her steady.
The last thing Isa remembered was taking pictures of the band before they played her favorite song. “What happened?”
“Food first,
then I’ll explain.”
She glared back. “Toryn…”
A fierce look played across his face, and he squeezed her tighter. “Don’t worry, he can’t ever touch you again.”
If he hadn’t been holding her, she would have wound up on her ass as a flood of images rolled through her head. Evan, that deadly look in his eyes, the way he picked her up by the throat. She remembered being slammed into the barrier, and the way he shook her like a rag doll.
She whispered brokenly, “He tried to kill me.”
His dresser shuddered behind her when Toryn slammed his fist into it. She jumped, right into him. He crushed her to his chest.
Through gritted teeth, he told her, “Food first, then I’ll explain. Please, I’m begging you to trust me and have some soup. It will help.”
“Okay.” She wiped away the tears and let him help her to the kitchen.
Once she was safely at the table, she wrapped her arms around her legs and watched him go back to the stove where something smelled divine. It definitely didn’t come out of a can. She couldn’t even place the aroma.
Is there anything this man doesn’t excel at?
He stirred the pot, and then looked back at her with the saddest look she had ever seen. It took effort, but she held back the tears. “Why are you always right?”
His blue topaz eyes pierced straight to her soul. “I really hate being right when it comes to you.” The regret in his voice threatened to shred her heart. She saw love mixed in with the worry and that shook her to her core.
Toryn ran his hands through his hair again before grabbing a soup-bowl-sized mug and a spoon. Even with the smeared eyeliner on his gorgeous face, and his hair in a mess, he looked like an angel. Well, maybe a fallen angel because he starred in countless wicked fantasies.
Evan must have shaken her brain loose because she didn’t even think before the words were out of her mouth. “Why do you always look so damned beautiful?” It was true, and that was the best way to describe him.
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