Page 68 of Enjoying the Band in Lockdown

“I’m not getting into the car, Angelo. I’ve got a new life now.”

“You call this a life?”

“I walked away and left you everything. Our friends, my family. I gave you everything, all I want is to be left alone.”

“I said, get in the car NOW!”

Jax joined us, putting me in the middle of another favorite sandwich. Xavier and Jax. Two men who hadn’t exchanged a civil word since my night or should I say three minutes with Jax, standing by my side. United without knowing against what.

“Sydney, sweetheart?”

“Yes, Jax.” I matched him flirt for flirt.

“I didn’t think we were inviting three more to join our party.”

“We and I didn’t.”

“Well, come back inside and let me massage away all your stress,” Jax crooned. For once having fun messing with someone other than me. “The police can sort this mess out in a few minutes. They also want to talk to us about your street concert idea.”

“They do, great!” The longer we chatted, the more Angelo’s goons looked around, fidgeting from side to side. I knew the signs. They’d been prepped for a snatch and grab. A petulant child returned to her adoring family. This hadn’t been in their plans.

“I’ve also talked to Danielle Stone, that reporter. She loves you and wants to do a feature about you living here and tie it to local tourism during iso.”

“Well,” I said, “A smart band would make sure that the local town was well positioned to put on the biggest concert imaginable, the moment restrictions ease. Maybe invite all the bands from yesterday to come by in person or stream in.”

“You’ve got a huge profile with the media, and the police love you.” Xavier squeezed me, not even realizing he could be sealing my fate, in a good way. This time, his hand dropped down, not quite reaching my pussy, but certainly Angelo couldn’t have missed my familiarity with both men.

“Does that me you want me to keep playing with the band?” I asked Xavier.

“She’s coming with me, her family insists.”

“Sydney,” Jax asked in his petulant tone. “Is there any chance you’re not sixteen and legally able to leave home?”

“Oh, I’m over the age of consent.”

“Lucky for all of us,” Devon joined us at the door, fuelling Angelo’s rage. Devon flexed to his full six ten body of muscle, fully cut from hours of training in our mock gym. If anyone stood a chance against Angelo’s thugs, it would be Devon. “Sydney, are you over 18?”

“I’m certainly over 18, Devon,” I laughed, trying to feel confident in the next hour or two. “Otherwise, what you’ve done to me could be illegal in a lot of countries.”

Now, Angelo bristled. I’d embarrassed him in front of men who wouldn’t hesitate to spread gossip and hurt his credibility. A man who lost his fiancé was weak. But a man cuckolded? He’d never be deemed strong enough to lead.

Angelo took a step forward. Only a foot in distance, but my knees almost buckled. I’d been stupid to think this wouldn’t end in tears. I should have embraced every moment, every kiss, every touch of love these men had offered.

“Angelo, I respect you as my former fiancé, and don’t want to see the police take you away.” Even to my ears, my words came out jumbled and rushed. “You deserve more than that, after what we once meant to each other. My parents will thank you for checking in on me, but—”

“Your family will hear of your insolence. They will not be amused.”

“And maybe, my family need to decide whether they have a daughter and sister or not. I’ve already changed my name. I’ve already left town. I’ve left my job. I’ve left my friends. I’ve left everything. I walked away from everything so you could keep your pride and so you could keep whatever you wanted. I gave you back the ring, so sell it. It should buy you another car or house or something you can give to your next girlfriend.”

It was the first time the band heard my clipped private school accent. The first time they had an inkling that I came from money, more money than even Deacon Galis could probably comprehend.

I’d walked away from everything just to escape the man standing in front of me.

“You think these pretty boys can protect you. No.”

“But any one of them can fuck me better than you ever could.”

My head rang from the slap.

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