Page 167 of Please Hate Me

“Why do you know that?”

I stepped closer, putting a hand on his chest. Again, just like a man, failing to listen the first time. I’d already told him my mom worked there. That, on its own, was enough for me to have a rough idea of what he did.

But I didn’t just have aroughidea. I knew every nitty-gritty detail, especially when it came to punishment for the hitmenwho didn’t listen. But, if I told himIworked for S.H.A.D.E as well, Sebastian would have information he didn’t need.

Most S.H.A.D.E agents thought their sector was the only one in the company—silly of them, really, to assume that a clandestine organization wouldn’t keep secrets from its worker bees.

So, for his safety, I played coy. I leaned into his ear, letting my lips caress him as I spoke:

“Sebastian... I knoweverything.”

When I pulled away, Sebastian was pale and his eyes wide. Maybe I should hold this over his head a bit—just until he learned how to act, and then I could tell him everything.

“Now go out into the dining room and be nice. Remember, I know your secret.”

With that, I opened the door and headed back to the table. I had important business to attend to, like helping Mason get ready for Lucian’s concert tonight.

Chapter 46

Mason

To say that I was used to being backstage at a concert would be a dramatic understatement. Growing up, I spent more time on tour with my dad than I did in my own home, and as an adult, I had given over a hundred performances of my own. But, as Lucian dragged me behind him, this all-too-familiar experience was once again thrilling. He had described the place he played at as a ‘small bar’, but that didn’t do it justice. The front halfwasa bar, but the back, though small, rivaled the setup of larger venues.

The air was thick with excitement and none of the sweat I’d come to expect with performances… not yet, at least. Lucian had one hand around mine and the other on his guitar case as he led me through a maze of cables, instruments, and the occasional other musician. I kept my head down, not wanting to risk potentially stealing any of Lucian’s limelight.

Distant chatter hummed in my ears as we successfully navigated the backstage chaos to find a makeshift dressing room. Lucian pushed through the door, revealing a space filledwith flickering lights and ratty furniture. Behind us, the saloon door flapped in and out several times before settling into a closed position.

“I know this probably isn’t what Mason-fucking—” He interrupted himself as I raised a brow. “Sorry, force of habit.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, watching him closely.

“This probably isn’t the setup that you’re used to,” he amended, putting his guitar down on a couch with more holes than fabric. “But try to make yourself comfortable… we’ll be back here a lot.”

“What? I’m not allowed to watch the show?” I pointed to the door as I feigned disappointment.

The energy of the crowd was contagious, even from back here. I had absolutely zero desire to be part ofthat, but I wanted to see Lucian perform…. and also to rile him up a little.

He placed a hand on my stomach. “Do you think it’s a good idea for you to go pack yourself into a crowd of five-hundred-ish people?”

“Aw, is someone worried about me?”

A glow dusted his cheeks as he looked away.

“Absolutelynot, I—I’m worried about the baby. That’s all.” Lucian’s hand trailed up my body, tracing curves into the stretchy black material of my dress before settling on my breast. “Besides, with the way you’re dressed, you’d have more decency if you were naked.”

On one of our many excursions to find maternity clothes, a little black dress caught Sophia’s eye, and she was adamant it would come in handy. Like always, she was right.

“Is that an invitation?” I teased.

He looked around, his gaze shifting from the door to me. I took pride in the way Lucian studied the dark material clinging to me like a second skin. If his gaze alone could have undressed me, I would have been as naked as the day I was born.

He swallowed hard, and I looked down to see his cock straining against his jeans. I bit my lip as I looked up again.

“No. Not yet, at least.” Lucian pulled away and looked around the room before grabbing a black hoodie off the chair closest to the mirror. “Arms up.”

“Excuse me?”

Before I could fully comprehend what he was asking, Lucian was tugging the thick material over my head. The familiar scent of his cologne was hidden under the stench of dust and sweat. Once my face was uncovered, Lucian pulled my hair out of the collar, letting it fall slowly down my back.

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