Page 158 of Never Sleep with the Enemy

Criminal Records versus The Electrics.

The Battle of the Bands.

As I approach the edge of the curtain and peek out into the crowd, the nerves twisting in my chest suddenly... loosen.

Even though we’ve been planning and prepping for this night for months—wishing, hoping, dreaming of victory—I stand in the shadows of the backstage at The Sin and Sand in Las Vegas and realize… it doesn’t matter to me who wins or loses.

I’ve already won.

I have my brother. Our band. Our family.

A family that’s grown so much over the summer. We’ve added Harmony—again. And Harvey Moon. We even picked up Chrissy and August, two people I honestly can’t believe we managed so long without.

And now, Goldie Locke.

Tesla Kyle.

Last but not least, the one closest to my heart...

“Katrina?”

I hear my name behind me. My lips lift into a smile as I turn?—

A hand slaps over my mouth. I jolt back instinctively, but a strong arm hooks around my waist, yanking me forward until I’m flush with a stranger’s body. The smell hits first. Sweat and alcohol, sour and heavy. I look up into a pair of fierce, frenzied eyes and gasp.

“Just the girl I was looking for,” he growls.

It takes a beat, but I recognize him.

Paul Monroe.

I’ve never seen him out of a suit and tie. Never with a thick, ragged beard shadowing his jaw. But I’d know those judgmental eyes anywhere.

“Don’t make a sound,” he whispers, breath hot and stale against my cheek. “Or I’ll wring your pretty little neck.”

Every inch of me goes rigid. His head darts from side to side, scanning the empty hallway for witnesses. But the crew is elsewhere, busy. The others are still in the dressing rooms.

I’m alone.

“I—” I squeak against his palm. “Please don’t hurt me.”

He offers me a look of mock sympathy. “I’m not gonna hurt you, cutie. You and I are just going for a little drive, that’s all. Get out of the city. Onto the open road!” His voice sours. “Once your brother and his band of misfits forfeits the Battle, I’ll let you go.”

“Why?”

His eyes sharpen, glazed with hatred. “You really have to ask, little Benton?Look at me!”

I lock eyes with him, not daring to look away.

“I had everything,” he hisses. “A great job. A new wife. Lotsand lotsof money. And then—boom, boom.”His smirk slants into something dark and grotesque. “You all had to take me down, so now? I’m returning the favor. And cashing in while I’m at it. ThisisVegas, after all—there’s always something to bet on. And I’m all-in on watching your band godown, down, baby.”He yanks my arm. “So, let’s go.”

I dig my heels into the floor. “No?—!”

His grip crushes my wrist. “I saidmove.”

“No!” I scream, tears rising as panic overtakes me. Old trauma floods to the surface and I thrash against him, my whole body fighting back.“Logan!”I cry.

“Knock it off, you?—”

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