Page 26 of Edge of Heaven

I have a thousand questions about why she’d put up with that, but I keep them to myself. She’ll open up when she’s ready. At least, I hope so.

“My lips are sealed,” I say.

Then I continue down the hall without looking back.

I’m on dangerous ground with this situation.

I’ve never been the kind of guy who likes sneaking around or going after another guy’s girl—but something about Callum and Taryn’s relationship is off. Not just because he doesn’t treat her well but also because she seems almost desperate.Scared.

She’s afraid of something, and I’m pretty sure it’s him.

A long time ago, he and I nearly came to blows in a bar.

I don’t remember who the girl was, but I saw her standing at the bar by herself looking a little forlorn, so I started talking to her. Turned out she was his girlfriend, and Callum nearly lost his mind. I’m not afraid of the guy, but he’s bigger than I am, and a lot meaner. Luckily, things didn’t escalate too badly—thanks to his girlfriend sticking up for me—but I never forgot the wild look in his eyes. Like someone who gets off on hurting people.

With that in mind, there’s no universe where I don’t step in when someone I care about—especially if that someone is Taryn—is in trouble.

I don’t know if there’s anything I can do, but I’m sure as shit going to find out.

Even though I’m pretty sure it won’t end well.

Not for me, and probably not for my band either.

But I don’t care.

Some things are more important than others—and this is one of them.

* * *

I lighta cigarette and hang out back near the bus. Our crew is busy loading out, but most of Karnal Death’s crew is handling their show, which just started. I don’t know why I’m getting involved in Taryn’s life, but since I can’t seem to help myself, I take a deep drag from the cigarette and blow rings as I exhale.

“It’s the twenty-first century,” Taryn says as she walks over to me, her legs a mile long in a skimpy little dress that leaves little to the imagination. “Hasn’t anyone told you how bad smoking is?”

I chuckle, trying not to stare at her legs. Or her tits. “I know, but I don’t have a lot of vices, so this feels like an innocent enough habit.”

“It’s not innocent at all. And it’s horrible for your lungs,” she says, plucking the cigarette from my fingers. But instead of throwing it away, the way I thought she would, she puts it between her lips and inhales deeply.

“I thought it wasn’t good for your lungs,” I point out when she’s done.

She just shrugs. “Do as I say, not as I do.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“I smoked when I first started modeling because it kept me from eating. I stopped because it is incredibly bad for us, but a drag now and then won’t kill me.” She proffers the butt, and I take it back.

“I used to smoke a pack a day, now it’s down to about two cigarettes a day. Usually right after a show. Sometimes on my days off I don’t smoke at all.”

“I’d probably start again but Callum can’t stand it, so I can’t.”

“Does he control everything you do?” I ask.

“Almost.”

“And you’re…happy?”

She snorts. “Not hardly—and don’t ask why I stay.”

“Why not?”

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