Page 20 of Slayin Villain
I hadn’t told her I’d been catching up with Villain.
She’d sent me texts from the road, dusty motel selfies, tour buses, the kind of wild fame that made me both jealous and relieved.
When Eve was gone, Rome took over the band, even though we were called the Lower Broads.
Which meant I saw him more often than I wanted.
And less than I needed.
“You’re late,” Rome said as I walked into the soundcheck at Hiss & Vinegar, the bar we played Monday nights.His guitar was already slung across his chest, inked fingers tapping against the strings, restless.
“I was at the clubhouse.”
He didn’t say anything right away.Just looked me over, jeans, crop top, hair tied up with a red bandana.No lipstick tonight.No boots.Just me and my red Chucks.
“Wasting your time with those patched dicks again?”
I arched a brow.“That what we’re calling Villain now?”
“Villain’s not serious about anyone, Ember.”
I ignored the sting.Walked past him to plug in my amp.“You worried about me, Rome?”
He followed.“You used to let me worry.”
“You used to earn it.”
That shut him up.
We played hard that night.Like something old was clawing its way back to the surface.Rome shredded the guitar like he had something to prove.I let my bow slide across the strings, breathing through each note like it was the only thing keeping me from screaming.
After the last set, I wiped the sweat from my chest and headed for the alley behind the bar.Needed air.Space.Silence.
I didn’t get it.
Rome followed, leaning against the brick wall like he’d been waiting for a reason to explode.
“You fucking him?”he asked, through tight teeth.
“Excuse me?”
“Villain.You letting him claim you while you pretend, you're still part of my band?”
I crossed my arms.“That what this is about?You jealous?”
“No.”He stepped closer.“I’m warning you.”
I laughed.“Of what?Of a man who actually calls me when he says he will?”
“He’s not gonna save you, Ember.”
“Who said I needed saving?”
“You don’t see it yet, but I do.”Rome’s voice lowered, almost tender.“You’re falling for him.”
I looked away.“So what if I am?”
“He’s not built for soft.And you… you’ll burn.”
