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“What I need is for you assholes to answer your goddamn doors.” Such a temperamental little shit.
“Mine’s open, so what’s the problem?”
“Killian isn’t answering his.”
There was a pause, and then Levi said, “And that would be my problem because…?”
“Because Kill always answers his fucking door. And his phone. He’s not answering that either.”
Oh shit, my phone. I didn’t even know where it was…maybe still in my jeans pocket? Hell, I didn’t know where those were either.
Viper let out an exaggerated sigh. “I tried Slade’s room, Jagger’s room, fucking Imogen’s room…no one is answering for shit.”
“While I appreciate being a last resort, maybe you can tell me what this emergency is.”
I could hear what sounded like paper shifting. “I came up with an idea for a song, and I need Kill’s input on something.”
“And?” Levi said.
“And what? I just told you.”
“So you’re telling me you’re banging down everyone’s doors because you need Killian’s input on a song?”
“Glad you’re paying attention,” Viper said, ever the smartass. I half hoped Levi would either punch him or shut the door in his face.
Levi muttered something, which wasn’t nearly as satisfying as Viper getting the smackdown he deserved. I wasn’t about to pop out there to do it and give myself away.
But maybe later.
“Viper, why don’t you give him a break? I’m sure he’ll call you when he’s up, and you can work on it then.”
“Coming from the man who hand-delivers our itineraries before the ass-crack of dawn. Wait…speaking of which, why do you look like you just woke up?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” Levi replied smoothly.
“Why not?”
“Believe it or not, Viper, being your manager requires putting out a lot of fires.”
“Fires? What fires? I haven’t beaten down any paparazzi in months.”
“Maybe you’re not the problem this time.”
“Or maybe you’re full of shit.” Even without looking at him, I could practically see the sneer on Viper’s face. “So you’re sure you haven’t seen Killian anywhere? You know, before I go banging on more doors.”
Levi let out an exasperated sigh. “No, but if I see him before you do, I’ll make sure to tell him you’re having a crisis.”
“You do that.” A few seconds passed, and then Viper said, “By the way…”
“Yes, Viper?”
“When you’re trying to be a sneaky fucker, you really should make sure Killian’s clothes aren’t all over the floor first. You know. If you wanted it to be a secret.”
Motherfucker.
A stunned silence followed, and then Viper burst into the room, laughing as he caught sight of me standing against the wall with half the bedsheet around my hips.
“Goddammit, Viper,” I said, pushing off the wall as he grinned like the cat that ate the canary.
Viper held his hands up, amusement sparking his eyes. “Oh, please, don’t let me interrupt. This is just too good. And…inappropriate. Wouldn’t you say?”
“V,” I started, but he cut me off.
“I was talking to Levi,” he said, looking over at the man walking back into the room with annoyance written all over his face. “Picking favorites now, huh?”
“Give it a rest, Viper,” Levi responded.
“Our bassist and our manager.” Viper tsked, enjoying catching us way too much. “What will all the others think?”
“I think you’re assuming you’re gonna be able to talk once you leave this room,” I said, walking forward with one hand still holding the sheet.
“Ooh, threats. While I’d love to see you make good on those, Kill, you’re a lover, not a fighter.”
When I lunged toward Viper, Levi held me back.
Viper laughed again as he patted Levi on the shoulder. “Glad to see you finally gave in. I was beginning to worry Kill had lost it.”
This time Levi lunged forward, pushing Viper toward the door and then wrangling it open with one hand. Once he had Viper out in the hallway, he said something I couldn’t hear, and then the door slammed shut.
Viper’s chuckles grew fainter as he seemed to go back to wherever the hell he was heading, but he was no longer my concern.
Levi was.
Twenty-Eight
Levi
THERE WAS NO doubt in my mind that what Viper had just seen would make its rounds among the rest of the band members and the crew in a matter of hours, if not minutes. His big mouth got him into trouble constantly, and even his close friendship with Killian wouldn’t stop him from being a gossipy shit. That was the reason I hadn’t bothered wasting my breath by asking him not to say anything.
Well, maybe that was a small part of the reason.
The biggest part was Killian, who was watching me with what looked like trepidation in his eyes.
He approached me slowly, one of his arms up like he was trying to tame a wild animal.
“Levi, I’m so sorry,” he said, stopping before he reached me, not even within touching distance.
“Why? It’s not your fault.”
“I’ll go talk to him. Tell him not to say anything—”
