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After I agree to take her advice, we say our goodbyes, and I slide my phone back into my purse.
Talking to Ethan sounds reasonable and easy, but contemplating the matter is making my stomach twist.
I take a few deep breaths and march back to the bar.
Joel is back at the table, chatting with Mal and Ethan. They look friendly. Well, not exactly friendly. They're more like family. They fight, they make up, they fight some more.
Ethan spots me and smiles. Immediately, I feel warm all over. I'm not sure how I manage to get back to the table without melting, but I do.
I slide into the seat next to Ethan.
Mal turns to me. His expression gets parental. "We need to talk."
"In front of Violet?" Joel nods to me. "No offense, Valentine."
"What happened to the blond?" I ask.
"You think I'm about to abandon my heartbroken sister?" he asks, but from his tone of voice, it's clear he's worried about me.
Mal continues. "This involves all of us."
"It's really none of my business." I drink until my face is warm. I do not want to be a part of this conversation.
From the way Mal is staring, I'm not getting the feeling it's a choice.
Mal looks to Joel. "Six months ago, twenty grand went missing from the band's account. One week after Kit got out of rehab, the money was replaced."
Joel's eyes flare with frustration.
Mal stares.
"Bullshit," Joel says."
It's the most likely scenario," Mal says.
"Are you fucking kidding me?"
Mal says nothing.
"You have proof?" Joel asks.
Mal holds steady. "Not yet." He looks to me like he's expecting me to explain.
Under the table, Ethan squeezes my hand.
"I… I didn't say it was Kit. I just saw that the money went missing. It was in a few withdrawals, small enough to avoid attention. It came back the same way. I had no idea who took it, if it even was one of you, and Mal didn't tell me. So don't pin this on me." I press my palm against Ethan's.
Anger creeps over Joel's face as he turns to Mal. "Kit and I may not be blood, but he's my family as much as Ethan is yours. He wouldn't fuck me over."
Mal ignores his claims. "We need to discuss what we're going to do."
"Oh, it's not The King's orders? You're actually going to treat this band like a fucking democracy?"
Mal says nothing.
"Fuck you, Malcolm." Joel pushes himself up. He takes a step backwards. "Sorry you got dragged into this bullshit, Valentine. If my date asks where I went, make up something entertaining. I can't stand to be in the same fucking city as this asshole."
"Where are you going?" My voice is meek. I'm not good with conflict, not when I have to stick around.
