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"I don't have a technique, Valentine. I read body language. Do what feels right in the moment. But you're my bandmate's girl. I'm not gonna fraternize with you. Loyalty means something to me."
She laughs, trying to keep it light. "Damn, I was hoping for a threesome."
He laughs but it doesn't wipe the frustration from his eyes. "I figured. I get that a lot."
She pushes herself off the couch and wraps her arms around me. "Is this going to ruin your surprise?"
"No. We'll be okay." I run my fingers through her short hair. "Thanks."
"For what?"
"Talking to Joel. It's sweet you want to help him."
She shrugs. "He's a friend." She presses her lips to mine. "Besides, I don't think Kit took the money either."
"Yeah?"
She nods. "But that's above my paygrade." She plants another soft, slow kiss on my lips. "Meet you back here?"
"At the hotel."
"Done."
Back at the hotel, I go straight to Kit's room and knock on his door. I haven't got a clue what the guy does for fun. He's always kept to himself but since rehab, he's doubled down on that trait.
He answers right away. He says nothing, just peers out at me from behind his mass of curly hair.
Fuck, no sense beating around the bush.
I stare back at him. "You know all this shit Mal's been saying about the stolen money?"
"You here to accuse me?"
"No. I don't think you took it."
He holds a poker face. "I didn't."
"You know anything about it?"
"From what Joel said, I figured it was that asshole manager we fired, Aiden. He's gone, the money's back. What's it matter?"
Damn, I wish Mal thought like that. But there's no wishing here. I'm fixing this. "You know Joel's taking this bullet for you."
"Tried to talk him out of that." Kit pulls the door open and motions come in.
I do.
We take seats in the plush armchairs lining the wall.
Kit leans back in his chair. His expression stays intense and mysterious. "I did a lot of bad shit when I was using. I don't blame Mal for assuming I took that money." His voice gets low and serious. "I get that he's trying to protect you, but running around behind my back is an asshole move."
"Yeah, it is."
Kit's curly hair falls over his face as he shakes his head. "Ethan, I'm only putting up with you being here because Mal is your older brother and everybody knows you look up to him."
Is it that obvious?
"I get wanting to impress somebody and never feeling like you can do it. And I've always liked working with you. You're a good guy, a good brother, and a hell of a guitarist. Fuck, I like Mal most of the time. But I'm not going to put up with this shit."
