Zach
Zach pushed through the canvas flaps into the back of the stage, tuned out the startled yelps from his bandmates, and ignored the crew congratulating him. Creepy Suit Guy swamped the euphoria of Colton watching. Whoever he was, he wasn’t good news. For anyone; but for Zach, he was terrible news.
There was no good reason for that man to film him. None. He’d leered at Zach with barely contained lust. It wasn’t even sexual; it was possessive. Predatory even. Bad shit was coming.
Colton had obviously picked up on it. The way he’d positioned himself between them, blocking Creepy Suit from chasing Zach across the stage. Like a knight protector. Just like Zach had planned.
Only not like this.
He’d expected Colton would escort him off the grounds, not fend off unsavory goons Ulmstead had hired for… for what? Zach’s seduction wasn’t entirely pure, but he’d expected nothing like this.
Out of time and options, Zach swallowed the regret. He hoped Colton would hear his side before branding Zach as a user. Even if he was.
He’d left his case open on the cot. Plunking his violin into the velvet cocoon with less care than he should, he snapped it shut and grabbed his bag. Sad that his whole life fit in one bag, a violin case, and a cell phone. He didn’t even have photos of his parents, just one of him, his mom and Grandpa. If Grandpa had others, he’d never shared with Zach.
He didn’t spare the time for a last goodbye. He wouldn’t miss it. Well maybe a bit, but only until he could get Maddie away. Then there was nothing left.
“Where are you going?” Maddie asked.
God, that woman deserved an Oscar. She never broke character. Of course, if any of the brothers had half a brain, they’d have figured out that her question was too quick. He’d only cleared the room before she spoke, but it served its purpose. The others would note her shock and surprise.
He pushed through without speaking. If he stopped to answer, he’d lose his nerve. And Maddie’d be royally pissed at him. From behind he heard one brother, Rocky he thought, notice Zach had his stuff and was leaving.
This was it. Blood thrummed in his skull, and his stomach twisted so tight, he’d need a Boy Scout to unknot it.
Zach wasn’t religious. Maddie had tried, but he’d never taken to it much. Today, however, he prayed like never before that Colton was standing outside the entrance like Zach had told him to. If not, this was going to get dicey, fast.
He wouldn’t go without a fuss. If they took him, he’d never come back. With grandpa gone, who would come look for him? No one.
Light snuck through the small slit in the canvas. He sucked in a breath and surged into the night.
Please God. Let him be…there. Standing just at the corner, eyes trained on the exit Zach used, was God himself.
Colton smiled, and if Zach didn’t feel like such a total shit, his heart would’ve stopped. Leaning against the side of the stage, arms crossed and hat tilted just so, Colton was too fucking hot.
The smile wavered when Zach moved closer. Colton waved his fingers up, down and around in front of Zach.
“What’s with the stuff? Going somewhere?”
The guy was hot and smart. Zach hated himself for using him. “That was my last show. I’m leaving.” Suspicion crept into Colton’s gaze. “I’ll explain when we eat, but let’s go.” He heard the brothers drawing closer. “Now.”
Zach groaned the last word in a plea so pathetic he worried he’d scare Colton away. Thankfully, Colton snapped out of his daze. His gaze darted over Zach’s shoulder, and he nodded. “Okay.”
Zach’s relief lasted for all of one second.
Rounding the stage, Ulmstead and Creepy Suit Guy stopped when they saw Zach. A moment later, someone shoved the heavy canvas entrance flaps aside. Trapped.
“What’s going on?” Ulmstead snuck a glance at his companion. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I quit.” Zach shifted, uncomfortable as hell. “And I’m leaving.”
He eyed his escape route. Ulmstead and his accomplice blocked most of it, but he could get by, so long as they didn’t try to stop him. Ulmstead glared at him and moved to his right to limit the gap Zach could use to flee. Colton moved next to Zach, and Creepy Guy’s eyes fastened on the deputy.
“You can’t leave,” Ulmstead said. His body shook as he snuck a glance at his companion.
Zach had only seen Ulmstead this scared once. They’d had an argument, and Grandpa threatened to blow Ulmstead’s nuts off if he didn’t shut up. Whatever was happening, it had to be bad. “The hell I can’t. Watch me.” He hated that his voice squeaked.
“Not until you pay me what you owe me.”
