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It doesn’t matter to me. The crowd is alive and we are feeding off their vibe—and we aren’t even on stage yet. The band is ready. Dante and my band finalized our set list a few days ago, and the decision was unanimous. All six of us wanted to play our most popular songs, and we selected the five hits that were highest charted.

From the moment Warrior Black walks up the ramp to the backstage area, the electricity in the air is even more palpable. Then when we strut onto the stage? An explosion of noise hits us and my energy level rockets to the sky.

I’m ready, and so is the band.

Connor counts us in and we are off. Just like the other guys, I give it all I have. Tonight, though, everything seems to be… extra. Danny has always been great, but he is belting out his voice like I’ve never heard before. Connor’s drum beats are in perfect sync with Callum’s bass, giving our music a rhythmic thrum I can feel in my bones.

Bobby’s fingers fucking fly on the keyboard, adding an intricate layer to our songs that I haven’t heard from any other band. On top of all that excellence, when I rip through the chords, pulling all I can out of my Strat as I headbang my way through each song we play, it’s almost an out-of-body experience.

By the last song, sweat runs off my forehead into my eyes. My mind feels high. Energy floods every cell in my body. One touch and I’m going to pop.

Coming off the stage from the high of a fantastic performance is the best damn feeling in the world. I am ecstatic, until… Lyric.

When we make it back on the bus, Dante informs us that Lyric quit because of family obligations, and left Black Rock shortly after we arrived.

What, the, fuck? Why he didn’t tell me?

“What’re his family obligations?” I ask.

Dante glares at me like it’s my fault Lyric left. “I didn’t ask. When anyone says they have to leave for a personal reason, it isn’t my business to ask why. And no, Lyric assures me that he’s not coming back.”

For the first time I can remember, I’m speechless. My heart was soaring moments ago, but now there’s an unfamiliar ache inside it that I can’t seem to rub away with my fingers. I’m not sure whether it’s from the knowledge that Lyric isn’t coming back or that he left without saying goodbye to me.

I don’t believe for one second that his family was what drove him to leave us—leave me.

“Are you okay, Rafe?” Danny asks quietly.

I meet my friend’s eyes and something breaks in me. I’m not going to show it though. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

“Well, you seem angry that Lyric left.”

“No. Just bothered that he couldn’t say goodbye to us. He’s been our live-in nurse for almost a year.”

“Not quite a year, but who’s counting,” Dante corrects, their gaze centering on me. I look away from the intrusion.

“It doesn’t matter.” I stalk off, but call over my shoulder, “I’m going to shower and change and check out the rest of the venue.”

I don’t bother waiting for a response, just close myself in the bathroom and turn on the water. Then realization hits me—here in this space was the last time I saw Lyric. A fucking tear escapes my eye, and I quickly wipe it away.

I assumed we had a connection. Lyric was with us through the whole mess— the crazy, life-threatening drama—with Callum and his two partners, Pen and Dom, less than a year ago. I thought it had bonded him with us.

I guess I was wrong. But something is niggling at me and I can’t let it go. I can’t let Lyric go, either, not without some answers.

I want to track Lyric down, demand why he left so abruptly, and without telling me. But that’s stalking. And I don’t stalk. People stalk me.

But still. I need Lyric to explain himself, and if he won’t, then I’ll tie his ass to my bed, and fuck him into submission. He’ll tell me the truth then. Yeah. That sounds like a good plan.

Yet, you know what they say about good plans? Everyone has one until someone punches you in the face and gives you a reality check. And I worry that I’m about to get slammed.

Chapter One

Rafe

Aweek after Rocktoberfest, Dante calls a meeting at Ron Darling’s condo. I’m there in body, but my mind is still fixated solely on Lyric and why he ghosted me that day at Black Rock.

“Come gather around the dining room table. I have some news.”

We each take a seat, Bobby to my right and Danny to my left.