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And he was coming toward the stage. Holy crap. She ripped at the corner of the envelope she held. Her hands shook as she pulled out the foiled linen paper.

Luc leaned away from the mic. “Please don’t be a stalker.”

“No. I’m just…” She trailed off. Her attention zeroed in on Ryan as her system seemed to right itself. At least a little bit. He was fine. At least for now. She blew out a slow breath. “His.”

Luc’s attention strayed to the floor closest the stage, where Ryan was sprinting around the myriad guests and tables to get to her. Luc took the paper from her. “And the winner is Warning Sign!”

The crowd erupted into applause and various people stood in excitement. But it was the table just off the center who captured her attention. Every one of them stood and whooped. Her family.

Warning Sign.

Then Ryan was there. He had his arms around her and lifted her up so she could wrap her arms around his shoulders.

“If this is a publicity stunt, I swear…” Luc held up the statue, and Molly swept in to clutch it closer to her chest.

“No chance.” Molly’s eyes flashed. “That’s your game, not ours.” She spared Denver a glance, her sharp blue eyes assessing befor

e she took her spot behind the podium. “Wow, guys! I mean just wow.” She looked down at the award, her eyes shining as she lifted her chin and smiled into all the flashbulbs.

“What the hell, Colorado?” Ryan whispered.

“I’ll explain in a minute,” Denver said into his ear. “Put me down before anyone makes a scene.”

He held on for another moment, but finally set her onto her feet. Donovan came up behind the band with his perfect smile in place and just enough crinkles at the corners of his eyes to make them twinkle. His tux was flawless and his hair had just the right amount of wave to make him look debonair, but when his gaze crashed into hers, there was only worry and a glittering anger.

She hoped not all the anger was because of her and what she’d brought to their door. Again.

Donovan stepped closer to her as Jules glanced over her shoulder at them before turning back to put her two cents into the thank-you speeches. Elle practically bounced between Jules and Molly. The band huddled together, arm in arm. West and Michael at the back, with Mal at a safe distance.

Mal’s arms were crossed over his chest. Instead of looking at the band, he kept glancing back at her, Donovan, and Ryan. Then his eyes swept the crowd. He was eerily efficient at taking in the entire room. So much more than a guy who was just a drummer.

Before she could analyze that further, they were all hustled off the stage. Security swarmed and there was a crowd around Lindsey off to the side. Music Life was trying to shove a microphone in her face, but Lindsey wasn’t having any of it.

It was just Denver’s luck to get away from Marco, only to be arrested for assault. Good day all around.

“Miss, you need to come with us.”

“Hell no.” Ryan blocked the tall man with wide shoulders in a dark suit. “She’s not going anywhere.”

The man’s face was expressionless as he took her arm to lead her deeper backstage.

“Back off, man.” Ryan tried to muscle between her and the security guy, but Donovan moved in and clamped a hand on Ryan’s shoulder.

“Enough, Mr. Waters.”

“You can’t let them take her.” Ryan bucked against Donovan’s hold.

Donovan tightened his grip. “She’s not going anywhere. I promise.” He lowered his voice. “There is press everywhere.”

Denver tried to break the meathead’s grip on her upper arm, but he didn’t budge. “Where do you think I’m going to go?” She peered up at the guy with his perfectly tailored jacket, but he didn’t look at her, nor did he answer.

Donovan maintained his grip until Ryan stopped struggling to get close to her. Ryan’s chest heaved and his shoulders rose and fell with his agitation.

Denver reached for Ryan’s hand, but the security dude obviously had some sort of super ultra-mega rule book that wouldn’t allow her to move an inch.

“Just let me check on Lindsey and I’ll clear this up.” Donovan looked from Lindsey back to Denver. “Do I want to know what you did? There’s an ice pack against her chin.”

“Probably not,” she said.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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