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“Yes, well, desperate times. I’m sorry I had to be so abrupt.” Ryan cleared his throat and avoided glancing at Denver, still tucked against his side. He was still doing that tugging her closer thing. Probably always would.
Especially after tonight.
They were in the parking lot where the bus was parked, and Donovan and his fancy driver had just dropped them off. The bus would be just fine for tonight.
Every night.
“No reason to pussy about.” Donovan flicked a hand down his lapel. “You’re okay, Casey?” It was the closest thing to genuine warmth Ryan had ever seen from the man. He usually bordered just this side of frosty.
Denver nodded, swallowing hard. “I’m fine. And I’m going to be even better.” She detangled herself from Ryan and leaned forward to kiss her uncle’s cheek. “Thank you for everything. Even the extra security. I don’t like it, but I suppose it’s necessary. I’m just sorry that—”
“You are to be sorry for nothing. Understand me?” Donovan pulled Denver in for a hard hug. “He won’t get near you or your young man again, or anyone in the band. Trust me on that.”
Denver returned his hug, nodding fiercely. “No, he won’t. He fucking won’t.” She eased back and took a shaky breath. “Can you call me Denver from now on, please?”
Ryan waited for Donovan to question her further, but he simply nodded. “As you wish. Be well, sweetheart.” His gaze drifted to Ryan. “Thank you for loving her.”
Ryan swallowed hard and nodded. He did love her, and if love could save lives, hers would never be in danger again.
“Thank you too, Donovan. For being there for her then and now.”
Donovan nodded and tipped his head at them before climbing into the back of his limo.
Denver came back to Ryan’s side and together, they watched as Donovan was whisked away into the night. His chariot was fitting for a big shot record exec.
Ryan didn’t care about any of that. He was just happy as fuck to be about to spend the night on their bus with his girl.
His smart, gorgeous, safe girl.
“You didn’t have to come back with me to the bus,” Denver murmured as they started to walk across the parking lot. “I know it’s weird, when we have a perfectly nice hotel suite waiting for us.”
“I was fairly certain you didn’t want to go back there.”
“No. You would be right about that.” Denver let out a soft laugh, swinging their linked hands between them.
She was much quieter than usual, but that was to be expected. As was the way they’d sort of tiptoed around each other since the big fight. The band had gone back to the hotel, and Denver had finally admitted that she would rather sleep in her own bed.
Ryan hadn’t argued. If there was any night they needed their version of home, this was it.
They’d asked Donovan’s driver to drop them off on the other side of the parking lot because they needed some air and wanted to walk. They were almost there, halfway across the uncovered lot adjacent to their hotel that had space available for buses. A short distance away was another one for RVs and boats. This time of night, there weren’t too many people around.
Nearly morning now. The first hints of pink and orange were just starting to streak the sky.
What a fucking night.
They’d been at the police station for hours. Waiting, waiting, and more waiting interspersed with long bouts of q
uestioning by the officer assigned to Denver’s case. Even those words alone were enough to make Ryan want to shout and use his fist on something solid. Preferably Marco Salzano’s head.
The positive news was, between what had happened that evening and the apparently bulging file Donovan had on Salzano, he’d be going away for a good long time. Maybe Denver could finally start to put some of the awfulness he’d put her through behind her, now that she knew he wouldn’t be dogging her every step. Donovan had suggested adding extra security for the band for a while, and though Denver argued initially, she’d given up quickly. Marco’s men wouldn’t get near her, even if they tried.
All of that was well and good. Ryan was glad the asshole was going to get well acquainted with the inside of a jail cell. He just didn’t know what to do with all of the jagged emotions still rattling around inside him.
But his fury and frustration and, yes, pain over what had gone down weren’t what Denver needed to handle right now. She needed her patient, understanding, steady best friend.
He would do his best to be that for her even when he couldn’t quite manage the feat for himself.
As soon as they reached the bus, Denver opened the door, jogged up the steps, and rushed toward the back. “I’m gonna take a shower. Police station grime. Plus, this dress. Ugh.” She tugged at the sparkly fabric. “I need something comfortable. Be right back.”
