Chapter 15

Ijumped at the sound of my sister’s voice, turning to find her standing behind me.

“Baby sister!”

Ciara was beautiful as always, in a fuchsia pantsuit with her long, dark hair in a high ponytail.

But she looked different somehow, slimmer than the last time I saw her. Her face was pale and her eyes red-rimmed, and puffy. Maybe from travel?

“Took you long enough to get here,” I teased and pulled her in for a hug.

She jolted in my arms and that was fucking new. Ciara was used to my bear hugs.

Something was wrong.

“Ci, what’s going?—”

“You have to meet my boyfriend,” she interrupted with a tight smile and turned her head. “Dallas Bledsoe, my brother, Ronin.”

A bulky guy with a shaved head and a stern expression stepped forward, offering his hand. His other one gripped my sister’s arm tightly.

“I thought for sure Ciara was lying when she said her brother was famous, but I guess the joke’s on me.”

Strange intro, but okay.

“Nice to meet you,” I replied politely and shook his hand. “Welcome to Nashville. Meet my bandmates, Brodie and Holloway.”

Dallas shook their hands. Then the guys gave Ciara a hug in turn.

“Don’t wait so long between visits,” Holloway teased her.

“I’ll try. But New York life is crazy busy,” she replied.

Jesse was waving at us from across the room and called out Brodie and Holloway’s names. They left me to my sister and her boyfriend.

“This is quite the party,” Dallas muttered as he looked around. “I can see the appeal.”

Two stunning models walked by, and Dallas stared at them far too long for my liking.

“They go all out when you sign with a new label,” I replied, trying to ignore my irritation. “So, how was your flight? How’s life in the big apple?”

“Good, even though Ciara made us late to the airport. You sister is never punctual. I’m surprised she can make it to work,” Dallas sneered and shook his head. “We only had time to check in and drop off our luggage. I’m thirsty as hell. Is there any booze at this party?”

Dallas’ tone pissed me off and my big brother defense system was about to unleash. Until I saw the pleading in Ci’s eyes.

Be nice.

I kept my mouth shut and motioned for a server. Bourbon on the rocks for me and Dallas, and nothing for my sister. Which was odd. She always enjoyed a drink or two.

“How did you two meet?” I finally asked as I motioned to a couple of chairs so we could sit and relax.

“I—” Ciara started.

“I’m a patrol officer,” Dallas talked over her. “I ticketed her.”

“Parking in a restricted zone?” I quipped as I glanced at Ciara, but she had her eyes downcast.

“Speeding,” Dallas replied and rolled his eyes. “She can’t remember the rules of the road. I have no idea how she survived before she met me.”

My protective hackles engaged. I didn’t appreciate the way he spoke about Ciara. And it wasn’t like my sister to let an insult, even one disguised as a joke, go by without a response.

My gut instinct was pinging loud as fuck.

Just when I was about to confront Dallas about his comments, Faise sat down next to Ciara. “Ci, long time no speak!”

“Faise! It’s so good to see you,” she replied as she hugged him with one arm.

Dallas still hadn’t let go of her other one. As soon as Faise leaned back, Dallas yanked Ciara back to his side, and glared at my best friend.

Now, I didn’t know shit about romantic relationships, but I knew that Dallas’ hold on my sister felt off. It wasn’t possessive, like Van and Brodie, or Holls and Dawson. Because Dallas looked downright angry, and Ciara looked downright scared.

“I’m Dallas, Ciara’s boyfriend,” he announced as he continued to glare at Faise. “You seem to know her well.”

“Naturally,” Faise addressed him. “I’m Faisel Reed, Ronin’s bestie. I’ve known Ciara since we were kids.”

Dallas nodded at him, his gaze slightly less menacing. Thankfully, our server returned to ask if we wanted another round.

“Double whiskey, neat this time. And make it a real double,” Dallas demanded. “And a glass of sparkling water.”

“Gotta keep hydrated,” I muttered.

“It’s for Ciara,” Dallas explained. “She doesn’t drink.”

“Since when?” I scoffed and looked at my sister.

“Oh, just recently,” she whispered, rubbing her hands together. “It’s fine. Better for my health.”

“I reminded her that she’s almost thirty.” Dallas raised one eyebrow. “Gotta cut that shit out if you want to stay prime, right babe?”

Prime? Who the fuck was this douchebag?

“As long as it’s her decision,” I bit out.

It had no effect on Dallas, he just grunted and glanced around the room.

I needed that second drink. Right fucking now.

When I glanced at Faise, the look he gave me said he was just as worried as I was about this dickhead Ciara was dating. And her sudden change in behavior. Since when did she let someone else tell her what to do?

“I need to hit the head,” Dallas announced and stood up.

“Back of the room to the left,” I offered.

“I’ll be back in a few, stay here.” Dallas commanded and squeezed Ciara’s shoulder, then walked away.

“What the hell’s going on, Ci?” I asked her as soon as Dallas was out of earshot.

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you letting that guy talk down to you like that? And why’ve you stopped calling me? That’s what I mean.”

“I told you, I’ve been busy,” Ciara replied but refused to meet my eyes.

“Too busy for family?”

She gripped her hands together tightly. “Dallas keeps telling me I need to be more independent. I’m too reliant on you and Mom.”

“That’s ridiculous. We’re not just siblings, we’re friends. That’s only normal. And you’re plenty independent. You live in a different city, and you have your own life.”

Ciara bit her lower lip and let out a shaky sigh.

“You’re acting nervous, and it’s not like you. And he’s talking out of his ass. So, tell me the truth. What’s going on?” I asked again.

“I can’t.” Ciara shook her head. “Please, Ro. Not now.”

“What about Mom? She hasn’t heard from you in weeks either.”

Ciara still wouldn’t look me in the eye. I was so frustrated I wanted to scream.

Until Faise leaned forward. “Ciara’s here for a couple of days, right? You have plenty of time to catch up.”

I reluctantly nodded, despite my gut telling me to push my sister for answers. Then I spotted Brodie stalking towards us.

“Hey, Ro, Evert wants you for a photo op with Averell and Jesse.”

Great.

I reached for my sister’s hand, which was ice cold, and she startled. I gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll be right back.”

She nodded but didn’t say anything, pulling at her jacket sleeves.

When I got up to leave, Faise leaned in close to Ciara and started talking to her in that calm tone of his. Some of my tension eased. Maybe she’d at least tell him what was going on.

I made my way through the room and found Evert standing near the entrance, on a platform with a podium and a mic. Like with any of these official events, we always had photographs taken for the press and our PR team to use. Averell was nearby, schmoozing with a journalist, eagerly courting the media attention.

Jesse was deep in conversation with Evert, until the photographer suddenly raised his camera and took an impromptu snap. Jesse laughed it off, pretending to cover his face.

“Where do you want me?” I asked Evert as I stepped up to meet them.

“Hold on, where’s Av?” Evert looked around and then motioned for the marketing VP to join us. “Okay, Ro, lean against the backdrop wall. I want Jesse and Averell on either side.”

“Do I really have to be part of—” Jesse started.

Evert shook his head and stepped forward. “Yes, you really have to be in the picture. Stop procrastinating and get your ass up there.”

Jesse’s face reddened and it was the first time all day I’d seen him lost for words.

“I thought I was the bossy one,” Jesse replied.

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Evert quipped.

When Averell joined us, it was all I could do not to say, fuck it, and just walk away. I did not want to stand beside the guy standing between me and Faise. But I bit back my desire to leave and did as I was told. Sort of.

I turned my head towards Averell, muttering under my breath. “Hurt him and I don’t care about our fucking contract, I will not hesitate to end you.”

Averell bit out a laugh. “So dramatic. Why don’t you just relax and mind your own business?”

Evert lowered his camera and motioned for us to lean in closer. “Shake hands and stop talking, please.”

I gripped Averell’s hand so hard I was in danger of hurting my own fingers. Not smart for a bass player.

“I mean it,” I hissed. “Leave him alone.”

“Uh, guys—” Jesse interrupted.

I forced myself to smile. Another flash.

Evert stopped and sighed. “Once again, please look in my direction and no talking, thanks. Just a few more shots and we’re done.”

“You’re done, all right,” I whispered.

Then I shut up, smiled, and let Evert get his shot.

One last flash, and then Averell turned to me. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” I spat out. “The last thing Faise needs is to get mixed up with someone he works with.”

Averell stared at me with a knowing grin.

“What?” I snapped.

“Are you and Faise involved?”

I coughed into my fist, nearly choking on my spit. “No. Of course not. We’re just?—”

“Best friends who share everything? Everything but?—”

“Stop,” I interrupted. “He’s had a rough time with his brother lately, okay? I don’t want to see him get hurt. I’m just looking out for him.”

“Well, as far as I can tell, Faise is all grown up and he looks after himself. And I can assure you that a relationship is the last thing I’m looking for. Like I said before, relax. You have nothing to worry about.”

That didn’t calm the storm in my gut. Not at all. I hated the idea of him and Faise together. Even if it was just a casual screw.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to do the rounds. Enjoy the rest of the party.”

Averell dismissed me and walked away.

“So, you got it bad for your BFF bandmate?”

Jesse’s question startled me since I all but forgot he was standing on my other side.

“Not you too,” I groaned.

Jesse rubbed a hand over his face. “I told you, I’ve been there. It happens a lot. Band members share a bond that’s like nothing else. It makes for heady chemistry. But you better be sure you want to go there. Cause once you let them know, there’s no going back.”

Jesse patted my shoulder and gave me a sympathetic look, then headed out into the crowd to join Averell.

I shook off his warning and headed back to find my sister. I expected to find her and Faise sitting together, talking.

But she was nowhere in sight. And neither was Faise.