“Linc, I’m fine. I promise.”
“Give her some room to breathe, you idiot.” Aiden sounds stern enough that the drummer complies. When I’ve been released, his hand lands on my shoulder and delivers a quick, reassuring squeeze. “Glad you’re okay, Felicity.”
I nod at him, smiling. A sudden thought makes my forehead furrow.
“Where’s Ryder?”
They all glance at each other, concern etched on their faces. It’s Carly who finally answers. “Honestly, we’re not sure. He wasn’t anywhere in the penthouse when we heard you were in trouble. We called him on our way down, but he isn’t answering his phone. It goes straight to voicemail.”
Unease ripples through me, but I push it aside.
He’s fine. I’m sure of it. Probably just went out for a pack of cigarettes, or something.
“Wait…” My brows lift. “What do you mean,youheard I was in trouble? How did you hear?”
Linc snorts. “More likeYork and Stevensheard. They got a call from Linden, who was alerted by hotel security that they’d spotted a scuffle by our tour bus on their surveillance feed. A call we happened to overhear, since they were in our suite at the time, checking for hidden cameras and shit.”
“And you decided to be heroes?” I ask, incredulous.
He shrugs unapologetically.
“That wasn’t smart!” I glance around at all of them. “I can’t believe you’d all just go rushing into danger…”
“You were in trouble,” Carly says simply.
“We weren’t about to wait around, wringing our hands,” Linc adds. “Not when we were in a position to help.”
“Not that you needed any.” Aiden’s voice is warm. “You, Felicity Wilde, were pretty damn badass today.”
My eyes fill up with tears as I look around at them.
My band.
My friends.
My family.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
felicity
I’m feeling remarkably calm,after the incident with my father. At least… until we pile out of the elevator into our penthouse and find it empty.
No Ryder.
I don’t truly start to worry about him until the first half hour has passed. I don’t begin to panic until the one afterthathas slipped away.
Where are you?
Where are you?
Where are you?
Linc, Aiden, Carly, and I sit on the sectional, staring at each other in silent worry. Ryder’s phone is going straight to voicemail. Our dinner reservation has come and gone. The show is scheduled to start in three hours — soon, we’ll have to depart for the Garden.
“Are you absolutely sure you want to play, tonight?” Carly asks, for the thousandth time.
“Yes.” I rub my temples. “If I don’t play, my father wins. And he doesn’t get to control my life — not anymore. I’m getting on that damn stage, and I plan on giving the best mother-fudging show of my life.”