Page 72 of Midnight Whispers

I can see that. Kol is definitely protective of Rapsody. All the Voss men seem to be that way with their partners.

“What are you up to today?” Anabelle asks.

I finish chewing my bite of pastry. “Now that the construction is done, I’m heading into the studio to do some last-minute things before the official opening.”

Lately, I haven’t been able to stop smiling, and Anabelle’s smile grows wider seeing mine.

“How’s it going? Do you have anyone signed up yet?” Anabelle asks as she pours herself some coffee.

I smile at Nero on my other side. “I do because Nero surprised me and ran some ads in all the local papers and has an online campaign going on socials, which is funny since I don’t even have my own personal profile on social media.” I knock him with my shoulder. “There have been more inquiries than I thought I’d have at this point, which is amazing, but I still need to firm up my schedule. Figure out what classes I’ll teach when and for what age group. It’s going to take a bit of tinkering.”

“You’ll get it all sorted,” Nero says and squeezes my knee under the table.

I glance at Sid, who sits alone on his side of the table since Rapsody and Kol aren’t here. He’s watching us intently, and I shift in my seat. I haven’t asked Nero, but I don’t think the two of them have cleared the air, since they never utter a word to each other. I don’t know what went down between them. Nero just told me it was “brother stuff.”

“I hope so. I just really want everything to go well. It’s a lot of moving parts.”

“Pretty sure all your parts were moving down at T&T’s, weren’t they?” Sid asks.

My face instantly heats, and my eyes fall to my half-eaten plate.

Nero flies up from his chair. “Apologize. Now.”

Sid smirks. “Or what, kid? What are you going to do about it?”

“Enough!” Asher slams his fist down on the table, and I jolt. “I don’t know what your problem is lately, Obsidian, but you’ve been a moody bastard for a while now. If you can’t respect everyone who sits at this table, then I suggest you don’t join us again until you can.”

My eyes widen, and I glance at Asher. Anabelle’s hand covers mine and squeezes.

“Happily,” Sid says, tossing his napkin on the table and standing from his chair. He glares at all of us before he turns on his heel and leaves the room.

Nero sits back down and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Are you okay?”

I give him a shaky nod.

“I’m sorry he spoke to you that way. He, of all people, should know better.”

“Nero…” Asher says in what sounds like a warning.

I don’t know what Nero means by his words, but I give him a small smile anyway, appreciating that he’s trying to make me feel better.

“I think I’m full. I should probably get to the studio.” I pick up the napkin off my lap and place it beside my plate.

“Let me walk you out,” Nero says.

He accompanies me through the house, and when we get outside, I stop in my tracks. My shitty old car isn’t there. In its place is a shiny new luxury car.

“Where’s my car?” I ask Nero.

“It’s right here.” He gestures to the vehicle that I’m sure cost more than I’ve ever made in a year. Probably two.

“No, that is not my car.”

“It is now. I couldn’t stand the idea of you driving around in that unreliable one. It was a deathtrap.”

I have no argument. That car was well past its prime. “It’s not like I drive that far. I literally just drive down the hill into town.”

He comes around me and places his hands on my hips. “I need to know that you’re safe.”

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