Page 58 of InfraRed

“You need to expand your resume so you can audition for that dance company. I have a job to add to it.” He sees the panic in my face before he finishes his statement because he’s already gripping my face—his way to make me focus on him and not my anxiety. “It’s just in Maverick’s music video. You won’t beanything more than a backup dancer for the ballet scene.”

“Y-you should’ve asked me,” I snap.

“Why? So you could refuse? That’s not happening, Sunflower. You are your own worst enemy. I’m here to run interference between you and your demons.” He pulls me behind him, cracking the door, and peeking his head out. When he’s satisfied, he grabs my hand, kisses it, and shoves me out the door. “Better run before your dad comes out.”

And with that, I race toward the elevators, praying Dad doesn’t appear and mentally preparing myself for my first real dancing role in years.

Graham

The city is a fast-paced rat race. Everyone hustling to the next job, next deal… whatever it is they’re after. It never slows down and never sleeps. People crowd the sidewalks, all with devices in their hands, dodging the masses of bodies around them as they rush to their next destination.

Business is much the same. Multiple deals are handled at once at any given time and are always on a tight timeline. When one is finalized, it’s on to the next acquisition, merger, or negotiation. If you don’t hurry, someone else may swoop in and grab it from under you. I’m usually the one doing the swooping.

Sin Records isn’t as demanding as most organizations. It’s got a fantastic work atmosphere that promotes production, even if it’s too chaotic and dramatic for my liking. But Sin Records isn’t my only responsibility. I still have my own businesses to handle.

That’s what Ishouldbe doing now.

“If you were sitting in a Kia wearing old jeans and a worn t-shirt, you would be picked up for loitering. Or at least told to stop blocking the hydrant,” Will chuckles through the sound system of my car.

He’s probably right, but the near million-dollar car I’m sitting in doesn’t say threat. It says wealth and privilege. Not someone actively stalking the woman they’re obsessed with.

“It’s a good thing I’m not a regular guy, isn’t it?” I reply, keeping my eyes trained on the entrance of the rehearsal space.

“I understand why you avoided being here before now. I thought you were obsessive before. Now you’re downright certifiable. It’s only been a few weeks, and you don’t go more than a few hours without putting your eyes on her. Next, you’ll be chaining her to your side. You’re unhinged.”

I roll my eyes and grunt. I’m well aware I’m possessed, but I won’t admit that to him. “Her psychopathic mother threatened her. What do you expect?” Krista’s statement won’t stop playing in my mind.

“Was it a threat, though?”

If he knew the bitch like I did, he wouldn’t even question that. It’s like no one ever sees the danger she poses. They never take her seriously. If I’m honest, until our confrontation the other day, I’m not sure I saw it either. The idea of tying Casey to my side doesn’t sound unreasonable.

“What have you found out?”

I glance in the rearview mirror. Even though he’s several car lengths away, I can tell he’s rolling his eyes. He really does think I’m overreacting. I’ve only just refrained from asking him to contact his brother. He might quit if I do. “She got a room at the Aman. Hasn’t left since she checked in.”

My eyes narrow behind my Akoni Pathfinder glasses, the cogs in my mind working double time as his words sound so many alarms in my mind that I can’t hear past the ringing. “How the hell is she paying for that?”

“No clue. Henry is digging into her financials, but so far nothing to explain why she’s sleeping in a fifteen grand a night hotel instead of under a bridge.”

“Check whose name the room is under.”

“No shit,” he grunts, and I know I’ve insulted him by stating the obvious, but fuck. “The hotel won’t tell us shit, so we’re going tohave to use other methods.”

“I don’t care what you have to do. Just find out.”

“Again, you know Maddox has connections, right?”

And Will has very similar connections, but I don’t say that. “I’m not involving them. Just do what you can.” Just then, the doors of the rehearsal space open. I recognize a few faces that come through the doors, but it’s mostly extras and the crew that I don’t know.

Casey steps through the doors, a beautiful smile lighting up that gorgeous face, looking over her shoulder. The corners of my lips tilt with the hint of a grin at how carefree she appears, especially since I’ve noticed she seldom seems so. When the person she’s smiling at comes into view, my jaw locks with irritation. I watch as he wraps his fingers around her bicep, my own turning white around the steering wheel. “We’ll talk later,” I grunt at Will.

“You can’t ki—”

I end the call without allowing him to finish his sentence. The guy won’tdie.We’re in the middle of New York and the sidewalk is packed with witnesses. I’m not an idiot, after all.

After climbing out of the car, my shoes clap against the pavement as I circle the front of the vehicle with determined strides. The cocksure smirk on his lips and the lustful look in his eyes vanish when he meets my gaze over Casey’s shoulder. Before she can turn her head toward me to see what caused his sudden change in demeanor, my fingers are digging into his trapezius with bruising force as a shark grin spreads across my face. “You shouldn’t touch what doesn’t belong to you,” I growl next to his ear.

“Graham, what are you doing?” Casey hisses next to me.

---