Page 86 of Protecting Mr. Fine

“The winds put people where they’re meant to be, Ryan,” he’d said with such confidence. “Trust you were brought to us for a reason, and even if that reason was for my father’s protection, it doesn’t mean your time with us needs to end here.”

It had been so long since I’d lived in a place with those superstitions and odd beliefs that it took me off guard. Kasper, on the other hand, had been more pragmatic. “We need your experience. We need people we can trust.”

It hadn’t been hard to politely decline. There wasn’t a single part of me that wanted to go back, despite the ridiculous amount of moneythey’d offered. Not only was I happy being back in the States and closer to my family, I was also happiest with Zane.

I wasn’t giving that up for any amount of money. And the next time Kasper emailed me a job offer, I might not be quite so polite about refusing.

I quickly typed several messages to Violet, letting her know what Boomer had said about Bodhi and also informing her that Noelle had been here. When I’d checked the VIP guest list, she hadn’t been on it. I’d sent Dennis—one of our local guys—to interrogate the security personnel at the entrance to the event to find out how the hell she’d gotten admittance.

As I approached the backstage area, where Lou was waiting and watching Zane, I nudged her. “I’m here. Thanks for holding down the fort. How the fuck did Noelle get into that reception?”

“She said she’s here with the Ventdestinian delegation. She’s consulting with them on something.” Lou shrugged. “I pulled Zane away as soon as I saw him with her, but Ryan… you should know Noelle was actually the one who brought him back to me when Gisella pulled him away to take a picture with her kids. We were separated by the crowd, andNoellewas the one who noticed. She could have taken that time to make her pitch to him about hiring her back or whatever the fuck she’s been trying to contact him about, and she could have stamped him if she’d wanted to… but she didn’t.”

That seemed strange, but I didn’t have time to figure it out right now. My eyes were riveted on my principal, and my goal was to make sure no one else touched him tonight but me.

“This next one’s a new one,” Zane began, reaching over to switch out guitars. The crowd went wild, and he laughed. “I thought you might appreciate that. It’s… I dunno. Maybe you could say it’s a coming-of-age song. I hope you like it. It’s called ‘Mending Fairytales.’”

As he began to move his fingers gracefully over the strings, I felt the familiar wash of awe and pleasure stream over me as his music filled the air. I’d never heard this one before—it wasn’t the light, catchy tune he’d been humming—but I remembered him mentioning a second song, one that was more serious. And as the words unfurled, I realized this was about his mother.

It wasn’t a tower, and you didn’t save me.

The animals were feral, but you let them raise me.

I needed more, but you didn’t guide me.

I reached for the stars, but you tried to

Hold

Me

Down.

And now you’re gone,

Left in a

Blissed

Out

Haze.

Left me alone and

Afraid

For

Days.

Some days, it seems kinder

But then I remember

The way

You

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