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Me: Vance texted and asked if we could meet earlier today to go through some new music he’s found. Would it be possible for you to pick me up earlier?

Me: Chester? I’m so sorry for texting again, but it’s getting close to when I’ll have to decide if I should take the bus. I’ll send Theo a text and see if he’s available to sneak out from work.

Me: Okay. I know you’ll be pissed, but I’m just going to take the bus. It’s daytime and normally not very busy during early afternoon. I’m leaving now and should be there in about thirty minutes.

I hear him approach, then quietly say, “She texted me, too.” Holding out my hand, he drops his phone into my palm. I read the last text she sent him.

Susu: I’m sorry for bothering you, but would you have time to pick me up? I tried texting Chester, but he must be away from his phone. I need to come in early and I know how grumpy you all are about the damn bus.

Even though this isn’t a smiling matter, I do grin as I read the sass she gives him. Unfortunately for us, she did exactly what we both yelled at her for not doing. Well, I don’t know if ‘unfortunately’ is the right word. I’m both relieved that she tried to cater to our wishes, and regretful of my temper.

Handing his phone back, I curl my fingers around hers as I approach the stage. She’s vibrating with anger, definitely pissed at our high handedness. I set her phone on the bench next to her and clear my throat.

I know she hears it, even with how loud she’s playing, when she jerks her body away from me on the bench and continues playing an octave higher. The space she’s creating eats at me. It’s also deserved.

“Susu,” I say as gently as possible. “I’m sorry for the way I reacted. My phone must have been on silent, so I didn’t hear the notifications. I’m sure Theo will apologize as well, but I owe you a massive one. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that, even if youhadn’ttried to contact me. You’re an adult—”

She sniffs in irritation at that, and I wince. I’m just annoying her now. I lean over the edge to get a better view of her face. She’s glaring at the music and grinding her jaw like she’s fighting a string of curses she wants to shout at me.

Good. I deserve it. Maybe it’ll give her an incentive to feel comfortable enough with metoyell at me.

“I’msorry,” I tell her earnestly. “It won’t happen again.”

Flicking her eyes up to me, she only looks long enough to shoot daggers out before lifting a hand and waving me off.

With a sigh, I tap my knuckles on the piano, then step back. “I’ll leave you be. You don’t need to forgive me, but I’m going to tell you again tonight when I drive you home.”

I swear I hear her jaw crack under the pressure of her grinding molars. Smirking when I turn around, I find a little joy in getting under her skin. It’s a new side of her I don’t want to inspire again, but it’s sexy as fuck to see.

Only ten hours until I have her in my car. I’ll figure out my grovel game by then.

Chapter 17

Tranquillo

Vance

“What the hell did you guys do to her?” I say from the side of my mouth.

Theo and Chester are leaning against the bar, watching Susu attack the piano with everything she’s got in her.

Chester has his arms crossed, frowning deeper every time she strikes a low chord, while Theo winces. I’d laugh at them, but I’m more concerned about the safety of the baby grand. There’s a genuine fear that she’s going to do some damage, which is surprising because I didn’t think she’d have the strength for it.

Theo grunts, and tells me, “She took the bus.”

I blink at him slowly. When neither offer me more, I ask, “So?”

Sighing, Chester shoves a hand through his hair. “So, normally, I pick her up and take her home. That shit isn’t safe for anyone. Especially a waif of a woman in the middle of the night. It made me uncomfortable, so I’ve been her taxi.”

“Okaaay,” I drawl out. “Then what happened to her that she had to take the bus?”

Theo shoves a finger toward me, and I jerk my head back, shocked with his anger. “Youasked her to come in early.” Then he jerks his thumb in Chester’s direction. “And he didn’t hear his phone when she texted the change in plans.”

“She texted you too, jackass,” Chester grumbles to Theo, who ignores him and continues to fill me in.

“I also left mine in the office, so I didn’t get the message either.”

Once he’s finished, he refocuses on my partner as she continues to pound her frustration out. I give both of them another few moments until I snap at them.

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