Page 62 of Omega Rock

A man in a Designation Outsider shirt with a black vest thrown over it and tattoos down both forearms looks up at me with a wickedly charming smile.

One that doesn’t work on me given his abrupt appearance.

Something has me retreating further back into the bus before he’s even said a word.

“I think you’ve got the wrong bus,” I say and nod toward the rest of the parking lot.

The man extends a hand. “No, pretty sure this is right. You’re Mia Moore, correct?”

“Yes.” I glance outside the window. None of my alphas are in sight. If this is some crazy fan wild enough to board our tour bus, I’m on my own. My gut churns.

He must notice because his smile warms and he extends a hand. “Where are my manners? My apologies. I’m Jordan, Designation Outsider’s band manager.”

Breath leaves my lungs.Excuse me?“Aiden’s not here.”

“Oh, I know.” Jordan walks a bit further inside the tour bus so that he’s fully up the stairs and able to lean against the table as if he’s right at home. “I was hoping to talk to you, actually. I hope you’ll forgive how rather informal this is. I wasn’t sure if Wesson Thornside was here somewhere, or…”

He trails off, but his intent is clear as day. He washopingWes wasn’t here. Or the guys. And given how quickly he stepped in here after my pack left means he’s been watching for a while.

We’d made it this long without running into anyone from Designation Outsider. So why was their manager here now?

“How can I help you, Jordan?” I ask. “Do you need Wes’s number? Need me to pass along a message to Aiden?”I’m sure he blocked your number long ago.

Jordan inhales sharply and raises his hands. “Right, no. I don’t need those things. It’s you I want to talk to.”

Alarm bells go off in my head. “About?” If Aiden knew Jordan was here right now he’d lose his shit—as he rightfully should.

Jordan makes a show of looking around our tour bus. “I’m of the belief that Exit Fate is temporary. You’re good, but you’re a momentary amusement that many are humoring. Butyou, Mia. You’ve really got talent. And it just so happens I’m in fresh need of that. So I was hoping to make you an offer.”

My eyes narrow. “Designation Outsider’s doing just fine without Aiden. They’re here on tour.”

Jordan shrugs. “Yes, that’s true. But no one matches what Aiden brought—except you.”

My heart drops. “You wantmeto join Designation Outsider.” I’m pretty sure him even having this conversation without Wes present is some sort of degree of illegal. It’s also pointless. Which is actually insane to think considering how long I was a fan of Designation Outsider. Imagine what could have been if Jordan had called me first instead of Wes.

But the answer was simple. “No.”

Jordan inclines his head. “Mia, please. Aiden… he’s great, but he’s on his way out. Leo Altis is one bad day away from another health crisis. And Noah Smith is?—”

“An amazing bassist and close personal friend,” I cut in. “They all are. Please leave.” I’m rejecting my favorite band of all time’s band manager,andhis offer to join that very same band. It’s insanity. But it’s also never felt moreright.

“Mia, your talent deserves to be elsewhere,” Jordan continues. “Somewhere where you shine all on your own, and where there is an actual future.”

Jordan is so transparent it makes me sick. “It’s not my fault you can’t replace Aiden. But I do thank you for kicking him out so that Exit Fate can exist.”

Jordan’s eyes flash with anger. He opens his mouth to speak, then shuts it again. After a little chuckle he says, “Please give it some more thought, Mia. You’re young and have so much future ahead of you. I’ll contact you tomorrow.”

“Please don’t.” I point to the door. “Leave. I have a set to get ready for with my band.” And a manager to inform of this insanity.

“Sure thing, Mia,” Jordan says. I decide I hate the way he says my name, like we’re already close friends in business together. “Break a leg, as it were.”

Jordan disappears between the tour buses parked in the lot. My heart pounds in my chest and my mind whirrs with thoughts.

Knowing who I just rejected, knowing that his statements even partially entwine with my parents’ worries…

Tears sting my eyes but I refuse to cry—if only so I don’t have to redo my make-up. Jordancouldsky-rocket my career. That I knew for sure given what he’s done for Designation Outsider and the other bands on his roster. But I also know he treats his bands like shit. Aiden is just one example, and what he did to Aiden is bad enough.

Wes saw my talent first. And he saw it for what it is, not as a result of needing a new lead singer or guitarist, and certainly not as a way to get back at Aiden.

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