Page 42 of Before Now

I scan the high ceilings, only checking the viewfinder to make sure it’s capturing the crown molding. I want to see it all with my own eyes.

As I’m coming back, I film the grand staircase, spiraling up into darkness. The intricate carvings on the banisters break my heart. So much beauty to be destroyed.

“All right, ladies,” Dev announces, and I swing around to see him and Felix in the center of the room. They’ve pulled down their beak and bandana, their grins downright salacious as they peruse the five women in front of them. “Whoever catches you keeps you for the night.”

The women exchange quick glances, but none of them appear against the idea of being hunted down for what will likely end in sex. One is already slipping off her heels.

I stop recording and let the camera tip to the side. Any more footage will end up useless anyway. No chance the label wants the world to know about how the guys divvy up chicks for tonight.

Surprisingly, I’ve only stumbled in on rock star sex twice so far. Most wheres and whens to avoid are obvious, but Dev also informed me they’re being gentlemanly for my sake.

Doggy-style on the bus’s floor in front of the couches fits that definition in his case.

Colton’s actually discreet, typically reappearing from between the buses after concerts with his chosen flavor of the night or re-zipping on their way out of the restrooms at venues. A wink when he sees me is more than enough confirmation.

I’ve dreaded walking in on Foster with anyone in any capacity. Women scream for him to fuck them or flash him their tits, and I have a physical response like with the nurse every single time. He hasn’t visibly returned interest in any of them. I thought it was just good timing I haven’t noticed, or he was that damn skilled at maintaining an untouchable persona.

More than one of the women blatantly stare at him right now where he props against a wall with seductive smiles and Adams North lust in their eyes. My jaw sets, and I slowly inhale, realizing my luck might have run out.

Felix chuckles, rubbing his hands together. “Should we give y’all a head start?”

There are some excited giggles and nods.

“Ten … nine … eight…” Dev starts counting down, the girls scattering in different directions—except two who stick together.

The numbers pause, his eyebrows rising at me. “You won’t make it far with the camera.”

I laugh, but it dies in my throat when he and Felix look at each other. “What?”

A wolfish grin forms, and Dev jerks his head over his shoulder at Foster and Colton behind them. “Four of us. Six of you. Sounds fair to me.”

“You’re joking.”

“Not a joke at all, Cam Girl,” Felix says. “Need me to repeat the rules? You want me to tell youexactlywhat’s going to happen if one of us finds you?”

My gaze shifts to Foster against the wall. He lost the bandana and sword but has the mask on still, his focus on the hardwood. Colton’s smirking off to the side of him, and he gives me a shrug.

“Run fast, lioness.”

“Eight…”

Dev starts the countdown again, and Foster’s staring at me now. So is Felix.

I scowl at them all, and my feet start moving as Dev hits six.

“Your music’s trash,” I call, rushing up the grand staircase and whipping out my phone for light.

Laughter follows me and my lie, along with Dev shouting, “One.”

13

FOSTER

“No one touches, Remi.”I kick off the wall and cross through the entry of the stripped house.

Felix goes maniacal with his laugh, throwing his head back and losing his cowboy hat. “Oh, come on. The way her eyes bulged was hilarious.”

I walk to the winding staircase but don’t respond. I can’t without lying. It was funny. Then a blush spread over her cheeks—fuck, it brought on an onslaught of memories. Most of them about where else she’s prettily pink. I need to stop before I’m roaming around with my dick hard. It’s already been a challenge with her dressed in basically her old school uniform. The amount of times I jerked off to her in a plaid skirt borders on alarming.

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