Page 72 of The Darkest Note

Dutch runs a hand over the back of my thigh. “Cadence?”

I shiver, unnerved by his touch, but I refuse to let Dutch’s attractiveness get the best of me. Screw my stupid hormones. I’m locked in a room with three big, intimidating rockstars. They can do anything to me and I wouldn’t be able to run.

That’s not a turn on. That’s a dangerous situation.

And these are dangerous people.

Just because they’re all sexy doesn’t mean I can let my guard down.

“Fine,” I grumble.

The moment he sets me down, I launch at him.

Dutch easily snaps my wrist and pulls me into his chest. I’m locked against him, his front to my back. The feel of his body reacting to mine sends a heatwave launching through my skin.

“Brahms, you promised,” he says, his tone similar to a parent scolding a child.

Zane chuckles.

“I swear, Dutch, if it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to make your head roll across the front lawn like a basketball.”

“Ooh. Graphic,” Zane teases, taking a seat behind his drums.

Finn’s brow quirks exactly the way Dutch’s would and it reminds me that even if he and Dutch aren’t biologically related, they’re brothers.

Dutch is behind me, so I can’t see his expression, but I can only assume he’s grinning.

I glare at the massive hands bounding me in place. “You better let me go. Now.”

“Not before you understand that you don’t have a choice here,” he insists. “As long as you’re enrolled in Redwood Prep, you belong to me. I own you.”

Each words sends my temper spiking higher and higher.

He leans down. His lips brush my ear and send a shiver of goosebumps running over my skin.

“There’s only one way out, Brahms,” he whispers.

“And if I don’t take it?” I breathe, turning slightly toward him.

His fingers slide up my arm and settle around my neck. “Then I’m going to show up at your house.” He lightly squeezes. “And I’m going to show up at your work. And I’m going to keep showing up in front of you until you know that there’s nowhere you can run that I won’t hunt you down.”

My chest tightens and I realize that, beyond any shadow of a doubt, I’ve never hated anyone the way I hate Dutch Cross.

He’s a menace here at school, but I refuse to let him and his band of unruly brothers anywhere near my sister. I would die for Viola before I let her face this hellish treatment.

Fighting the urge to bite his hand in case it gives me some kind of disease, I relax. “Fine. I accept.”

Dutch startles with surprise.

Finn and Zane exchange looks.

Dutch slowly releases his arms and walks around to face me, still looking suspicious.

“I’ll work for you,” I spit out the words. “Five grand is about two weeks salary if I’m working eight hours a day. If I’m working twenty-four hours, that’s eight days.” I lift my fist and he quirks a brow in warning. But I don’t swing. Instead, I raise my hand. “I’ll pay you back for the wallet.”

Dutch narrows his eyes. I can feel him trying to tear me apart, trying to get in front of whatever I’m planning. I offer him a resigned nod and that seems to put him even more on edge.

“You win,” I say.

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