Page 24 of The Darkest Note

I narrow my eyes at him. He didn’t have to sound so damn offended.

He glares right back. Trade his fancy uniform for spurs and a gun and Dutch would fit right in as a Western gunslinger. Or maybe even a gladiator.

His presence is intense, almost overwhelming. He’s around the same size as his brothers, but his energy makes him seem bigger. Like a bull about to impale an innocent bystander.

Dutch’s gaze drops, imperceptibly, to my lips and he stares at it as if he wants to know every inch of it well enough to trace it in his dreams.

It’s a thousand degrees outside, but my arms erupt with goosebumps.

We’re still staring at each other.

I refuse to break his gaze to prove a point.

He doesn’t look away either.

Zane chuckles. “You two done eye-sparring yet? New Girl, we haven’t gotten an answer.”

I glance away from Dutch to focus on the other two members of The Kings. I don’t understand why they would need an extra member for this assignment.

First of all, Mulliez made it sound like it was solo work. Second, there’s three of them. And they’ve made it pretty clear they don’t need anyone else.

My thoughts start to whirl. Why are they singling me out? Do they recognize me from the showcase? Is this a trap?

The more rational side of my brain comes out to play. Maybe I’m overthinking this. Theyweremissing for the first month of school, so it makes sense that they’d be behind in group work. And I have no idea how things work at Redwood Prep. It’s totally plausible that they need an extra for the assignment.

What isn’t plausible is them wanting to work withme.

“I don’t know.”

The smile cracks on Zane’s face. I’m guessing these boys aren’t used to girls who’d deny them anything.

The brothers all exchange a loaded look. There’s some kind of sibling mind-communication happening and it’s weird as hell.

“Well,” I shift in the uncomfortable silence, “thanks for the offer, but I’ll—”

Zane pushes Dutch forward and he stumbles into me. He smells like wood shavings and sunshine. The feel of his skin on mine causes a full-body shiver.

“Come on, Cadence.” Dutch’s deep voice casts a spell on me. The timbre is unique. Smooth yet rough around the edges. Like an uncut gem hidden in a dark cave.

What little resistance I had left dies immediately when Dutch steps closer to me. His body is hard, lean and sculpted beneath his uniform.

My traitorous heart cartwheels into my ribs. I curl my hands into fists before I do something stupid—like run my hands down his chest to feel every nick of his abs.

His chiseled chin has a bit of stubble on it and it only adds to his rugged good looks when he ducks his head and peers at me through hooded eyes. “Just say yes. You know you want to.”

There’s something darkly magnetic about him, although he’s the least friendly-looking out of the bunch.

And suddenly, I do want to say yes.

I really,reallywant to say yes.

It’s just an assignment, Cadence.

I’d planned to turn in the best work I could for Mulliez. What better way to do that than to work with an actual band who’s been on an actual tour?

My lips curl into a small, hesitant smile. “Okay.”

“Let’s work in the practice room,” Finn says. His voice is quieter and smoother than his brothers, but it’s the deepest one. Like there’s an ocean, no—an entire universe in his chest.

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