Page 175 of Play Dirty (Brooklyn Dawn 1)

The blond didn’t blink. “You remember. I’m touched.”

Jamie and I exchanged a look. Uh-oh.

“Um, excuse me, but who the fuck are you?” Jamie asked when no one spoke.

“He just said her name was Daisy fucking Flannigan.” Teagan cleared her throat. “Nice to meet you, Daisy.”

Daisy was still fixated on Oz, and the condition appeared to be mutual. “Likewise.”

“Genie quit,” Lila said without preamble. “Daisy applied to work at Ripper Records some time ago, and as we were going through our contacts, her name came up. She’s worked on off-Broadway plays and also has a couple of years experience at Allure salon in the city, who caters to an upscale clientele that includes models and up-and-comers. She’s also Noah’s cousin, so she’s been well-vetted.”

“Second cousin,” Daisy said. “By marriage.”

“Well, Daisy Flannigan, second cousin by marriage to Noah, I’m Jamie. I play guitar. I don’t like to be fussed with and know how I look best. Stay off my ass and I bet we will be fast friends.” Jamie flashed her a smile and a wave down the table that was about as friendly as Jaws at a meet and greet.

“No.”

All of our heads swiveled to Oz, who not only had not taken his seat again but was now staring at Daisy as if he expected horns and a devil tail to sprout with her next breath.

“She’s not working on the tour. I don’t care who else you get. Hire someone off the damn street. I’ll shave my head and that will be one fewer to worry about.”

Jamie snorted. “Yeah, right, Rapunzel. That hair gets you laid ninety-nine percent of the time.”

But Oz wasn’t paying any attention to her. He’d pivoted to stare at Lila, who appeared to be either meditating or hoping to be beamed up at any moment.

I couldn’t say I blamed her.

“She’s flaky,” he said. “Can’t be counted on. She has a rough history and shouldn’t be trusted with—”

“If I have a rough history, I shared it with your sister. And maybe I moved past it. Did that ever occur to you? Or do you just want to cling to your snap judgments, Caveman?”

“Oh, snap. We turned the dial and landed on the Jerry Springer channel.”

I was pretty sure I was the only one who heard Jamie. Even she didn’t seem to have her usual zeal at witnessing unfolding drama.

We all knew about Oz’s past with his sister. He rarely spoke about it. If this new woman was somehow tied to what he’d gone through, she was a potential problem we did not need—whether or not she’d overcome her past. If Oz didn’t want her here, he had a right to voice his opinion.

Oz didn’t acknowledge Daisy. “She can’t do it. She can’t work on this tour.”

Lila released a long breath. “I respect your concerns, Oz, but Noah just explained to you our new vetting process. We’ve already dedicated resources to making sure Daisy is a good fit for not only Brooklyn Dawn, but the other bands she will be working with when you’re off the road. She’s staying.”

Oz sat down again without a word.

“Still gonna cut your hair? Can I do it?”

He flipped Jamie the bird.

“What? I have half a cosmetology certificate.” She sighed and sat back. “Look, we have soundcheck. Is this over yet?”

It wasn’t then, but the meeting concluded soon after. Before we left, Jamie tugged me aside. “Just tell me what you want me to do to him. I don’t mind blood.”

As if she needed to tell me that.

I took a deep breath. “Let me get back to you on that.”

“You gonna be okay for the show tonight?”

“Of course.” I forced myself to smile. “Making beautiful music is the best revenge.”

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