Page 78 of Play Fast (Brooklyn Dawn 2)

As soon as Daisy was out of earshot, she whistled. “She could’ve sterilized you with her eyes. Hope you’re wearing a cup.”

My attention diverted to the door and the reporters outside it. Noah had herded Daisy past them, doing his job without creating more of a scene or causing blood loss.

Thinking of her first, not his own battered ego. Probably because Chuckles didn’t have a battered ego. He seemed at peace with his lot in life.

As was I. Minus not having my family with me and being alone. By choice mostly, until Daisy had slammed back into my world and reminded me I didn’t have to be.

That some memories didn’t have to hurt. At least the better ones from the distant past.

The current ones? Hurt like a damn bitch.

“Look, I know you guys had a rough time this weekend.” Jamie rubbed a hand over her jaw. “That guy who broke in, he hurt Daisy, didn’t he?”

“He stabbed her.”

“It would’ve been so much worse if you hadn’t been there. If you hadn’t pummeled the shit out of him.” She lightly punched my shoulder. “Good job, slugger. Just save it for the bad guys and not the tabloids. Those dudes are cockroaches, but we aren’t allowed to stomp on them.”

“I didn’t do enough. She shouldn’t have been alone in the first place.”

“Oh, because you’re Batman, right? And psychic to boot? Must be a burden, having so many superhero qualifications.”

I flexed my busted-up hand—twice busted in one weekend, although somehow I hadn’t registered much from the first fight in my concern about Daisy. The flash of pain centered me as I looked away from Jamie, narrowing my eyes at the ghosted words still coming through the paint. The painter had already done a coat, but the graffiti had clearly been done with spray paint so the words weren’t fully obliterated.

Slut.

Bitch.

Cunt.

“Kids, huh? Seem pretty fucking nasty. Sure something bigger isn’t going on here?” I stared hard at Sarah. “We all have bodyguards now, but what about the crew? What about the ones who work with us? What if one of these so-called pranks gets someone seriously hurt? Like Daisy already was?”

“So, you really think that’s part of this?”

“I think sometimes people are collateral damage.” And I’d be damned if Daisy got hurt any more because of me.

Maybe staying away from her was the wisest thing I could do for more reasons than one. If members of my band were being targeted, the further away from me Daisy was, the better.

For a second, Jamie looked uncharacteristically worried. “Lila mentioned a band meeting, but she got called away for something. I’m assuming we’ll have it later in the week.”

“Right, so she can tell us more about nothing.” I glanced at Sarah. “The people she hires are much the same. Even if Daisy could use the protection more than me. They didn’t catch the supposed kids who did this?”

Both women remained silent.

“They also didn’t nab the guy who broke into my place yet. If this is really some big conspiracy, shouldn’t she be guarded?”

Sarah pursed her lips. From her expression, I had a feeling that had already been discussed. “Noah will keep an eye on her.”

Lindsey clapped her hands, summoning us.

Jamie’s gaze sharpened. “Yes, all the big, strong men must protect our Daisy.”

The unusual show of jealousy from Jamie had me raising a brow as I picked up my guitar case. “I’m going to get ready for rehearsal. Tell Lindz I’ll be back in five.”

Sarah led the way to the dressing room.

“Seriously? Am I going to be allowed to take a piss alone?”

“Absolutely.” She tapped a series of numbers on the door’s keypad before opening the door. Then she stepped in first, making me roll my eyes.

---