Page 76 of Revolt

“I do. Are they lyrics?” He leans down. “They are good.”

I grin proudly. “You bet they are. My girl’s a rockstar.”

* * *

DAL

“He’s not answering.” I shrug at Raffiel. “His phone’s off too.”

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” he snaps, pacing angrily. “And where the fuck is my footage of this loser?”

“It takes time,” Astro says as he munches on popcorn, watching Raffiel lose his shit. He always gets like this on missions, especially if he doesn’t like the results, but this is personal now.

“When we get the information, do you want me to handle it?” I ask carefully. He doesn’t like it when I offer to kill people so openly, but why else would he be obtaining information on this asshole?

“I’ll decide,” he mutters, rubbing his face. “Astro, I want that footage, and I want it now.”

We hear footsteps, and Raff narrows his gaze on us. “We say nothing,” he orders just as Reign stops in the door. She freezes as we all swing our gazes to her.

“Uh, is everything okay?” She cocks her head.

“Everything is fine, beautiful,” Astro replies. “Just a team meeting to sort out some new measures,” he says, but I can see the tightness in his shoulders. He hates lying to her. I can usually lie without thought, but when she glances at me to see my reaction, I find myself unable to do so and betray her like that.

Raffiel’s voice covers for me as I frown.

“Just work,” he promises. “How’s writing going, baby?”

“Fine.” She shrugs, looking at me once more. She sees too much. “I just have to finish this verse and then I’ll send it to Jack. I was thinking about going out tonight—not a club or even a party, but maybe for a nice meal. What do you think? I’ve been working a lot recently, and when the album comes out, I’ll be on tour, so I might as well enjoy it while I can.”

“Sounds great. Anywhere in particular?” Raff asks smoothly.

“I’ll have a think. I thought you all might like to go. Not as work but . . .” Blowing out a breath, she smiles. “Fuck, as a date, okay?”

“Beautiful, I would love nothing more.” Astro grins widely.

Date? That’s serious, right? I have never dated, so I wouldn’t know, but it seems important. However, if she thinks we are anything other than together, then she has another thing coming.

“Of course, baby,” Raff purrs. “I would love to.”

“Dal?” she queries.

“You’re the boss.”

She winces, looking away, and I want to kick myself. Fuck, I really can’t lie to her, and it has messed me up. “Right,” she drawls. “I forgot.” She leaves.

Fuck!

Ignoring Raffiel and Astro, I head after her, refusing to let her be angry at me. I don’t want her to think I don’t want to go out with her either.

She’s practically running down the hall, and I catch her between the stairs and the door.

“Reign.”

She turns to me wearing that fake fucking smile on her face she uses for paparazzi photos. I hate that it’s aimed at me. I never want that. I want all of her, especially the pieces no one else ever gets.

“Wait.”

“No, it’s fine, Dal. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that.”

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