Page 99 of Show biz

“I didn’t think it would go that far, the Ahearn brothers are a little unpredictable at times,” Tyler admits. “We just started talking again very recently. They’re even more insane than they used to be.”

“Only the best of us are,” Mav snickers. “My hands are fine, I’m good, and your eye is going to bruise beautifully. In fact, I’m fucking awesome. Someone order barbecue, I’m going to shower.”

Mav saunters to our room without a care in the world, making me stare after him in surprise.

“Twilight Zone,” I grunt, shaking my head.

“Sit down and drink something, I think you’re losing it,” Draven snickers, pushing me toward the couches.

My mind races as I try to figure out how I can get Layla to forgive us. Mav and I are a package deal in my mind. The idea of us coming at this separately doesn’t make any sense to me, so it won’t be happening.

It’s just that simple.

“Did you know Mav was going to be kidnapped?” I ask Draven suddenly, looking up at him. The idea that he could watch me lose my shit and know Tyler’s plan while all the while not telling me makes me spiral.

I’m glad I’m sitting, because otherwise I’d be falling on my ass as the room spins.

“What? Never,” Draven growls, grabbing my face. “You and Mav are soulmates. There’s not an alternate universe in the world where that would ever happen.”

“Okay,” I rasp.

“No, it was all me,” Tyler says, walking over to squat in front of me. “I needed to know you’d be able to move past the bullshit. Granted, it was a bit traumatizing, but neither of you will forget your lesson. I will do anything to make Layla happy, even if it means getting you shitheads to be better people for her. Her songs lately are making me want to kill you two, and I don’t look good in orange.”

Draven lets go of my face, collapsing on the ottoman. Big emotions exhaust him.

“Someone has to keep us in check,” I chuckle. “Be aware that we may not always get it right, but we'll be making an effort from now on.”

“Perfect. Now I need a package of frozen peas for my face and to lay down. One of you fuckers order food,” he grunts, walking to the freezer.

Amused as fuck, I pull out my phone and find a restaurant with good reviews that’ll deliver.

Layla, I hope you’re ready. There’s a whole lot of groveling coming your way, Baby Girl.

Twenty-Three

LAYLA

What was that kiss? It’s hours later and my mouth can still feel the heat of Mav’s lips. Is he still messing with me?

“You’re thinking really hard,” Draven says, kissing my shoulder. I’m hiding in my room with him, because those big, growly men are confusing me. I need space.

“Uh-huh,” I tell him instead. My brain is too chaotic for a conversation right now.

Draven tsks, turning me in his arms to lay on his bare chest. My fingers trace over the black and white tattoos over his arms, focusing on them instead.

“I just want to know one thing,” he says, his fingers running through my hair.

“If I know the answer, then it’s yours,” I say simply.

“Lovely, I don’t think you understand the trust those words imply,” he says softly. “You haven’t known me very long, but you’ve given me so much of yourself. Why?”

“Is that your question?” I ask surprised. I really thought he was going to question me about Tyler’s decision to kidnap Mav, or the ‘kiss’ afterward, or even Mav’s apparent epiphany. Or why Atlas is less of an asshole today?

So many questions. Ugh.

“Damn, you think loud,” Draven laughs. “For now, yes, that’s my question, Chickie. Give me your words?”

My eyes flutter in pleasure at those words. Few people ever ask for them. The world demands them in my lyrics, which is entirely different.

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