Ceaseless (Existence Trilogy #3)(23)

Pagan

Dank was going to think I was an idiot. The lump that had formed in my throat the moment I held the necklace in my hands had been odd. I had to ask about it and he talked about it with such reverence in his voice I couldn’t fight back the sob. My eyes had instantly filled with tears. How crazy was that?

Surprisingly enough he wasn’t calling security to haul me out of here. He was holding me. Was this guy even real? Most guys would have written me off as a lunatic. His arms were tightly wrapped around me. I rested my head back on his chest and enjoyed it. Something was comforting about letting him hold me. I felt safe.

“We go onstage soon. Will you come watch me from the side of the stage? I’d like to be able to look over and see you safely away from the crowd out there. This is one of the wilder clubs we play.”

His protective streak should annoy me. I just met the guy… but it didn’t. I liked it. Had Jay ever been protective? Had anyone ever been protective of me other than my mother?

“Okay. What about Miranda and Gee?” I asked still standing with my back to his chest and his arms firmly around me.

“They can stay too if they like. They’re welcome to walk around or stand with you. Gee knows the out of bounds places.”

That was something I wanted answered. Who was Gee to him? “How do you know Gee? I thought the first time I saw you that you two might be a couple but I’ve figured out that isn’t the case.”

Dank turned me around to face him. “Gee is one of the oldest friends I have.”

That was a weird way of saying it. Did he mean they’d been friends a long time? Like since they were kids? I opened my mouth to ask when the door opened and in came guys that looked like I expected guys in a rock band to look like.

“Fuck man, I was pissed when they told me you threw the blond hottie out, but day-um, Bud, no wonder, if she was busting up this shit.” A guy with long blond dreadlocks pulled back in a ponytail and dark brown eyes rimmed with red as if he’d had very little sleep or maybe smoked a few too many joints, openly appraised me.

“Loose, this is Pagan. She’s with me. Only me.” Dank replied, keeping his hands locked on my waist. “No one goes near her. No one touches her.”

Loose raised his almost completely shaved off eyebrows, “Got it. No sharing of the Dankster’s girl. It’s a damn shame, though, ‘cause she sure is pretty.”

A guy with short spikey unnaturally red hair shoved Loose. “You’re gonna get your ass beat. Back up and shut up. That dude is scary as shit.”

Dank pointed toward the guy who just spoke, “That’s Les. He has the most normal name out of the group. He’s also the other voice.”

“Hello,” I replied not sure what else I was supposed to say.

“She’s all proper and shit. That’s sexy,” Loose replied, winking at me.

A guy with a shaved head and at least fifteen piercings per ear walked up and grabbed Loose by the shoulders, “Get your ass on stage before we are minus one drummer.”

“That is Rubber and please don’t ask,” Dank said as the bald guy nodded and shoved Loose out the door.

“Show time, Dank; let’s go blow this place up.” Les called out as he followed the other two.

“Were they what you expected?” Dank asked looking at me with a worried frown.

“Yes. Exactly what I expected,” I assured him and headed for the door.

“Wait, I forgot to mention something,” he said.

I glanced back at him, “What is that?”

He closed the distance I’d put between us. “I need a good luck kiss.”

Oh my, yes. I could do that. I placed both my hands on his shoulders and leaned up to kiss him swiftly on the mouth. He had other ideas. He pulled my bottom lip into his mouth and sucked gently before slipping his tongue inside to tangle with mine. It was over too soon. He stepped back and took a deep breath.

“Okay. I gotta get out there before I decide they can do this without me and lock that door.”

The giddy feeling over the sexual power that came with his words was surprising. I really liked that he was so attracted to me. But then again what female wouldn’t?

Dank reached down and took my hand as we walked toward the stage entrance. “With a wink, he let go of my hand and stepped out on stage. The smoke consumed him and I had a moment of panic as the memory of being trapped in smoke and having someone rescue me flashed in my memory—but that had never happened.

The drums began beating a foreign tribal sound, and screaming fans quieted down. I watched as Dank walked out from the smoke and into the red spotlight. Something that looked like panties and a couple of bras were slung up onto the stage. That would take some getting use to. Les stepped out into the light next, and Rubber came in last.

The tribal beat grew louder as Loose played the hypnotic sound. The sound of an electric guitar entered the mix and then Dank’s voice joined in.

Danger, Danger running cold

Knowing but fearing just the same

Death comes and yet you don’t let go

Standing while it’s steel bands hold

Don’t walk. Don’t walk where light can not shine

You know the warning has been told

It comes for what is mine and I know it will be so.

Let go, it’s all there is that’s left. Let go your sin has no wrath.