Chapter Fifteen #2
“Yeah,” I bite out. “So tell me what I do, Tyler. Because I don’t have twenty grand sitting around waiting to be thrown at a bookie.”
Tyler doesn’t hesitate. “You pay him.” The bluntness hits like a slap. “Don’t leave it,” he adds, serious now in a way that makes my skin prickle. “You don’t want Vex and his men coming after you. They take their money in blood… yours, or someone you love, if you don’t pay up.”
Nix exhales hard, shaking his head. “What the fuck, Tyler?”
Tyler holds my gaze, and there’s no humour in it. “Pay him, Kaden. Then get out. No more bets, no more quick cash. It’s not worth it.”
My nostrils flare. “And where the hell am I supposed to get that kind of money?”
Brooks’ eyes suddenly go wide as he stares past me. “Uh… holy shit.”
The air shifts behind me.
“Luminous,” Brooks whispers like it’s a prayer, and the three other guys go statue-still.
I turn, and there they are—Luke and the girls, walking up like they belong everywhere they step.
Alana lifts her hand in an easy wave, all warmth and polish. Effa’s eyes are still bright, riding the high of the set like the music is humming under her skin. Kristy’s smile is there too, controlled and deliberate, as though she’s locking herself into performance mode even offstage.
Casey moves with relaxed confidence, shoulders loose, gaze steady, while Andi strides beside her with quiet authority, chin tipped slightly up as if daring the room not to notice her.
Together, they don’t just enter.
They take up space.
The conversation with Tyler dies instantly. Thank fuck.
“Hi, guys,” Alana chirps.
The band doesn’t move for a beat. It’s like their brains stall, their mouths hanging open, eyes wide like they’ve just been dropped into a dream.
“Ah,” I say, because someone has to. “Nix, Tyler, Jesse, Brooks… meet Luminous. And their manager, Luke.”
“Holy shit,” Nix mutters.
Tyler elbows him and shoves forward, completely abandoning the heavy conversation we were having as though it never happened. “I’m Tyler,” he blurts. “Drummer extraordinaire and the awesome one.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Jesse groans, but he’s smiling. “Ignore these idiots. I’m Jesse. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m Brooks,” Brooks adds, tone deadpan. “I’m the normal one. Apologies in advance.”
Effa laughs, stepping in like she always does. “I’m Effa—”
“Nah, we know,” Nix cuts in, suddenly switching into smooth charm like he’s trying to remember how to breathe. “We know all of you. It’s incredible to meet you.”
Effa’s brow lifts, amused. “Well, we’ve been watching your whole set. And honestly? We’re impressed, very impressed.”
Luke clears his throat, stepping forward, and I almost feel the moment he decides to go for it. He glances at me once, quick and subtle, and I give him the smallest nod.
“I’m Luke,” he says. “The girls were mid-tour before we took a break. We’re down one opening band.”
The four guys exchange looks, the kind you give your mates when you’re trying not to get your hopes up too fast.
“Oh?” Nix asks carefully.
Luke’s voice stays calm, professional, like this is just another day at the office. “Are you tied to Ligonier? Or would you be free to trial a tour in a couple of months?”
The silence that follows is thick and stunned.
Tyler breaks it first. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Nix elbows him hard enough to shut him up, then forces a slow nod. “Yeah, we could… make that work. Right, boys?”
Effa turns her glare on Luke. “Do you think maybe we should’ve discussed this?”
He looks at me like he wants backup, so I step in before Effa can go full firecracker.
“Babe,” I say, keeping it steady, keeping it mine. “They’re good guys. The best I know. And I know you’ve got reservations after Swift Division, but these guys aren’t Jett. They’re not those assholes. You can trust me.”
“Aww,” Tyler says, grin sliding back in. “Thanks, man.”
Effa’s eyes flick to mine. She holds my gaze for a long beat, like she’s measuring the weight behind my words. Then she exhales, rolls her eyes, and nods like she’s surrendering to the inevitable. “Fine. But only because Mercs is vouching for them. And only if the girls agree.”
Alana, Kristy, Casey, and Andi all nod, quick and easy, because they felt it too. The talent. The vibe. The potential.
Effa turns back to the band. “It’s settled then. Fort Affliction… do you want to complete the tour with us?”
Luke’s smile is a thing of beauty and pure triumph, but carefully disguised. He winks at me when no one else is looking, and it takes everything in me not to laugh.
Tyler looks like he might explode from excitement, and Nix tries to keep it cool, tries to act like this isn’t the moment their whole life pivots.
“What would the set time be?” Nix asks.
“Forty-five minutes,” Luke answers. “Mercs will handle lighting and crew support. We’ll organise the logistics.”
“And pay?” Nix adds, because he’s smart enough to ask the uncomfortable question.
Effa’s smile turns sharp. “You look after your band?”
“Someone has to,” he says, and Luke hooks an arm around his shoulders like they’ve been mates for years.
“Come on,” Luke says. “Let’s talk contracts.”
As they walk away, Tyler glances back at me.
Just once.
A reminder.
Pay Vex.
The weight in my gut returns, heavier now, because it’s not just about me. It never is, not anymore.
I should tell Effa.
I should.
But the idea of saying the words—I owe money to a bookie—makes my skin crawl. I did it for Kiera. I did it because I was desperate, because I needed a miracle, and now I’m holding a debt that could bleed into everyone I love.
I shove it down.
Not tonight.
Tonight, the girls have a new opening band, and the room is alive again.
I turn back to Effa and the others. “Well,” I say, forcing a smirk into place. “Looks like you’ve got your opening band.”
Effa’s mouth twists. “And why do I feel like you had a hand in all of that?”
I shrug like I’m innocent. “Don’t worry, you’ll get along with them.”
She leans into my side, humming. “It better be, or it’s you we’re coming after, Mercs.”
“Noted,” I murmur, and her grin warms my chest.
Kristy’s eyes follow the guys as they disappear with Luke. “Are they… single?”
Andi and Casey are instantly on her, laughing and throwing jabs.
“You’re transparent,” Andi teases. “The lust is oozing off you.”
Casey sniffs the air dramatically. “I can smell desperation.”
Kristy groans and shoves them. “Shut up.”
“Tyler,” Casey bets.
“Nix,” Andi counters.
Kristy storms off with a huff. “I’m more of a Brooks girl!” she calls over her shoulder, flipping everyone off.
Effa laughs, slanting her hip like she’s enjoying the chaos more than she wants to admit.
Alana steps closer, quieter now, chewing on her lip. “Do you think Luke will do them a good deal?”
Effa shrugs. “They’re unknown. It won’t be Swift Division money. But Luke’s not heartless.”
“I just hope he comes back in a good mood,” Alana murmurs, and then she walks away like she’s said too much.
Effa’s eyes narrow as she watches her go. “What the hell was that?”
I lift a brow. “Alana cares about everyone. That’s who she is.”
Effa huffs. “Still…”
“You’re overthinking.” I curl my fingers through hers. “Let’s enjoy tonight. Tomorrow gets serious again.”
She exhales. “Another drink.”
I take her back to the booth, sliding in beside Donny. Effa is smiling, and the sight of it hits me right in the chest, because she’s here, she’s alive, and for a couple of hours, the world feels like it’s spinning on its right axis.
I stand, suddenly.
Effa’s eyes follow me, confused. “Where are you going?”
“Gonna talk to Donny,” I say with a smirk. “Try to make a good impression.”
“Good luck,” she murmurs, and I kiss her cheek before heading toward her father.
Donny watches me like he’s been waiting before he says, “Hey, kid.”
“Donny.”
He leans back, relaxed in a way I’m not sure I’ll ever manage. “I’m liking this little town of yours. Wish we could stay longer.”
“I do too,” I admit. “I haven’t had much chance to talk to you and Lettie this week.”
He chuckles. “You’ve been taking care of your sister and my baby girl. That matters more.”
The words catch, and I swallow hard. “I’m sorry. For not seeing the signs. For not being there quicker.”
Donny’s hand lands on my back, and then he shakes his head. “From what I hear, you bashed her chest until her ribs caved in. You dragged her back when she was slipping away. You saved her life.”
I blink, a little thrown.
He snorts, rough emotion lacing the sound.
“I look like I want to punch you sometimes because I’m fighting the urge to hug you like a sissy bitch and cry, thanking you.
I look angry because I am angry… at myself.
Because you make me feel like less of a man, and I hate that, even while I’m damn proud of you. ”
My throat thickens. I don’t have an answer for that. I don’t even have words. So I do the only thing that feels right. I lean forward and pull him into a hard hug, the kind men give when they don’t know how to say what they mean.
He hugs me back, tight enough my lungs protest, and for one stupid second, I know what it might have felt like to be held like that growing up.
When I pull back, my eyes burn.
Donny slaps my shoulder. “You’re a good match for her, Kaden. I couldn’t have picked a better man.”
I glance across the pub at Effa, laughing now, her head tilted, her eyes bright, and then I turn back to Donny, my breath heavy, my gaze steady.
“That’s the best thing you could’ve said because I need to ask you something.”