Page 87 of Scars of the Sun

“What about you?” He gestured toward the stage, where the lights had been turned on to full blast, and those around us had gone lower. People moved toward the stage, getting closer or making sure they were settled with an acceptable view. My heart pattered with the anticipation that I’d see Río in his element once again.

I shifted in my seat, recrossing my legs and throwing my braid over my other shoulder. “Um, yeah.” I said as someone began to emerge and a round of cheering started up. A touch more quietly, I followed, “My mate is one of the guitarists.” Naming what he was to me felt so good, and Delaney’s wide eye and squeal of delight made it even sweeter.

I was no longer just rich girl or princess. I was Río’s.Hisprincess.

Six months ago, I would’ve slit my own throat for wanting to gush about such a cringey term of endearment. But who knew that it would feel so amazing? Not just powerful and sexy but safe as well. And when he kissed my scars…

Río emerged from backstage with the rest of the band, guitar already slung over his shoulders. The little braids I’d put in his hair were brushing against his cheekbones as he took his spot beside Tyler, the vampire I was coming around to feeling was a friend, too. Well, a good acquaintance, at least. The darkness that surrounded him was death two times over, and though it was small on my now growing list of reasons, the thought of himhandling my body if I tried to off myself again was enough of a deterrent.

I had to give it to Tyler, though. It worked for him as he prowled to the microphone, grungy makeup hardening the babyfaced features I’d seen at the skate spot and his home.

The Concrete Executioners didn’t introduce themselves to the crowd with words but a reverberating string of deep, growly notes from my Río.

The rest of the members joined in, filling the bar with harsh, heavy music that I felt in my bones. Tyler’s low, scratchy voice started soft but turned into a commanding boom that melded so perfectly with Río, Brody, and Jess’s playing.

Not that I was really taking in much of the music. Río’s hands were their own work of art, flying and strumming with long fingers that’d been everywhere on my body. His foot, clothed in a thick black boot, tapped along with Jess’s work on the drums, and with the chorus of the song swelling with Tyler’s screams, Río threw his head back, letting the music pour out of him.

As it ended, he looked right at me, bottom lip clenched by his teeth. He winked and grinned at whatever expression I wore on my face. For all I knew, I was drooling or staring with my tongue lolling out of my mouth. Ass.

The song started to come to an end, and Delaney’s playful shaking of my shoulder drew my attention. He leaned in and spoke close to my ear, “Oh my lord, isthatyour mate?”

His excited smile lit up his whole face, and I felt my heart flip with pride in my Jaguar. My lips quivered with my battling urges to beam and keep my face flat. When I nodded quickly, I knew I’d lost to the former. “He is.”

Delaney gave me a happy squeeze before resting his arm on the tabletop. He gave me his attention while the band rolled into another song. “Tell me everything from the beginning again! I’m so happy for you!”

Hopefully the heat on my face wasn’t visible. There was no way I could go into full detail of how we’d first got together with my sunny friend. No matter if he looked like sex on a stick at this event. The sultry curl of his lashes and lingering stares of people around us didn’t change the innocence that shone in his eyes.

So, I decided to skip over the explicit stuff, starting in a stilted, gushing rhythm. When I glanced back toward the stage, Río was still watching me, but his sexy and carefree posture had hardened. I arched a brow, unsure what had changed. Maybe he’d messed up the song? Or been irritated that I’d been speaking with Delaney instead of directing all of my attention to him?

I sped through the rest of our story to Delaney who responded with enthusiastic noises and exclamations, and while I answered his follow up questions, I kept my body and eyes angled toward the stage. Unease churned in my stomach at the switch in Río’s demeanor, and the urge to question him about it left me feeling antsy.

Luckily, there were two other bands playing the local show, so Río and Tyler’s band’s set was fairly short. Their last song garnered a resounding roar of cheers and applause, mine and Delaney’s joining in.

I watched Río stomp off stage, his back so straight that I could almost see his muscles tight beneath the fabric of his t-shirt. What the hell was going on in his head? I’d witnessed some of his moments, but nothing this quick and without a clear explanation.

Bar chatter increased while people spoke or made their way to get drinks before the next set. I’d still been nursing my beer, and Delaney wasn’t drinking at all. There was nothing to do but wait until Río came out here and I could pull him away to ask what was wrong. If he didn’t leave altogether. Would he do that?Shit.

My friend sighed, chin resting in his palm, “You’re so lucky, Ramona. A great family and a new mate. Maybe your good luck will rub off on me.”

It took me a moment to catch back up to what he was saying while completely unaware of the turmoil that was whirring around in my chest. “Ah, I guess. It’s still new, but?—”

“Hey, beautiful.” I knew that voice, but it was the wrong one. Tyler sidled up to our table, still shorter than Delaney even while he was seated. My friend looked back at me, frowned, then turned to Tyler.

His jaw clenched, and he straightened in his seat. The gentle guy surprised me again, features hardening in a way I would’ve never expected. “She’s taken,” Delaney turned back and blocked me from Tyler’s view.

Oh good grief, he was cute. And so unaware, because Tyler definitely knew I was Río’s, and his hungry eyes hadn’t even been on me.

Though he was normally the quiet, brooding shadow to Río’s more lighthearted one, he was completely undeterred. If anything, he looked even closer to eating Delaney whole.

Before I could inform my friend what was actually happening, Tyler did it for me. He leaned an arm onto our table, grabbed Delaney’s jaw, and turned his head back towards him. “Not talking to her. Let me buyyoua drink.”

My friend’s Adam’s apple bobbed while his face pinched in confusion. Vampire scents were weird, less distinct than other creatures. Maybe because they were technically dead, I couldn’t parse out Tyler’s emotions, but I didn’t really need the ability with the lust written all over his face.

“You want to buymea drink?” Delaney squeaked.

Tyler smirked and caressed his thumb on Delaney’s face. “That’s right, baby boy.”

“Um…” my friend glanced back at me with uncertainty, and I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring thumbs up.