Diminished (Winter's Wrath Book 2)

by Bianca Sommerland

  Off to the side, Malakai stood holding his guitar by the neck, his eyes on Sophie. The man rubbed one hand over his closely shaved hair, then let it fall in a fist at his side.

  Had Sophie done something to piss him off? He’d been all onboard with her plan to replace Danica. Had the agent changed her mind?

  That would make Alder happy. Brave had no idea what Malakai had against their dancer, but fuck him. He’d get over it.

  Striding up to the stage, Brave grabbed his mic and let out a low growl, smirking when almost everyone in the room jumped. He cleared his throat. “Sorry, just warming up.”

  “Asshole.” Malakai muttered before pulling his guitar strap over his shoulder. He glanced at Sophie one last time, then came over to take his place on ‘stage’.

  With everyone in place, Brave began their set, starting with their new cover of Ed Sheeran’s Sing. He hadn’t been a huge fan until he’d heard his brother singing the song all slow and seductive to Danica.

  After that, he must have listened to the song a hundred times, trying to figure out how to put an edge to it. Brave usually stuck to lyrics, then told Alder and Malakai what sound he was going for. They worked their magic and music was born.

  With the cover, he’d heard the melody so clearly in his head, cut down, deepened to a twisted, seductive tone. He sang it once for them with no music, asking Alder to take the chorus because he had the smooth quality they needed.

  A week later they recorded the song. The day it came out it was playing everywhere. Topping charts like crazy.

  For the first time, the band truly came together. Everyone was happy. Danica had a new routine that had her gliding across the stage and grinding low in a way that made the fans drool. Watching her prompted Brave to create a silent new mantra.

  ‘Off limits. So fucking off limits. Damn hot, but stay far, far away.’

  He’d noticed Malakai and Connor adjusting themselves after the first performance, so he didn’t feel too bad.

  Halfway to the chorus, he braced himself for Danica’s entrance. Movement caught the corner of his eye even as she slinked up to his side. He glanced over and his mouth went dry.

  Mirroring Danica’s moves, dipping low with one hand barely brushing his thigh, was a vision of exquisite beauty so pure he wondered for a minute if he was dreaming. A sleek spill of black hair with a hint of moonlit ocean blue. Pale flesh with a touch of gold. And her eyes…he could write amazing lyrics about her eyes. Which had to be the sappiest thing he’d ever considered, but he couldn’t shake the dizzying high that had him staring into them.

  Like a star sapphire with true light trapped in the core, slowly fading to darkness before spilling out around it. And that light drew him in. Came from something deeper, beyond anything he could see. Her brief touch simmered through him and the whole world tilted on its axis. She locked her beautiful eyes on him for a split second, letting out a sharp breath as though she felt the shift too.

  Fuck, this was crazy. He tried to focus on the song as Alder finished the chorus. Drawing away from Brave in a sharp spin, the girl lost her balance on her spiked heels. He dropped the mic to catch her.

  The loud feedback SCREECH! of the mic hitting the floor snapped his brain back into reality. Where he was wide awake and everyone was holding their hands over their ears, glaring at him.

  He looked down at the young woman in his arms, the way she trembled, face hidden against his chest, like ice water thrown in his face. She was fucking terrified, and at first, he couldn’t figure out why. All he’d done was keep her from falling.

  Then his brain decided to function again. She was ‘the replacement’. The girl who’d take over for Danica.

  But only if she proved herself here. Now.

  And because of him, she’d failed.

  Which he should want. Her failure gave Danica another reason to stay. To reject all the offers and be where Alder needed her.

  Checking that the girl was steady on her feet, Brave eased back. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and swallowed hard.

  He looked over to Reese, who’d approached the ‘stage’, lips thin.

  “Is there a problem with the routine, Shiori?”

  Shiori shook her head. “No. I just—”

  “I tripped her.” Brave cursed internally as all eyes turned to him. Damn it, what kind of excuse was that? He rolled his shoulders, scrambling for something that made more sense. “I’m used to one chick all over me. Two takes some adjustment, but I’ve managed before.”

  “Charming.” Reese frowned at him. “I didn’t see you anywhere near her feet.”

  “I kicked her heel. Fuck, we doing this or what? I messed up. I’m a singer, not a dancer.” He glanced over at Shiori. “Sorry about that.”

  Shiori’s lips parted. Then closed. She gave him a little smile that warmed his heart. “It’s okay. I’m not used to dancing around so many people. I should have stepped farther away.”

  “No harm.” Brave met Reese’s eyes, brows lifted. “Should we start again?”

  “Do S.L.U.T.” Reese sounded pissed, but she simply returned to her place against the wall by Danica’s agent, Sophie.

  S.L.U.T was even worse than the routine for Sing. Most of the moves involved Danica dancing close to all the guys, and she put a different spin on it for almost every show now that she knew how to work the crowd. Shiori stuck with the original choreography, and he struggled to keep his eyes off her as she danced around the stage. The first time she came to him, grinding against him, careful not to actually touch him, he fucked up his breathing and went off-key.

  No one seemed to notice. He took a few deep breaths during the guitar solo, pulse pounding in his ears as Shiori and Danica shimmied up against his brother. Alder divided his attention between them well, performing with ease and smiling like he enjoyed their touch.

  The next growl Brave let out was a bit too low. A bit too real. Alder shouldn’t be messing with the girl. He’d fuck this up for her. Or make Danica jealous. Danica didn’t look jealous, but the chick was weird. She shared Alder with Jesse. Maybe adding Shiori to the mix was the next step in their twisted relationship.

  Not my problem. Finish the damn song.

  That he could do. He needed it to end.

  But he’d forgotten what came next. Danica didn’t kiss him during this song anymore. Her coming close then dancing away was enough.

  Pressing against him, Shiori pulled his arm around her, smoothly guiding him into his part of the routine. But the next move was his. He ground his teeth, not sure if he should follow through. Her touching him had fucked him up once already. Which made things harder for her. And for some reason he wanted her to pass this test. To impress Reese. Impress the band.

  Could she continue if he finished as he was supposed to? If he kissed her?

  “Please?” Leaning back, forcing him to hold her, Shiori gazed up at him, whispering. “Please finish it.”

  Bending down he brushed his lips over hers, kissing her as the final chords faded away. The heat, the soft pressure, her little gasp, called to him. A taste wasn’t enough. She was so damn sweet. So tempting.

  Giving in would be easy. Taking everything he wanted nothing more than he’d always done. He tightened his grip, flicking his tongue over her bottom lip. Her lips parted and he knew he could have it all. Taste her, pull her close until she could feel everything he wanted from her.

  But they weren’t alone. And this was as much of a test for him as it was for her. Not that anyone expected any better from him, but he needed to prove he’d changed. That the man they thought they knew was gone.

  The man he was trying to be wouldn’t screw things up for her. Not for the pleasure. Not even for his brother. Alder wouldn’t want to force Danica’s hand. Not like this.

  Smiling against Shiori’s lips, Brave spoke softly, hoping he hadn’t already gone too far. “I’m impressed.”

  Shiori frowned as he helped her straighten and drew away. “Why?”

  �
�Danica slapped me the first time we did that move.”

  “Oh. I didn’t think of that.” She blushed and smoothed her little red pleated skirt. “Was it okay?”

  “Very okay.” Lucky for him, she didn’t seem very experienced. If she’d been trying to mess with him, he’d be done for. As it was, her innocence was tearing him to shreds. That outfit shouldn’t be legal.

  Aside from the tiny skirt, she wore a tight, white corset with a big, blue bow between her breasts that made him think of a show he’d seen, but couldn’t remember. Either way, her long legs and her pale breasts swelling above the neckline of her shirt were spoiling all his good intentions.

  Also, they both seemed to have forgotten they had an audience.

  “Danica wasn’t a fan. And she clearly knows how to handle you.” Reese sounded even more pissed off than before. “Sophie, this isn’t going to work.”

  “Why? Because she has good chemistry with him? Reese, I’ve never known you to be this short sighted.” Sophie walked up to the stage, and Brave tensed at the excitement in her eyes. “So far Danica and Alder are the only two I’ve been able to truly shop out for ads. We’ve both been trying to find a way to use Brave more, but his reputation has made him unsuitable for most brands. For a moment he looked almost…sweet.”

  “Sweet?” Reese wrinkled her nose. “Metal and sweet don’t mix. With Alder it works. He can play the dark hero with his beautiful lover. If it sells perfume and brings income to the band, fine. But Brave being the cold, unapproachable lead keeps them hardcore.”

  “The music keeps them hardcore.” Sophie faced Reese, hand on her hips. “I thought you were willing to explore any possible exposure.”

  “I am. But I also have to consider their image. We don’t want to alienate fans by coming across as sellouts.” Reese shook her head. “Brave, I know S.L.U.T is about ditching negativity toward female sexuality, but it’s not a love song. I’d almost prefer her slapping you.”

  “I’m sure she can slap me if that’s what you need.” Brave latched onto Shiori’s wrist. “Here, sweetie. Slap me now so we can continue.”

  Shiori’s eyes went wide. “Now?”

  “Yes. Now.” Reese’s tone sharpened. “Because at this point all I see is a star-struck little girl who won’t make it a week in the metal scene. I’m not willing to sign on a child who will run crying the second things get rough. And believe me, they will get rough. And violent. The crowd won’t be sweet.”

  “Kiss her again, Brave.” Malakai came to his side, voice hard, grip tight on his guitar. “Kiss her like you kissed Danica. Like you don’t care what she wants.”

  What the actual fuck? Brave stared at Malakai. The man who’d wanted to kill him for doing shit like that. For using people. People like Tate, who’d been ready and willing.

  But still someone Malakai needed to protect from all of Brave’s fucked up shit. From his self-destructive attitude, when he did whatever he wanted without considering the consequences. Without a thought of who he’d hurt.

  Brave knew he’d been an asshole. He’d almost destroyed the band. For months he’d been fighting to leave all that behind him.

  And now the man wanted him to go back there?

  “Don’t look at me like that.” Malakai glared at him. “This isn’t about you.”

  Malakai was right. And while the rest of the band had checked out, ignoring the whole exchange, Malakai was the only one willing to tell him what he needed to do.

  Because for some reason Malakai wanted Shiori to succeed

  And whether or not Brave should, he did too.

  Reese had a point. If Shiori couldn’t take him being his old self, the metal scene would bury her alive. He couldn’t protect her from it. And pretending he could wouldn’t do her any favors.

  Letting the cold, detached emotions that had once been so familiar settle over him, he lifted his hand and wrapped it around the back of Shiori’s neck, dragging her close.

  And just to make sure she had plenty of motivation, he whispered softly against her lips. “Whatever they think, I don’t care. The way you touched me told me everything I need to know. You’re desperate to be fucked. And when this is over, I’m all yours.”

  He claimed her lips in a rough kiss, closing himself off from any feelings. From how careful he wanted to be. From how she whimpered at the brutal pressure. From how she struggled to twist free.

  Her hand slammed into his chest. She threw her head back.

  But instead of slapping him she nailed him with a swift punch.

  Letting her go, he brought one hand to his eye. Blood slicked his fingers.

  Chicks and their damn rings.

  Her lips formed a wide O, but before she could say a word Danica grabbed her by the shoulder. Whispered something in her ear.

  Shiori squared her shoulders and turned her back on him.

  Good girl.

  “I stand corrected.” A huge smile spread across Reese’s lips. “That was… Damn, imagine that live?”

  How about no? Brave pressed his palm over his eye as the blood continued to flow and everyone kept talking. Reese called for a short break and took off with Sophie. Alder followed Danica and Jesse as they led Shiori out.

  A heavy hand settled on his shoulder. “Come on, let me take a look.”

  Brave let Malakai lead him to a chair, not sure what to say. Of all the guys Malakai was the last person he’d expect to give a fuck that he was bleeding. The man was honest about how he felt about Brave.

  They weren’t friends. Hadn’t been in a long time.

  “Shit, that was so fucked up!” Tate crouched in front of Brave, glancing at his eye with a wince when Brave lowered his hand. “She got you good.”

  “Yeah.” Brave tipped his head back, ignoring the dull throb and the warm spill forcing him to keep one eye closed. “I guess being a complete dick pays off.”

  Coming to his side, suddenly shirtless, Malakai held something against the cut. “Sorry. I thought we’d have a towel or something. Tate, go get the med kit from the van.”

  “On it!” Tate scampered off.

  Malakai’s darkly tanned, bare chest filled Brave’s vision. Fuck, the man was ripped. Not bulky like Connor, but every inch of him was carved with sharp definition. He folded his shirt over to look at the cut. “Damn. What did you say to her?”

  “That I could tell she was desperate to be fucked.” Brave bit into his tongue as Malakai pressed down hard. “Ease up, man. I didn’t mean it.”

  With a deep breath, Malakai eased the pressure over his eye. “I know.”

  “Good.” Brave exhaled slowly. “I like her. She’s…she seems nice.”

  “I think so too.” Malakai’s lips thinned. The sleek muscles of his shoulders hardened. “But you have to be careful with her. She’s walking on thin ice. Reese wants someone to take Danica’s place, but I think she’s looking for someone who will just look pretty up there. She talks a good game, but she doesn’t want another performer with other options.”

  “Then why go to Sophie? Danica’s agent doesn’t hire shallow cookie cutter chicks.”

  “Yeah, but Reese wants to keep Danica. Think of it. Even if Danica has other things going on, every time she comes back will be a big deal. While she’s gone we put on a great show with a decent backup.” Malakai checked the cut again. Took a knee at Brave’s side while still applying pressure. “The backup can’t overshadow the band’s ‘image’. She can’t be important enough to get too much attention.”

  “I’m missing something. I thought Reese wanted another success story to play on.”

  “Maybe she does, but she also doesn’t want to pay for another well-established model. She can’t have Danica and another star.” Malakai shrugged. “I could be wrong, but I think she sees something in Shiori. Something special. She’d rather lose her now than pay for her later.”

  “But you want her to stay.”

  “I do.”

  Brave considered Malakai, not sure what to make of t
hem being on speaking terms. He hardly knew the man anymore. To him, the bassist was the guy who wrote the music and acted like Tate’s guard dog. He had a fucking temper and when the band started had spent the night in jail a few times for fighting in bars.

  They’d been cool back then. Hell, Brave had jumped into the fights a few times, even the ones Malakai started over stupid shit. They drank and smoked together. Picked up girls and ran a little wild.

  But when Brave drew away from Alder, Malakai became distant. No huge surprise there. He wasn’t just protective of Tate. He had this thing for stepping up for anyone he thought needed him in their corner.

  Brave never had.

  The girl, however, would easily fit into the bassist’s hero complex. His concern could be all noble and pure. But what if he had alternative motives to get Brave out of the way?

  “She’s about Tate’s age I think.” Brave kept his tone light, like they were discussing the weather or the pit stops along their route. “This has to be overwhelming for her.”

  “Ya think?” Malakai shook his head. “I saw her on the bus yesterday. She gave Tate some candy while he was craving a high bad. She’s gonna have trouble fitting in, but she’s got a good heart. If she stays I’ll keep an eye on her.”

  So far so good, but not enough. Time to stop beating around the bush. “So you don’t want to fuck her?”

  Malakai dropped the bloody shirt and straightened, his eyes narrowing as he stared down at Brave. “What the actual fuck, man?”

  “It’s an honest question.”

  Letting out a cold laugh, Malakai inclined his head. “From you? Guess it is. Tate should be back soon. He can patch you up.”

  “You’re not gonna warn me to keep my hands off him?” Brave knew he was pushing, but he couldn’t help it. Malakai hadn’t answered. The fucker had forced Brave to do something that would make Shiori hate him, while keeping his own hands clean.

  And now he was gonna play like Brave was the asshole?

  Fuck that noise.

  The look Malakai gave him chilled him to the bone. Leaning close, one hand on the back the chair, his lips brushed Brave’s ear as he spoke. “Keep testing me. I dare you.”