Free His Rock & Roll Girl (Emerald City #2) by Allyson Lindt Page B

This wasn’t about how good they’d been together. It was all about showing her what she’d given up.
    The jangle of his phone jarred him back to the present. The cab driver met his eyes in the rear view mirror. “Is that the new Lionheart single? Love that song, man.”
    Quinn gave him a tight-lipped smile, and clicked ‘Answer.’ He’d loved it too. The first hundred times he’d played it, it had been his favorite song. It was the last time he was using one of his tunes as a ring tone, and he really needed to change it now he was out of his keeper’s grasp. He glanced at the caller ID long enough to see it was his business manager. Speak of the devil. “Morning, boss-lady.”
    “How’s it going so far?” Iris’s tone was cool and professional.
    He rolled his eyes at no one in particular. She hadn’t wanted him to take this trip. Said it was too dangerous with the death threats and all, on top of being a waste of time. She’d almost had a breakdown, when he insisted he was going without bodyguards or a handler, or anyone else. “You know I’m not due in for fifteen minutes.”
    “Oh, right. I got confused with the time difference.”
    Because crossing two time zones made a fifteen minute difference hard to follow.
    Normally her attitude kept them in work, out of court, and on track with their various obligations. But he wasn’t in the mood for her brand of passive-aggressive professionalism this morning. “Of course you wer—” The car pulled into the studio parking lot, and the sight in front of him erased his thoughts. “Fuck me. You’ve got to be kidding.”
    “You okay?” Concern leaked into Iris’s voice.
    Crowds of women, girls, and some men packed the area surrounding the building. So much for keeping this visit a secret. Had someone on his staff told, or were the rumors true, and someone working for Roz was less than discreet? Not that it mattered. What was done was done. “I’m fine. It’s just packed here.”
    “I warned you.”
    “It’s all good.” It wasn’t, really. He’d hoped for some peace and quiet for this reunion. It was part of the reason he’d made the trip alone, instead of waiting until they were in town on tour. But it was what it was.
    “It’s not all good. What about the threats?” Of course she had to bring those up.
    “I’ll be fine. They’re just from some crazy kid, talking to be heard.”
    “Quinn—”
    “Iris. I’ll be fine.” He kept her from pushing for more, by saying a quick goodbye.
    The moment the car door opened, screams pierced his ears. Some people hated the crowds, but he didn’t. The attention dragged a smile to his face. He pushed through the throngs, waving, shaking hands. The brief moment refreshed him. None of these people were a threat. Iris was worried over nothing.
    The door opened for him the moment he reached it, and swung shut quickly behind him.
    “It locks automatically.” A familiar voice obliterated the rest of his morning, and he spun to face her. “They won’t follow you in,” she said.
    “Zee, baby.” His smile grew. She didn’t look at all like he expected. It was true he’d known she’d still be beautiful, but the clothing wasn’t her at all. At least not the Roz he knew. Her cream-colored skirt and matching jacket hugged every curve perfectly, and the wine top underneath had an extra button undone, teasing him with just a glimpse of her round, full breasts.
    A twinge of something he couldn’t name rolled inside. He was here to make amends, not rekindle an old flame. So why didn’t the slight ache in his chest want him to look away?
    “You look gorgeous.” He stepped forward, rested his hands on her shoulders, and kissed her on the cheek.
    She stepped back and slid her palm into his in a handshake instead. “Mr. Blaydes.”
    “Really?” He kept his pleasant expression intact. He traced a finger down her arm, gaze locked on hers. “After what we shared, and that’s all I get?”
    “It’s been