The Broken Note (Redwood Kings, #3)

by Nelia Alarcon

“Am I heading into a fight?” Dutch stares straight ahead. “What?” I ask distractedly. “How many of them will I need to take out? If it’s more than five, I’ll have to call my brothers.” His eyes shift to me. “I’m not a ninja.” His words are so ridiculous that a small smile trembles my lips. “You think I’m going to fight someone?” “You have that look in your eyes,” he says, returning his attention to the road. “It’s that face you make when you’re going to shatter someone’s world.” My eyebrows hike. “I do?” He nods. “It’s hot as hell.”

Jerking my eyes away, I mutter, “It’s better if you don’t ask questions.” “Fine. But I don’t want you throwing the first punch. You’ve already got a scarred heel from those shoes you wore and now your arms are scratched. The next person who bruises your body is not going to survive.” My eyes narrow. It genuinely sounds like he would kill someone for me. Possessive bastard. “That isn’t funny.” Amber eyes meet mine. Still. Determined. A predator’s eyes. “Who said I’m joking?”

She laughs softly. “I was honestly surprised when I heard she wanted to leave it all to someone in my family. I believed she would dispose it to charity, not out of goodwill but out of spite.” “Dad doesn’t deserve it.” I glance at mom. “Is the only qualifier to have a baby? Because one of us can get that done in nine months flat.” Mom smacks me in the back of the head. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell the three of you. You or Zane would be foolish enough to impregnate a poor girl just to piss off your father. Finn’s the only one who would stay out of trouble.” “That’s not true,” I mumble, rubbing the back of my head. “Finn would find a loophole and adopt a kid so he could qualify in two months instead of one year.”

At this point, I’m absolutely done. “Go to hell,” I snarl. Suddenly, Dutch rolls over me and jams his massive body between my legs. My back crashes into the stair when his weight presses on top of me. He smirks and grazes my lips with his, sweeping across my face until he’s at my ear. “I already told you, Cadey. If I’m going to hell, I’m dragging you there with me.”

“I think Dutch should go big. Plan a trip to France. Take her right up to one of those romantic Ferris Wheel rides and propose to her up there. Girls love that crap.” “On top of a Ferris wheel, where she can’t run away?” I rub my chin. “I like it.” “First, you have to get her on a plane to Paris,” Finn points out. Zane and I exchange looks. We both open our mouths at the same time but, before we can blurt out what we’re thinking, Finn says, “If you say you’ll ‘kidnap her’, I’m going to cut your guitar strings.”

I was so sure I was right. So sure he was the villain he’s always presented himself to be. But when there are villains everywhere you turn, no one can be trusted.

“One day, you’re going to be honest with me, Cadence Cooper.” “Why should I?” He closes the distance between us and kisses me. His tongue practically burns as it slides between my lips, making room for all the lashing, uncontrollable emotions he sparks to life. Fire races through my belly, making my sore insides demand more. Demand everything. Dutch eases back just enough to whisper over my lips, “Because you and me, we’re—” “Damaged?” His fingers trace my lips. “Inevitable.”

“People don’t fake their own deaths for the fun of it, Cadey.” Jinx’s video keeps pressing at the back of my mind. Dutch is choosing the worst time to talk about this. “It’s not your problem,” I grind out. “Of course it’s my problem. Everything that concerns you is my problem.” I stiffen at his possessive tone. “Don’t think what happened on the hill means anything’s changed. You and I are still mortal enemies.” “You screw all your mortal enemies?” he asks, cocking a brow at me. He has a point.

I see Cadence’s slight smile and my heart seizes in my chest. This girl can kill me. It’s a real and persistent threat. I’d rip my heart out of my own chest and offer it to her on a silver platter just to see her freaking eyes light up when I walk in the room. Just like they are now.

“You can’t hide it. Leaving him devastated you and the more you pretend you’re fine, the less believable it is.” “I am fine.” “You’re not eating. You’re not sleeping. And your music—” “What about my music?” I snap. “Every note sounds like you’re calling his name. If you need someone that much, then you shouldn’t be running away.” He lifts his chin. “You should fight for what you love.” “It’s not that simple,” I croak. “Since when has love ever been simple?” Hunter’s lips curve into a sad, pained smile. “You either choose it or you don’t. There’s no in between.”