Tainted Kiss (Tainted Knights 1)

ill have to do in some of the cities you stop at. There will be meet and greets before and after shows. At some of the festivals you’ll stop at, there will be nonstop shit that will require your attendance, rain or shine, sick or not. This is a job, so take it seriously, or I will kick the shit out of you.”

She folded her hands in front of her. “I know you’ve had a little taste of the paps following you around already, but that’s nothing to what it’s going to be like now. I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to stay under the radar. The least little thing could be misconstrued, and then we will be facing some huge media backlash that could affect ticket sales. The right media is a good thing. Turning your life and mine into a three-ring circus, not so much.”

She lectured us for another five minutes before stepping back, her face losing some of its sternness. “Okay, with that being said, I want you guys to have a good time. Just keep your noses clean and your heads out of your asses.” She glanced at Kin who was standing off to the side behind her. Kassa and Santana were hugging her from either side, but at least she had stopped crying. Giving Kin a smile, she moved out of the way. “All right, honey. Give the boy a kiss. They have to hit the road.”

Kin put on a brave smile that was all kinds of wobbly as she practically jumped into Jace’s arms.

I moved forward and pulled Santana close. “Nine weeks,” I breathed into her ear. “I can’t wait to be back here with you again.”

Her arms were tight around my neck as she pressed her face into my chest. “I’m already counting down the days,” she mumbled. I felt her tears soaking my shirt.

“Be careful when you have to travel for shoots. Don’t take chances.”

I hadn’t told her how worried I was about her going to all the different locations she sometimes had to travel to for some of her custom shoots. People were crazy. There was no telling what kind of people she could come across, and she would be alone with them.

“You, too. Stay safe. I want you back in one piece.”

I pulled back just enough so I could see her face. “You’re going to have to walk away, Santana, because I don’t think I can let you go.”

I felt her fingers clench the base of my neck. Her next exhale was full of unshed tears. “I can’t. I didn’t think it would be this hard.”

I pressed my lips to her forehead. “I know. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”

I felt someone stop behind me.

“We gotta go, bro,” Gray muttered. “And I think I’m going to need your help pulling Jace and Kin apart. Better you than me or Sin. Jace is liable to throw a punch at us. He’ll tolerate you a little more.”

I nodded once, then gave Santana one last kiss.

Stepping back, I finally let her go. “Miss you, doll.”

She gave me a trembling little smile, but didn’t say anything.

Kassa stepped up beside her, and the two girls embraced.

I turned my focus on Jace who was holding Kin like she was his last lifeline. Kin had her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms around his neck as she pressed her face into his neck and openly cried.

“This sucks,” she sobbed against him. “I knew it was going to hurt to tell you good-bye today, but I didn’t know it was going to kill me like this.”

He rubbed his hands up and down her back. “Come with me,” he begged, his voice full of desperation. “Please, babe, just come with me.”

“I-I can’t. Lucy needs me here. The wedding … Everything.”

He blew out a frustrated sigh. “I really want to say fuck Lucy right now, but I know you’d kick my ass.”

That had her laughing brokenly. “You know it.” She slowly lifted her head, her face still beautiful, though she was doing what Kassa called ugly crying. “I love you.”

Jace’s face started to crumble. “I love you, too,” he said hoarsely. “Be good, okay? Don’t let Angie get you into trouble. Have Caleb go with you if you have to see your dad.”

Sniffing, she nodded. “Okay. Don’t kill Gray. I can’t help you hide the body if you do.”

“Fuck, babe, I miss you already.” He buried his face in her chest, his body starting to shake. “I hate this. I quit. I—”

She smacked him on the back of the head. “Stop it. You don’t quit.” She released the hold her legs had on him, making him have to help her stand on her feet or risk dropping her. Wiping her tears away, she kissed him hard before taking three steps back. “I’m sorry. I’m okay. Go. I love you.”

I put my hand on Jace’s shoulder, offering him strength to let her go.

“I love you more, Kin.”