Ransom(49)

“At least we don’t have to take it all back out to the bus to get locked up,” Levi says, helping us stack the T-shirts from the table display. “When we first started, Mr. Ransome was paranoid people were going to steal shit. It took him a while to realize we were at the point where we could afford security guards.”

I shiver a little, thinking of Frank and Benny, the two burly guys who ride on the other bus and shepherd the guys into every venue and appearance. I don’t like thinking about the purpose they serve.

Levi moves to stand next to me. He starts helping to refold the shirts that the fans have messed. I watch him out of the corner of my eye for a few seconds then laugh. “Levi, who taught you how to fold? You’re terrible at that.”

He gives me a sheepish smile. “I guess that’s why my clothes are all wrinkled as soon as I pull them out of the drawer.”

“Move.” I bump him with my hip to take his place. “I’ll fold; you put in boxes.”

He glances over his shoulder. “Is Karen going to be mad at me if I mess up her system?”

“Yup. But do it anyway, more comic relief for me.”

He laughs, making me smile. Levi has always been quick to laugh, and I like the sound of it. Back home, he broke up tons of fights between the brothers with his easygoing nature.

“I missed you,” I say abruptly.

He stops folding. “Yeah?”

I blush, looking down at the shirt I’m holding. “Yeah. I mean, well, sorry I didn’t call. I’ve apologized to Daltrey about a hundred times, but I don’t think I ever told you. You’re my friend, too, Levi. I shouldn’t have just cut off communication like that.”

He’s quiet for a long moment. “Daisy, I don’t know how to say this.”

Something in his tone sends a cold shiver down my arms. I look up at him. His gaze is intense, the normal laugh lines around his eyes gone. “What?”

He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I think I know what happened.”

For the first time in weeks, I feel my mouth go dry, my heart rate increase, and the sweat pool forming at the base of my spine. “What?” I say again, a whisper this time because I’m about to start gasping for air.

“Hey.” His eyes widen. “It’s okay. Relax.”

I automatically fumble for my sleeves, forgetting for a moment that I’m wearing a T-shirt. I tug on my leather cuffs instead, trying to breathe deeply.

“Hey, come here.” He reaches for my arm, but I pull it away. I can’t let him touch me right now, not when the panic is bearing down on me.

He holds up his hands. “Okay. I won’t touch you. I just want you to come with me.”

I nod, turning away from the table.

“Can you guys finish up?” Levi calls over his shoulder.

I don’t hear if the girls respond, the whooshing ocean of sound in my ears blocking everything except for my heartbeat. I stumble toward the doors, and for one terrifying moment, I can’t figure out how to open them. I need to be outside, need the air.

Levi knows. And if he didn’t get it from Daltrey, from the careful version of events I shared with him, then it stands to reason that he heard it from someone else—someone who knows all of it.

Levi, still being careful not to touch me, pushes the door open, and I practically throw myself out into the dimming light of the early evening.

There are still fans in the area, the stragglers who don’t mind missing the opener, so I force myself to walk calmly around the building. Finally away from the fans, I collapse to the pavement, leaning against the brick wall. I bring my knees to my chest and shove my head between them, taking deep breaths. I sense Levi nearby, but he doesn’t touch or talk to me. After a few minutes, my breathing returns to normal, the rushing sound in my ears gone. Shakily, I raise my head. Levi is sitting a few feet away, watching me.

I give him a bitter smile. “Sorry you had to see that.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t be. I’m sorry I brought it up.”

“What… uh… what exactly is it that you think you know?”

He brushes his wavy hair behind his ears. “Look, I wasn’t prying okay? I just… I was worried. Daltrey was so upset and—” He cuts off at my grimace, scrunching his nose apologetically. “I was scared something might have happened to you, you know? I mean, the older guys were saying that they thought you probably started seeing someone and didn’t want to break Dalt’s heart—”

“Wait. What?”

He waves away my interruption. “I just didn’t think that was like you. I figured there had to be some good reason so I… I asked around.”