“Miss Sinner.” Christian’s monotone, adjusting the cuffs of his baby blue dress shirt. “I need to have a word.”

Dev ooos like I’ve been called to the principal’s office, and with the Miss Sinner, I feel like I was. Christian Vero’s nearly exclusively called me Sinner with a handful of Remi’s tossed in through the entirety of our relationship. The only Miss I recall was when he dismissed me in Prague after the band said no to working with me.

“Yeah, of course,” I tell him.

“We’ll talk on the band’s bus.” Then he adds, “Would you be more comfortable if someone is present with us?”

His question takes me aback, and I realize he hasn’t looked at me once since the bungalow.

“What’s going on?” Foster asks, stepping beside me.

Christian looks up at him, face of stone. “Adams.”

Nothing else audible passes between them, but Foster seems to understand perfectly and nods before tossing a concerned glance at me. I give one in return, the knot twisting and growing exponentially.

“Miss Sinner, would you like someone with us on the bus?” the manager asks again.

I shake my head. “No. We can talk alone.”

He turns on his heel and strides away. “Take them somewhere, Colton.”

After a mixture of confused mutters, the band loads back into the van, driving off by the time I board the bus. He stands at the far end of the aisle with the black drape at his back, and now he’s locked on to me. Not an ounce of emotion tells on his face, and yet his eyes convey a myriad.

But the most striking is hurt, which only throws me off more.

“Christian, what’s going on? You’re actually scaring me.” I drop onto one of the couches and pull a throw pillow onto my lap. The one with the frayed tag from me messing with it so much the past several weeks.

“There’s nothing to be scared of Miss Sinner. Not me nor the band nor anyone else employed on this tour should make you feel otherwise. I’m deeply sorry if anyone’s comments or actions, including my own, have made you feel uncomfortable.”

My skin numbs at an apology I fail to understand. “Why are you telling me this?”

“You have my word,” he continues, voice slightly strained, “as well as that of Mac Records, any unfavorable behavior will be dealt with immediately. If you wish to speak to legal counsel or the label’s HR, I encourage you to do so. I’ll gladly get you in touch with them.”

As his implication hits me, my eyes bulge. “You think the guys are making me uncomfortable?”