“Shit,” Colton shouts, and I realize it about the same time.

The second is a countdown from three already to one. Our heads whip around as a group of fans surges forward into the barricade. The metal scrapes over concrete, moving inward with the force and nearly tipping.

Fuck.

I pull Remi to me, tucking her against my side to save Colt from splitting his attention. A breath later, she’s yanked away by someone catching her arm over the fence. Colt’s right there to body block as I haul her back and tighten my hold, not chancing anyone fucking touching her again.

The countdown restarts, but I’m pushing Remi in front of me and up the stairs onto the bus. I’m right behind her, and Colt’s right behind me, quickly closing the doors.

“Jesus, fuck.” He swings his head toward us. “Everyone good?”

I’m already cupping Remi’s face in my hands and scanning her over. Panicked green eyes jump between mine, her arms wrapped around herself.

“Are you okay?” I ask, needing her to say it.

“Yeah…” She glances out the tinted windows. “It’s never been like that.” She looks back at me. “Right?”

It hasn’t. The other two shows back since the break were more intense when we walked out. But not this level.

I shake my head. “I don’t want you walking out with me again.”

A sad smile appears, but relief sneaks in there too.

Colton’s barking orders through his radio, coordinating to get things locked down before they bring Felix and Dev out. He finishes and audibly sighs on his way over. “Fuck, I’m sorry, brother. My gut told me we needed more crowd control tonight. And those barriers were too close together.”

I shrug it off, not blaming him in the least. “No apologies,” I tell him. “But we can’t deal with that every time.”

He nods. “Yeah, it’s time to restrict access to the backstage exit. I’ll have it set up for the other venues. That shit’s not happening again.” Then he scans Remi and pats her on the head. “I’ll put security outside the bus, but I should probably make sure everything runs smoother for Dev and Felix. You two can…” He waves us off, not finishing as he walks away.

I shut the doors behind him and turn around. “Come here.”

Remi drops her arms, and once she’s close enough, I pull her the last few steps. She appears less shook up, but I want to hide her away. And hide with her.

My gaze trails up the footholds in the wall.

“You mind if a sweaty dude takes over your refuge up there for a bit?”

“Hmm.” She pretends to consider her options, so I remind her she has none, picking her up. “Foster,” she squeaks and throws her arms around my neck as I climb to the loft.