Rolling my eyes, I motioned for him to lead the way. I didn’t want to play Levi’s games, but what choice did I have? He was volatile. A beast I most definitely didn’t want to poke.
“Hey.” Letty grabbed my hand, pulling me back as the guys filed off the bus. “Sorry I didn’t give you a heads up. I didn’t think he’d do it. Not with you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing... I just figured Ali would have told him to go easy on you since you’re—”
“I’m fine.” My eyes flicked over my shoulder, hoping no one could hear us.
“Shit, sorry. I know it’s a need to know thing. I just meant I assumed he’d warn the band to behave where you’re concerned.”
“Does the band ever behave?” I’d read the headlines, seen the news reports. Black Hearts weren’t only famous for their music, it was them. The way they’d swept onto the music scene as if they had always belonged there.
“You have a point,” she chuckled. “But I should have given you a heads up.”
“Don’t worry about it. I can handle the band.”
“Atta girl.” Letty looked impressed. “I gotta say, I was a little worried when Alistair told me you were joining the tour. But something tells me I didn’t need to be.”
We exited our bus and boarded the much bigger, much flashier other bus. The guys were all seated around the table, all except Rafe. Letty shot me a knowing look as she barged past me and joined them. I lingered back, feeling very out of my depth.
“Get over here, new girl.”
“Really?” I scowled at Hudson, folding my arms over my chest.
“Come on Eva,” he smiled. “You’re about to go on tour with the hottest band in the world right now. Would it hurt you to smile?”
“Hud,” Damon warned, kicking him underneath the table.
“It’s okay, Damon,” I said, inching closer. “Hudson’s right. I have to embrace the crazy.” Sliding onto the bench, I nudged his shoulder. “So what was this about initiatin’ me?”
“Think you’ve got what it takes to play with the big boys, Angel?” Levi drawled the words, his lazy smirk not half as alluring as it was irritating.
For whatever reason, he wasn’t going to make this easy on me. Maybe he wanted me to prove I belonged here, or maybe it was just a stupid game to pass the time. Whatever it was, something told me that if I didn’t play, we’d see a very different side to the reckless and impulsive Hunter brother.
“Drink,” he said, producing a bottle of liquor from behind his back. “One shot.”
“Just one?” I could handle one shot.
“Do you know what this is?” Levi inspected the bottle, running his finger over the label as if it was precious.
“Vodka? Tequila? I don’t know, don’t really care.” The sooner I did his stupid little initiation, the sooner we could all move on with our lives.
“This is Devils Spring vodka, Country. It’s 80% proof and I’m betting one shot will have you falling at my feet.”
“Lev, come on, you didn’t say anything about making her drink—”
“She wants to play, so we’ll play.” He slammed the bottle down. “Letty, do the honors.”
Her eyes slid to mine, silently asking me if I was sure about this.
“Do it,” I said without hesitation.
One shot.
It was just one shot.
Sure, I hadn’t drunk alcohol in forever, but what harm could one shot do?
“You don’t have to do this,” Damon whispered. Not quiet enough though.
Levi glowered at his bandmate. “She’s not a fucking baby. Are you, Angel?”
“I...”
Thankfully, Letty reappeared with two shot glasses. “You sure about this?”
I nodded, too overwhelmed to answer.
Levi smirked again as he withdrew a lighter from his pocket. My heart crashed beneath my rib cage, blood pounding between my ears.
“What are you—”
“You gotta take it flaming.”
“No. No way. I’ll drink it but you’re not settin’ me on fire.”
“It’s perfectly safe,” Hudson added with a shrug.
“Safe? That’s what they all say until they end up half on fire screamin’ in agony. I’ll drink it, but without the flame.” My eyes narrowed at Levi. He glared right back. If I’d learned anything in my short time with Levi Hunter at Camdena a few months back, it was he didn’t like to be challenged. I’d done it then to distract him and calm a tense situation, and I was doing it now to save my own hide.
“Fine,” he bit out. “No flames. But don’t think this means you’re getting out of it. Me and you, Angel. It’s on.” He uncapped the bottle and poured two shots. The overpowering smell of liquor permeated the air making my stomach churn and my mouth water, and I hadn’t even brought the damn thing to my lips yet.
“Ready?” His tone was teasing but there was something else in his expression.
Bringing the glass to my lips, I didn’t dwell on what madness could possibly be running through his mind. Levi Hunter had demons. The kind that made you take risks and stick two fingers up to authority time and time again. The kind that gave little regard to consequence or self-preservation.
Levi lived recklessly and without abandon. And the fans loved him for it.
“Are you?” I threw back, surprised at how I responded to his arrogance.
He grinned, letting his tongue run over his snake bite piercings before mouthing, “On three. One... two...”
Without second guessing myself, I tipped the glass back and downed the cool liquor. Fiery heat exploded in my mouth, racing down my throat. “Holy crap,” I murmured.
“Fuck, it gets me every time.” Levi shook his head, taking his fingers through his hair as I tried to swallow down the acid rushing up my throat.
“Here, it’ll help.” Someone shoved a glass of water toward me, and I looked up to find Rafe staring down at me. Disappointment glittering in his eyes.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, greedily lapping it down, trying to focus on anything but the way the vodka burned.
The guys all watched me as if they expected me to combust into flames, or tears, or worse, puke all over the plush bench. I dropped my gaze and gently smoothed a hand over my stomach, willing it to calm down. I felt okay—nauseous, but okay. One shot, even if the liquor was strong, wouldn’t affect me.
I hoped.
“Well, this was a hoot and all, but we really should get back.” Letty broke the thick silence. “Eva...”
“Uh, yeah, let’s go.”
I stood on shaky legs, trying to avoid eye contact with any of them. Rafe hovered over by the counter, his piercing gray eyes burning into me. But I didn’t meet his gaze. I didn’t want to see the bitter disappointment again. Besides, what right did he have to feel disappointed I was taking shots with his brother when he’d barely spoken two words to me since I arrived.
“Hey, Country,” Levi’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Yeah?” I glanced back, meeting his scrutinizing gaze.
He thumbed one of his piercings. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”