Just then, Ss came back. He realized Calliope hadn''t even noticed he''d been gone. He let out a small sigh of relief.


    He knew Oliver might cause trouble for Calliope, so from now on, he was going to stick by her side, no exceptions. He was going to protect her, always. He wasn''t going to let her out of his sight again.


    And there was no way he''d everpromise with Oliver. The idea wasughable.


    "What''s up?" Calliope called down from thending, noticing something a little off in Ss''s expression.


    "Nothing," Ss said, shaking his head and immediately changing the subject. "So, how''d you like the show?"


    "It was great!" Calliope grinned, ncing at the video she''d recorded on her phone. "These seats were amazing. The video looks incredible!"


    Ss leaned in for a look. "Of course it does. My wife''s got the magic touch with a camera!"


    The look in his eyes was full of admiration.


    Calliope couldn''t help butugh. "Seriously? You''re going topliment me for that?"


    She''d really just pointed her phone and hit record, but the spot was perfect, so the footage did turn out pretty awesome.


    They went off together to check out the other acts, just soaking up the atmosphere as they wove through the crowd, both in high spirits.


    But just as they were about to catch another performance, a sudden scream split the air ahead.


    Both of them heard it. They locked eyes and immediately pushed forward, weaving through the crowd.


    Soon enough, they saw two people at the center of themotion. One of them they both recognized: Blythe. The other was a guy covered in tattoos, looking like trouble.


    Calliope frowned when she saw Blythe. If it had been anyone else, she might have stepped in. But Blythe? She really didn''t want to get involved. And she wasn''t sure what Ss would do.


    She shot him a questioning look.


    Ss clearly recognized Blythe, too. It looked like Blythe was being hassled by the


    tattooed guy. They were arguing and tussling.


    People just stood around watching, nobody daring to step in.


    "Callie, would you wait here for a


    second?” Ss asked after a moment''s hesitation. He wasn''t usually the type to meddle, but Blythe had helped him out once, a long time ago. He couldn''t just walk away now.


    Calliope pressed her lips together, frowning, but nodded.


    Ss made his way over, stopping right next to Blythe. She was locked in a tug-of-war with the tattooed guy, who seemed to be trying to take her


    purse.


    "That your bag?" Ss asked Blythe, straight to the point.


    "Yeah! He snatched it and won''t give it back," Blythe said, looking up at Ss, pleading. "Ss, can you get it for me?"


    Ss didn''t answer right away. He just turned to the guy.


    "Hand it over,” he said, holding out his hand, his tone ice-cold andmanding.


    The tattooed man raised an eyebrow. "What?"


    "The bag. Give it back. It''s not yours, is it?" Ss''s voice was sharp and steely.


    "Says who? It is my bag. What are you gonna do about it?" The man sneered, making it clear he had no intention of handing the bag over.