by Anna Brooks
“Maybe.”
His body jerks, and like I already know, he reads me. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, just a lot going on.” I have a crazy man after me, my aunt is making my life miserable, and the only guy I’ve ever wanted to be with is having a baby with another woman.
“But none of that’s with us right now.”
I make some kind of noise of agreement, and he brings both of his arms around my chest and just holds me.
His lips rest just above my ear. “You’re different than I thought you’d be.”
“How did you think I’d be?”
“Stuck-up, slutty, superficial. Like all the rest.”
I’m glad he doesn’t think I’m like that. “I’m definitely not those things.”
“No. You’re not. You’re down to earth, sweet, and kind. You’re shy, too. Even though the way you move and act on stage and in public is the complete opposite.”
“I’m a different person out there.”
“I know.” He kisses me. “And I like that I’m the only one who gets this one.”
He is. He’s the only one who ever has and ever will.
The sound of an engine roars up the gravel. I freeze in fear, and Wes gets up. He helps me to my feet, and my knees wobble as I stand, trepidation that he found us making the sweet smell of cinnamon bitter in my stomach.
“Fucker’s early. Stay here.” Wes yanks open the front door, and I stay where I am.
He doesn’t seem too alarmed, which is good, and comes back in a moment later. Before I can ask him who it is, my father walks in directly behind him. “Dad?”
“Hey, Quinny.” He glances at my bandaged hand but doesn’t say anything about it.
“What are you doing here?” I tentatively walk to him and give him a hug, the smell of tobacco and leather comforting although not familiar.
“Had a visit from your man, here. Wanted to set some things straight.”
Confusion makes my head spin, and I look at Wes. “What is he talking about?”
“When I left you with Damien.”
“You went to see him?” I squeeze my hands into fists. “Why would you do that?”
“Because you are not gonna be blackmailed by that fuckin’ cunt, Quinn.” Barrett answers for me. “I can’t believe you wouldn’t tell me about her. All these years, Christ, we’ve talked a shitload on the phone, and you never mentioned it.”
My dad raises his voice at me, and I subconsciously take a step closer to Wes. He settles his arm around my waist and pulls me to him.
“Gail told me if anyone found out, then you’d get hurt. That you owe money to people, and as soon as they figured it out, they’d take you hostage and hurt you and then try to get money from me. She said—”
“She’s in bed with them, Quinn.” He rubs his hands over his face and flips a chair backward before he sits at the kitchen table. “She’s payin’ off a debt she owes. Demons know that Gail is your aunt and they don’t care. All they want is the money she gets them every month, no matter how she gets it.”
My throat burns when I take in a breath. “What?”
“They ain’t gonna hurt you,” he says softly. “They ain’t gonna hurt me. Gail ain’t worth startin’ a war over, so if she stops giving them money, she goes back to being club pussy.”
My knees weaken, and Wes holds me up. “Watch how you talk around her, Barrett. She doesn’t need to hear that shit.” Then he helps me to a chair across from my father.
“Fuck, you’re right. Sorry.”
“What are you here for then? Did something happen?”
“Well, yeah. I took care of Gail.” My dad grunts.
“Took care of her!”
He chuckles. “Didn’t kill her. Just handed her over.”
“To who?”
“Look, she owes them a debt for something that happened a long time ago. She can pay it one of two ways. And the first is by hurting my daughter, so I did nothing but give her the other option. Her bed. Time to lie in it.”
My stomach is super upset right now. “That’s why you’re here. Why you came here from Reno… to take care of her?”
“Yeah. We have a chapter close to here, and I didn’t come alone. It was a worthwhile trip. She’s back where she belongs, and your man tells me the manager he found is the best. It’s about time the bitch is dealt with.”
Wes puts a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. I look up at him, and he sighs. “This is gonna be a shock to you because it’s all happening really fast. But I found another manager to replace Gail.”
“What? I don’t like her, but she’s still my aunt. I don’t want her to get hurt and stuff. How much more does she owe? I can just pay them—”
“You’re not giving her another dime.” My dad cuts me off. “And it’s not about money… it’s about debt, there’s a difference. She knew what she was getting into when she fucked up all those years ago, and trust me, what she’s getting isn’t near what she deserves.”
“I don’t know how I feel about that.”
He rubs his hand over the stubble on his face. “Not much I regret, but the things I couldn’t do for you growing up is one of them.” He crosses his arms over the back of the chair. “This I can do. I can make this easy on you and assure you she ain’t ever gonna threaten or hurt you again.”
I swallow down the conflicting emotions and look over at Wes, trying to make sense of everything. “What do you mean you found a manager? Despite her being part devil, she was still my manager. I’m in the middle of a sold-out tour that I already have to reschedule because of this and—”
“Baby, relax. I got the manager from Reason to Ruin. He has an assistant who’s going to be working with them since she’s familiar, and they’re on a break right now, so he’ll take care of everything for you. Without overworking you, without stressing you, and without taking the joy out of what you love to do.”
“When did you have time to even talk to anyone?”
“Same time I talked to your dad.”
I push up from the table. “I need some air.”
“I’ve gotta get goin’, Quinn, but I wanted to tell you that in person.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah.”
Leaning down to rest my hands on the table, I feel Wes’s strong fingers dig into my shoulders as he rubs some of the tension out of them. “What’s going to happen to her?”
“Why do you care?”
“She was all I had…”
My dad’s head jerks back, and the sting of that comment registers on his face.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“No, you’re right. And not a day goes by when I don’t regret how things turned out. But if I’d have known, I’d have dealt with this a long time ago. Can’t change that but can guarantee she won’t be a problem in the future, and you can have the life you deserve. The life I wanted you to have by me not being in it.”
I press my lips together, the desire to get fresh air still necessary as my stomach is churning, so I head in the direction of the door, but stop my movement and turn to him. “Does this change anything with us? Will we get to see each other more?”
He drops his head for a second. “’Fraid not. Demons might not mess with women or family that way, but plenty of my other enemies would. Unless… just, no. At least not right now.”
“Oh.” I sigh. “Can you stay for breakfast or anything?”
“Wish I could, but I’ve gotta get back. You take care of yourself, okay?”
I channel stage Quinn and smile. “I will. You, too.” But inside, I’m shredded.
Unlike everyone else in my life, aside from Wes, my father sees the truth. He clenches his jaw, then he releases a deep breath. “Talk to you soon, okay?”
“Yeah.”
He gives me a hug and kisses the top of my head. I don’t cry when he walks out even though I want to. Wes stands behind me while he gets on his motorcycle, and I wave as he pulls away.
Once the dust settles, I drag my feet to the beach and stick my toes in the sand.
This day needs to be over. In fact, it’d be better if it just hadn’t ever started. Wes is gonna be a dad and clearly has no plans of telling me, he fired my manager, and he went behind my back and told my father. I can’t even… just can’t freaking even right now with my life.
“You okay?”
“No,” I tell him. “I’m not. My head hurts, my stomach hurts, and my heart hurts. I feel like all this shit isn’t even real. How… how the hell did you just do all that? I mean, I’m used to people making decisions for me, but I didn’t think you’d be the same. You didn’t even ask me, I had no say in any of it, and in case you’ve forgotten, it’s my life and my career.”
His body stiffens next to me, and his eyebrows meet in the middle. “You’re pissed at me?”
I’m pissed because I have to let you go, I want to tell him. I’m not pissed that I apparently won’t have my bitch of an aunt ruining my life anymore, but I am mad that he didn’t even consult me. But I’m used to it. Used to people running and ruining my life—like what I think or feel doesn’t matter. So I’ll just submit and accept it. Like always. Always freaking giving in about every-freaking-thing. “Just pissed at the situation and it hasn’t even all sunk in yet.”
Especially the part where I won’t have you anymore.
“My job is to look out for you, and I did that. Best thing you can do, baby, is accept it and move on. You’ll be so much happier without her. I promise it’ll be for the better.”
I still can’t even believe it. “How am I supposed to just… move on? What do I tell people? Wesley, I’ve lived the past six years under her thumb for fear of being blackmailed and controlled. I can’t just—”
“You can. You’re strong, and you’re resilient. You can. You’re gonna be busy. Especially making up these dates you’re missing for the next week and a half, but I promise things will be better for you. You get to make your own schedule. Ian’s already working on spacing the dates out a little further and scheduling studio time a month after the last show so you can get a break between touring and recording.”
Everything sounds fantastic, and if it wasn’t for the fact that I know I’ll be doing it without him, maybe I’d be happier about it. But I feel guilty, too. I don’t want my aunt to be hurt even though she was a vile woman. Not only did she physically abuse me, but she did mentally as well. God, I sound like I have Stockholm syndrome or something equally as disturbing. I should be happy she’s gone. It’s going to take some time, but as long as I can still sing, I’ll be okay.
“This was just the first step. The moment you told me about her, I knew she needed to go. Now that she’s gone, all my attention and energy is gonna be on getting the fucker who hurt you. I won’t rest until he’s no longer a threat.”
Wesley
My fingers trace the valley just above her ass, and when she stirs, I put my mouth by her ear. “Morning.”
“Hi,” she breathes.
“I’m gonna eat you now, then fuck you in the shower.”
She gasps as I yank her underwear down. I pull her hips up, so her ass is in the air and rub my fingers between her legs. “Mmm,” I hum. “So warm down here. Can’t wait to sink inside. But first, I need you ready for me.”
“Okay.”
She can’t see me, but right before I put my mouth on her, I smile.
Then I eat her and fuck her in the shower.
As I’m getting dressed, she falls back to sleep. I pull a blanket up, and it falls on her, curled up and peaceful.
My phone vibrates, and I answer Damien’s call.
“Got a package you’re not gonna like. Pics are coming through now.” He hangs up, and I flip through the photos that just arrived in my messages, pictures of her at every fucking concert she’s done since I’ve been with her.
“Fuck.” I grab my gun from the nightstand, step onto the porch, and look for any signs, but I know there won’t be any. Taking a quick look around my Hummer, I check for tracking devices or any wires. When I’m satisfied I don’t see any, I go back inside and lock the door behind me.
He’s getting impatient. He hasn’t seen her in a while so he thought he’d step up his game. Thought he’d play games with me.
But he’ll never win because I’ve already claimed the prize. She’s mine.
She emerges with a relaxed face and outfit almost identical to what she wore yesterday. She’s been somber all morning, but given what she just learned yesterday, I’m not surprised. “We’ve gotta hit it, babe.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Just don’t want to be late to meet with Ian.”
“Okay.”
He wouldn’t be able to get near her right now, but I still don’t like that he’s escalating. He’s getting impatient because he can’t get to her without going through me. I want to get us back to where I have more eyes on her. I wait for her and get her in the vehicle, then tear outta here. Pull her hand over to my thigh, I link our fingers together. “How do you feel?”
“Confused, to be honest.”
“It’ll just take a little time. We’ll meet with Ian, and once you talk to him, you’ll feel better.”
“Okay.”
I don’t like the way she’s acting. “You sure you’re okay? Something else going on?”
“Nope.”
“Babe. Talk to me.”
“Nothing else is going on, Wesley. Geez. Well, nothing other than the fact I just found out my aunt is some kind of whore for a motorcycle club and has been not only been blackmailing me, but she’s also been lying the entire time. And I believed her. Now, on top of having a stalker and having to reschedule dates that I had to cancel because said stalker stabbed me, which, by the way, was probably the same knife he held to my throat, I have to do it with a brand-new manager who I’ve never met.” She releases a breath.
I’m surprised she didn’t pass out with the novel she just spit out, but I suppose being a singer gives her lungs a larger capacity than most. “It is a lot. You’re right.”
“I know I am.”
“Want me to shut up for a bit?”
“That’d be great.”
I give her the silence, but our hands stay entwined for the drive back to town. I pull up to my apartment building. “Just gotta get something real quick. Come on, we’ll be in and out in just a few minutes.”
She slides on a pair of sunglasses and leans into me as we walk up to the entrance. My building is secure, and I don’t worry that he followed us at all. But the second I open my door, I know someone’s here. “Stay behind me, Quinn.”
“What?” She grabs the waistband of my jeans, and I can feel her fingers trembling on my lower back.
I reach for my gun attached to the holster at my waist and take a step into the apartment. Then another. Movement to my left has me raising my hand, but when Eva comes into view, I drop it. “What the fuck?”
“Welcome home.” She comes over to me, but when she sees Quinn, she stops. “What the fuck?”
“What the fuck, you bitch. Get out.”
“Wesley, is that any way to talk to the mother of your child?”
Quinn tenses up behind me. “It ain’t my fuckin’ kid. Get out.” Dammit, she must have had an extra key. I did not want Quinn to find out about this now. Not ever, actually. But especially not now when she has enough shit on her plate.
“I’m not sure your fans would appreciate you having an affair with a man whose fiancée is eight months pregnant.”
“Swear to Christ, if you weren’t pregnant, you’d be out on your ass right now, Eva.”
“I can—”
I squeeze Quinn’s hand. “Quiet, baby. You’re not doing anything. She’s leaving.”
I watch as Eva’s face twists. She was manipulative, almost smug. But the second the word baby came out of my mouth, that vanished. She always wanted a nickname, and I never gave her one. She was Eva. Always just Eva.
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br /> “Does she know?” she snaps.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about and don’t care, and I swear, you have five seconds to turn around and leave before I put you out.”
“I was his first, you know? We’ve been together since we were seventeen. He’ll come back to me. He always does, and—”
No longer able to take any of her bullshit, I push Quinn aside and grab Eva by her arm. As gently as I can, I pull her through the kitchen and out into the hallway. “You thought you pissed me off with Nana, but Eva, you just crossed the motherfuckin’ line.”
Then I slam the door and don’t even bother looking through the peephole before engaging the deadbolt and the chain. “Fuck,” I mutter to myself.
Quinn is standing with her back to me, her arms at her sides and her hands in fists. My apartment isn’t huge, so from the kitchen, I can see her in my living room, and I realize what she’s looking at. Pictures. Of Eva and me, with my family.
I should have taken them down, but I haven’t thought about it, for one, and for two, I’ve barely been home.
Quinn needs to know our history. I wish I didn’t have to tell her, but that wasn’t a pretty scene, and I don’t want her to think I’m the kind of guy who’d knock someone up and leave her alone. So I approach gently and stop behind her. “I’m an older brother to two little sisters. It made me look at girls differently, made me treat them good because that’s what I would want a guy to do for Willow and Wynn. I respected any girl I was with. Didn’t date a lot, didn’t sleep around like the rest of the guys on the football team because I thought, if someone treated my sister like she was a slut, I’d break their neck. I wanted to show them how they should be treated.”
She doesn’t turn around.
“I’ve known Eva since we were kids. My senior year, I finally asked her out. I took her on three dates before I felt her up. Another four before I got between her legs with my hand, and after that, we waited a month before we lost it to each other.
“It wasn’t good, Quinn. And not in the sense that it didn’t feel good because I was a seventeen-year-old boy whose hormones were outta whack, but in the sense that that’s all there was to it. Nothing more. Ever. It was always calculated. Emotionless. She might have been my first, but I knew enough to know that shit wasn’t right.
