Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“At the very least, you would have acted without inhibitions. Maybe she was hoping to catch you on camera doing something outrageous. Something that would get you kicked out of the running to open for Jade. She’s certainly played that card before.”
I swallow hard. “God, I hate to admit it, but that makes sense, especially if the tape went viral, like the one did back on Star Power.”
“There’s something else that’s been bugging me,” Ben says.
“What’s that?”
“Michael Gold. He’s always around, quietly in the background. My gut churns when he’s in the area.”
I think about his words, weighing possibilities in my mind. “I’m all for looking into every angle, and he is in Camp Tawny … but he’s a professional.”
Ben shrugs. “I’m not discounting him. I’ll have Dan add him to the list of people to look into.”
“Okay.”
“Are you? Okay?” He strokes my arm in a soothing motion. “Like I said, it’s been a lot for you to handle.”
I sniff, the earlier emotions returning at the reminder. “It’s a lot for someone alone to handle.”
He stiffens beside me, then those big, strong arms squeeze me tighter.
“You are not alone.”
Tears leak out of my eyes because he can’t be more wrong. “I miss my family. For most of my life, I had their support, and now, when I need them to be my parents, not my managers, they’re nowhere to be found.”
He rolls me to my back, pushing himself up on one arm so he can meet my gaze. “Maybe you need to tell them.”
“I can’t get them on the phone or video chat long enough to explain what’s going on.”
He leans down and brushes his lips over mine. “They’d care if they knew. I believe that.”
Deep down, I agree. “I do, too.” It just isn’t easy to break the ice or get them to really hear me these days. “I’ll try,” I murmur.
“Good.”
He pulls me into him. “Get some sleep and we’ll get out of here early tomorrow. Put this whole nightmare behind you.”
I nod and allow my heavy lids to close, breathing in the comforting smell of Ben in my bed. My breathing evens out, and just as I feel myself drift, I hear him speak.
“You aren’t alone,” he says, stroking my arm. “You have me.”
It is low. It is quiet. For the moment, it is everything.
Chapter Nine
Ben
I am grateful to get Summer back home to her quiet New York City apartment, away from the hustle of Atlantic City and the fear that followed her there. At least here, I have a semblance of control. The main reason someone was able to get to her was because they knew her public schedule. But as long as we are holed up in her apartment, she is safe.
My new plan includes varying her gym routine, switching up her days. I insist Ivy take alternate routes over, as she is a direct link to Summer. Anything to throw Tawny or whoever is behind this off Summer’s tail.
I believe Tawny is behind the incidents. Whether her agent has a hand in it or not remains to be seen, too. I call Dan and added Michael Gold to the suspect list of people I want looked into. At least I feel I’ve done everything I can think of for now, when it comes to keeping Summer safe.
I double-check the locks on the apartment for the night while Summer showers. I am looking forward to crawling into bed and losing myself in the warmth and heat of her body. My dick perks up in agreement.
My cell rings, and I pull it from my pocket. At a glance, I don’t recognize the number, but I answer anyway. “Hollander.”
“Ben?” my father asks in a rough voice.
My gut clenches at the familiar voice. “Dad? Where are you calling from?” I ask, concerned because I only hear from my father when something is wrong. A problem with his health or a self-pitying rant.
“Umm. About that. You see, I have a problem. I was arrested and I need you to post bail.”
“What?” I shout into the phone, prompting Summer to rush out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel.
“What happened? What’s wrong?” she asks, her eyes wide and full of worry.
I grip my phone tighter, disgust and embarrassment running through me. I hold up a hand, tearing my gaze from the sight of her long, wet hair falling over her shoulders and her breasts plumping up over the edge of the towel.
“Arrested for what, Dad?” I ask through gritted teeth.
Summer gasps, but I am focused on the voice on the phone. Given my father’s weaknesses, I am afraid the situation involves alcohol. Luckily until now, my dad hasn’t hurt anyone else while abusing liquor, but I have been called from bars when my father’s credit card was denied and he needed cash to close out his account.