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)
“Michael, this is ridiculous. No one will believe—”
“Say it!” he shouts, shaking me hard as he punches a button on his phone and turns the camera to face me.
I don’t want to tumble headfirst down the stairs in my designer heels courtesy of a clearly unhinged man. So when his fingers pinch my skin, I speak, repeating words I never thought I’d say.
To my shock, after getting what he wants, Michael releases my arm and takes off downstairs, running to the press to release the video and ruin my life.
* * *
Ben
I return to Summer’s room pissed off. I went downstairs only to be told that no one on the security detail called me for a walk-through. They didn’t know what I was talking about, and I hate wasting my time. The more I think about the fake call, the warier I become, and I pick up my pace, rushing back to Summer.
I let myself into the room. In case she is sleeping, I don’t call out, but I head straight back to the bedroom, where I left her a few minutes earlier.
The bed is rumpled … and empty.
“Summer!” I call out her name but already know she won’t answer. Someone distracted me long enough to lure her away.
I pull out my phone. No calls from her. No messages.
I dial her number, but her phone rings uselessly on the nightstand, where she left the device earlier.
“Fuck.” I stride out through the suite and into the hallway, glancing in either direction, seeing no one.
Suddenly the exit door bursts open, and Summer runs into the hall, tripping on her heels. She catches sight of me immediately.
“Ben!” She kicks off her heels so she can run to me.
I catch her in my arms, taking a needed few seconds to hold her tight, breathe in her scent, and know she is safe.
“What the hell happened?” I ask, pulling her back, my gaze taking her in to make sure she is visibly okay.
She gestures to the stairwell with shaking hands. “You were right. It was Michael. He came to my room and said Jade wanted an immediate meeting with me and Tawny,” she explains in a rush. “He said Tawny was already there and I needed to hurry. I rushed out with him and forgot my phone.”
I swallow over my urge to yell at her because I know Michael chose the one thing that would coax her out of the safety of her room. “What did he really want?”
“You won’t believe this, but he’s sleeping with Tawny, and she threatened to tell his wife about their affair if he didn’t secure her the opening act. He’s been behind everything that’s happened because his wife has a prenup and he’s afraid of losing everything.” She swallows hard. “He offered me a fortune to drop out, and when I said no, he started shaking me on the stairs, and I was in these heels and petrified I’d go flying down. I mean, he’s totally crazy. He made me say I was dropping out on a video recording, and he’s downstairs right now playing it for the media.”
I glance at her stilettos and groan, imagining her toppling down headfirst. “That stupid fuck. All you have to do is go down there and explain why you said those things.” And I’ll get the cops to arrest Gold as soon as possible.
Summer shakes her head. “I told you he’s insane. He’s not thinking clearly or else he’d know that.”
“But you’re okay? He didn’t hurt you?” I ask, hating that she as alone with him, even for a short amount of time.
“I’m fine.”
I incline my head, forcing myself to breathe calmly and believe her. “Then let’s go fix this mess.”
I pull out my phone and hit the stored number I have for Jade Glow’s security, quickly relaying what I know about Michael Gold.
“Coming down now,” I say and shove my phone into my pocket. “Come on.” I grab her hand and lead her to the main set of elevators. “You need to recant that video.”
She bites down on her lower lip. “I hope you’re right. And what about Tawny? She was blackmailing him!”
“We’ll get it sorted.” I meet her gaze and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, hoping to reassure her.
She retrieves her shoes, and we wait until the elevator doors open. We step onto the level where the press junket took place. Photographers and reporters are gathered in a group, lights flashing, as they surround someone I assume is Michael.
“Come on. Let’s sneak up on him.” We start to walk around the group of people when a voice calls out.
“It’s her!” All eyes turn back, finding Summer, and the crowd starts toward her.
I keep a firm lock on her waist, standing by her side as she is surrounded by reporters.