by Kaci Rose
With all the questions in my head, all I manage to get out is, "What the fuck?" This pretty much sums them all up nicely.
"That's what I said. I did and said all the right things. Dated your way, did romance, made sure the sex was great, and when I proposed, you said no."
"We weren't dating, it was just sex, and it was only for three months." I try to reason with him. What person in their right mind would agree to marry a guy you barely talked to once a week for three months?
He just shakes his head, "Then, you ran back here. It couldn't have been more perfect. Dear old dad saw you, and then we knew exactly where you were. He got me their address and their schedules. Yet, when I showed up here again, you turn me down and slam a door in my face."
"Dad? Who's your dad?" I ask, trying to put the pieces together.
"Dave," he smiles, like he just solved the biggest mystery on the planet.
Dave, the guy's manager? The one who has the most to lose over the guys starting their own label, because they won't be bringing him with them.
"Shit." The dots all start connecting. Dave's reaction to seeing me that day, and how quickly Branden showed up after. I knew he was lying about the mail.
"You know they plan to stop touring?" He continues, as he takes a step towards me. "They want to open their own label, and put Dad out of business. The label is insisting he retire, once the guys break off on their own. But when he retires, he gets barely five percent of what he's making now. You see the problem?"
Oh, I'm seeing the problem, but I don't think it's the one he sees. Daddy's pay gets cut, and there’s less money to fund what looks like his little drug problem. What I don't get is what I have to do with all this.
If he has been saving for retirement, he should be loaded. I have an idea of what the guys make, it's closer to the billions number, and he gets a slice of that, so he's making millions. Yeah, I know the cut in income will be hard to swallow but a change in lifestyle, and he's set for life.
The guys have been saving for retirement. Hell, they have saved for their retirement, mine, all our kids, and even the grandkids would be set. They don't blow money. The biggest thing they bought was this house and live together to save money.
I'm guessing Dave didn't do all that. He's up there in age, so he had to have known he'd be forced to retire soon anyway.
I don't realize how close he's gotten, because my brain goes down a path it shouldn't have been. The next thing I know he grabs my wrist in a hold so tight I cry out in pain.
"So, here's how it's going to be. You break up with your little boy toy here and marry me, or we will destroy the band and them. We have enough dirt on them to send them to federal prison for a long time." He laughs.
"You have nothing on them! They have done nothing!" I yell and start to fight to get out of his hold. Big mistake, because he tightens his grip, making the tears I was holding back start to fall.
"Doesn't matter what they did or didn't do, there’s enough evidence to put them away. It's great to know the right people."
In other words, they manufactured enough evidence. My mind starts racing. They have always put me first and protected me. Now, it's my turn to protect them. I can do this.
I guess, I was quiet for too long, because he jerks my wrist and slams me against his body. The pain shooting up my arm has me worried it might be broken, and when he twists my wrist, it hurts so badly, I start crying. I try to turn away from him, because his breath is putrid and is making me sick.
"You have one week. Break up with him and make it believable. Maybe, tell him he has a small dick, something good that will hurt. Pack your shit and move out."
He places a key into my other hand, along with a card that has an address on it.
"Your new apartment, sweetheart." He leans in and kisses my cheek, before turning and leaving.
The moment the door closes, I collapse on to the floor crying. How could I be so stupid? He pursued me, and I fell for it. Now, look where I am. I don't dare try to call the guys, my luck he has my phone tapped. I don't know what to do, but I know crying on the floor isn't it. If the guys see me like this, they will know something is wrong, so I need to get moving. Besides, crying on the floor won't get anything done.
I move my wrist, and it doesn't seem broken, but it hurts like hell. I can focus on this. One task at a time. I head up to my room and find the wrist brace I use, when I'm on the computer for long periods of time. The guys won't question it if it's this one. I switch out of Dallas's shirt and put on one of my sweatshirts. The need to cover the most skin overwhelms me.
I grab a suitcase and start packing, deciding what to take with me, so he thinks I really packed, but making sure what I take is stuff I don't care if I never see again, because that might happen. I will set his place and him on fire, before I marry him, and I won't let the guys go to jail. They do too much good with the music, the band, and the charities.
I will figure this out. But for now, I need to buy us all some time and let him think I'm doing as I'm told. Then, I need to figure out how to end it with Dallas that will do the least amount of damage, but still be enough that he will believe me.
As I'm packing, I hear a door downstairs slam and I freeze. Is he back? He said to go to the apartment, and he can't expect me to have packed that fast! What could he want? Can I get out my window and run safely, before he finds me?
I turn to lock my door, but my whole world crashes, when I hear it.
"Austin!" And then, the pounding footsteps.
Chapter 34
Dallas
The second I get home, I hit the ground running. I run in, slamming the door behind me. "Austin!" I yell but hear nothing in return. I run through the living room, and then up to the stairs, my panic rising.
"Austin! Answer me!" I yell again and then listen, before heading upstairs.
Just as I get to the top of the stairs, I hear her door close, so I beeline for her room. I jiggle the door to find it locked. What the hell is going on?
"Open up, Austin, or I will break this door down, so help me God!" I yell.
There’s some shuffling from the other side, and finally, she opens the door. She looks a mess, but she’s safe as I pull her into my arms and just hold her. She’s secure and is here in my arms. Everything else I can deal with. When my heart finally calms down, I notice the state of her room.
Her closet is open, lights on, and it’s a mess. There are bags on her bed. With clothes strewn around them. She's packing.
I pull back from her and hold her at arm’s length to get a good look at her. She's been crying, and she's in the oversized clothes she wears to comfort her, when something is wrong. Even though, she looks beautiful to me, I know something is wrong.
"What’s going on?" I ask her.
She shakes her head and pulls away, walking to her bed and turning her back to me.
"I can't do this anymore." She says, but she refuses to look at me.
Who knew those five little words could break my heart? But I refuse to accept it. Something else is going on here. I’ll get to the bottom of it and won't let her push me away.
"What the fuck happened?" I ask, trying to keep my emotions under control and failing. I walk towards the bed and notice she's crying and my heart shatters.
Something isn't adding up. Something is very, very wrong.
I pull out my phone and text Landon.
Me: Did you talk to Austin?
Landon: No. Tell me she's OK!
Me: Physically, yes. But she's really upset and won't talk to me.
Landon: Well, she’ll be fine. Give her some time.
Me: No, she's so upset she's packing, saying she can't do this anymore.
Landon: Do what?
Me: She won't say. Maybe us? Maybe living here?
Landon: I'm twenty minutes out. Keep her there, until I get home.
Me: Will do.
I sigh and run my hand through my hair.
"Baby girl, talk to me. Tell me what happened." I say
in a soft tone, hoping she will open up to me.
She cries harder and covers her face with her hands, and that's when I notice the wrist brace she wears, when she works on the computer. I gently take her hands in mine, and she winces in pain. Her wrist was fine, when I left this morning.
I start to remove the wrist brace, and she tries to pull her hand away, but I hold her hand above her wrist a little tighter. When the brace comes off, and I see the bruises, my throat closes up. They’re dark purple and nasty looking.
Someone did this to her. Someone put their hands on my girl and hurt her, and I wasn't here to stop it, because we mixed up the dates.
"Baby girl," I say, but get choked up, before I can say anything else.
I keep eye contact with her, as I remove her sweatshirt, so she’s in just the tank top she wore under it, and I see some scratches and light bruises up her arm.
"Who did this?" I ask, keeping my voice gentle, but my insides are raging. Whoever did this to her is going to suffer.
When she doesn't answer, I say the first thing that comes to mind and hope it's not true.
"Was it Branden?" I ask, in a whisper praying I'm wrong. But he's in the forefront of my mind after talking to the private investigator earlier.
She nods, then bursts out crying again. "Oh, God." She says, as I pull her into me and hold her.
I swear when I get my hands on that little asshole. I want to kill him, but the only thing stopping me from doing so is this girl in my arms. Killing him will take me away from her, and I can't have that.
I grab my phone and call Landon and get him on speakerphone.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He says.
"Austin has a nasty bruise on her arm and some scratches on her arm. She admitted Branden hurt her." I tell him.
"Motherfucker. I'm going to kill him myself!" Landon lashes out.
"Austin, baby, tell us what happened. Please." I keep my voice soft and coaxing. I can tell the last thing she needs is me upset, too. "We can't help if you don't tell us."
She takes a moment to get herself under control, before she speaks.
"I was just relaxing, when you guys left. I took a bath, watched some TV, and then, I heard the kitchen door. Thinking it was one of you, I went to start lunch, but it was Branden. He wasn't himself." She pauses.
"I think it was drugs. He was dirty, wrinkled clothes, red eyes, and acting off. Like some of the guys on tour who would party all night, before you guys put the drug ban in place. He's Dave's son, did you know that?" She asks.
She tosses that in there, like it’s no big deal.
"We just found out today from the private investigator," I tell her.
"Well, he was going on and on about how, when Dave doesn’t manage you guys, because the label is forcing him to retire all the money he’ll lose, when all this happens. Then, he grabbed me."
I tense up. The thought of his hands on her kills me. I have to remind myself she’s here, she’s safe, and she's in my arms.
"Then, he demanded I break up with Dallas. He knew we were together. How I don't know. I swear Landon, you’re the only one who knows. He said I was to marry him, or he'd send you two to jail for a long time with some evidence he has. From the sound of it, it's fake, but I don't know. He gave me one week. He handed me a key for an apartment." She says, and then buries her head in my chest.
"Where is this key?" I ask her.
"Over there on my nightstand, along with the card with the address."
She doesn't move, but I turn my head and see a sliver house key, sitting on top of a white card with an address scribbled on it just like she said.
"Of course, this is all for the money," Landon says and sighs. "Okay, we’re pressing charges. Austin please don't fight me on this. We’ll get our lawyers on it. We have the best ones there are, and there’s nothing in our pasts that can send us to jail. But he will be going. I need you to trust us."
"Okay." She whispers.
"I'm upping security. Today, was our mistake. We both thought the other was with you. The three of us will have bodyguards around the clock, and security around the house. That’s the way we can deal with this. I know you hate not having alone time, Austin, but this isn't forever just until he's behind bars, okay?"
"After today, I'm okay to never be alone again." She sniffles, and I hold her tighter, but smile a little. I know she doesn't mean that in the long run, but right now, I will give her that and make sure she’s with me as much as possible.
"We’ll talk more, when I get home," Landon says.
"Drive safe," I say, before hanging up.
Austin and I just stand there with our arms around each other. Neither of us moving or talking. Soaking in what we might have lost today. Her mind is racing as much as mine is, so I let her think as I hold her. I will stay here like this, as long as she needs me.
Finally, I sigh, and then do the one thing that will calm me. I pick up her bags and carry them to my room and start unpacking them. I made room in the closet and dresser the other day, but I will get Landon to help me move her dresser in here, too. There’s plenty of room for her stuff, and after this, there won't be a single night where she’s not in my arms, so it's time to make it official.
She can keep stuff in her room. Turn it into a reading nook or whatever she wants, but she won't be sleeping there anymore.
I turn, and she’s standing in the doorway, watching me with a look of love on her face. In this moment, all the day’s horror from her ex is forgotten. It's me showing her that I’m taking a stand, and that she isn't pushing me away.
"You are mine, baby girl. Always. I will fix this." Taking her hands in mine, I give her a soft, comforting kiss. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Dallas. I never was going to marry him. I was just trying to buy us some time, until I came up with a plan."
"That’s for us to do; the private investigator gave us a few leads that will help us. We’ll talk, when Landon gets here." I pull her into my arms.
When the door closes downstairs, she stiffens up again. This time I'm here for her and nothing is going to happen.
Chapter 35
Austin
Hearing the door close downstairs, makes my heart race, even though I'm in Dallas's arms.
"Guys, it's me!" Landon calls up the stairs, and I relax.
"I got you, baby. I promise you’ll be safe always. Let's go talk to him."
I nod, and he ducks into my room to grab my sweatshirt, because he knows I will want to put it back on, once Landon sees my arm.
He takes my good hand, and we walk downstairs hand-in-hand. We find Landon in the living room, and he jumps up as soon as we enter. His eyes zero in on my wrist.
"Christ. I want to take you in and have it looked at." He says, as he pulls out his phone.
"Let me get some pictures." He says and starts snapping photos of my wrist and arm from all angles.
The whole thing makes me uncomfortable, but Dallas holds my eyes the whole time, letting me know without words that he's here for me.
This is why I don't notice Landon moving to touch my wrist, and I flinch away in pain, which sets both guys on edge.
"It's not broken," I tell him and show them I can move it, but it’s swollen already.
"Let me get some ice," Dallas says and heads off to the kitchen.
This time it's Landon's turn to pull me into a hug. He might be trying to comfort me, but I think this hug is more about comforting himself.
When Dallas walks back into the room, he settles with me on the love seat, placing my wrist on his lap and putting the ice on it. Landon sits across from us, watching Dallas but not saying anything.
"I called Mason, when I got off the phone with you. He's meeting with the security team and bringing in a few more guys. They already have some on the grounds, but the rest will be here soon. Once the bodyguards get here, I want to take you to the emergency room and get that looked at."
I just nod, because I know he won't budge on
this. I stubbed my toe once, while he was babysitting me, and he rushed me to the emergency room. Mom and Dad laughed at him for weeks over it. The only way he will feel better is when the doctor tells him I'm fine.
"We need to have the security system on the house replaced. Somehow, he knew how to hack it, because I know I set it before I left." Landon continues.
"So, did I." Dallas adds, and they both look at me.
"I didn't touch it. Didn't go outside. I was in the tub, and then here in the living room."
"I don't think Dave ever had access to the house or to the system, but I wouldn't put it past either of them at this point," Dallas says.
"Agreed," Landon says.
"Also..." Dallas hesitates, before he continues, "I'm moving Austin into my room. We talked about it a few weeks ago, and we were going to wait, but after this, well. I know I’ll sleep better, and I think she will too, knowing she isn't alone."
My eyes bounce between Landon and Dallas. I'm waiting for my brother to explode and not allow it. I'm waiting for any emotion really, but there isn't any.
"Okay." He nods.
"Okay?" I have to ask and make sure I heard him right.
"I’m trying here, Austin. My main concern is you, and even at night, you shouldn't be alone, especially at night. So, this is the best option." Landon says.
I'm in shock. I expected some yelling or more of what happened, when he found out we were together, but maybe, that will come later, after the buzz of the day wears off.
Landon's phone goes off, and he checks it, and then stands up.
"Mason is here. I'm going to go let him in, and we can go over the new security protocols. Then, we’ll get Austin to the hospital," Landon says.
As he walks out of the room, Dallas wraps his arm around me and pulls me closer.
"That went over better than I thought it would." He says.
"You and me both." I agree.
Dallas kisses the top of my head, as Mason and Landon enter the room followed by six other guys and one woman.
They waste no time and get down to business. I guess, we will each have two people assigned to us during the day, when we’re out, and then at night, there will be security in both the grounds and house. As in people inside the house at night. Lovely.