Love Damaged: Rock-N-Roll Heiress Book 2

by McCracken, Kelli

  Darius took turns looking at Bentley and me before he finished off the rest of his beer. As he set the empty bottle on the table, he met my eyes again. “It was me.”

  All the blood in my body pooled at my feet. I felt lightheaded, and at the same time, full of rage. I wasn’t angry with Darius. I was angry with my ex. She’d made a bigger fool of me than I’d realized.

  “I can’t believe this.”

  “It’s the truth, sadly,” Darius admitted.

  “I’m not talking about what you just told me. I’m talking about what happened four years ago with me.”

  Darius frowned at me. “Ayden—”

  “Four years ago, Izzy was in a relationship with me. We lived together in Nashville. One weekend she went to a concert while I was at a gig. I found out later it was the night she cheated on me. You’re the guy. You’re the one Izzy slept with that night.

  My admission didn’t seem to surprise him, but his answer shocked the hell out of me. “I know Ayden. That’s why I invited you to come on tour with me.”

  * * *

  ~Mia~

  I did my best to ignore Andi when I heard her calling my name. Her heels clicked against the floor, warning me of her approach. Even when I pushed my legs to move quicker, I could only walk so fast. Part of me wanted to talk to her, but I knew what she was going to say. I felt it in my bones.

  “Mia, damn it, stop right now.”

  When I reached the backstage and ascended the steps, a hand warmed my arm. A slight tug had me stopping on the second step. Another tug forced me to return to the main floor. Then Andi was spinning me around to face her.

  “Don’t just walk away from me. You owe me a conversation, Mia.”

  She was right. I did owe her an explanation. We’d been friends far too long for me to treat her this way. I didn’t want to, but I knew this would lead to an argument.

  “I don’t want to fight with you, Andi. I’m sorry I didn’t call, but after what happened, I couldn’t think about anything.”

  “Except calling Darius Stone?”

  My face heated. I knew she would call me out on the fact that I reached out to my ex. This was just one of the many reasons I didn’t want to have this conversation.

  “I needed someone who would listen to me, someone who was familiar with what happened the first time Wesley and Izzy ruined my relationship. What better person to discuss it with than him?”

  “You could have come to me,” Andi blasted me as she pointed to her chest. “I’ve been with you through everything, Mia. How could you leave me thinking you were dead?”

  I slumped my shoulders and leaned my back against the handrail. “I didn’t know D reported my car so it would be towed back. I wasn’t thinking about anything, Andi. He took me to his father’s old house in L.A., where he was staying. I remained in the guest room for three days in bed.”

  Her face scrunched. “Why?”

  “I had a meltdown. What happened before I left . . . It was too much for me to process.”

  She had no idea how low I sank after the nasty fight between Ayden and me. I didn’t remember much of the drive to Death Valley. I remember drinking that morning, and D showing up. The rest was a blur.

  All I did know was he’d taken care of me. He was the one who finally broke through and convinced me to get out of bed. It was D that made me talk about some of the things that had happened. He never pressured me to tell him every detail, and that meant just as much to me as the fact that he didn’t judge me either.

  With Andi, I worried that her relationship with Bentley would influence her advice. She wanted Ayden and me to be together. At least she had before the fight. Add in the fact that she wanted me to talk to him tonight, and it confirmed that she still thought we should be together. She wanted me to forgive him.

  I wasn’t sure I could.

  Andi released a sigh, as the tension in her body seemed to fade. “Mia, I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight with you either, but I’m angry. I thought you were dead.”

  When her voice cracked, I winced. A second later, we were hugging. I don’t remember who initiated it. We both seemed to open our arms at the same time. Each sob caused her body to shake and my guilt to increase. I should have called her to let her know I was okay the day D brought me out of my funk. I’d been selfish.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t call. I should have once I was better.”

  “I forgive you.” She pulled back a moment later and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “But will you please hear me out and then make a decision?”

  As much as I didn’t want to, I nodded. I owed this to Andi, and she was right. I would have to make a decision on how to proceed with Ayden.

  “Mia, I know you’re hurt and angry with him for what he did to you, and believe me, you have every right.” She pressed her lips together as her eyes watered again. “You didn’t see the pain Ayden went through. He knew what an idiot he’d been. I saw his remorse that night and every day after.” She glanced toward the bar where the guys were sitting. “He spent several mornings at the gate, just staring in the distance. Then Gary showed up with the ‘Vette and asked us to identify your bloody clothes. If you had seen his face . . .”

  She covered her mouth seconds after her lips trembled. Each word she uttered made my stomach twist. I hated hearing this. At the same time, it angered me all the same. If Ayden had trusted me, none of this would be happening.

  “You mentioned Gary. Does he have my test results?” Both relief and fear spiraled through me when she nodded.

  “He said they’d be ready in the morning.”

  “Good,” I observed the floor as my mouth dried. I wanted to know the results so I could put this mess behind me, but if either of the tests turned up positive, it would hurt me. At the same time, it would be the end of Wesley’s comfy lifestyle.

  “Mia?” Andi’s voice drew my attention back to her. “Ayden knows he screwed up. He’s lived with a lot of regrets since you left that night. It got worse when Wesley confessed to breaking into your room.”

  Cocking my head to the side, I frowned at her. “Wesley confessed?”

  “He did to Ayden after Gary and his team interrogated him and his friend, Eddie. That’s the name of the guy who broke into your room. Gary accused him of raping you. He accused Wesley of your disappearance.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Wesley’s alibi wasn’t solid. He’s been the prime suspect in the case, which they treated as a possible homicide.”

  “Maybe I should have stayed away longer.”

  My sarcasm didn’t lighten Andi’s mood. “You wouldn’t say that if you saw what happened after Wesley’s confession. Ayden lost it and punched him. If Bentley hadn’t arrived when he did, I don’t think Ayden would have stopped.”

  Ayden didn’t know how to handle his anger. That worried me, and at the same time, I understood. While I didn’t react to my anger, I’d reacted to my fear, which is why I always ran away from my problems. I had to take time to sort through my feelings and emotions. Ayden was the opposite.

  Maybe he’d never been this stressed in his life. He was miles away from home. There were several occasions where he mentioned missing his family. I knew how hard it could be on someone to be miles away from everyone and everything they knew.

  He was under pressure to perform. Recording their first album was a dream come true, but he hadn’t realized the stress that came along with it or pushy labels and agents. Now he’d had a taste of both.

  Add in our relationship, the secrecy of it, our complicated pasts, and two conniving exes, and we had the perfect recipe for relationship sabotage.

  “So will you, Mia? Will you talk to Ayden? It doesn’t have to be tonight or even tomorrow.”

  I hated hearing her beg me for something I couldn’t do. Disappointing her was never easy. Besides, I still had some issues to figure out.

  “I just got back. Will you please let me check in with everyone and settle in for the evening? Nothing wi
ll be solved tonight. Tomorrow is a new day.”

  “Okay. We’ll deal with this tomorrow. I need to update some files I worked on this week so you can get up to speed on everything that’s happened in your absence.”

  She was back in assistant mode. It was a relief to know. Still, I knew this was far from over. When tomorrow arrived, she’d be back on her mission to save my relationship.

  I was on a mission too. It was time to make changes in my life. Some people wouldn’t be happy with what I had in store. I wasn’t sure if I would be either, but I saw no other choice.

  It was time to take back control of my life.

  Chapter 3

  ~Ayden~

  The longer I sat on the barstool, the more anxious I became at the thought of what today might entail. It wasn’t a guarantee. Andi made sure to stress that point last night. Still, she said there was a chance Mia would speak with me at some point. She promised Andi she would handle things today after she had time to catch up on her job duties.

  Even knowing what I did, it didn’t keep me from waking up at seven a.m. or from going into the arena as soon as I showered and dressed. Mia had been busy most of the morning. I’d only seen her for five minutes before she left the arena. Bentley said he spotted her getting into a car her personal chauffeur was driving.

  I had no idea where she was going. Neither did Andi. When she texted Mia to ask where she was, the only thing Mia sent back was a short, cryptic message that said she was resolving a problem that was long overdue.

  Racking my brain on what it could be, I shifted my attention above me. The top of the dome was open, allowing the sun to shine inside the arena. I gazed at the sky, enjoying the warmth on my face. It seemed to rejuvenate my soul, something I desperately needed. It also reminded me that the day was dwindling away.

  How many times could I get up, walk around the grounds, and return to this same spot before Mia came back? At this point, I’d lost count. The day was dragging and each hour decreased my hope of seeing her.

  Focusing on the people inside the arena, I scanned the many faces, not really paying attention to who each person was. I’d met a lot of performers since coming here.

  A moment later, Izzy came into my view. I fisted my hands as I thought back to my conversation with Darius last night. I still couldn’t believe what had gone down between him and Mia or the fact that when Izzy cheated on me, it was with him.

  Turning back to the bar, I realized that Mia and I had a connection long before we met. If only I’d met her first, maybe none of this shit would be happening. I would have trusted her. Wesley’s lies would never have come between us.

  I should have stayed with Mia that night instead of drinking with the guys. The last time I’d checked on her, she was working at the bar. Maybe if Bentley and I hadn’t been razzing Ryan and Jason about not hanging out with us or challenging them to shots, I would have seen Izzy spike her drink.

  Regrets were plentiful, and I hoarded many. I’m the one who messed up everything. If Mia didn’t forgive me, I had no one to blame but myself.

  It didn’t mean I would give up.

  I couldn’t. She was under my skin. There was no way to remove her from my mind or heart. I had to get her forgiveness.

  “Hey buddy,” Bentley spoke as he sat on the stool next to me. Andi was with him, and both were staring at me like I was a chemistry project about to have a reaction. More like a meltdown.

  “Hey, guys,” I greeted them. Small talk was off the table for me today. I was saving my energy for my conversation with Mia, one that seemed more and more like it wasn’t going to happen.

  “Mia’s back,” Andi announced. “She texted me a moment ago and said she’d be here in a few minutes.”

  “Did she mention talking to me?”

  “Yes, but she also said she needed to see the band too. Ryan and Jason will be here in a few minutes. Scratch that. They’re here now.”

  My two friends came trudging into the bar, talking to each other about something I couldn’t here. Once they reached us, they took the two seats on my other side. “We got here as soon as we could. What’s up?”

  “Mia’s back. She asked me to gather you guys so she could speak with you about the tour and some other information.”

  “What other information?” Jason peered at Bentley and me like we’d been keeping something from him and Ryan.

  “Honestly, Jason, I’m not sure,” Andi told him. “Mia didn’t elaborate.”

  “So you have no idea what she wants to discuss?”

  Jason was pretty reserved most of the time. If he was asking questions, it’s because he was either excited about something or nervous. Our lack of communication with Mia over the last week was reason enough for me to know my bass guitarist was anxious.

  “I’ve told you everything I know, Jason. Mia has been in town on business most of the day. I wouldn’t worry too much. The last reports we received showed you guys are still climbing the charts. I’m sure she wants to discuss the next steps.”

  Her answer must have satisfied him. He didn’t ask for anything else. Neither did Ryan. Both flagged Max down and ordered a beer. Bentley wasn’t saying much either. I didn’t suspect him of hiding anything from me. The crease in his forehead said he was just as confused as I was on what Mia had to tell us.

  Movement in my peripheral drew my eyes to the main door. I did a double take before I realized Mia had entered the arena. She held papers in her hands as two members of her security team flanked her sides. She hadn’t noticed me. Instead, she scanned the main floor between the bar and the stage.

  A moment later, she and her entourage came storming up the aisle. She was just about to pass us by when she glanced in our direction. Her eyes landed on me, but no expression covered her face. It gutted me. I’d hoped to see the smile I’d seen so many times before. I shouldn’t have expected anything different than what I was getting.

  She didn’t miss a beat as she cruised by us, not even acknowledging Andi as she did so. Each step she took dragged my heart with her. I had no doubts anymore.

  Whatever she planned to discuss with us, it wouldn’t be good.

  * * *

  ~Mia~

  I knew Ayden’s eyes were on me before I ever looked at him. He came into sight as I neared the end of the hallway and entered the arena. I did little more than acknowledge his presence, as well as his band members and Andi. If he caught me looking in his direction, he would insist on talking now. I didn’t have time. That infamous bigger fish was waiting for me to fry it. I would do one better.

  I would burn it to a crisp.

  With my two tallest and strongest security guards at my side, I marched toward the open floor between the stage and the bar. Axel and Justin stayed in step with me. It wouldn’t be long before I needed their protection because I had located the person I’d hope to find. It was time to put my plan into action and take out the trash that had devalued my beautiful home for far too long.

  As we passed the corner of the bar, my curiosity got the best of me. In a weak moment, I lost all control and peeked in Ayden’s direction. It was a mistake, just like I knew it would be. His eyes pleaded with me to give him the tiniest bit of attention.

  I couldn’t let him get to me right now. There was a mission I had to complete. Thinking about Ayden would only complicate my mind. I couldn’t afford to be distracted.

  By the time we reached the center of the floor, I had tapped on the firm shoulder of the man in front of me. Calling him a man didn’t seem right. He was a coward and a lowlife, one the world would know all about in due time.

  When Wesley turned to look at me, he studied every inch. “I heard you returned. It’s good to see you alive and well, Mia.”

  “For the first time in a long time, I believe you, Wesley. I’m sure seeing me back at Music Haven is much better than going to jail for my murder.” I extended my arm and shoved the papers in my hand toward him. “At least you finally screwed up and made the move I’ve been
waiting for since the day I figured out who you are.”

  “What nonsense are you spewing this time?” He asked as he gripped the papers.

  “Just read.”

  As he scanned over the document in his hand, I waited for a reaction. I knew it would come at any second. So did my security guards. They knew Wesley’s temper as well as his strength. The son of a bitch would never lay another finger on me.

  “What the fuck is this?” He growled.

  “You’re eviction papers, Wesley. It’s time to pack your shit and leave Music Haven. You. Are. Finished.”

  He glanced at the papers again, reading more of the legal jargon I knew confused him. As bright as he was, when it came to legal matters, a tumbleweed was more intelligent.

  Something must have clicked because a second later, he glared up at me. “You bitch.”

  “Yeah, I’m a bitch, but you’re out of here. Go pack your things and get the hell off my property.”

  When he lunged at me, Axel and Justin grabbed his shoulders, pushing him back in the process. It only angered Wesley more, but there was little he could do. No matter how much he struggled against them, Axel and Justin weren’t budging.

  “You can’t do this,” he yelled at me. “I have a fucking contract!”

  “Correction. You had a contract, one you violated the night you hit me. You violated it again when you broke into my suite and allowed a stranger into my home.”

  “Eddie never touched you! This rape allegation is bullshit.”

  “Oh don’t worry. My test came back clear, so your friend is off the hook for sexual assault. But you still committed a criminal act by breaking and entering, not to mention the fact that you violated the restraining order. I met with the senior board members and our lawyer this morning. Your contract is nullified.”

  “I’ll take this shit to court.”

  I’d finally heard enough. Pointing my finger in Wesley’s direction, I stared into his eyes and issued one final warning. “Take it court. You’ll lose. Just remember who has the resources to battle the longest. This game you’ve been playing is over. Checkmate.”