Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
HENDRIX
It’s almost showtime, and I’m so fucking pumped.
Having my family here tonight is chaotic—the Creed family always is—but I’m so glad they are. I wouldn’t be the man I am without every one of those crazy fuckers.
We’re all headed in mass down to the stage. Zara’s sister finally showed up, and I got to meet the infamous Violet Valentine in person. As soon as she came whirling into the clinic with her backstage pass around her neck and sky-high heels, she’s been a tornado of energy ever since.
She and Zara may look a lot alike, but they couldn’t be more different. It’s obvious right off the bat that Violet is a people person and takes the time to greet and fawn over every person in the room without an ounce of nervousness.
When she reached me, she gave me a once-over, as if she was making sure I matched the glimpse she got of me on that video call. Then she gave Zara what I assume was a nod of approval and said, “Don’t hurt my sister, pretty boy.”
Then she hugged Zara and started talking a mile a minute about LA traffic, backstabbing models, and asshole men.
I back away right around the asshole men part of the conversation.
“Have I told you how ridiculously hot you look right now?” I whisper in Zara’s ear.
My arm is slung over her shoulder as we make our way to the stage.
She looks insane tonight, opting out of the usual jeans and T-shirt she wears under her white coat.
Instead, she’s got on a tight black miniskirt and a cut-off Manic at Midnight tank.
It shows off her midriff and the lace bralette underneath.
I have a feeling Elena had something to do with this look, because tonight, she looks like she’s with the band.
She looks like a rock star’s girlfriend.
It’s hot as fuck.
“I was thinking the same thing about you,” she says, as her gaze roams over the tight black tee and jeans that have become somewhat of a staple for me on stage.
I tilt my head to kiss her. She laughs as I stumble, attempting to walk and kiss her at the same time.
“Gross.” Presley pretends to gag behind me.
I grin over my shoulder. “Consider this revenge for all the times I’ve had to watch you suck face with Jace.” Speaking of fuckboys… “Hey, where is Myles? I haven’t seen him all night?”
“He’s around here somewhere,” she answers vaguely. “Probably in a dark corner somewhere.”
“Well, I’m so glad he could make it,” I mutter sarcastically.
“I’m sure he’s proud of you,” Zara says, reaching up to kiss me once more. I ignore the teasing from behind me and lean in.
Just as she’s pulling away, I hear her gasp and then freeze. “Tanner.”
My head whips to where her eyes are glued to the figure ahead of us. He stands out like a sore thumb in his dark blazer and jeans. His blond hair is slicked back in some vain attempt to look cool, and he has a VIP badge wrapped around his neck.
How the fuck did he get one of those?
He searches the crowd, looking a little lost until his gaze lands on me, quickly followed by Zara. Anger flashes in his expression as his eyes scan Zara’s appearance. An odd mixture of lust and displeasure washes over him as he takes in the short skirt and her bare stomach.
Then he zeros in on the way my arm is wrapped around her waist. How I’ve slid my fingers just below the waistband of that tiny skirt she’s wearing, because I just can’t help touching her bare skin.
And how I’m making no attempt to move them.
His eyes narrow, and he surges forward.
“What are you doing here?” Zara demands.
“I need to talk to you.”
“You’ve said plenty.”
“How the fuck did you even get back here?” I demand.
His eyes slowly turn to me, and the look he gives me is pure disdain, like I’m beneath him. But, then again, he’s always treated me this way.
Disdain, with just a touch of jealousy.
Only now, there’s a hell of a lot more jealousy in the mix.
“I’m a senator’s son,” he says with a wave of his hand. “Do you think my father can’t get me a ticket to some frivolous concert?”
“Frivolous?” someone says behind him. He turns, and Asher is standing there with his arms folded across his chest and a menacing smile.
His hair is perfectly mussed, and he’s opted for the no-shirt route tonight, showcasing all of his tattoos.
It’s a stark contrast to the clean-cut vibe Tanner has going on.
“This frivolous concert, as you call it, employs over a hundred and fifty people—not including the locals we bring on at every stop.
“Over the next five months, this frivolous concert will gross over eighty million. When we come to town, hotels are full, restaurants thrive, and tourism gets a boost. I’d say our frivolous concert is doing more for the economy than your father, who, last I heard, was trailing in the polls by nine percent.
” He fakes a grimace as he casually shoves his hands in his pockets, and I physically have to hold back laughter.
“But what do I know? I’m just a dumb rock star. ”
I think I hear Mercury mutter, That was so fucking hot, behind us, but as her big brother, I try to pretend I didn’t.
Tanner’s face is flushed with anger. His fists clench tightly at his sides. “No, what you are is a joke.” He scoffs. “You think I don’t know who you are. Who you really are? Some washed-up Scottish nobleman forgotten by his family, who parades around like some cheap—”
“That’s enough.” I step in because I’m fucking done with this pretentious asshole and his whole Richie Rich attitude.
Asher raises a hand, holding me off. His expression is calm and collected.
He even manages an amused grin as he turns his attention back to Tanner.
“It’s Lord, actually,” he states, taking a quiet step forward, with purposeful intent.
Tanner falters. “My title? Well, my father’s I guess, but you already know that. Didn’t you?”
Tanner’s face flushes scarlet red.
“If you’re going to trash-talk me, at least get the details right.
And since you brought it up, I’m not just a washed-up nobleman.
I’m a washed-up royal,” he says with a casual shrug, as if it’s a totally normal thing to say.
“My great-great-grandmother was a cousin to the queen. I’m like thirty-ninth in line for the throne.
Mad, isn’t it?” His eyes narrow at Tanner.
“Fortunately, I don’t need to be king to throw your ass out of here. ”
He motions to a security guard, and Tanner turns to Zara.
“I never wanted you!” he shouts as the guard grabs him. “My father needed to cover up a scandal and said voters would love a Cinderella romance. But you’re no princess, Zara.”
His words echo through the hall, bouncing around in my head. I can’t unhear them.
Can’t let them go.
“I’ll be right back.”
She grabs my hand. I turn around and see the fear in her eyes. “Don’t do it,” she says. “He’s not worth it, and his father will ruin you, Hen. His reach is too far and—”
I silence her with a kiss. It’s quick and hard. “I won’t let him ruin anything, but I can’t let him just walk away after what he said, Zara. I just can’t.”
She gives one quick nod, and before she has a chance to change her mind, I dart off in the direction that Carlos, the security guard, went, knowing I don’t have much time. Our run-in with Tanner cost us precious time, and now we’re down to the wire before showtime.
But I have to do this.
I appreciate what Asher did back there, but if I let Tanner leave this building with those words still ringing in the air. I need Zara to know no one is allowed to treat her that way ever again.
Unlike this scumbag, I will always defend her.
I will always be on her side.
“Carlos!” I holler down the hallway. “Hold up!”
He’s somehow managed to shut Tanner up for the moment, but the minute they both turn around, he starts back up again. “Oh, seriously? What now?”
“I just need a minute with him,” I tell Carlos.
“Okay, but no fighting. Your girl’s busy enough without having to patch you up too.”
I snort and point a finger over at Tanner. “You think I couldn’t take him? Besides, that piece of shit is my girl’s ex-husband. Pretty sure he’d deserve it.”
“No shit? That whole scene back there makes a hell of a lot more sense now.” He just shakes his head, giving Tanner a disapproving glare. “You take all the time you need. And by all the time, I mean two minutes.” He glances at his watch and winces. “Make it one.”
He takes a step back, and I turn my attention to Tanner. The smug look he’s sporting makes me want to hit him, despite my promise to Zara.
“So…you here to piss all over your territory and show me what a big man you are?”
Okay, now I really want to hit him.
“What bothers you the most, Tanner? That she’s happy? Or that she’s happy with me?”
His jaw tics. “It’ll never last, you know? This thing between you. If she wasn’t happy with me, you sure as hell don’t have a chance.”
“Did you even try?” I demand, raising my voice in anger. “Or did you just think your presence alone was enough to keep her happy? Because that’s not love. That’s devotion, at best. But, then again, I doubt someone like you would even know the difference.”
He makes a noise that tells me he doesn’t believe a word I’ve said. Not surprising. I didn’t expect him to.
This conversation isn’t about him anyway.
“Tell me, how much did you use Zara to get you through med school? ’Cause we both know you couldn’t have done it by yourself.”
Now that gets a reaction. I swear to god, there is actual steam coming out of his ears.
“That bitch didn’t do—”
I move so fast, he barely has a chance to react before I slam his body against the wall. My forearm wedges itself neatly beneath his windpipe, and I hold it there, watching him squirm.
“I think your one minute is up,” Carlos interjects, clearly trying to avoid an impending brawl.
“We’re just finishing up,” I say darkly, easing my grip on his throat.
As his lungs suck in air, I pin him with an icy glare.
“She doesn’t want to see you anymore, Tanner.
She doesn’t want to talk to you. So this is the last time you show up anywhere uninvited.
It’s the last time you make demands on her life and how she’s living it.
And it’s the last fucking time you call her names. Got it?”
His eyes are staring daggers at me, but he manages a curt nod before Carlos hauls him away. I allow myself a moment to breathe, to steady my shaking hands.
And then I leave Tanner behind, walk to the stage and forget all about Tanner fucking Price.
It’s showtime, baby.