Chapter 37
IAIN
“How could he lose him? He’s tailing one person! This isn’t mission impossible.”
I rolled over at the sound of Dawson’s voice. I was still in bed while Dawson stood at the picture window in front of my bed, his phone to his ear.
He was naked, the early morning light highlighting every curve and ridge of his big, beautiful body. And the freckles that trailed over his skin like snowflakes. His free hand was rubbing his spiky red hair, his biceps bulging.
Then I spotted the scratches on his back and the red marks on his ass.
Turns out, Dawson wasn’t the only one with a possessive kink. My need to claim him intensified with every minute. Even now, after a long night of fucking, I was hungry for him again, starving for more, and only too happy to show him he belonged with me.
He had a lot more at stake when it came to this relationship. But his faith in me was humbling. It made me fall that much harder, deeper.
So deep I didn’t see any way out.
Dawson turned around to face me, and when our eyes locked, my heart took off again.
My ass was sore, my mouth was aching, fuck, my whole body felt used in the best possible way.
But I still wanted more.
“All right,” Dawson spoke into the phone. “The meeting’s at head office? Valen and Quinn, right?”
Dawson tapped the phone, walked back over to the bed, and threw it on the nightstand.
Then he slid over me, capturing my lips in a devouring kiss.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” he whispered. “Sorry about that.”
“It wasn’t the wakeup I had anticipated, but I’ll take you any way I can get you,” I murmured, and gave him another kiss. “What’s going on?”
Dawson let out a groan. “The PI lost sight of Salich. He followed him to a shopping mall this morning, and somehow, lost him in the parking lot.”
“The guys and I have a meeting with Greg and Harlow at noon. At his office. In person.”
“I know. Regan confirmed Valen and Quinn will accompany you.”
I nodded. “Now that Jaxon and your mom are here, will you tell them about us?”
“Definitely.” Dawson cupped my face. “I hope their reaction is positive, but—”
“I know. With my celebrity status and everything that’s going on, it’s a lot.
” I turned my face and kissed his palm, worried about what might happen if Jaxon wasn’t on board.
And really, could I blame him? “You know, making music and being in the spotlight was the only thing I ever wanted. I never thought I’d have to consider anything else.
Or anyone else. And now, the only work I love might cost me the one person I love.
Christ, I sound like I’m ready to write another song. ”
“You can write that song, but don’t write me off,” Dawson whispered before taking my lips in a heated kiss. “Promise me.”
Faith. I had to keep reminding myself.
“I promise. Besides, if it has anything to do with heartbreak, I’m not sure I’d be able to survive it, much less write about it.”
“You and me both, sweetheart.”
After another deep and drugging kiss, Dawson smiled at me.
“Let’s go make breakfast.”
“Good idea. I think we burned through an entire week’s worth of meals last night.”
“And lube,” he quipped.
“Thanks for reminding me. I need to place that bulk order.”
Dawson chuckled and swatted my hip. “Get up and make your man some food.”
“First, it’s ‘let’s make breakfast,’ and now I’m the one cooking? Always with the demands.” I sighed dramatically. “I told you, only in the bedroom.”
“I want to amend that rule. You must, in all circumstances, heed my demands, both sexually and otherwise. But the sexual ones come first.”
“I thought I always came first?”
“Exactly.”
I grabbed my pillow and playfully whacked Dawson over the head with it. He retaliated, and the next thing I knew, we were making out again. But his stomach growled so loud that sexy time was interrupted.
“Okay, I give in. I’ll make scrambled eggs and toast.”
Dawson’s satisfied grin had me rolling my eyes.
An hour later, after I’d made enough breakfast for ten people, Quinn and Valen had arrived. Dawson and I said our goodbyes at the door.
“I’ll call you as soon as this meeting is over.”
“Don’t go anywhere without your security. Promise me?”
“Where the fuck am I gonna go?” I asked.
“Iain,” Dawson warned.
“I promise. I’m not going to do what I did before. Not with that Frankie guy on the loose.”
“Good.” Dawson leaned down and took my lips in a tender kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Text me, call me anytime.”
“I will. Text me as soon as you speak to Jaxon.”
With the cold winter air swirling around us, I left him standing at the doorway, in my T-shirt and his Philly sweatpants.
Walking toward the SUV with Valen and Quinn, I noticed they were unusually silent.
“What’s going on?” I asked as I looked up at them.
“You and Dawson? I thought that was a rumor.” Valen’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head.
“Nope. But we’re not public yet,” I replied.
“Wait a sec,” Quinn held up his tattooed hand. “So, you and Dawson are a legit couple? Like a couple, couple?”
“Yes.” I smiled as Valen opened the back door.
“I knew it!” Quinn exclaimed. “You owe me a hundred bucks, Val!”
I turned and glared at my security detail—both of them.
“You guys were betting on us?”
“Fuck yeah, the same way we did with Van and Brodie. We see it all. The way you flirt with Daws? And how possessive he is with you?” Quinn scoffed. “Please, the pheromones were off the chart. I’m surprised it took you this long.”
“Did everyone know we were a thing before it actually happened?”
“Fuck, yeah,” Quinn replied. “And we also know who’s next.”
I didn’t want to think about that. Shaking my head, I settled into the backseat.
When we finally pulled into the parking lot of Bandit Music’s head office, my stomach dropped.
I hadn’t been here for a long time. Greg only called us in for heavy conversations about our contract or something that Brodie did or said to the media.
I was guessing that this convo was the same.
When I arrived at the office on the thirty-fifth floor, Brodie, Faise, and Ronin were already there. Harlow too.
Greg’s assistant motioned for us to enter his office while Valen and Quinn waited outside the room along with the other bodyguards.
Greg was sitting at his desk with his phone to his ear.
I heard him murmur, “HR will courier the severance letter,” and then he hung up. When he was done, he ushered us forward to have a seat.
“Any guesses as to why I called this meeting today?”
I looked at my friends, and they were as silent as I was.
“First off, what’s going on here?” Greg asked, placing his phone on the table in front of us.
I stared at the picture of me, Dawson, and Jaxon, as we were entering the restaurant that day. My eyes zoomed in on the way Dawson and I were looking at each other. I’d never seen myself so happy before.
“It’s called lunch. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?” I snapped.
“Don’t be a smart ass, Holloway. If you’re involved with your security detail—”
“He’s not on my detail anymore. And my personal life is my business.”
“No, it’s my business,” Greg replied. “Everything you do is in the public eye and reflects on my company.”
“Like you haven’t fucked people you worked with?” Brodie snarled. “And don’t even try to deny it. The music world ain’t that big. People talk.”
Greg’s face flushed, and he shook his head. “Watch your mouth, Brodie. I’ve had just about enough.”
“You’re not in any position to threaten me,” Brodie scoffed. “We’re the ones the fans stand behind, not you.”
“As I was saying, this doesn’t look good. Given that, changes will be made to the security team. Dawson’s services are no longer required as of end of day today.”
“You can’t do that!” I yelled as I stood up.
“I can, and I did. Maybe next time, stick to fucking your usual randos and not someone on your team.”
“Why you—” I leaned forward, but Brodie stopped me.
“Don’t,” Brodie whispered as he pushed me back. “That’s what he wants.”
I managed to rein in my temper for now, but it was not the end of this conversation. I pulled out my phone and texted Dawson, asking him to call me ASAP.
“Also, I want more press coverage on this stalker situation, especially now that we’ve identified who it is. We’ll set up interviews with all the major entertainment channels. We want to milk this story for all its worth. Harlow, what’s the plan?”
Harlow leaned forward and was curiously hesitant.
“I talked to Zoe and Regan today. We don’t think it’s a good idea that we egg this guy on any more. It’s a volatile situation.”
Greg shook his head. “If you can’t follow my directive, you might want to consider updating your resume as well.”
“Really? Again, with the threats?” Harlow stood up. “I did your bidding when I was in Europe. I let things slide with the interviews and played the role you wanted, but now this is getting serious. I don’t think it’s smart to play with this kind of fire.”
“Then get the fuck out of my office!” Greg bellowed. “And pack up your desk.”
“With pleasure,” Harlow snapped, and fled the room.
I stood up, with Brodie, Faise, and Ronin following.
“I didn’t mean you guys!” Greg shouted.
“We’re leaving anyway,” Ronin announced. “We’ve heard enough.”
“Don’t you dare walk away from me! We’re not done here,” Greg warned.
“Oh yes, we fucking are!” I roared.
I turned and headed for the door, my band brothers right behind me.
Once we stepped out into the hallway, our security team gathered around us.
“What’s with all the shouting?” Quinn asked. “What’s going on?”
“Greg fired Dawson,” I explained.
“Fucking hell,” Quinn muttered. “When?”
“Just before we got in. He’s done as of the end of day.”
My phone buzzed.
Dawson: It’s going to be okay. I was planning to resign anyway. This is NOT your fault. Just come home to me.
“Is Dawson okay?”
I showed them his text.
“Greg also wants me to go to the press about Frankie Salich.”
“To do what? Paint the bullseye on your back?” Valen grumbled. “That’s fucking stupid.”
“I’m not doing it.” I shook my head and looked at Brodie. “I won’t.”
“We’re behind you,” Brodie replied.
“All of us.” Faise nodded. “Greg can go fuck himself.”
“Thanks. I’m going to see Zoe, and then I just want to go home. My head hurts.”
The guys left first.
I headed down to the twenty-fifth floor with my detail so I could talk to Zoe in person. When we arrived at her office, though, she was on a conference call.
After waiting for ten minutes, I decided fuck it. I sent her a text to call me later. All I wanted now was to go home.
Quinn and Valen were stoic on the way out, and I felt the weight of their silence. Dawson was their friend and coworker. They had every right to blame me for what happened to him.
“Dawson knew what he was doing,” Quinn finally mumbled. “He was talking about quitting anyway. Jaxon needs him at home.”
I knew that, but still, I felt guilty. Quitting on your own terms was one thing. Being fired was another.
We headed outside to the parking lot, and walked over to the SUV.
Everything was quiet.
Until it wasn’t.
Suddenly, a boom rang out. It was so loud that I automatically covered my ears.
Quinn shouted and fell sideways, grasping his shoulder. Val screamed and pushed me to the ground.
I looked up, utterly shocked and confused at what was going on.
Until I looked up and saw Frankie Salich, only a few feet away.
Holding a gun.