Chapter Twenty-Two
DANGER
The after-party was fun. Lunar and I mostly stayed in a booth, enjoying each other’s company while the others drank and partied the night away. That might have appealed to me in my early days as a rock star, but that’s not the man I am now.
My man-whoring ways are something I’m not proud of, and if Ella fucking Slade taught me anything, it’s that being monogamous in a relationship is important.
So, even though there was a barrage of women parading themselves around at the party, I was only interested in one. And I stayed with Lunar, showing her that she is my focus—the only one I want.
We left the party early and came back to the hotel, spending the night together in our room with a slight buzz from the minimal alcohol we consumed compared to everyone else.
It seems we’re the adult couple on this tour.
Who’d have known this would be my life? But I know I always want to have my senses about me.
Lying here in the light of morning, I realize Lunar might just be one of the rarest and most special gifts I’ve ever been given.
She really is something exceptional, even though I don’t know how this is going to end for us.
However, I am sure it will end because the long-distance thing won’t happen for me again.
My strong feelings for her could be my undoing.
But the band comes first this time.
Band before bitches, as Nate says.
I can’t fail Recoil again.
I won’t fail Recoil again.
If it comes down to choosing between staying in Australia with Lunar or relocating the band to the States, I will prioritize the band.
While I’m here, I want to explore my connection with Lunar. It may be selfish, given that I will eventually leave, but I don’t want to fight whatever pull I have toward her.
When Lunar reacted to me confiding in Effa and my struggle to open up with her, I couldn’t tell her it was a safeguard, knowing I was leaving. Besides, I have no desire to experience the pain I went through with Ella again.
I just can’t…
… can I?
My thoughts are a chaotic mess of emotions I never want to experience again.
The sound of my cell ringing breaks me out of my thoughts, and Lunar stirs beside me. I reach over to the bedside table and grab it, swiping the screen to answer a call from Luke.
“What’s up?”
“Is Lunar with you?”
I turn to look at her, finding her watching me with sleepy eyes. “Yeah, she is… why?”
“Put the phone on speaker, now.”
Furrowing my brows, I put the cell on speaker. “What the fuck, Luke? What’s the problem?”
Lunar sits up, looking at me, her brows creased. “What’s going on?” she asks.
“Lunar, did you talk to a reporter?”
I snap my head around to look at her, and her eyes widen in shock. “Some woman asked me a few questions, but I didn’t know she was a reporter. It wasn’t anything dramatic.”
Luke scoffs. “Nothing dramatic? Did you tell them you were a club girl?”
My stomach falls through the floor as I stare at Lunar.
“What? No!” Her pleading eyes meet mine.
“Well, they know, and now so does the whole of Australia. It’s headline fucking news!”
I can’t help the deep scowl that forms on my face, my hands forming into fists as Lunar swallows heavily. “What do you mean, Luke?” I growl through gritted teeth.
“I mean, the fact that Lunar was club property, a stripper, and a club whore is plastered all over the papers and morning news. They’re saying you’re dating a whore, Danger. One of Australia’s classless ladies.”
Turning away from Lunar, I swing my legs out of bed and start pacing the floor. “What damage are we talking here, Luke?”
“Who knows? They’re saying the foundation could have ties to the MC and that all the proceeds may fund a biker club. Also, this tour is a mess, and people should boycott your shows in protest against bikers.”
“What!” I call out, my anger boiling to the surface. I’m hot, and my skin feels like it’s on fire as I continue to pace, feeling like there’s something crawling under my skin, and I need to get it the fuck out.
Lunar stands, staring at me like a deer in the headlights. “Luke, if I were to leave, would it help?”
“No!” I demand, stopping my pacing before staring back at her, my voice sharp with annoyance.
“Yes! Lunar, if you want to help the band, you should distance yourself from them completely,” Luke confirms.
Panic overwhelms me—I feel like I am about to break.
“Shut up, Luke. Lunar, no! Not happening.” My wide eyes meet hers as I stare at her, my body shaking with adrenaline overload as a look of resolution washes over Lunar.
Her bottom lip trembles, and she slowly approaches me.
Tears begin streaming down her face, and I shake my head, my heart pounding out of my chest, making it hard to breathe.
“No. No, Lunar,” I beg as she steps up to me, taking my hands in hers.
She sniffles, tears falling like raindrops from her chin as her eyes lock onto mine. “Thank you. Thank you for freeing me from the club. But it seems I can never truly be free of them. I won’t let them bring you down. Danger, I have to leave.”
“No!” I assert, with a tone that is controlling and authoritative.
“It’s for the best,” Luke states calmly, his tone unwavering. I’d forgotten he was still on the phone.
Lunar lets my hands go and turns to start packing while I grapple with the turmoil churning within me. She’s my light, my muse. I didn’t see a future for us, but I believed we had more time.
We have to have more time.
I’m not prepared to lose her yet.
I run my fingers through my hair. “This is fucking ridiculous. Can’t we go on record and tell the press she’s left that life behind?”
“Yes, we need to. Lunar, could you meet with me before you leave so we can arrange a press conference? It would be wise if you’re up for it,” Luke instructs.
“Yes… okay.” She continues to pack, but a flicker of uncertainty flashes across her face.
I start pacing again, with that feeling of things crawling beneath my skin irritating me once more. “Once she clears her name, she stays,” I demand, my voice laced with authority and a hint of impatience and clear agitation.
“Distance is best right now, Danger,” Luke responds.
Lunar nods, wiping tears from her face, a small sob escaping her.
I step forward, enveloping her in my arms, and she holds me tightly, falling into my embrace.
My nose dips into her hair, just needing to be wrapped up in her. I hold her as tight as fucking possible while she cries into my chest.
“I’m gonna go. Give you time to say your goodbyes. I am sorry, Lunar,” Luke offers before ending the call.
Lunar’s hot tears feel like acid against my bare chest—our entire world is collapsing around us. This woman is my muse. My light. My world. The thought of her not being with me leaves me feeling cold, but I need to be strong for her and for myself.
“Once it settles down, you can come back. I’m sure of it. It won’t be long… a week, possibly two at most.”
She nods, looking up at me with her lashes wet, her eyes red, and her cheeks blotchy. “I’ll miss you.”
My chest squeezes as I bring my hand up, caressing her wet cheek. “I’ll miss you, too, baby.”
She looks away from me. “I’m so sorry I spoke to that woman. I had no idea who she was, and that’s on me. I shouldn’t have said anything. God, I’m so fucking stupid!”
“It’s not your fault. I should have warned you. People asking questions are there for a reason, and it’s never to help you. They always put a spin on it to sell papers.”
“Still, if I didn’t give her my full name, then she wouldn’t have been able to find out anything about me. Why did I do that? I’m normally so smart.”
I grip her chin, forcing her to look up at me. “You are smart. You got caught in a moment. We can and will fix this.”
She sighs and slips out of my hold to get dressed. While she continues packing, I stand back and watch—there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. I’m utterly fucking powerless. My world is shifting, and I detest it. Who knows what the press will do to her when she’s out there on her own?
I fucking hate this shit.
She finishes and straightens her luggage, ready to leave. Her large, doe-like eyes, brimming with tears, are watching me intently. She understands, as I do, that this might not be fixed in a week or two.
This could be it for us.
“I guess I’ll see you ’round,” she whispers, barely audible as she walks back to me.
I reach out to her, grabbing her hand and pulling her to me. “You mean so much to me,” I admit, and she half smiles.
“I know. You do to me too.”
Leaning forward, I press my lips to hers.
My tongue slides into Lunar’s mouth, taking full advantage of what little time I have left with her.
Who knows when or if I’ll see her again?
She’s been a significant part of my life so far, and I want Lunar to know that I cherish her in every way.
So I show her, forcing my body against hers and pressing my hard cock into her thigh.
She moans into my mouth, and I wish I could get her out of her clothes and back into bed.
But I know she needs to go to Luke, and that thought kills the mood.
She pulls back and wipes fresh tears from her face. “Thank you… for everything.”
“This is not goodbye,” I tell her, truly believing it.
She nods, bringing her hand up to caress my cheek. I lean into her palm, needing to feel her touch. “Keep rocking it like the rock god you are. Don’t spiral. You can do this. I believe in you!”
Looking into her eyes, I see strength and determination shining back at me, so I nod. “Don’t stop talking to me.”
Lunar steps back. “I better…” She trails off, looking toward the door.
“Yeah, can’t keep Master Luke waiting, I suppose.”
She exhales, heading toward her luggage, and hoists her handbag over her shoulder.
“I’ll miss you,” I call out, unable to bring myself to walk her out because doing so would solidify the reality of her departure.