Chapter 20 #2
“Go ahead and release that recording,” he said, staring Albion down and daring him to so much as try to lash out at Nikky.
He glanced around at the guests, many of whom had turned hostile and glared at Albion.
“All we need to do is own up to it and identify you as the man who put it out into the world and it won’t be Nikky’s career that ends. ”
Albion’s scowl darkened, but the bite had gone out of it. He took another look around the room, then focused on Harry again. “You haven’t heard the last of this,” he seethed, then turned and marched away toward the lift.
A few of the guests let out huffs or laughs as Albion retreated.
A few actually applauded. The woman who had made such a convincing argument chased after him.
Harry wanted to cheer for her. As personal as Albion’s threats to Nikky had felt, he was glad there were more people than just the two of them to join the fight.
Albion wasn’t worthy of his notice anymore. He would probably still continue on as a big name in the music industry, but he wouldn’t be able to hold anything over Nikky’s head anymore. Harry turned to Nikky with a broad smile that said they’d won.
“Wow,” Drew joined them, speaking before Harry could congratulate his lover or say what he really wanted to say, let’s get out of here. “That was something else.”
Nikky laughed like all the tension he’d been holding since coming to London had finally found a way out. He pushed a shaking hand through his hair and squeezed Harry’s hand tighter with his other. “I have no idea how I had the balls to say any of that.”
“Because you’re amazing,” Harry said. “And because it’s been a long time coming.”
“That was an epic takedown,” Drew said, throwing his arms around Nikky and pulling him into a hug. Harry let go of Nikky’s hand so the two friends could embrace. “I’m proud of you, man.”
“I’m proud of me, too,” Nikky said, like it was a revelation.
Harry just smiled. He’d show Nikky just how proud he was once they got home.
“Good job.” Charlotte joined their group. “It’s about time that weasel got what was coming to him.”
“Is he going to cause trouble?” Nikky asked, the vulnerable, worried side of him rushing back to the fore.
“Probably,” Charlotte said with a circumspect shrug. “But we’ll handle it. I’ve already been on the phone with Glen, and he said he’d get your whole legal team working on Albion and any potential fallout from the recording as soon as possible.”
Nikky’s eyes went wide. Harry was impressed as well. He’d definitely been wrong about Nikky’s team not looking out for him, although he was going to sit down and scrutinize each one as soon as the dust from the current storm settled.
“Good job, Nikky,” one of the party guests who had no business wedging his way into their group said, clapping Nikky’s shoulder. “I love it when David stands up to Goliath.”
“Excuse me,” Charlotte rushed to Nikky’s defense. “Nikky is no David. He’s a massive Hollywood star who will be starring in a Lubavitch film this fall.”
Nikky blushed hard and grinned so sweetly that Harry felt it all the way to his balls. At the same time, he rolled his eyes at Charlotte. There was no way the woman should have revealed Nikky’s upcoming projects like that, but she was clearly a little drunk.
With the drama over, the party went back to its former buzz, though with a bit more excitement in the air.
“Do you guys want to get out of here and go somewhere better?” Drew asked, glancing to Lee, then at Nikky.
“Um—” Nikky turned to Harry.
Harry grinned. Some things had definitely changed, but others were very much still the same.
He got a kick out of the way Nikky still looked to him to know what to do, despite showing up for himself in the most spectacular way moments before.
Harry loved the new, bold, powerful Nikky, but he really loved the soft, sensitive Nikky, too.
“As tempting as an afterparty sounds,” Harry said, “I think Nikky and I have some things to discuss.” He looked mischievously at Nikky. “Let’s go home.”
“Okay,” Nikky said, blushing for entirely different reasons.
Saying they were going to leave and getting out of the room and the hotel were two different things.
Everyone wanted to congratulate Nikky and ask about his and Harry’s project.
Harry was desperate to get Nikky home, but he still had an ego, and as long as people wanted to talk to him about music, he was going to talk.
“Albion isn’t the only producer in London,” one of the people who stopped them as they neared the lift, Marion Kennison, a powerful producer in her own right, said. She took a card from her clutch and handed it to Harry. “Give me a call,” she said, winking.
Harry could have laughed. His old friend Rudy might just have competition in signing him for a comeback.
He never would have imagined it in a million years. But maybe he should have. It stung a little to think that Albion continued to have power over him long after he’d thought he’d split from the man. He was well and truly free now.
Harry and Nikky eventually made it into the elevator and down to the parking garage.
“Did all of that really just happen?” Nikky asked breathlessly as they walked to where Harry had parked.
Harry laughed. “I think it just did.”
Nikky made a sound of disbelief. As they reached the car, he tensed and glanced around the dark garage. “Did you see what happened to Holberg?” he asked.
Harry took a look around the garage, too, though he was certain Holberg wasn’t there. “My guess is that he fucked off as soon as he saw the writing on the wall.”
“Probably,” Nikky said uncertainly.
As soon as they got in the car, Harry reached across and took Nikky’s hand. “Hey. Whatever happens or whatever Holberg tries, I’ve got you. He’s not going to get anywhere near you.”