Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 48371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 242(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 242(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Something about him using the word fucking makes my belly turn inside out. I’m disgusted and furious. I want to kick him in the shins and tell him to get out. Fire his ass straight to Norway.
I write so big the words scrawl off the page. None of your f-ing business.
He grabs the pen from me and throws it on the floor, as if to silence me. “It is my fucking business. That monster attacked me last night. He emptied out my home of all my belongings. He’s a criminal, Pepper. He’s been picked up by the police on over a dozen occasions in Chicago. Getting involved with him is suicide.”
Since he took my pen away, I figure he doesn’t deserve an answer. I walk to the door, open it and motion for him to get out.
He walks over and slams it shut—without leaving. “I’m not finished. You have fully gone off the rails, here. Do you think this man won’t empty your house next? Threaten your life? Your parents’?”
I’m not gonna let anyone hurt you, songbird.
Yes, Tony had done those things. I believe Hugh about his record. I know he’s dangerous and the men he works for are even more dangerous. When he dropped me off at my suite, I wasn’t sure I wanted to see him again.
But I can’t find it in me to believe that man would ever hurt me or my parents or anyone I cared about. He hasn’t shown me anything but hot sex and a whole lot of consideration. And that’s despite the situation I’m in with him and his outfit.
“Open your eyes, Pepper. We’re in a whole lot of hot water here, and you pick this guy to explore your bad boy fantasies with?” He shakes his head. “Uh uh. It can’t happen. I forbid you to see him again, and if I have to lock you in this hotel room for the rest of our stay here, I will.”
My head spins around and pops off with fury. I stalk over and grab my pen from the floor. YOU’RE FIRED, I print in huge block letters.
Hugh snatches the pad away from me and hurls it across the room. “You can’t fire me. We have a contract. I’m not just your manager. As of this new album, I’m you’re producer. And you owe me three more albums. So there’s no firing me, Pepper. I own you.”
Someone knocks on the door.
“And if you even try to get rid of me, I’ll sue you for breech so fast you’ll get whiplash.” Hugh raises his voice. “Your parents are already mortgaged to the hilt in that house. You’ll lose everything.”
The door pounds again. “Hey, Pepper? It’s Izzy.”
I stride over and fling the door open. Izzy’s face is creased with concern as she stumbles in.
I point to the hallway, levelling my glare at Hugh.
“I think she’s telling you to leave, dude.” Izzy positions herself beside me.
A rush of gratitude fills my chest. I have at least one friend in this fucked up entourage.
Hugh points an angry finger at me. “Stay away from him,” he snarls.
I stalk over, pick up the notebook from the floor and hold the page up to him.
“Wow,” Izzy drawls. “Looks like you’re fired.”
“No. She can’t fire me. And we’ll discuss this tomorrow.” He leaves, attempting to slam the door behind him, only failing because it has a softener attached.
Izzy snorts, then thumps me on the back. “Holy shit. You just fired Hugh.”
I feel like the floor has dropped out on me. I don’t know what to think about any of it. I write on the notepad. Not sure if it will stick. He seems to think I can’t.
“Fuck that. Get a lawyer. Hugh’s gotta go.”
I lunge forward and give her a hug. She stiffens, because she’s not really the huggy type, but pats me on the back.
When I let her go, she says, “I saw your performance with The Sores.”
I hold my breath. I don’t know why I care what she thinks, but I do.
“It was wicked, girl. So unbelievably great. I am proud to be your roadie.”
I laugh and throw my arms around her a second time.
“Even more glad now that I don’t have to work for fucking Hugh.”
Yeah, about that. That queasy feeling is back. I don’t know if I’m afraid he’ll stay fired or afraid he won’t.
It doesn’t matter though. Even if this ends my whole career. I can’t go on with him running my life.
Chapter 9
Tony
“Everything okay?” Nico asks when I step into his office the next day. “Did Junior piss all over the girl?”
I plop down in a chair in the corner and fold one ankle over my knee. “Yeah. Pretty much.”
Nico gives me a measuring look. “You talk him down?”
“Maybe.” My foot jiggles on my knee.
Nico’s lip curls. “Did he give any indication how long he’s gonna stay here?”