Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Courtney, he can’t come near you. I’ve already added security.” Malcolm keeps talking, but all I hear is Zane—Mike Zane—repeating over and over again.
I hold up my hand, stopping whatever he’s trying to assure me with.
“How? I thought he had another five years?” I’m breathing and trying really hard not to let that sick feeling of dread and terror take over.
I’ve had fanatical fans, and stalkers, but this guy was another level. I found him in my bedroom masturbating in one of my dresses. Somehow, he was able to sneak into my house a couple days earlier and left a petrified deer heart on my bed. When the police got to his apartment, they found all kinds of guns, ammunition, and elaborate plots on different ways to kidnap me. Needless to say, I’ve had to block everything about him out of my mind or I’d never leave my house, much less perform, again.
“Apparently, he’s out on good behavior. According to the parole board, he’s considered no longer a threat to you or others,” Rachel says.
“So, he’s out, like now?” Looking around my house with panicked eyes as if he’s hiding and getting ready to pounce on me from a dark corner.
“We just found out,” she says as she pushes off the counter and grabs her bag.
“You will have round-the-clock security.” Malcolm stares at me as I take a deep breath.
“Perfect.” I nod. “So, back to the good times.”
“It’s not ideal, but it’s all part of being a star. Mike Zane is and will continue to be a non-issue.” He sighs and clears his throat. “The most important thing is for you to get back in the studio.”
“You know what, I was on the fence about this Ammo producing thing.” Rachel puts on her sunglasses. “But Malcolm is right, no one will be talking about Johnny or anything else. It will take all the heat off us and put it mostly on Ammo. I mean, come on… Bad boy rock god teaming up with rock princess…yummy,” she purrs, heading toward the back door.
“Ace of Spades,” I call after her.
“Excuse me?” She turns at the doorway.
“He’s not the Rock God,” I repeat the same words he said to me not even an hour ago, back when my life was just shit, and not full-on imploding.
“I don’t understand?” Rachel looks at me, then Malcolm.
“Granger is the Rock God, Ammo is the Ace… Whatever, I have a headache.” I sigh dramatically as Rachel lifts her dark glasses as she eyes me up and down.
“You look like hell, get some sleep, and don’t worry, Mommy’s gonna take care of everything.” She smiles, then gives Malcolm a wink as she leaves.
“Court, I can’t stand her. I’m telling you, do not trust her,” he growls as we both listen to her heels clicking on my tile floor.
“Just...” I hold up my hands and close my eyes that feel like a bucket of sand has been thrown in them.
“Can you just try, Malcolm. Please, we need all the help we can get right now. I know you think you have everything under control, but I’m losing it. Throwing in the towel officially, right now, because my head is killing me,” I snap at him, jerking my cabinet open in search of some Advil.
“Fine, take it easy.” He sighs. “I know you have trust issues, but fuck, I know what’s best for you.” He looks so genuine; I reach for his hand.
“I know you do, and I do trust you.” I smile, squeezing his hand awkwardly. This isn’t who I am. Melanie is the affectionate one, she cuddles and hugs everyone, unlike me.
“Then I need you to trust me on Ammo…” He arches a brow when I go to argue, but the pain in my head is winning this battle, so I’m at a disadvantage. And with my stalker being let loose, what can it hurt?
“Fine,” I grumble popping three Advils in my mouth.
“Good.” He sighs. “Good. Just so you know, he probably forgot you were coming today. We had both been drinking, so go easy on him.”
I almost choke on the pills but force them down before I say, “Wait. He didn’t know I was coming over? You told me to go?” My face that was starting to cool off instantly starts to burn again.
“Look, I had just found out about Zane getting paroled. And Ammo did tell me to send you over, but we had been pounding Jägermeister. There’s a chance he might have forgot.”
“Oh my God.” I blink at him and start laughing because can my life be more of a shitshow?
“You know what, I don’t care. He acts like an animal and I guarantee you that even if he hadn’t been drinking, I would have walked in on the same porn show. I’m going to lie down.” I shake my head as I walk past him. “I take it you’re staying?” Knowing he will, if only to make sure I go tomorrow…that, and he knows I’ll feel better if he stays, even with my security.