Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
He paused before he answered. “No. But I handled it, because that is what you hired me for. I can fight as dirty as they can, but you don’t need to know all the details. Unless you want them.”
“Maybe later.”
He laughed. “One down, one to go.”
“I fear MJ is going to be the hard one.”
“That’s why you have a team now, Nicholas. We have your back.”
“It’s a great feeling.”
“Get used to it. We’ll meet in the morning and go through everything. Has MJ contacted you?”
“She’s tried. I haven’t taken her calls, like you told me. She knows something is up, and she isn’t happy. She’s pissed about having a meeting. I’m sure she’ll have lots to say tomorrow.”
“We’ll handle it.”
Mila came in, and I told her the news. “Thank goodness,” she breathed out.
I looped my arms around her waist, pulling her close and resting my head on her stomach. She scratched at the nape of my neck, her touch gentle and warm. “One down,” she whispered, repeating my words from earlier. “One step at a time.”
I nodded, looking up at her. “I called Manny. He can get us in later tonight if you want.”
“I’d love that.”
There was a noise from the other room. “Oh no, I think a box tipped over,” Mila muttered. “I left one on the arm of the sofa.” She hurried out of the room.
I stood to finish packing, except I heard her low gasp. I raced to the other room, stopping when I saw what had caused her distress.
MJ stood there, a scowl on her face.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she spat, glaring at Mila. She looked at me. “What the hell is going on?” She took a step forward.
There was no thought. I placed myself in front of Mila, shielding her from MJ.
“I think the question is, what are you doing here, MJ? In my apartment without me knowing?”
She waved me off. “Checking to see why you’re ignoring my calls. Came back without letting me know. My source at the studio called. I know there was a meeting that involved you. One I wasn’t invited to.” She narrowed her eyes. “What sort of shit has that little bitch cowering behind you talked you into, Nicky boy?” She barked out a laugh. “Thinking with the little head now, are you?”
I glared at her. “Show some respect for me and Mila. I’ve told you not to call me that. You’ll find out what the meeting was for tomorrow. Now, leave.”
“I don’t think so.” She crossed her arms. “Whatever you think you’re doing won’t happen.”
I was tired of her. Of her threats. Her dire warnings. Of her darkness.
“It’s already happened, MJ. I’ve broken my contract with the studio.” I paused, watching her eyes widen in shock. I reached behind me for Mila’s hand, needing her quiet strength. “And you.”
“What did you just say?”
“We’re done, MJ. I won’t let you control me anymore.”
“You think you can hire some two-bit lawyer and get rid of me?” she laughed. “After everything I’ve done for you, you ungrateful little prick?” She shook her head, her gaze ice-cold and her voice furious. “I helped make you. And I can destroy you.”
It was my turn to laugh. “Everything you’ve done for me? Hiding my disorder, letting the world think I’m an addict of some sort? Choosing roles for me you knew would push me toward an episode so you can keep controlling me?” I shouted. Then I went in for the kill. “Changing my meds, MJ? Did you think you’d get away with that forever? Or just until you killed me?”
Her ire turned to panic. “I would never.”
“We have the evidence!” I roared. “It’s finished, MJ. Done. All of it. We. Are. Over.”
She paled. “But I love you, Nick. I’ve always loved you.”
“You loved me?” I replied, incredulous. “You don’t know what love is. All you care about is MJ. That’s all you’ve ever cared about.”
“No, you have it wrong. I love you. I’ve waited for you to stop looking everywhere and see what was in front of you.”
I blinked. She was in love with me? It was never like that for us. We were friends and nothing else. And that friendship had died a painful death a long time ago.
“I don’t love you,” I said quietly, meeting her eyes so she knew I was sincere. “My heart and my life are Mila’s.”
I should have expected the slap. She’d done it before. Her fury returned in the blink of an eye, and she lost control. This one landed with the full force of her wrath. My head snapped back from the power in her swing. I gripped Mila’s hand, refusing to let her out from my protective stance. I heard her gasp of horror, and I squeezed her fingers. I met MJ’s anger with the one thing I knew she would hate. My indifference.