Page 148 of Rebel

I’m alive, even as I feel like I’m dying.

I’m alive, and I won’t stop until I’m whole again.

“The world was shocked last night when Dead Ringer’s new lead singer, Beck Danvers, stormed off stage mid-set?—”

“Dead Ringers’ sold-out world tour is in jeopardy?—”

“After all the lows Dead Ringers have fought through, things were starting to look up for the once disgraced band, but could this be the end of their road to fame?”

“Dead Ringers are no stranger to tragedy and bad press after the previous lead singer?—”

“Where did Beck Danvers go?”

“What happened to Beck Danvers?”

“I think the most important question on everyone’s mind tonight is, will Beck Danvers ever come back?”

Turning the TV off after flipping through every news channel and seeing my name plastered everywhere, I collapse back onto the cheap motel bed. It’s an ask no questions, take no names place, which is exactly what I need at the moment—a place to lie low and decide what I’m going to do.

It’s all so fucked.

Before, no one knew who I was, and I could walk through life as a ghost. I liked that, but now, everything is crumbling down around me.

Everything is coming to the surface, one way or another.

My phone vibrates again, and without even checking my calls or messages, I switch it off, knowing the guys will hate me once the truth comes out. They know about my sister and me, but they’ll hate that I let Rachel win, that I let her manipulate me out of fear—or so she thinks. I did what she asked. The guys have no clue why I left, and I hate hurting them like this, but for my plan to work, I have to make it look real.

They say the truth sets you free, but they are all fucking liars. The truth ruins you.

Tour or no tour, I have my own person to ruin, and their truth will change everything.

Rachel will be held responsible for what she did to my sister. She might think I’m running with my tail tucked between my legs, but she’s wrong. I have my own plans.

I changed the game.

She doesn’t have a clue.

There’s a knock at the door, and I sigh in relief.

Yes, I have a plan, and it’s time to put it into motion.

SIXTY-EIGHT

It doesn’t take us long to find Gill. Whatever is happening, his name was the last one our girl was looking into. He has to have answers. He has to. I was angry earlier, and I still am, but not at her. Not really.

I’m mad at myself for not noticing her struggles. I know how well people can hide their problems. I did it for years, yet I didn’t see it in my girl.

My pretty girl is out there right now hurting and alone, wondering if she lost us.

That pisses me off even more.

She needs us, and we didn’t even see it. She was lost and alone and reaching for us, and we were blind. I want to ram my head into a wall at how stupid we were, but that won’t change anything. My own self-deprecation won’t change anything. Only actions can, and when we find our girl, we are never letting her go again.

Before Beck Danvers, all I cared about was fame, and now it all means nothing if she isn’t at my side. I would rather be in her arms, broken and forgotten, than be at the top without her.

If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.

Gill turns to us with a frown as all three of us corner him as he packs up. His eyes dart between us, but he looks worried, not guilty. He’s a short, muscular man with a shaved head and kind smile. We’ve known him for years, but I can’t take chances when it comes to my girl.

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