Page 52 of Backstage with a Billionaire Rockstar

“That this is how it will always be.”

I shrug. “It’s what I’m signing up for, right?”

“I guess unless you tell me this isn’t what you want. Liam doesn’t need to be in the spotlight, and we both know what it will look like when that picture gets into the media.”

He’s not wrong. Carmen will know something as soon as it gets posted. Luckily, that Travis guy who approached me during the tour never followed through with his threat… but I’ve got a feeling that won’t be the case for the man we saw tonight.

Even from a distance, I could see the money signs in his eyes, and nothing could stop that.

Evan runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his gesture. "We need a plan," he says, his voice low and urgent. "To keep Liam out of this."

I nod, my mind already racing. "We should contact your PR team and get ahead of the story. Maybe we can negotiate with the photographer and buy the photos before they're published."

"Good idea," Evan agrees. "And we need to be more careful in public. No more unplanned outings without proper security measures."

That’s not my worry, though. We are adults and can figure out how to keep Liam out of the public eye, and we know we should be more careful with him around. This is about Evan and making sure he’s safe.

“I get it,” Evan says softly, his shoulders sagging with the words. “It would be hard on anyone.”

What the hell is he talking about?

Then, I remember I still haven’t responded to his statement. He thinks I don’t want to do this anymore.

This is the perfect moment.

All he needs is reassurance.

I clear my throat, then pull away from him and make sure we’re looking each other in the eyes. “I want this, Evan.”

He blinks, then runs the pad of his thumb over my knuckles while looking into my eyes. “Are you sure?”

This is it.

“More than sure,” I say, then clear my throat and smile at him. “I love you, Evan.”

For a moment, it’s so silent that I’m worried I made a mistake. Then his lips crash against mine, and he tugs my body against his. This kiss is much different than the others I’ve shared. It is full of emotion—love, hunger, care, tenderness.

It’s everything and more.

When he pulls away from the kiss, we’re both breathless, and there’s a smile on his face as he looks into my eyes. He strokes my cheek and says, “I love you, too.”

The breath I didn’t realize I was holding releases from my lungs and I let him tug me against his chest, loving how safe I feel in his arms — even though I’m the bodyguard.

As much as I want to bask in the moment where we’ve been honest with our feelings, I also know we need to get ahead of the story before it’s too late.

My only hope is that Carmen will understand and be forgiving about us going behind her back all this time.

Evan squeezes my hand, sensing my unease. "We need to tell Carmen everything," he says, voicing my thoughts. "She's going to be furious, but it's better she hears it from us than sees it in the tabloids."

I nod, grateful that we're on the same page. "How do you think she'll react?"

Evan shrugs, a wry smile on his face. "Honestly? She'll probably overreact. But once she calms down, I think she'll understand. We just need to assure her that this won't affect your ability to do your job."

"And will it?" I can't help but ask, voicing my own doubts.

"If anything, it'll make you even more determined to keep me safe," Evan says confidently. "We're in this together now, more than ever."

Then there’s Liam.

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