Page 21 of Riot

I ignore them, and when my phone rings, I hesitate.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Hi, sweetheart,” the dark voice greets.

“Who is this?” I pretend I don’t know.

He chuckles. “Save the number, beautiful. Nice interview. You were so fucking sexy when you were tearing him down.”

“He deserved it,” I snap.

“He deserved much more,” he agrees. “Don’t worry, men like him always get what they deserve eventually. I just called to say you looked amazing. See you later.” He hangs up, and I’m left gaping at my phone, wondering what just happened.

He is a strange man.

NINE

Imute the interview I’m rewatching, wondering idly if Fallon made it home yet and saw the present waiting for her. I smirk as I imagine her reaction, but then I grab my phone. “Elijah, put me through to JN Entertainment.”

“Um, Kage?—”

“Now.” My tone borders on cruel, leaving no room for argument, and he sighs.

I wait, drumming my fingers on the table, and ten minutes later, after a panicked secretary answers, I address the CEO. Having a name and fame like mine really does come in handy in moments like these. Before, no doors would have opened, never mind phone calls being answered.

“Kage, it’s so good to hear from you?—”

“Fire Henry,” I order without a greeting.

There’s silence and then a cough. Obviously, he wasn’t expecting that, nor is he used to anyone giving a man like him demands. It matters little to me what he likes or is used to. In my world, Fallon always comes first.

“Sorry?”

“You should be. Fire Henry and offer Fallon a public apology.” My tone is lethal. I’m barely able to restrain my anger, but I try for her. She doesn’t need me to fight her battles, but I won’t sit back and let her be insulted like that.

“Kage, look—” His voice is slick and slimy, but I refuse to cave.

He underestimated just what I would be willing to do for her.

“No, you look. If you ever want me on any of your shows or gigs, you will do this. If not, I will never mention or work with any of JN again, and I will make it widely known why.”

“Is that a threat?” he asks.

“No, it’s a promise. Fire him publicly and apologize to Fallon.” I hang up and wait.

Nobody disrespects my girl, and although she might have dealt with him, I saw hurt in her eyes, and I refuse to let anyone else hurt her ever again.

My phone rings a moment later. “What did you do? JN is calling me, panicking.”

“Ignore them. How’s it going on the search?” I ask instead.

“Impossible. What you want me to find is impossible,” Elijah mutters.

“I don’t care, find it. I’m off to the studio. Speak to you later.”

By the time I make it to the studio, the news of Henry being fired has already spread, and there is a public statement from JN condemning his actions and apologizing to Fallon while standing with her.

Helen is waiting for me, ready as usual, knowing I hate to be kept waiting. I smile at her and embrace her in a side hug. “Hi, K.” She grins. “Good to see you back in a studio, a nice one too.”

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