Page 7 of Riot

“Who are you?” Mrs. Culet asks, her pearl necklace almost tucked into her pink blazer. Her legs are encased in a matching pink skirt, and they are crossed perfectly. There isn’t a gray hair out of place, even in her own home. I spare her husband, who was reading the paper, a look. He’s frowning at me, not wanting to be rude but not remembering a meeting.

He won’t because there isn’t one.

“You don’t need to know my name. All you need to know is why I’m here. I’m here to buy your house.” I smile widely. “I have the paperwork here. The price is very fair, and I have added a little extra if you are able to vacate by the end of the day.”

Mrs. Culet gapes, her mouth open. “Get out this instant.”

“No.” I step closer, feeling my eyes go cold and lifeless.

“You need the money. We both know that. You can’t afford this house or lifestyle anymore. Take the money, invest it, and say you wanted a change, move out of the city. I don’t care. Sign the paperwork, I have somewhere to be.”

“Who are you?” Mr. Culet asks, folding his paper.

Opening the briefcase I carry, I set it on the table before the china tea set and spread out the documents and pens, and then I pass the offer to both of them. Elijah could have done this, but I’ll use any excuse to be close to Fallon, not to mention I won’t take no for an answer. I watch them read it, their eyes widening as they share a look.

“More than fair.” I nod. “Sign now or I will knock a few thousand off with each second I wait.”

I’m already overpaying for the house, but I don’t care.

“You want us out tonight?” Mr. Culet says slowly. Desperate people do desperate things. He’s already been turned down by three banks. He’s bankrupt and about to lose it all, then here I come like a lifeline, too good to be true.

I shrug. “Tonight. If you manage that, I will throw in an extra million.”

Without a second more of hesitation, he scribbles his name and stands. His wife gasps, flying to her feet. “Herald, this is our home. It was my mother’s and father’s?—”

“And is our saving grace. We are going to lose it either way,” he hisses. “Let’s take the money and move out of the city like he suggested. This is what we have been hoping for—a miracle.”

She stares, looking aghast before gazing up at me. “Why are you doing this?”

“I want this house,” I reply.

Nobody knows the depth of my obsession with Fallon, and they never will.

She slumps but signs, and I hand them their copies before closing the briefcase. Lifting my phone, I punch in a number. “It’s done, send the money.” I wait as he confirms it then hang up. “The money is being wired to you now. I will be back tonight. If you are gone, the extra funds will be wired. Mr. and Mrs. Culet, nice doing business with you. Enjoy retirement.” I leave.

Outside, I pull down my shades, my eyes going to the house next door once more as Elijah joins me at my side. “Bring on a construction crew. I want that wall knocked down.”

“Sir, that might not be possible.”

I spare him a look, silencing him. “Make it happen,” I say. “Now let’s go, we have an interview to get to.”

Leaning back in the chair, I direct a cocky smirk at the camera—one I know drives the fans wild, but it’s all for her. Is she watching? Does she soak up every second of screentime about me like I do about her? Does she look for clues in my answers? They are right there for her. She’s the reason I do this, and they have no idea.

“Rumors say you have moved here permanently.” My interviewer smiles. I know it’s good manners to remember her name, but I just don’t care.

“The rumors would be true.”

The crowd screams, females shouting and waving at me, and I blow a kiss.

“Is it closer to your music?” the interviewer asks when they calm down.

“There’s something special here, something important, so that’s why.” I grin. My PR team tells me never to talk about relationships or mention women. Most of my fans are women, so I’m an untouchable fantasy they don’t want tainted. If they only knew the truth. I will never belong to them. I’m already hers and always have been.

“Could there be someone special prompting the move? You’ve been making waves, and coming back home seems out of the blue. You’ve risen to number one on most charts, and you are the trending celebrity on every platform?—”

“Now you’re just flattering me.” I smirk and glance at the camera. “There is someone special.” I hear the crowd gasp as their hearts break, so I let my smile widen. “You guys, my fans, I’m here for you.”

Liar, but I know my fans and Fallon aren’t ready to hear the truth yet.

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