Page 63 of The Final Beat

I frowned. “What?”

“Do you fancy something?” He looked over my shoulder and then pulled something from his pocket. “Open your hand.”

Instantly I knew what it was. Not the exact type of drug because it was in his clenched fist, but I had no doubt this fucker was offering me drugs. My blood began to boil with fury at his stupidity but also because a part of me wanted to take it from him. My hand twitched on the bar, almost ready to turn over and open for him. That was how narrow the line was between sobriety and addiction. I’d been clean for three years, yet one stupid prick could offer me something and I could almost feel the buzz in my veins. The temptation was real.

“Are you for real?” I yelled, looking at him and feeling disgust. “You do know I’m clean?”

He looked around the room, his shifty eyes narrowed on the people who were turning to see why I’d raised my voice.

Leaning forward, he lowered his voice. “Everyone says that, but they don’t mean it, do they?”

“Well, I fucking mean it. If it wasn’t for stupid bastards like you, a lot more people would stay clean.” Distaste and fear made me move away from him.

“Come on, Joey, it’s just a bit of H,” he said, closing the distance. “I know that’s your drug of choice. It’s not going to kill you.”

I rounded on him with my hands instinctively fisting. “I’m telling you now, get out of this bar because you are off this fucking tour.”

“You can’t do that,” he protested.

“I can and I have.”

I looked around the room and everyone had turned in our direction with the faint buzz of gossip going around the room.

“Aww come on, Joey, there’s no need to be like that.” He scowled. “It’s just a misunderstanding. Everyone knows you’re still on the gear, pretending to be clea?—”

Someone gasped behind me, and I took a step forward. As I did, I was suddenly pushed aside and a tiny powerhouse of a woman in denim cut off shorts and a Blondie t-shirt stood in front of me. She grabbed him by his ancient tour t-shirt and pulled his face close to hers.

“You are so fucking fired it’s unbelievable, you stupid little twat.” Her hand tightened on him. “Get your stuff and disappear off this tour before I get you arrested for dealing.”

“I wasn’t.” He tried to pull away from her, but Destiny was holding on tight. “I thought that?—"

“Well, you thought wrong.” She loosened her grip. “Now, fuck off.”

While a lot of men might have felt emasculated at the idea of a woman protecting them, I had no such worries. Destiny Cooper was a warrior in a tiny body, and it was her nature to be protective and strong. It was part of what made her so damn sexy. Besides, I valued my balls and didn’t fancy a swift kick in them from her because I objected to her as a bodyguard.

“You heard her,” I added. “Get your stuff and go.”

He looked at me and then Destiny, his lip curling in disgust as he shoved his poison back into his pocket. When he turned to walk away I felt a sense of relief that the drugs were alsodisappearing. I’d have never taken them from him, but just knowing there were some right next to me was unnerving.

“Okay?” Destiny asked me, her gaze firmly on him.

“Yeah.”

She took a step away but then halted when the now fired rigger marched back towards us.

“You need to stop right there, mate,” I snapped as he approached us.

“Don’t worry, I am.” He looked Destiny up and down and leaned just the top half of his body closer. “Just wanted to say you’re fucking shit at your job. Everyone on this damn crew hates your guts and thinks you’re a stupid, thick, cunt.”

It all happened fast, but not so fast that I didn’t have the sense to shove him with my good hand. He stumbled backwards, falling against Amber and my anger went nuclear.

“You stupid little bastard.” I flew at him, grabbing his t-shirt and pulling him close to my face. “I’ll kill you.”

He tried to push me away, but I used my arms for a living and there was no way he would overpower me.

“She’s not fucking worth it.” He sneered at me, but it didn’t hide the fear in his eyes. “Like I said, she’s a cunt.”

The punch sent him down on the floor, but it wasn’t enough for me. He’d tried to give me drugs. He’d insulted my Daisy.

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