Page 9 of Mastered By Bliss

Holy crap.“I think you’re right.But I never thought of it that way—not exactly.”

Claudia shrugs.“I’ve been around enough therapists over the past twenty-odd years, I’ve picked up some things.”

“Wow.”This woman is incredible.Of course she is—Gage counts her as his closest friend.She would have to be special, to achieve that honor.

“So, I don’t want to meddle, but I think that ship has already sailed.”Claudia gives me a guilty grin, and her dark blue eyes sparkle.“I’m really glad you’re with Gage.I think you’re good for him.He really changed during AoG but now…I think you’re bringing him back.”

“Changed?”I tense.

“Just, after all that stuff with Billings.”Claudia’s voice drops—she’d been happy, joyful, sweet.Now she sounds bitter and hard.

“Harvey Billings?”

“Fucking psychopath.Yeah.”

“I don’t know anything about it.”I hold up my hands.“And don’t tell me.I should probably let Gage tell me about it.If he wants to.”

Her dark blue eyes fill with pity.“He won’t—at least not voluntarily.But I won’t say much.Just that Billings was cruel.His daughter tries to paint him as an aging old man who was done wrong by a bunch of spoiled actors.But that’s so, so far from the truth.After that, Nic really did a number on Gage, cheating with Javi.But I’ve already said too much.”She shakes her head and gives me a sad smile.“That’s what happens when I sense someone is trustworthy—I overshare.It’s a hazard in Hollywood.”

I make a mental note to look up Harvey Billings later.I vaguely remember some kind of scandal, years ago.Up until now, I didn’t realize he was part of AoG.

Or maybe I should let it be.After all, this is Gage’s story to tell me.Claudia said too much.And just because Gage lived for so long in the public eye doesn’t mean I need to take advantage of the information available.

Claudia tells me she has to get back to LA, that the rehab center isn’t thrilled she left to begin with.“I just had to meet you, though.”She hugs me warmly.“And I’m so glad I did.”

I hug her back.I’m glad she’s looking out for Gage—it seems like he doesn’t have too many friends in his corner.

Well, he has Claudia and me.And Dmitri, too.

And whatever happened in the past, we’ll get through it.

* * *

Dmitri

I haven’t seen Leah or Gage since yesterday morning.I don’t like that they live together and I live apart.It puts me at a disadvantage.I should get at least equal time with Leah, but Gage gets her at all hours of the day, just because he lives there.I have to make arrangements to see her.

This will definitely be a problem going forward.I don’t want to be the stud in some weird cuck arrangement, or the afterthought boyfriend.

I’m stationed at the rear entrance of Low Vice tonight.The early April night is crisp against my face, easily keeping me awake and alert.

After an hour, I go inside for a warming cup of coffee.As I pass one of the booths, someone laughs and says, “Layton’s gone for her.”

My ears perk up.Why is Layton everywhere lately?I glance around the club.He’s not even here—and he isn’t a member—but people are talking about him.I’m really starting to hate that bastard.

I take my coffee and get the hell out before I can overhear even more about Layton.The Laytons could be making a move on the Aseyev territory, now that Granddad is sick.That’s exactly the kind of thing they’d do—spot a weakness and move in.I wouldn’t blame them.Truth is, I wouldn’t even care, except I don’t know how they’d treat the remaining Aseyevs.Granddad’s evil friends can all go straight to hell, but what about the rest of us?

I’ve seen the brutality.I’ve been a part of it.I want none of that for my family.

A car pulls into the lot and idles.Gage climbs out.

“Where’s your car?”I ask as he gets closer.

“Leah’s driving it.Well, her bodyguard is.”

“Leah has a bodyguard,” I say flatly.

“I felt it best, given recent events.”

---