Page 4 of Rush of Insanity

“Your dressing room.”

Good.His steps didn’t falter as he yanked off his tank and tucked part of the material into his pocket. He untangled himself from the wires leading down his back to the receiver pack attached to his jeans and shoved the equipment at his assistant’s chest.

“You know your fans will roast you online for not doing an encore.”

“I’ll deal with it.” He increased his pace, striding out the distance as fast as he could without running.

“Judd, wait.”

He clenched his fists and squeezed his eyes shut briefly, oh so briefly, to stop himself from making a scene. Pride had kept him from going after Harper all those months ago, but it was an unwavering gentlemanly persona that now stopped him from yellingI don’t fucking careand launching his arms in the air to give the world the middle-finger salute.

He wanted peace. He wanted privacy. He wanted Harper.

But he had to maintain the tiny sliver of professionalism he had left. He had to pretend he wasn’t entirely mindless over a woman.

“What do you want, Kyle?” He swung around, walking backward through the maze of stage crew and musical equipment.

“Just be aware, she’s a little…” the man cringed, “confrontational.”

Judd’s stomach dived. It wasn’t a nauseating plunge, more like a sky-diving freefall. Fear and excitement mingled into one. “Perfect.” He grabbed the dangling tank at his thigh and used it to mop up the sweat on his neck and face. “Anything else?”

“Just be careful, okay?”

He grinned and lightly punched Kyle in the shoulder. “I think I can handle her.”

“Sure you can.” His assistant raised a disbelieving brow and planted his feet. “Good luck.”

Judd didn’t need it. He could probably use a few more condoms, but luck wasn’t on the shopping list.

He turned back toward his path and started jogging. The progression toward Harper was a blur with the scream of fans slowly dying to a dull murmur. By the time he reached the hall leading to his dressing room, he was panting, equal parts exhaustion and exhilaration as he approached two of his security team.

“It takes more than one of you to keep an eye on her?” They didn’t acknowledge the humor in his tone. There was no laughter. Not even a smile.

“Both of us,” the man closest muttered, “plus Tank who’s already inside.”

“The crazy bitch bit me.” The second guard held up his arm, showing the light red circular marks embedded in his wrist.

Judd kept the smile on his face even though the elation evaporated from his system like an instantaneous drought. “After holding her captive for over an hour, I’m surprised she didn’t set her sights on more important appendages.”

The thought of someone else’s hands on his woman inspired rage. The name calling was even worse. Yes, she was a crazy bitch, but she washiscrazy bitch. Nobody else had the right to judge her.

“She did.” The man lowered his arm. “I’m lucky my reflexes are quicker than hers.”

Judd gave a humorless laugh and moved between them to grasp the door handle. “Very lucky. Can I give you a piece of advice, though?” He glanced over his shoulder, pinning the man with a harsh stare.

“Yeah. Sure.”

“Call her a bitch again, or any other name, for any reason, and you’re going to see yourself in the unemployment line.”

The guy’s lips parted on silent words.

“We clear?”

“Yes.” The man raised his chin and moved back to stand flush with the wall. “Crystal.”

“Glad to hear it.” Judd turned back to the wooden barrier separating him from Harper and took a deep breath. This was it. The time to claim what was his. He swallowed over the anticipation drying his throat, twisted the handle and stepped into what he hoped would be a new stage of his life.

The room was silent, the air thick and filled with tension.

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