Page 596 of Rock Me All Night
I push out of my chair. I don't like where this conversation is going. "Excuse me. I should get back to the party. I'm sure Pete is looking for me."
He grabs my arm. Hard. "We need to have a conversation."
"I don't think Pete would like that."
"I don't care what he'd like." His grip tightens on my arm. "I know your type. I've seen it happen before. You pretend to be a nice girl, convince him you love him and not his money. Thought he'd see you for the gold digger you are but the kid is too sweet for that."
"I'm not. I do care about him. I'm not trying to convince him of anything."
He leans closer. "I know how much he paid you. You really expect me to believe you're in this for something besides your bank balance?" His hand goes to my hip. "You belong to the band. And I control everything that belongs to the band."
My blood goes cold.
"Don't fuck with me. I know what that kind of money buys. You want the world to know you're a whore?" He moves even closer. "My car's around the corner. It won't take long."
I can barely breathe. Okay. Stay calm. Think. The best way to deal with it is a smile. "I'm sorry, but you're misunderstanding the situation, Aiden. Pete and I are exclusive. It's very important to him." I swallow hard. "It's part of what he's paying for."
He glares at me. "I've seen bitches like you before. Think you're too good for a regular john now that you have your claws in a rich guy."
He pushes me against the wall. Okay, no more polite smiles. I kick him in the shin. It doesn't help the situation any, so I aim a little higher.
But I miss. He's not there at all. He's against the wooden fence opposite us. The thing is shaking.
Pete has his arms around Aiden's collar. He doesn't give the asshole a chance to explain.
His punch lands with a thud. Then another. Another. Another.
I turn away, checking if the coast is clear. There's no view of the side yard from downstairs. We're not upstaging the party.
We're not at risk of someone calling the cops.
Pete isn't going to end up in jail.
It should be okay.
Maybe.
It's possible.
Finally, the sound of fist pounding into flesh stops. I turn back. Pete still has Aiden pinned to the fence.
Pete's voice is low and angry. "I'm done with you."
"Mr. Steele—"
"Don't bother. I heard enough that you can't bullshit your way out of this. I don't want to see you unless we're meeting with the label."
"Don't you think Tony—"
"Iknowyour uncle will be interested in what you did to Alice. She's like a daughter to him."
I blink my eyes open. Pete still has Aiden pinned. The coward is shriveling. And Pete is fuming.
My stomach flip-flops. I have to protect him. "Let's go. Please."
Pete turns to me. "You okay?"
"I will be."
