Page 597 of Rock Me All Night
"Good. I'd like you to stay there, but if you want to go, do it." He turns back to Aiden. "This is something I should have said a long time ago."
"Pete, come on. We're friends. We're good."
"One more word and I'm going to knock you unconscious. Don't care if you press charges for assault. Don't care if you make good on your threats to have the label bury our album. You do anything but exactly what I say, and the entire world is gonna know you're a rapist."
"I didn't…"
"Maybe she won't admit it. But she's not the only one, is she?"
Aiden swallows hard.
"You're gonna stay out of our fucking way until the record's done. Then, the second I say, you're gonna resign as our manager and retire from music."
"I can't—"
"You will."
"How do you think Tom is gonna react to the album getting buried? And right before his wedding? That will break his heart."
"Threaten my brother again and it will be the last thing you ever do."
"Pete. Come on. This is a misunderstanding."
Pete drops Aiden on the ground. "If you touch Jess again, I'll fucking ruin you."
Aiden steps backwards. He mumbles a yeah.
"Get the fuck out of here. Now."
The manager does as he's told.
Pete goes to me. He runs his fingers over my cheek. "Did he hurt you?"
I shake my head.
"Did he touch you?"
"What if he did? Will you kill him?"
"Might." His eyes fill with concern. "Good thing you're not allowed to lie to me."
The intensity of his stare makes my knees weak. Or maybe I'm still terrified.
I nod. "Only my arm. I'm okay. I can handle myself."
"Yeah. But you don't have to." His arms slide around my waist. He pulls me into a tight hug. "He's not gonna bother you again. I promise."
I dig my hands into his shoulders. "Isn't this whole thing for your reputation?"
"Still have my reputation. Just Aiden isn't a part of that." He pulls me to my feet. "Come on. I want to take you home."
"But then…" I look up at him. "What are we?"
"I need you to stay with me through Tom's wedding."
"Okay." I want to tell him how I feel about him, but my mouth is too sticky.
Instead, I slide my arm around his waist and let him lead me to the car.
