Page 42 of Her Beastly Billionaire Rock Star
Leveling her eyes at Malakai, Charlotte lifted one eyebrow. “I’m fine. As fine as I can be while recovering from a concussion and broken arm. It’s a pain to bathe with.”
“Well, just be ready for that press conference. We’re going to need you to stand by your man, so to speak.”
“I will.”
“Good.” The line went dead.
Charlotte huffed. “She’s ridiculous.”
Malakai pulled her to him and hugged her. “You don’t have to keep putting the phone on speaker. I trust you.”
“You do?” she asked and looked up at him.
Nodding, he combed his fingers through her wet hair. “Yeah, I do. You’re the only person who’s ever tried to earn it before.”
She shrugged. “Just the same. I’ll keep putting it on speaker when she calls. She’s manipulative. The best puppet master I’ve ever known. Octavia is capable of getting me to do things and then warping them. It’s not me I want you to trust; it’s her I want you to be careful with.”
“Man, you really don’t care for her.”
Shaking her head, Charlotte pulled away and walked to her dresser, taking pieces of clothing from one of the drawers. “I think Octavia had something to do with my injuries at the charity event.”
He tilted his head. “What do you mean?”
She returned to the bathroom and left the door cracked a fraction. “I mean, I think she was behind it. Someone grabbed me.”
Malakai took his seat back on the bed. “You mean you remember what happened?”
“Some of it. I was pulled away from you, and this smells like Octavia’s kind of thing.”
“You really think she’d try to hurt you?” He couldn’t imagine Bella or Axel being like that.
“The timeline changed that night we went to the club on your bike. Once the press saw me, she had to take advantage of it. People love a sob story. I get hurt, you come to the rescue, and past sins are absolved.”
She opened the bathroom door and walked to the middle of the room in a pair of white ankle-length pants and a light-pink shirt that tied at her stomach. Man, she was beautiful.
Heat filled his core and raced up his neck. He stood and crossed his arms over his chest. “Why?”
“It’s what she does. Either she was angry with me for not taking her calls or who knows what else.”
“That’s not okay—” He stopped short as the doorbell rang.
“Expecting someone?” Charlotte asked.
Malakai shook his head. “No. Let’s go find out who it is.” He winked.
When they reached the door, he peeked out the window framing the door. “Bella?” He yanked the door open. “What are you doing here? I thought Axel needed you to watch Kody.”
Bella shrugged. “I’m just here for the day. I wanted to check on you.” She stepped inside and smiled. “Hi, Charlotte.”
P’s and q’s. They were firmly in place now that his little sister was watching him. He had no idea what this thing with Charlotte was, but he didn’t need Bella interfering or playing matchmaker. As long as he kept himself in check while his sister was there, she’d leave him alone. Hopefully.
Chapter 21
Charlotte shook Bella’s hand. “Nice to meet you again.”
“You too.” Bella continued holding Charlotte’s cast-free hand in hers. “Are you okay?” Her gaze drifted to Malakai and back. It was slight, but it was almost like Bella feared he was the cause.
“I’m fine, and he’s been very sweet to me.”
