Page 55 of Her Beastly Billionaire Rock Star
“I’m positive,” Charlotte ground out.
A long pause stretched out. “Be ready when the car—”
“No. I will not. The studio hasn’t said whether they’re keeping him or not. I’m not leaving until that happens. He still needs…me.”
“You don’t tell me no, and you don’t call the shots with clients. I do. Have your bags ready within the hour. You’re leaving.”
Charlotte lifted her chin slightly. “I’m not leaving.”
“You’ll do as you’re told, Charlotte…or I’ll make sure Malakai’s lead singer days are over.”
Charlotte’s lips parted with a gasp. “You wouldn’t do that. It would tarnish the business name. Isn’t that what you always say? The business first?”
“This one has become a little more personal. Wouldn’t you say? Be ready by the time the car gets there, or Malakai won’t know what hit him.”
“Fine. I’ll be packed and ready by the time the car is here.” She pressed the end call button, and her lips pinched together.
“Charlotte, no,” Malakai said, shaking his head. “No way.”
She stepped into him, her eyes narrowing. “I’m taking that woman down if I have to crawl through landmines. She’s mine. I won’t spend another second cowering in fear because of her, especially when she’s threatening people I love.” Her eyes went wide, and she clamped a hand over her mouth.
Emilia choked and stood. “Uh, I think, uh, we’ll…” The sentence trailed off as she ran for the office.
For a moment, Malakai was stunned. Was she saying what he thought she was saying? “Someone you love?” Did that include him?
Her shoulders sagged as she nodded. “I’m a walking disaster of fear and phobias. You need someone who can handle red carpets and rubbing elbows…and I know this, but…I do, and I know—”
Taking her by the waist, he lifted her off her feet and swung her around. “I’m a walking disaster of rage and bad choices, and you deserve cookouts with a guy who can grill…and I love you too.”
She tilted her head. “Cookouts? What am I? A Stepford wife? Besides, you’re not that anymore. You’re a different person than the one I met in Octavia’s office. I’m still a card-carrying member of the weenie club.”
Laughter poured from him. He couldn’t remember a time when he was happier, even signing with the label. This topped it by a million times. “I’ll take you just like you are. You asked why I sold the bike and convertibles, and it’s because I’d rather be with you in a 1969 Bluebird with my knees pressing into my chest than be anywhere without you.”
Charlotte caught her bottom lip in her teeth. “I’d like that very much.” She brushed her lips across his. “I love you.”
Malakai held her gaze. “I love you. Let’s take care of your stepsister so I can meet your dad.” He winked.
Chapter 27
When Charlotte pictured herself admitting she loved Malakai, it certainly hadn’t included blurting it out in front of Emilia and two strangers. Honestly, she hadn’t pictured it at all. But leave it to her to find the most unromantic way possible to tell him. It had just popped out, and she couldn’t take it back. It was the truth. She did love him. The surprising thing was that he loved her too. Meek, neat little Charlotte who panicked in crowds.
After getting a few quick kisses, she’d packed her bags while Emilia, Ryder, and Mia came up with a plan. With Charlotte returning to the office so quickly, it would give them a little more time to get everything in place. She’d just need to watch herself for the next couple of days.
Malakai had hated the idea, but he’d supported her decision. There was some concern expressed over Octavia’s insistence that Charlotte leave so quickly, which she’d considered as well, but with the way the press conference went…it made sense that Charlotte leave. Anyone watching it thought Malakai was furious with her, and if Octavia had bought Charlotte’s lie, there was no point in her continuing to stay. The charade was over.
The limo parked in the underground lot, and Charlotte took a deep breath before stepping out. With each step, her courage waned. When she reached the room she’d called home, it felt so much smaller than before. All the open space at Malakai’s had been easy to get used to. She set her bags on the bed and sat down, putting her head in her hand.
Malakai hated her returning to the office, even though they’d bugged her so they could monitor her situation. If Octavia suspected something, there was a chance Charlotte was in danger. It was possible, but mostly Octavia made threats. She never followed through—well, aside from messing with Charlotte’s car and most likely the attack after the charity event, both actions nearly untraceable to Octavia. The brakes had been tampered with, but surely Octavia was smart enough to not leave evidence around. More than once they’d butted heads, and yet, at any time, Octavia could have followed through with deadly results.
Why hadn’t she? The most that would have happened was Charlotte finding out her stepsister lied about her father having Alzheimer’s. There was absolutely no reason for Octavia to keep Charlotte employed.
Eventually, Charlotte set her bag on the bed and stretched out on the twin-sized rock of a mattress. It was a little surprising that Octavia hadn’t shown yet to gloat. It was so unlike her.
A loud bang caused Charlotte to bolt upright. Without realizing it, she’d fallen asleep. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and set her feet on the floor. Now her head was pounding again. “Thanks for knocking.”
Charlotte lifted her gaze and found Octavia standing in the doorframe, illuminated by light coming from her office.
“We should talk about the rules going forward.”
