“And the one thing they need to see is you’ll actually come through for them. They want to see you’re not talking out of your ass. That this isn’t bullshit. You make a big promise? They want evidence you’re going to deliver. You do this? Get them on that stage? They will sign. I guarantee that.”
Part of me wanted to derail the awards show.
Last thing I wanted was Emily there. In the same room with that bastard. Hell, I didn’t want her in the same state. But I got the distinct sense she needed this. To see she was stronger than she gave herself credit for. That she was going to rise above it all.
“You guarantee it?” It was a challenge. A gauntlet thrown.
“Yes,” I told him, sure, though I wasn’t sure at all. Wasn’t sure if they should go through with it. If I should just come out and ask her to do this for me.
The only thing I knew was I was doing what was right for my sister.
For Anna.
For this motherfucking world.
“Fine. But if I don’t get that contract? Your ass is done. You won’t work in Hollywood again. Not in music. Hell, I’ll see to it that McDonald’s has you blacklisted.”
I wanted to tell him to fuck off. To bring it on. Only solace I had was knowing this asshole would soon have what was coming to him.
“Perfect.”
He laughed. “So cocky and sure of yourself.”
“You seem to forget who I am.”
I ended the call without another word and called my sister back. She answered on the first ring.
Hated that I’d even left her waiting for a second.
“He’s gone.”
She gasped out a cry of relief. “Are you sure?”
“I talked with your dad. He said he left five minutes ago.”
I could almost see her nodding frantically from across the miles, like she was trying to convince herself of her safety.
Ripped my fucking black heart out of my chest. Wanted to give it to her for collateral, but who I was failed to matter. Only thing left of me was the debt. A reckoning that was coming.
“Are you okay?” I grated, barely able to control the hatred in the words.
“I think so.”
“You are strong, Maggie. The strongest person I know.”
“I don’t feel like it.”
“The fact you called me? That you did what you did? That makes you a survivor. A fighter. That is what makes you strong. And I promise you I’m going to take this threat away from you. Make sure you don’t have to live your life in fear.”
“And what if you get hurt in the process?”
“I’d die for you.” It flew out of my mouth like a bullet. So fast it cracked in the air.
“And what if I want you to live, too?”
“Everything I do is for you.”
She gulped for air. “Then do this for me, Royce. Live for me. End this, but don’t be stupid. You think I can’t see the hatred in your eyes? You think I don’t feel your desperation? Don’t do something that ruins you. He already ruined me.”
She might have been naïve. Stuck in that time. But she was wise beyond her years.
“You aren’t ruined.” I refused for her to even think it.
I might have been ruined.
Irredeemable.
A sad, pathetic Hollywood cliché.
But not her. I refused to let it happen.
“Then let’s thrive together,” she whispered.
“I’m going to get you out of there, Maggie. Get you out of that house forever. Soon. So soon.”
“I’m ready.”
When she said it, I could picture her hugging her knees to her chest where she sat on the floor of her huge walk-in closet, buried in the deepest corner, hidden by draping clothes hanging from above, wiping the tears from her face with the heel of her hand.
Relief bounded through my chest.
It was the first time she’d said it. Always so frail and fearful and agreeing with every bit of gnarled, distorted BS that bastard spewed. Scared to deny the lies he fed her.
He expected her to swallow it down and purge it right back out.
“I’ll talk to you soon.”
“I love you so much, Royce.”
“I love you, too. Mag-Pie. We’re almost there. Just . . . hang on for a few more days.”
Ending the call, I pressed the top of my phone to my forehead, wondering if the pressure could force out the disgust and hurt and savagery that spun through my mind.
This feeling that I was on the edge of something severe. No footing remaining underneath. I was about to slip. When I hit the bottom, there would be nothing left.
Only thing I knew was I was taking both of those bastards down with me.
Finally, I forced myself out of the alleyway, but I found I couldn’t go back to the hotel where the band was staying. Couldn’t bring myself to step into another vacant room, the blackness from within swallowing me whole, night after night taking another piece of me.