Page 76 of Home Coming

“No.”

Once upon a time—not all that long ago actually—she wouldn’t have had the confidence to say that. She had it now though. Hundreds of thousands of fans chanting her name had finally convinced her that even though it could all go away tomorrow, for today at least she was worthy of everything she had.

“Come on, babe. Just think about it. It’ll be good for you.” Axel’s condescending smile had her cringing.

“I did think about it. The answer is still no.”

“No need for you to deal with the details now. My people will call your people. You’re still with Paragon, right?”

“Don’t bother—”

“It’s no bother, babe. Happy to do it.” He grinned.

She sucked in a breath. It was like talking to a wall. He didn’t listen. Perhaps he never had. That was so clear now. How could she have been so blind before?

“Look. I gotta get ready for the show.”

“Sure. I’m excited to finally see you on stage. Break a leg, baby.” Axel grabbed her by both arms and planted a hard wet kiss on her closed mouth.

A camera’s flash drew her attention.

She shoved him away with both hands and turned in time to see the photographer that Axel was grinning at as the man snapped another photo.

“What the hell? Axel, is this some kind of publicity stunt?” She glared at him.

“No, but it could be good, right? Free publicity for our tour. Can you picture the press?Axel and Bailey back together,” he said with the sweep of one hand over the imaginary headline.

That headline was going to remain imaginary as long as she had anything to do with it.

“Axel. We’llneverbe back together.”

“The press doesn’t have to know that, baby. We’re already selling out the smaller venues. After this news hits the internet we’ll be completely sold out.” Axel’s eyes widened as he grabbed her by the shoulders. “I just had an idea.”

“I don’t really care—”

“We can do a movie of the tour like Taylor did. Think of the money. Think about the fans, Bailey.” He gave her another shake with each of his bargaining points.

What she needed to do was think about herself and get away from Axel.

He still had his hands on her. Tightly enough she wouldn’t be surprised if he left bruises. He always had been too rough. Too loud. Too… everything. Like he needed to prove he was a man.

The opposite of Quinn whose soft-spoken strength projected more masculinity than all of Axel’s vain efforts.

“Axel. Let me go,” she said in as firm and loud a voice as she could manage while the need to get away from Axel gripped her.

“Baby, just think how good it will be—”

The fist came out of nowhere.

One moment Axel had an iron hold on her. The next he was stumbling backward thanks to the punch that sent him careening and ultimately landed him on his ass.

“The lady said to let go,” Quinn growled as he stood over Axel, who was currently fingering his reddened jaw.

Axel frowned up at Quinn. “Who the fuck are you?”

“The person who is going to make sure you do as Bailey asks from now on,” Quinn answered.

The photographer snapped away, the shutter sounding like the rapid fire of a machine gun. Axel had been correct. These pictures were going to be all over the internet by tomorrow. Just not in the way he’d envisioned.

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