Page 96 of The Only Thing That's Real

“Where’s Smith? I need to get to the hotel.”

“Should be right outside the door.”

Not giving Trevor another chance to piss me off, I find my head of security and leave the building. It takes fifteen excruciating minutes to get to the hotel, during which, she doesn’t answer any of my calls or reply to my texts. The front of the building is climbing with paparazzi, so Smith takes me around back. We sprint to the employee only elevator, my mind racing with everything she might be thinking or feeling and how to combat it all.

I’m grateful she opens the door when I knock, even though she barely acknowledges me, as she turns, and walks into the bedroom the two of us are supposed to share for the next two weeks. Her luggage is open and waiting on the bed.

My heart sinks, and a new wave of panic washes over me. “Why are you packing?”

“I’m going back to my apartment.”

“Why?”

“Did you see the paps out there? I left before the show was over and they were already here. It doesn’t feel safe.”

“We’ll get extra security and keep them at the door around the clock.”

“I use a pen name for a reason. I don’t want people to know who I am.” She shoves clothes in her suitcase. “My face is everywhere, Knox!”

“It’ll be old news in a day or two.”

I’m doing my best to keep my voice low, but when I feel like I’m losing her, it’s hard to keep my emotions in check.

She sits on the bed, defeated. “You may be used to this, but I’m not. I don’t want to be news even for a day or two. I can’t do this.”

“Fuck!” I run my hands through my still damp, sweaty hair.

“You know that asshole is going to sue you, right?”

“Let him.”

“Knox, seriously.”

“You think this’ll be the first time I get sued?”

“Listen, I have to go home.”

“Okay, we’ll go to your place.”

“Not we.Iam going to my place.”

The panic and anxiety at her insinuation cuts off my air. Suffocation seems inevitable.

“Ry, you had to know the world would find out about us eventually.”

“Yes, but not untilwefigure out what this is between us. We should be able to announce it on our terms. Not like this.”

“What do you mean when we figure out what this is between us? Everything, Ry. That’s what this fucking is.”

“You shouldn’t have attacked him like that!”

“You’re mad I hit that piece of shit?” The question comes out too loud, but she’s ripping my heart out and stomping on it. “You think I’d let him talk about you like that? Touch you against your will?”

“There were other ways to handle the situation. Especially while the whole world was watching.”

“I won’t apologize for defending your honor.”

Her head whips back and she gapes at me. “What century are you living in?”

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