Page 194 of Bliss & Her Idols

“Stay down,” Torin shoots at Cricket and me, when we both try to push ourselves to our feet again. “Kneel.”

I flinch at the harshness of his tone.

Yet I trust Torin.

I promised to follow his lead.

I reluctantly settle myself on my knees, dragging Cricket to kneel next to me.

Cricket glares at Philomena.

Jin ignores Torin, however, standing with a flat expression that I remember from the meet and greet.

“You too, Idol,” Torin says far more sharply than I’ve heard him speak to anyone.

Jin balls his hands into fists, before he too kneels.

I struggle hard to slow my heartbeat, but my pulse is racing in my ears.

Terror floods through me that this woman could destroy us, before we destroy her.

Philomena doesn’t need to be the physically strongest in this room to be the most intimidating.

She’s the one with the power: the Head Alpha, eldest sister, and leader of the music empire.

The Alpha who has known for over twenty years just how much she can make or wreck the lives and careers of not onlythe Idols trapped in the camp but also her Alpha brothers and sisters.

Philomena finally releases Torin’s hair with a patronizing pat. “I’m glad to see that you haven’t entirely forgotten how to behave. Reports from our cousins were that you’d learned your lesson.Atoned.But now, I’m doubting that. I don’t have time to cut short my business to deal with messes like this.”

Torin drops his gaze. “I’ll work tirelessly as CEO, sister. I swear that I’ll make it up to you.”

“Hmm.” Philomena narrows her eyes at the empty bottle of wine. “By stealing my wine and messing around like a Beta with your music…?”

Fuck. Her.

Torin’s eyes flash.

“Music that has madeyoua billionaire…?” Torin drawls.

Philomena’s calm is gone in an instant.

“Rory, smash his guitar,” she growls.

“No,” I gasp.

Torin wraps his arms around his guitar, taking a step backwards, until his back hits the wall.

A deep sadness sheets through the bond from Torin, which makes my own eyes well with tears.

The guitar is Torin’s only personal possession in his bedroom.

I’m breathing too hard.

His sister can’t take it from him.

But now, it’s Cricket’s turn to grab my elbow and yank me down, when I try to stand up.

Cricket’s amber eyes are molten with rage. He glances at Jin, however, who is kneeling like he’s disassociating.

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