Page 58 of Bliss & Her Idols

“But I had to do something tonight. Hey, this isn’t that crazy. I was considering writinghelp me, rather than my signature for fans. But I didn’t trust anyone but you. Still, I may have tried that in my desperation.”

Dread surges through me. “Why finally now after a decade?”

Jin pales, looking unsure what to say. “Have you heard in your investigations about the business drinks held by the Idols pack for powerful producers?”

I shake my head.

“Then you didn’t hear it from me. Well, it’s my turn tonight after the concert to host. I haven’t done it before. My fame has protected me, but I’m coming up to the end of my ten year contract, and I have the horrifying feeling that the Head Alpha is trying to set me up with a bonded pack at the end of that.”

My stomach rolls.

The billionaire owners of the Idol pack are trying to set Jin up with a forced bond…?

Fuck, no.

I’m not going to let that happen.

Cricket stops purring abruptly.

He glances over his shoulder at me like he’s asking for permission.

I nod.

Then he turns back to Jin. “Is this drinks party like a matching ball?”

Jin snorts with bitter laughter. “Wouldn’t that be lovely? Nope, Idols don’t get matching events like we’re treasured elite Omegas. We’re only Betas, toys for the Alphas who work in the music industry to play with. The reason that I’m risking everything right now, is that I don’t think I can pull off hosting tonight. The first Alpha to touch me or… I’ll bite their fucking cock off.”

I freeze.

How have I not heard about these parties? How Idols are abused at them?

What else have the Idol pack managed to keep quiet?

“We’re going to rescue you, Dragon,” Cricket says, fiercely.

“But you don’t have magic,” Jin points out, quietly. “If I screw up at the party, it’s my friend who will pay. That’s how it works. They make best friends be punished for each other. It’s fucked up. I’d take a thousand beatings, rather than watch Zero suffer.”

“Who is Zero?”

“It’s Immortal’s real name. No one outside the Idols call him that."

I bet that Piper is cussing outside right now, hearing that Immortal is in trouble.

“We didn’t think that we’d need to get you out today,” I admit. “But I know that my brothers will be listening to this and working out ways to extract you. Probably including a high risk kidnapping after the concert, possibly on the way to the drinks party. Where is it being held?”

“Here.” Jin bites his lip. “Does that make things harder?”

My heart drops. “Let us worry about that.”

Jin looks away. “Don’t put yourself in more danger for me. My freedom with your pack is only a dream. Promise me that you won’t risk yourself.”

“Too late.”

“What if I beg?”

“Then I’d enjoy it.” I meet his gaze challengingly. “But I still won’t let those asshole Idol bosses of yours throw you to the wolves tonight.”

“I wouldn’t mind being thrown totheseWolves.” He glances between Cricket and me, before his expression becomes more vulnerable. “There’s a female Alpha attending the party who has always acted creepy around me in the recording studio. I fucking hate her. I can’t let my first — anything — be with a bitch like her. Especially not when I’ve met a Queen like you.”

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