Page 98 of Not Another Rockstar
“We’ll live in spite of you.” Phoebe leaned in close, despite Isaiah’s warning. “You’ll spend the rest of your life in a jail cell knowing you lost everything and everyone.”
“Get her out of here,” Axel said, not even giving her a second look.
The paramedics wheeled her away as Nick and August burst into the studio.
“Olivier saw her arrive on his phone and we got here as fast as we could,” Nick said, panicked. He reached for the bump on Phoebe’s head. She winced, and he backed off.
“Sorry, we’ll follow you to the hospital,” August said, already ushering them to the door.
“We don’t need to go to the hospital,” Axel argued, holding Phoebe close.
“We aren’t giving you a choice,” Nick said. “You’re both bleeding.”
“Just scrapes and bruises.” Phoebe winced as she brushed her bruised ribs.
Axel kissed the side of her head. “The paramedics already looked us over, we’re fine.”
Nick and August gave up on their attempts to convince them and joined in on the group hug, suffocating her.
“We’re all going to be fine.”
The sound of the crowded stadium reminded them they didn’t have much time before they had to be on stage. Right now, they were all gathered backstage with Isaiah, talking about their deranged ex-manager. They had been waiting for an update since Anita had been refused bail until trial. Cillian’s memorial concert wasn’t the best time for legal discussions, but they were all desperate for news. None of them wanted a drawn-out media trial; none of them wanted Phoebe and Cillian to be dragged through the mud, again.
“So, there isn’t going to be a trial?” Phoebe asked, gripping the back of Axel’s T-shirt as he held her close.
They no longer concealed their relationship, and now the world knew the truth about all that had happened, the fans and media had turned in their favour. There were still one or two trolls, but that kept them humble.
“Everything Anita confessed to you in the studio booth was recorded since she’d interrupted Axel’s recording, so her lawyer convinced her to plead guilty and took the plea deal. She’ll get fifteen years, without a chance for parole. At trial she could havegot longer, but since we can’t prove she played a role in Cillian’s death, it’s the best the prosecutors could hope for.” Isaiah’s words were music to their ears.
“Prison is too good for her.” August was the first to speak, and Nick placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Least we don’t have to go to trial, none of us wanted that. This way we’ll never have to see her again,” he said, fidgeting with his earpiece.
“I hoped it would be longer, but she can’t hurt us in prison,” Phoebe said, running her thumb over her scarred wrist. It had become a tick of hers. “Thank you for telling us.”
“I wasn’t sure if tonight was an appropriate time to tell you, but I couldn’t see all of you and not tell you what I learnt this morning,” Isaiah said.
“No, it’s perfect,” Nick assured him. “It’s like Cillian is with us, and he’ll be happy to know she’ll go to prison for what she’s done.”
“Thank you for helping us,” Phoebe added, grateful to have him in their corner.
Isaiah shook his head. “No need to thank me—you’ve made me uncle of the year with the tickets for tonight. I should get back to my nephew before he wonders where I’ve gone.”
“Anytime you need tickets, give us a shout. It’s the least we can do,” Nick said, shaking his hand.
“I really just did my job. And if you ever need me in the future, please don’t hesitate to call,” Isaiah said, and Phoebe hugged him goodbye before returning to Axel’s side.
There was so much he wanted to say to Isaiah. If he hadn’t arrived when he did, he might not have Phoebe with him today, and he could never repay that debt.
Lena came around the corner wearing Phoebe’s trainers. They’d swapped, given the size of the stadium and the amount of running around Lena had to do.
“Sorry to interrupt, but you all need to get your butts on stage before I murder all of you.”
The group stared at her.
“Too soon?” Lena winced, and August wrapped an arm around her shoulder and dragged her out of the back room playfully.
In the time between Anita’s case and the concert, trust levels were low, so Lena had volunteered to help manage them until they found someone else. Seeing how comfortable August was with her meant they were never going to let her go. Axel had been nervous of whether Phoebe would mind them stealing her, but they’d agreed to share.
