Page 28 of Broken Harmony
As much as I hate the woman, she’s really made this dream a reality. Even laying off on the guys when it came to our music, accepting that we are a band, not a solo act.
That hasn’t stopped Julia from signing me up for a ton of things I didn’t ask for or wanted, though.
Not that it’s been a bad thing, a few of them I’ve enjoyed.
On top of everything already going on, she’s enrolled me in dance and acting classes two times a week.
She says she’s going to make me the package deal. Singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and model.Oh joy.
The only good thing about being busy nonstop is that I hardly have the time to think about anything other than work.
Lulu is still on my mind when I close my eyes. But during the day, while I’m awake, I’m run too ragged to think of anything else.
The rare times I do have a moment to myself, I’m checking in on Lulu. I might not be able to talk to her or go see her, but I’ve made sure that I’m keeping her safe. That she has everything she needs in life.
She’s still at the Omega center. And from what they have been able to tell me, she’s happy, healthy, and thriving. Every time I get an update on her, I can’t help but cry with happy tears that she’s overcoming all the trauma her parents put her through and sadness that she’s doing this all on her own.
Well, I guess she’s not really on her own. She has someone at the center working closely with her.
Normally, they wouldn’t be able to disclose any information to me, but seeing how I’m an anonymous donor, putting a hefty paycheck into their pockets, I may have let it slip exactly who I was, only asking for the occasional update.
What's the point of having all this money if I don’t spend it on the things I want the most in the world? And that's her.
There's only so much these Omega centers can do to help, and I want to make sure Lulu is able to stay there as long as she can until she feels comfortable venturing out on her own.
I have no idea what she wants to do with her life, or what her plans are. But whatever they are, I’ll do my best to make it happen from the sidelines.
“There you are,” Julia’s voice sounds, making my spine stiffen. The guys let out low rumbling growls as they take a step in front of me, protecting me from our mutual enemy. “Oh, stopit with that, would you?” she mutters. “You act as if I’m gonna hurt the girl.”
She might not have physically, but she has mentally more than I’d like to admit.
Over the past year, Julia has made sure to keep her hold on me firm and strong. Whenever she manages to get me alone, she reinforces her Alpha command, making sure it’s still in place; reminding me that I’m to stay here, and not go back home to check on Lulu. To stay far away from the girl who has never once left my mind since the day I met her all those years ago.
The guys have noticed something wrong between Julia and I, something more than just a dislike of the woman. But seeing how I can’t tell them anything or Julia will ruin them, they don’t know the details. They suspect she has some sort of hold over me, they just don’t know what, and how deep.
It’s enough for them to despise her, though. They’ve gone to Becky more than once to see about us getting a new manager, but without proof she’s done anything wrong, Becky has told the guys to get over their dislike of her and push forward. Besides what she’s doing to me aside, I’m kind of sad to admit, our careers are thriving.
“You might not, but those people–” Ryker points towards the door we just came in from. “Will. They might not do it maliciously, but they see someone they idolize and all they can think about is getting a piece of her.”
“The security you provided is shit,” Tyson huffs out, running a hand through his hair. “They were hardly able to keep the crowd back. If it wasn’t for us, she would have been mauled.”
“She needs her own private security. We can handle ourselves, but she needs more than just us. We can’t be with her all the time. And we want to make sure she’s safe when we’re not around.”
“What do you mean you're not going to be around her at all times?” Julia huffs, crossing her arms. “You're her Alphas. You should be the ones protecting her.”
“They're not my Alphas,” I state, brows furrowing.
“They're not?” Julia actually looks confused.
“No,” Skyler growls. “Despite what you love to tell the media, we’re not her pack. Not her Alphas. Yes, she’s part of our family. But like our little sister. Our best friend. We’re not romantically involved.”
“Yeah, that's not going to do.” Julia smiles sweetly. “It’s what the fans have been drooling over. Ally Cat and her bandmates. Pack. Lovers. It’s what sells. Therefore, that's what the world will know.”
“No.” I shake my head. “That’s too much. Too far. Sure, if they want to believe that, let them, but I’m not going to go into some fake PR relationship with them.”
“They will if you make them.” Julia glares at me, and for a moment, I’m afraid this is going to be yet another command she demands of me, something I’ll have to try to lie and convince the guys to do.
Thankfully, Skyler puts his foot down. He might be younger than Julia, but he’s bigger and has a stronger Alpha bark than she does.
