Page 49 of My UnTrue Love
“This isn’t going to diffuse Johnny’s PR problems. Most of the Yellow Roses’ fans are women.”
Bill lifted one shoulder in an innocent shrug. “Guess he shoulda thought of that, before he screwed over his business partner.”
Clem grinned. Bill had a mischievous streak, no doubt about it.
“We’ll be putting out our own statement in response.” Rosalee snapped, snatching her phone back from Clementine. “Count on it.” She went stomping away in her tasteful Herring Box heels.
Bill and Clementine’s attention stayed on each other.
“Okay, that was kind of awesome.” Clem wrinkled her nose, delighted by Bill’s Bad side and how he’d stuck up for her professional abilities. “Johnny is going to be fielding questions about his rotten behavior for weeks.”
“As he should. Firing you was the biggest mistake he ever made.”
“You are an unbelievable friend. You always look out for me, even when it means you lose multiple jobs and face down nagas. Thank you, Bill.”
“Youneverhave to thank me. I do what I do because I’m selfish. I want you happy with me and so I work to make that happen.” He kissed her forehead, before she could come up with an answer.
Heat flitted through her system at the brush of his lips against her skin.
“Nobody in this whole world is allowed to hurt you.” His deep voice was like music, his eyes still electrified with magic. “If they try, you just tell me their name. Okay?”
“Okay.” She agreed breathlessly.
“Good.” It was a rumble of satisfaction. “You gotta be more careful, baby. Sometimes I catch a scent of something around this complex that I don’t like. I can’t get a clear read on it, over the smell of that damn swampy pool water, but…” He shook his head. “You have to stay safe. No more being alone with strange men.”
“I can handle Woody.”
“No,I’llhandle Woody. The man’s gotten on my Bad side.” He reached out to toy with the ends of her hair. “You’re in charge of the music business. I’m in charge of handling assholes.”
“Thatisthe music business.”
Bill snorted in amusement. “I’ve gotta go down to the trading post and get me a blue shirt. You gonna be okay here?”
“Yep. I’m working up our budget for the month, and then I’m going to call around to see if I can get you a slot performing at the next Roundup Concert. Remember to be at the Lone Prairie at three o’clock for rehearsal.”
He lifted a hand in acknowledgment, as he loped down the steps. “Count on it, darlin’.” He headed off, whistling some tune she didn’t know. And she knew alot oftunes. It made her think maybe he was making it up in his head.
That was very encouraging.
Clementine stood there for a long moment, flushed with renewed confidence. “You sounded amazing, Luke.” She called over her shoulder. “Wonderful interpretation of… that song.”
It was hard to tell exactly what Luke had been playing, because he’dreallymade it his own. That was the mark of a true artist.
The door cracked open. “Who was that other lady?” Luke demanded.
A sliver of apartment showed behind him, looking very, very dark. Clem suppressed a shiver. She hated the dark.
“That was Rosalee Tawny. The manager of my former band.”
“Bill’s former band too, right? And now his former manager just drops by his house, early in the morning.” The kid scoffed. “You don’t think that’s weird?”
“She’s upset about Bill’s Ti-Yi-Yo account.”
Luke crossed his arms over his chest. He was even better looking, now that she could see him in the light. With brooding features and striking white hair, he would be a heartbreaker one day. “I’ll bet your precious Bill is fucking Rosalee, behind your back.”
“You’re too young to use that kind of language.” She sent him a repressive frown. “But since you’re so interested, Rosalee is sleeping with my former roommate, Johnny.”
Luke’s head tilted in a way that reminded her of Bill. “You used to live with some other guy?” He asked, his eyes sharpening.
