Page 3 of Her Beastly Billionaire Rock Star
The woman jumped. “Oh, yes, sorry. I was…” She lifted her gaze to his, and the world ground to a stop. Crystal-green eyes stared back at him, but it wasn’t the color that made his breath hitch. It was the sadness in them. The kind he was familiar with.
“It’s okay.” His lips moved, the sentence fell out, and all of it happened without his brain, right down to the soft way he spoke.
A barely-there smile lifted the corners of her lips. “It’s been a stressful few months for you.”
He’d barked at her, and she’d replied with understanding. The rhythm of his heart turned staccato before she pulled her gaze from his. “There are different types of facilities. Outpatient, inpatient, short-term, long-term…Octavia recommends inpatient almost always, but…” Again, she looked up and their eyes locked. “If you want to do outpatient, you can, but the goal is to make people think you’ve changed. That’s probably not the best one. And even with outpatient, you have to stay there two weeks before the ninety-day outpatient program begins.”
“I want that one. We’ll do—”
The side door opened, and Octavia walked in. “We’ll do what?” She cast her gaze down to Charlotte.
“She said outpatient wasn’t the best option, but that’s the one I want.”
Octavia’s lips pressed together in a hard line. “You were supposed to go over them,notgive an opinion. And never give that as an option.”
Charlotte tucked her chin against her chest. “I’m sorry.”
Malakai looked from Octavia to Charlotte. He didn’t like how this felt. No doubt Octavia had to be tough. Dealing with people who most likely had the same attitude as him had to be hard, but there was something else at play between her and her assistant.
“I want the outpatient program,” he repeated.
“No.” Octavia’s tone was flat, like the answer was final. “That’s not an option.”
“That’s the one I want, though. Bella can make sure I’m keeping with the program.”
A single perfectly tweezed eyebrow lifted to Octavia’s hairline. “Your sister? The one who hasn’t been able to control you this whole time, the one who apologizes for you? The public is supposed to believe her?”
Octavia cut a glance at Charlotte, her features softening as she began to tap her finger against her chin. “Actually, I think I have a better idea. I’ve decided to change the timeline of events. You can choose the outpatient program, and we will have you meet your new girlfriend now so she can help you through it.” Her mouth curled up at one corner.
“My…new girlfriend?” Malachi choked. This plan was going from bad to worse.
The agent’s smug enjoyment seemed to grow. “That phone call I just took was the casting director for your fake wife. I was disappointed none of them would have worked, but…I’ve found someone who would. Charlotte.”
Malakai jerked his gaze to her. Charlotte? With the way his heart was beating? “No way. No one would believe I’d date her.” As soon as it was out of his mouth, he grimaced. “I didn’t mean it…like that. She just doesn’t exactly fit the mold of women I’m used to being seen with.”
“And that’s the point.” Octavia smiled.
Charlotte objected, “I’m not sure I’d be a good fit.”
Octavia looked at her and scoffed. “Then you shouldn’t have suggested outpatient rehab. It’s perfect, though.” She paused as she typed on her keyboard. “She can be your ‘outpatient nurse’ and live with you—”
Live with him? “No way! I don’t want or need anyone living with me.”
“You have to have a nurse in your house to monitor your outpatient rehab. And if no one lives with you, how will you get to know her in order to marry her?” The words came out clipped. “If the public smells a scam, you’ll be done.”
Raking his hand through his hair, Malakai closed his eyes, trying to wrangle his thoughts. Marriage? Living with someone? All this? He loved Crush, but the love was running shallow now that he knew what staying entailed. The group was everything to him, though. “Fine.” He ground out. “How long do I need a nurse?” He lifted his gaze to Octavia’s.
“Three months—the full ninety days of rehab. We’ll figure out the marriage part later. That will depend on public perception at the time.” The corners of Octavia’s lips lifted a fraction. “It’ll all be spelled out in the contract.”
“Contract?” He glanced at Bella and back to Octavia.
The corner of the woman’s lips lifted. “Of course. It protects both of us and spells out what is required of each party.”
He didn’t like that idea. It felt more like leverage than protection. Then again, her business depended on his silence and vice versa. Plus, it would put an end date on marrying someone. “Okay.”
Octavia took a deep breath and turned her focus back to the computer screen. “Now, as I was saying, Charlotte will keep tabs on you as your required ‘in-house’ nurse, you’ll fall in love, and the adoring public will eat it up. My assistant is perfect for this. We just need to sell it.”
Scoffing, Charlotte said, “I can do those things, but if the public doesn’t believe I’m his type, it won’t work. You could hold another audition while he’s being evaluated.”
