Page 45 of Her Beastly Billionaire Rock Star
A choking noise came from Pierce. “A what and for what? Are you serious? I’ve never even heard of that car before.”
“It’s old and tiny, and…I had to have it. I wasn’t expecting the bidding to go so high.” It never even dawned on him that it could go that high.
“You’re not going to like this, but no. I’m not even going to run it past your grandfather. It’s just a flat no.”
Malakai’s lungs felt flattened. He had to have that car. Years ago, just after signing with his label, he’d placed the bulk of his money in a conservatorship. Not all of it, but enough that he could live comfortably the rest of his life. After recovering from his addiction, he’d appreciated the smart move early in his career. Pierce oversaw it, along with Malakai’s grandfather.
“You still have the number of that guy who buys cars and stuff?” asked Malakai.
“Yeah, but he’s not going to pay near what they’re worth.” The sound of keyboard keys being pressed filtered through the phone. “Yep, I have the number. Why?”
“Sell the bike and both convertibles. All I want is six hundred thousand out of them. I know the Aston could be worth well over that all on its own, but I don’t want to play games. I need the money and fast.” Plus, the guy paid maybe a fourth of what anything was worth. It would take all three to get Malakai the cash he needed.
“Your bike and the cars? You like those cars, and you absolutely love that bike. What’s going on? Are you using again?” Pierce asked.
Malakai jumped to his feet. “No, I’m not using again. I’m telling you. It’s to buy a car. There were enough paparazzi that night that you can pull up a website and see that I went to the charity event.”
Pierce took a deep breath. “Then you need to tell me why.”
It was the last thing Malakai wanted to do, but he also knew his accountant well enough that the man wasn’t going to budge unless he had answers. Starting from the very beginning, Malakai told him everything except the details about the accident. He was still holding that close. Telling Charlotte was one thing; the world was another.
When he was finished, the line was quiet long enough that Malakai thought maybe Pierce had hung up on him. “Uh, hello?”
Pierce whistled. “I’m in shock. So all this to stay Crush’s lead singer?”
“Yeah, and the woman staying with me…I like her. The car is for her.”
“No.” Malakai had heard the tone more than once, and when Pierce used it, there was little that could be said to change it.
That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try. “What? I told you the whole story. You know what it’s for.” The tips of Malakai’s ears grew hot. “It’s for her.”
It sounded like Pierce switched ears. “I know, but it’s not reasonable. The answer is no, and before you get mad, you’re the one who made the rules when you set this up. After that last time in rehab, you made me promise not to let you make large withdrawals until I was sure you weren’t using again. I’m just following your orders.”
Swearing under his breath, Malakai began pacing. “I know…” What could he do? He’d already spent the money. Not only did he want to make Charlotte happy, but he’d made a commitment to a charity. One that he actually believed in. “Then the convertibles and the bike have to go. I’m keeping my commitment to that charity.”
“That Aston is a dream car. If you sell it, you may never get it back. And your bike? You love that bike. You had it custom made.”
“I know, but…” He loved her more. The words hit him like an explosion going off in his chest. A mixture of fear and excitement made his nerves tingle. Fear that she was too good for him and excitement because saying it gave him a sense of peace he’d been missing. “Charlotte gets carsick really easy, and I’d rather have her in a hardtop than be alone in a convertible.”
A loud sigh came from Pierce. “Okay. Send me the charity’s contact information. I’ll front the money for that vehicle and hold on to the cars and bike until we can get a fair price for them.”
“Awesome. Thanks, Pierce.”
They ended the call, and Malakai went back to the bed and sat down. Never in a million years would he have believed that he’d be willing to sell that bike. The cars, okay, those were just for fun, so it wasn’t that hard getting rid of them. But the bike? It could be replaced maybe one day, and it wouldn’t be attached to bad memories for her. Not that he’d force her to ride on one, but if she did, he wanted it to be a fresh start to a new adventure.
Chapter 22
The last three days with Bella staying at his home had been like juggling hand grenades. First, Malakai wasn’t ashamed of his feelings for Charlotte, but he didn’t want his sister in the middle. Second, Pierce had called, and he’d paid the bill for the Bluebird. Since that call, Malakai had been antsy and restless. It was even worse now since the car was to be delivered the next morning. The reason he was up before dawn.
“Yes,” he said quietly, fist-pumping the air at his discovery in the pantry. Fruity Pebbles. He knew he’d ordered some the last time he’d had food delivered. He’d hidden them too, knowing his penchant for snacking. He’d learned shortly after his first time getting out of rehab that it was easy to gain a few…forty…pounds when eating a box a day.
He grabbed the milk and fixed himself a bowl, pleased that he’d practiced restraint and hadn’t used the nacho bowl. He turned and startled. Milk and cereal sloshed over the edges, and he set it down. Bella cackled as his hand covered his heart.
“Still loving the Pebbles, huh?” she asked.
“Geez, you almost gave me a heart attack. What iswrongwith you?”
“Nothing. Just…couldn’t sleep.” She slipped onto a barstool and pointed to the box of cereal. “Will you share for once in your life? If you can. That’s not a cereal bowl, dude. That’s a trough.”
