Page 54 of Her Beastly Billionaire Rock Star
She covered his hand with hers. “I don’t even want it anymore, but she is returning it to my dad. He loved it, and after enduring all this madness, he deserves to have it back.”
“I’ll do anything I can to help.”
Stepping into him,she curled her hands against his chest and laid her head on him. “This is good. My head is hurting, and I feel drained.”
“It takes a while for a head injury to heal.”
“Which brings me back to Octavia.” Charlotte straightened. “I’m certain she’s the reason I got hurt.”
Now Malakai really didn’t want her going up against her stepsister. She was still recovering. He kissed the back of her hand. “I really don’t want you to confront Octavia. It would break my heart if you got hurt again.”
“I think—” Her phone began ringing, and she looked at Malakai, wide-eyed. “Do I answer it?”
“I—”
A loud bang came from the office, and Emilia flew into the room. “Answer it.”
Charlotte picked it up and put it on speakerphone. “Hello, Octavia.”
“Are you alone?”
Emilia vehemently nodded, but Malakai was pretty sure Charlotte knew how to answer that.
“I am. I’m in my bedroom…lying down.”
“Yes, I’m sure. How’s Malakai?” The way Octavia said his name was like a jab.
“He’s upset…angry with me. He thinks I’ve betrayed him, and I haven’t. I didn’t tell anyone anything he told me in private.”
Keyboard keys clacked in the background. “Oh? So you were keeping things from me.”
“They were none of your business and had nothing to do with you.”
“Everything is my business. Sunny was a train wreck, and he wasn’t at fault. It’s the best possible thing to happen to him. Everyone is going to see him as the sad, gallant hero selflessly throwing himself in front of her.”
Charlotte turned away from Malakai. “Leave him alone. He was trying to help her. He cared about her.”
Octavia scoffed. “I don’t care. He hired me to help his image.”
“If you leak the story, I’ll—”
“You’ll what, dear sister? Remember our last conversation. I suggest you carefully pick your words.”
A sniff came from Charlotte, and she rubbed her eye. Malakai wanted nothing more than to take the phone, give that horrible woman a piece of his mind, and sweep Charlotte away from all of it.
“Fine. I’ll do what I can to fix it.”
“No. I think you’ve done enough. Pack your bags. You’re done. Malakai’s apology was actually very well done. I even liked the dramatic crumpling and throwing away of the speech. Based on the reactions I’m seeing, he’s not going to need you to pretend to date him.”
Charlotte whirled around, her eyes filled with grief. “But you always say we have to stick to the plan. That no matter what happens, the plotted course has to stay on track.”
Octavia laughed. “Well, at least I know you can be taught.” She sucked her teeth. “I’m a bit surprised. You don’t like lying, and pretending is certainly not your gift. I figured you’d be delighted to get out of there. Is there somethingelseyou aren’t telling me?”
Charlotte’s gaze locked with Malakai’s. “Nothing you need to know.”
He narrowed his eyes as his pulse jumped. Charlotte could have said no. That would have ended the conversation, but she didn’t.
“Interesting. Are you sure?”
