Assured (Soul Serenade #2)(53)

I beam at him.

The guys reluctantly leave us to schmooze. “What was that?” Logan asks, wearing a grin.

“What was what?”

“That?” She points her finger at my face and makes a circle. “What did I miss?”

I shrug. “He told me he loves me.” I act like it’s not a big deal when all I want to do is scream and jump around the room.

“Stacy! I told you! EEEPP! I’m so excited.”

“I’m going to go grab us a drink. Water?”

“Yes, please. Hopefully, the guys will be back soon and we can get out of here.” She rubs her pregnant belly. “This one has worn me out today.”

I reach over and rub her baby bump. “Be right back.”

On the way to the bar, I see the sign for restrooms and decide to stop in and touch up my lip-gloss.

I take in my flushed face, the smile that is permanently etched there, and my heart feels full. Never would I have thought I would be here. That Cole would settle down with me. Not that we’re settled really, but he loves me, so that’s something. I quickly run my tube of lip-gloss over my lips, drop the tube back in my bag, and head back to the bar. As soon as I walk out the door, his voice stops me.

“Cole seems enamored,” Wilson says.

Ugh! What is with this guy? “Logan’s waiting on me. It was good to see you,” I say politely and turn to walk away.

“I wasn’t done talking to you, bitch,” he seethes as he reaches out and grabs my arm, yanking me back toward him.

“Take your hands off me.”

“Feisty one. Is that why he’s stuck with you?” He tightens his grip on my arm. Leaning in close, he runs his nose up my cheek.

“Don’t touch me.” I turn my head, but he squeezes my arm even tighter.

“Do you fight him? Huh? Is that what it is?”

I clench my teeth shut, willing him to let me go.

“You see, I used to make money from them—on the side, of course. Those boys like to play. I have some paps in my back pocket, on the payroll if you will. They take the pictures and I sell them. It’s a win-win. That is until spoiled princesses like yourself and your friend f*ck it all up. Why is that? What is it you have that the others don’t?”

He runs his fingers up my thigh. I move my leg to try and kick him, but it just pisses him off. His grip on my arms gets even tighter.

“Stop f*cking fighting me. Is it your *? Is it made of gold? Maybe it’s the taste?” Again, he trails his hand up my thigh, further this time. “They don’t party anymore, they don’t f*ck random women. You know what that means? That means you are taking money from my pocket. I don’t f*cking take kindly to that. Especially not from whores.”

Tears fall from my eyes. “Please, stop,” I beg him.

He leans in close and licks my cheek, the smell of liquor almost knocking me over. “I want a taste. I need to see what the hype is all about.”

“No!” I scream. He pushes me against the wall, holding my arms in the air. I try again to kick him, but he just moves his big body in close, blocking me. Just, when I’ve come to accept my fate, that this man is about to violate me, I hear voices.

“Fuck!” He looks down the hall then back at me. “Listen, you f*cking whore, this didn’t happen. If I hear you breathe one word, I’ll ruin your sugar daddy. Soul Serenade will never play another venue.” He grinds his crotch against me. “Fucking answer me,” he slurs.

“Yes, please, yes. I understand. Just let me go.” The tears are coming full force.

He pushes off the wall, giving me one last menacing look before he saunters down the hall as if nothing happened.

I scramble to pick up my purse and run back into the bathroom. I check to make sure I’m alone and lock the door. I need a minute to get myself together. My heart is racing, and my entire body is shaking. Grabbing a paper towel, I run it under the warm water and wash where he licked me face. I want a shower, to wash away the feeling of his hands on me.

I splash cold water on my face and try to get myself under control. What the hell am I going to do? I’ve been gone too long for Logan not to know something’s up. Shit, the guys could even be back by now. Reaching into my purse, I see that Logan texted me.

Logan: You okay?



Shit! My hands shake as I type back a message.

Me: Yeah, just not feeling well all of a sudden. In the restroom. Be back in a minute.



I can’t tell them. I can’t be the reason that Cole and the band lose everything. Nothing happened, really. He stopped. I swallow hard at the thought of what could have happened.

I need to just let it go. I can’t tell him—Cole will kill him. If Wilson doesn’t follow through on his threat, he’ll be in jail anyway, so it won’t matter.

Deep breath in. I have to do this. I can’t let this affect the band. My arms are still aching from where he grabbed me. Pulling up the sleeve of my sweater, I gasp.

Bruises.

I already have dark purple bruises all up and down my arms.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

I cannot let Cole see this, but how in the f*ck am I going to hide them? An all new set of tears burns my eyes. No. I need to pull it together and get out there. The longer I stand here, staring at the evidence, the more suspicious they’ll get. Pulling down my sleeves, I wipe my eyes, applying powder to cover the blotchy red spots.