Managed (VIP #2)(95)

“Get the f*ck off me,” Martin says, trying to break free. “I’ll f*cking sue.”

Gabriel simply pins him to the wall with the strength of one arm. Already he’s on his phone. “Stern, I need you now. Bring your bag.” He calls another a second after that. “Kip. Up here now.”

Never once does he look at me.

Killian has Jax in his arms. “No f*cking way are you doing this again,” he rasps looking panicked.

Jax moans and stirs.

“What did he take?” The harsh question from Gabriel is directed at me.

“I don’t know. He said he didn’t. Just that he feels sick.”

Gabriel’s attention cuts to Martin’s phone as he scrolls through the pictures. Every inch of him seems to vibrate with suppressed rage. His lips are white around the corners, his grip on Martin so tight that the man starts to claw at Gabriel’s fingers.

“You’re choking him.” Personally, I want to beat the shit out Martin, but Gabriel has too much to lose by seriously hurting a photographer.

Gabriel’s eyes meet mine. Rage flares so hot in his expression that I viscerally react, recoiling into myself.

“Good,” he snaps, returning his attention to Martin’s phone. His nostrils flare as he looks over what has to be dozens of pictures, the last one being me hunched over Jax.

With a few moves of his thumb, he deletes them all.

“Hey,” Martin tries to protest and earns another slam of his head.

Dr. Stern and Kip rush in a second later, and everything becomes a blur of helping Jax. I find myself pushed out of the bathroom, and I slump into a chair to shake and sweat. There’s vomit on my knees, which I’m trying very hard not to look at, and I’m afraid for Jax. I’m also worried about Gabriel’s behavior.

I know he’s in emergency mode, but I don’t like the way he refuses to look at me.

Kip marches Martin out of the suite, with the little rat bastard protesting the whole way, and I’m alone.

Gabriel is still with the others in the bathroom. I can hear them talking.

“It isn’t an overdose,” Dr. Stern says. “I believe he has food poisoning. I’ve already had calls from a few of the roadies who are suffering as well.”

Killian’s voice is subdued. “He went out to dinner with Ted and Mike earlier.”

“Those would be the two who I’ve seen,” Dr. Stern says. “I’ll keep him hydrated until it passes through his system.”

Jax moans. “Can everyone get the f*ck out? I’ve got more to pass through my f*cking system…”

Killian and Gabriel exit the bathroom and close the door behind them. Gabriel is on the phone, giving someone an update. He keeps himself turned from me.

Killian takes one last look at the door and lets out a shuddering breath. Weariness lines his face as he rubs a hand over it. With a pat to Gabriel’s shoulder, he walks out, never once acknowledging me.

The sick, jumpy feeling in my belly intensifies when Gabriel finally heads my way.

“Sunshine—”

“Not here,” he snaps, in a low, tight voice. He turns and heads for the door.

I have no choice but to follow.



* * *



He waits until we’re in our room to round on me. “All right, what the hell is going on?”

“Don’t snap at me like I’m one of your lackeys.”

“Answer the goddamn question,” he roars.

My ears ring with his fury. It’s so sudden and intense, I flinch. I’ve never seen him like this, white about the lips, his eyes burning into mine. My lip wobbles. I want to cry. But I’ve never been the type to cower. I won’t now, and I find myself shouting back at him.

“I don’t know! I only got there a few minutes before you.”

He snorts, the sound loud and obnoxious. “He sent you the first text when we checked into our room.”

Shit. “That had nothing to do with Jax.”

Gabriel grinds his teeth. “You weren’t sick at all, were you? You lied to me.”

My stomach lurches. “I was sick. With worry and shame. The mere thought of that worm being around and wanting to talk made me ill.”

If anything, he looks more upset, hot color rising up his neck. “That’s all you had to tell me, if that was the case. Instead, you made me worry and regret leaving you behind. And all the while you were planning on meeting up with that little f*ck.”

He’s right, and there’s nothing I can do to change my mistakes. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to handle it myself, get rid of him and get on with my life. I didn’t mean to hurt you, though.”

Gabriel waves his hand as if swatting a fly. “Fine.”

“You don’t sound fine.”

His gaze cuts to me. “Because I am. Not. Fine. I am bloody-well pissed.”

I finch again at the hardness of his voice and the way he uses it as a whip. Having never been on the receiving end of his anger, I hadn’t realized the power of it. I’m ashamed that I’ve earned it. And I’m hurt that he won’t let it go.

He paces over to me, but halts as if he suddenly doesn’t want to be too close. “It’s bad enough that I have to walk into what appeared to be a replay of one of the worst moments in my life, but I get the distinct privilege of witnessing your supposed ex-boyfriend thanking you for helping him film the whole f*cking thing!”