Reckless (Thoughtless, #3)(128)

Hands clenched into fists, I started stalking over to him. He liked that. His camera clicked even faster. “Have you no common decency! We are at a freaking cemetery!” I tossed my hands in Kellan’s direction. “The man is clearly grieving! Show some goddamn respect!”

I was only a few feet away from the man now. He was grinning ear to ear, loving every single second of me going off on him. I could practically see the dollar signs in his eyes. It boiled my blood. He wouldn’t be so amused when I smashed that pretty camera into little tiny pieces. I started to lunge for him, but Kellan grabbed my arm.

“No, don’t—”

The cameraman shifted his attention to Kellan. “You stepping out on Sienna? This your dirty little mistress, Kellan?”

Kellan swung me behind him and shoved his finger in the photographer’s chest. “She is not my mistress! You watch your f*cking mouth!”

Still snapping pictures, the man backed up a step or two. “Sure looks like you’re banging this bitch behind Sienna’s back. Can’t hide your little secret anymore. I got you, man! Gotcha red-handed! Your little slut is about to make headlines!”

Kellan smirked. The photographer probably thought he was amused, but I knew better. He was ticked. He was beyond ticked. He was three seconds away from clocking the guy. Fists clenched, he swung his weight around and landed his knuckles along the man’s jaw. Oops—make that one second away from clocking the guy.

The photographer lost his balance and landed on his hip, hard. His camera fell from his hands, but being attached to his neck, unfortunately it didn’t break. Quickly recovering, the man scooped it up and resumed taking photos. “You just f*cked up, man! I’m suing your ass for assault now!” Even though there was blood trailing down his chin from a cut on his lip, the man was smiling.

Kellan took a step forward, but I pulled him back. This could quickly escalate way past assault if I didn’t get Kellan out of here. “Come on. He’s not worth it, Kellan.”

Kellan’s eyes swung to mine. “He’s got your picture.”

I sighed and shook my head. “Then he’s got my picture. It’s not worth getting arrested over.”

Reluctantly, Kellan let me pull him away from the man who was now giggling at our misfortune. Venom in his voice, Kellan snapped, “You’re scum, you know that, right?”

The man shouted back, “I’m not the one dicking around on the hottest girl in the world! What the hell are you thinking!”

Turning away from him, Kellan muttered, “I’m married to the hottest girl in the world, and I would never dick around on her, *.”

Even though my body felt numb with cold dread, I looped my arm around Kellan’s waist and smiled up at him. “Maybe it wasn’t the smartest move . . . but I’m so glad you decked that guy.”

Putting his arm around me, Kellan looked back at the man still taking our picture. “Me too.”

Holding our heads high, the two of us walked back to our taxi. All of my attempts to keep myself out of the spotlight were in vain; I was out now. Thanks to that jerk-off’s high-grade telephoto lens, my intimate moment with Kellan was about to be front page news. They would all know my face. My anonymity was gone, along with a good chunk of my freedom. I couldn’t hide in plain sight, not anymore. The crazy, obsessed Kell-Sex fans were all going to know about me. It was only a matter of time.

When we got back to the venue, I thought we’d be hustling into the warmth and safety of our bus. But Kellan had other plans. Holding my hand, he led us to Sienna’s bus. I tensed—not sure if I wanted to go in there—but Kellan’s face was as stormy as the low-hanging clouds in the sky, and I knew I couldn’t miss this confrontation.

Calling Sienna’s name, Kellan pounded on her door. Just as I began to believe that she was out, or waiting for the show to start at our swanky hotel, Thing 1 opened the bus door. After eying us for any visible weapons, he stood aside to let us in. Once I walked inside, I wondered why Sienna ever left this place. It was luxury on wheels. Smooth leather couches lined the sides of the front half of the bus. The back of the bus had plush reclining seats facing a giant TV. There was a full kitchen off to the side, and from what I could tell, no sleeping cubbies. I was positive that Sienna’s room in the back was finer than most studio apartments. I suddenly felt like I’d been living in squalor these last few weeks.

Sienna was draped across one of the couches reading a fashion magazine. She looked up at our entrance. “Kellan, Kiera, what a nice surprise.” Her eyes darted to the window, most likely checking for photographers. “What can I help you with this fine afternoon?”

Kellan stormed over to stand right in front of her. Thing 2 rose from his recliner in the back, clearly not liking the look on Kellan’s face. “Did you set us up?”

I snapped my eyes to Kellan, not realizing he’d jumped to that conclusion. It was a completely plausible scenario, though, and I shifted my gaze to stare at Sienna. Had she set us up? Sienna tilted her head, confusion on her comely face. “What on earth are you talking about? And did the two of you take a fully clothed shower? You’re absolutely soaked.” She snapped a finger and put her hand over her shoulder. On command, her bodyguard brought her towels from a closet in the hallway. She handed them to us while Kellan answered her question.

“Kiera and I were ambushed by some * with a camera. I ended up clocking him, but not before he snapped Kiera’s picture.”