Rock with Me (With Me in Seattle, #4)(70)

He’s right. I’m not.

But I’ll be goddamned if I’ll let her go.

“Luke,” Sam softly interjects but he shakes his head.

“No, you told him you didn’t want this kind of publicity, and what happens? That bullshit,” he points to Stacy’s phone. “This is bullshit.” He turns to me. “You’re supposed to f*cking protect her, not feed her to the f*cking wolves! You promised!”

“Are you kidding me?” I grip Meg by the shoulders and move her to the side toward Will, knowing he’ll keep her out of the way. “You think I don’t know what fame, your fame has done to your sister?”

“Leo.” Sam’s voice is full of warning, but I ignore her. I’ve had enough of this bullshit.

“Your fame, all of your fame,” I point to Will and then turn back to Luke, my heart hammering in my chest, “lost Sam her motherf*cking job. She’s been unemployed for over a month because she wouldn’t sell her family out.”

Luke’s jaw drops and his eyes fly to Sam’s, who now has tears in her eyes. “Is this true?”

“Fuck this,” she whispers and shakes her head. “I’m out of here.” She pushes through the bodies that have gathered around us and slams through the front door, Natalie close behind.

“What the f*ck are you talking about?” Mark asks, his hands on his hips.

“Her boss wanted her to do a story on Luke and Nat last year after they got married. She refused.”

“But you just said she’s only been unemployed for a month. We’ve been married for over a year.”

“I wasn’t finished.” I push my hand through my hair. “About a month ago, the bastard bitched her out for not telling him sooner that she was connected to the Montgomerys. More specifically, Will Montgomery.”

“Sonofabitch,” Will whispers. “I would have done an interview for her.”

“She wouldn’t have asked you to, man. She loves you. All of you.” I look around the room, at Sam’s family. Jules has tears in her eyes, the men’s mouths are clenched, fists balled. “She would never put her family in any magazine, especially knowing how fiercely private you all are.”

If she had just confided in them sooner, they would have fought for her.

“So, they fired her because they said she wasn’t a team player for not being willing to sell out her family. She went to L.A. for a job interview.”

“She’s not moving to L.A.” Sam’s dad insists from his stance on the stairway. The parents have come out to listen.

“No, she’s not.” I confirm and shake my head. “She’s had interviews here in town this week.”

“Why didn’t she say anything?” Luke asks.

“This is Sam we’re talking about.” I remind him with a rueful laugh. “She’s stubborn as hell. She also didn’t want anyone to worry.” I turn back to Luke and get in his face. “So if you think I’d let a rag get their hands on something like that.” I point at the phone clenched tightly in Stacy’s fingers. “You’re sorely mistaken. The bitch will be fired. I know about Scott.” The last sentence is whispered, for Luke and Mark’s ears only.

His surprised gaze finds mine and then he sighs deeply. “Fuck.”

***

Samantha



What the f*ck just happened? I run out the front door toward Leo’s car and realize that not only didn’t I drive, but I don’t have any keys.

I can’t leave.

Damn it!

“Sam.” Natalie’s soft voice comes from behind me and I turn to find her standing on the porch, her green eyes worried and wet.

“Go back inside, Nat,” I just want to be alone. God, my heart hurts. He f*cking told them.

He told them after I told him not to. And what in the name of all that’s holy is up with that photo?

“Sam, talk to me.” Nat insists, and walks to me, her arms wrapped tightly around her middle.

“Nothing to say.” I plant my hands on my hips and stare off down the driveway.

“Spill it, Williams.” Nat’s voice is hard. I glance over at my gorgeous sister-in-law, so thankful for her.

“I told Leo not to tell the family about my job.” I finally admit.

“Why?” She asks with a frown. “We would have helped you.”

“That’s why.” I kick at a rock on the pavement. “Luke would have tried to fix it, or pay off my mortgage, or something stupid like that.”

“I’m pretty sure your mortgage will be paid for by tomorrow afternoon,” Nat agrees with a grin.

“He better not.” I warn her and then feel tears start to fall from my eyes, which pisses me off more. “Damn it.”

“You know, we all love you.” Nat smirks when I start to cry harder. The bitch. “You distance yourself from us, from everyone really, but we love you so much. Your brothers would do anything for you.”

“I know,” I whisper.

“I have a feeling Leo feels the same way.” I shake my head but she just laughs at me. “Sam, did you take a second to see his face when he saw that picture?”

No. I shake my head.

“It devastated him. He’ll make it right,” she states confidently and smiles gently.