Idol (VIP, #1)(84)

I know this, and yet the idea of sending her out to the wolves suddenly chills me. I want her to shine, and I want to wrap her up and tuck her into my side.

“This morning, she sought me out to talk,” Scottie says. “She agreed to let me manage her. She also asked me what I thought she could do to make things easier for you.”

It shouldn’t feel like a betrayal, but it does. Not that she wants to try or that she was looking out for me, but that she discussed these things with Scottie first, not me. I don’t have any experience in relationships, but I’m fairly certain confiding in the other about life-altering decisions is a key component.

My head aches something fierce; my guts are rolling like I’m hungover. I want more time alone with Libby, away from the world. But that’s not going to happen. I want to do right by her, but I’m bumbling my way through. “What did you tell her?”

“I told her to get off the tour.”

“Jesus, be a dick, why don’t you?”

“I’m being realistic. And I think she understands that.”

My jaw aches from grinding my teeth. “If she wants to do this, I’m not going to hold her back. I’ve already told you that.”

“Yes, I know. The problem is, mate, she doesn’t want to leave you.”

I’d be happy about that, except I have a bad feeling she’s holding on out of misplaced loyalty. The whole situation is a shit cracker on top of a shit day. And it isn’t even noon. “She’s tough, Scottie. But not hardened. I don’t want her crushed before she has a chance to bloom.”

“I’m planning to stick with her, if that makes you more comfortable.” Scottie’s gaze is level, calm. “Jules can manage the day-to-day tour details here.”

Jules, Scottie’s assistant, is great. But I really don’t give a f*ck about the tour at this moment. Clearing the thickness out of my throat, I search for words. “Protect her.” I press my hand to my eyes to ease the hot throb of pain behind them. “That’s all I care about.”

Silence follows. For once, the ice man is gone. In his place is the Scottie I met years ago as a young punk hungry for fame, the one who looked after Jax when he tried to take his life. This Scottie is the man you’ll follow anywhere because you know he’ll have your back.

Those eerie blue eyes of his seem to burn with determination. “There are no guarantees in life. I cannot promise you the world won’t try to chew Liberty up and spit her out. But the woman gives me shit on a continuous basis. And I’ve made grown men cry.”

Despite my crap mood, I feel a smile forming. “My favorite was when the owner of The Lime House blubbered.”

Scottie’s eyes narrow with remembered glee. “Complete tosser.” His expression evens out. “As you say, she is tough. And she’ll have me on her side.”

Which in Scottie terms is to say she’ll have the best in the business at all points. It still sits heavy in my gut that she won’t have me. Not if I do what needs to be done to get her to go.

My headache threatens to crush my skull. I’m going to have to let Libby go. Set her free.

I swallow hard and nod. “I’ll talk to her.”





Chapter Twenty-Six





Libby



I’m curled up on the couch in our suite, playing the guitar, when Killian finally returns. He leans against the door for a long minute, head tilted back, gaze on some distant point. The lines of his body are tight with tension, making him appear almost gaunt. I want to go to him, hold him close. But he pushes off and heads my way.

“Everything all right?” I ask, setting the guitar aside as he hunkers down before me, sitting on the low coffee table. Bluish smudges mar the skin beneath his eyes. There’s a scrape along his jaw, presumably where Marlow punched him, and his hand is splinted. Guilt is a punch in the heart.

Killian sighs and leans forward to rest his head on my shoulder, his hands going to my hips. Immediately, I wrap my arms around his back and stroke him. We sit in quiet until he takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Shit day, baby doll.”

“Yeah,” I agree, my throat thick.

He kisses the side of my neck, a soft press of lips, then sits up straight. His face is somber. “Talked to the record execs.”

I sit up straighter. “They’re giving you trouble, aren’t they?”

“They tried.” He shrugs. “They were pissed about the fight. But that’s to be expected.”

“I’m so sorry—”

“No,” he cuts in. “Don’t start that again. We both know who is to blame, and that f*cker isn’t coming anywhere near you again.”

“Doesn’t make it any better, though, does it?”

Killian’s sigh is tired and low. “Guess not.” He snorts with disgust. “They want me on my best behavior from now on.”

My fingers feel cold, and I rub my damp palms along my thighs. “Killian—”

“You talked to Scottie.” Pain shadows his eyes, making them dull. He doesn’t ask about what. It’s obvious he knows.

I clear my throat. “You’re upset.”

He smiles, but it isn’t with humor. “No, Libby. I’m proud. This is huge. It’s the next logical step, and you’re taking it.” His big hands curl around my knees, giving a small squeeze. “It’s huge. I’m happy for you.”