"Your mom, your aunts and uncles, and I—we wouldn't typically trust the media over your word in almost any circumstance. But the security's information about your non-disclosure agreements and the mention of a 'mystery girl' that we wouldn't approve of—it aligned with what the media was saying. Something wasn't adding up. We thought it could be anything, not just a rumor. You could have been drinking or..." He takes a deep breath.
I lied about Lennox.
I take responsibility for that.
"Questioning each other," he explains, "is how we deal with lies. Your aunts and uncles have done it to me, and I've done it to them." He pauses. "We were all worried that you and Willow were in trouble.
LENNOX"Uriah to the security team, everyone stay out of the study," the Alpha lead commanded through the communication devices. The atmosphere in the lake house abruptly shifted as all three famous families gathered. While Ashton joined his parents and uncles outside, I decided to retreat to the basement gym.Inside the gym, four bodyguards from Security Force Alpha were working out, but I paid them no attention. I despised being scrutinized and hated being part of cliques just as much. Their disapproving glances were directed at me because I had broken their golden rule of getting involved with a client romantically.Perth, the lone representative from Omega, was present. As I completed my twentieth pull-up, sweat clinging to my black shirt, he delivered quick kicks
LENNOX"You missed your period?" Ashton asked sternly. He effortlessly switched into big brother mode, his body tensing, and he shot me a glare, as if I hadn't informed him about the possibility of his eighteen-year-old sister being pregnant."I didn't know," I quickly replied, then turned to Blanca. "You can't make your period appear by dancing, but nice try."Primrose scoffed. "You're a guy. You know nothing about periods or the female anatomy. You haven't even touched a vagina.""Primrose," Ashton growled.I couldn't help but smile. It was endearing to see him defend me, but I could handle this situation. "I graduated from medical
ASHTON"We're leaving," I declared, my voice filled with a mix of excitement and disbelief. It was finally happening, not some distant fantasy but a real-life event. The surroundings painted a picturesque scene as six inches of snow covered the empty parking lot outside the Food Lion. In the storage bays of our parked tour bus, I struggled to fit in the tenth suitcase.Around me, Security Force Omega buzzed with energy, communicating through their microphones and transporting cases of water, beer, soda, and other supplies. My four cousins scurried on and off the sleek black sleeper bus, carrying snacks and pillows.The paparazzi, who had relentlessly followed our families to Philadelphia, were nowhere to be seen. They likely assumed we were with our relatives, unaware
ASHTON"Fuck," I cursed, forcefully detaching myself from Lennox. I ran my tongue over my teeth. Kaleb was watching us closely from the tour bus. I stood rigidly on the curb, trying to refocus on my phone.Lennox shot Kaleb a cold glare, then adjusted his microphone. "We weren't even kissing."From a distance, I could see Kaleb adjusting his microphone and speaking.Lennox unhooked his earpiece, letting the cord dangle on his shoulder, and turned up the volume on the radio.Kaleb's voice came through the earpiece speaker. "You two look like a couple. If you want to do that, do it on the bus. The windows are tinted."
LENNOXI barely glanced at Perry. "Looks like your client is smarter than you."Perry patted Lincoln's back. "He learned from the best. Me." Such a buddy-guard.Davin squeezed through the hallway. "That's a negative thing, Perry." He stopped by the door and winced at Ashton. "Ouch."Seth peeked his head in. "God, I know how that feels." He pointed at the scar on his crooked nose. "Two years ago, right hook in the ring.""What's that scar from?" Maddy interjected, pointing at the small scar below Seth's eye. She tossed a towel-wrapped ice baggie to Lincoln, who caught it.
ASHTONLennox is at the wheel, steering us through the graveyard shift as we make our way to Cleveland. I find my spot in the passenger seat, keeping him company during the long drive. Out of all the people I know, Lennox is the one I trust to handle the driving. I've been feeling tense lately, on edge, and being behind the wheel would be a welcome relief, but I'm not willing to break the law to satisfy that desire. So, for now, I'm left with a sense of emptiness.The bus is quiet, with dimmed lights and a gentle hum. My family and bodyguards are sleeping in their bunks, and the privacy door separates us from the front lounge. Only one paparazzi van is trailing us, but their view is obstructed by tinted windows, limiting what the cameramen can capture.Lennox, with hi
ASHTONI nearly choke on my sports drink. "What?" I hastily wipe my mouth with the back of my arm. "You're kidding, right?""I wish I was," he replies. "We were working an event together a couple of years ago in New York—""What event?" I interrupt, suspecting it had something to do with my family."You weren't there," he clarifies. "It was a cover photo shoot for Forbes magazine, and the paparazzi leaked our location."I recall that my parents, Aunt Serena and Uncle Grant, and Aunt Natalia and Uncle Colton were all on that cover together. "Why was Kaleb there if he was assigned to Blake?"
LENNOXI gathered my radio, carefully untangling the wires of the earpiece, and descended a few steps towards the bus door. Ashton, my client, pulled up his hood and joined me, securing a hunting knife on his ankle and stashing a tactical switchblade in his pocket. He always carried these weapons, even though I knew he probably didn't need them. It was a security blanket for him.Colby had mentioned my name while defending his sister, Willow. I hoped he hadn't said anything incriminating. Ashton scowled, clearly displeased with the situation.Remaining relatively calm, I fastened my radio to my black belt, reassured that if Colby hadn't revealed too much, we would be fine. Ashton understood this as well and asked, "Did you mention who I'm dating?"&n