Rise (Rock God 1)

“You know nothing, Axel, because you’re a sociopath,” I spit, rage radiating through me as I shake Ammo off. “And if you mention my mother again, I’ll put a bullet in your ignorant head.”

All he does is smile and take a step forward. “I know you, man. Those demons run deep. You don’t want your mom brought up, then stay the fuck away from Gia.”

I can’t hear anymore. I’d rather we beat the shit out of each other than this, the reminder that he’s right.

My hands open and close. The skies open and rain pours down on us. “Gia, is mine, Axel, and you know it.”

Axel snorts. “Oh, really? Let’s see how accepting she is when you’ve got a kid you want her to help raise. That’s not her thing, brother.” He’s not even yelling anymore just stating all this as if it’s a fact.

“If you try to take her or tell her lies—” I lunge for him as Ace and Ammo hold me back. Axel stands there, shaking his head, laughing. And all I can think of is if I had a gun he’d be dead. I’d beat that smirk off his face and pull the trigger.

His eyes narrow as he stops laughing. “She’s coming with me. Forget you know us.” He turns to get on his black Harley.

“Come on, Granger. Let’s go, man.” Ace pushes me back and opens the limo door as I watch Axel, his hair already dripping wet, start up his bike. He’s texting someone.

“Where’s Gia? I need a phone.” I get in, the adrenaline rushing through me. Ammo and Ace follow and the limo pulls out.

“I took her to the stadium. I’m not gonna lie, she’s pretty upset about all of this.” Ace’s voice is calm, as if he can help me extinguish the murderous rage that runs through my veins.

You can’t make her happy… you’re just like Christie. I run a hand through my wet hair and realize I’m bleeding. Who cares? He knew exactly how to come at me, exactly how to take me down. This is not about my external bleeding; this is about him threatening my very existence if he gets to her and takes her.

“A phone. Give me one,” I bellow. My energy is so off-balance Ace holds up his hands as if that will stop my hemorrhaging.

“Here, man, take a breath.” Ace hands me his phone, and for a second I see myself through his eyes, as if I’m in a tunnel. All I see is pity. He thinks I’m nothing but a fucked-up rock star.

I stare at him as he cocks his head at me.

Dismissing me.

Axel, Ace, Ammo the three A’s, all of them dismiss me. Staring at me as if I’m crazy. Just one breath away from the psych ward.

Leaning back in the seat, I exhale. I’m calm now. I toss the phone back to Ace, who looks shocked, but catches it.

And I face the truth… I did this.

Axel’s not gonna take her away. Gia will willingly want to leave me. I thought I was worthy of her, that I could love and be loved. But the universe always reminds me, slaps me in the face and tells me that it’s not the case.

My path is alone.

“Granger?” Ace’s concerned face comes into focus.

“Fuck it.” I turn and look out the window as Mother Nature weeps for me.

GIA

Past – Eighteen years old

San Francisco, California

“Ace, what the fuck are you saying?” Rafe yells next to me on the phone.

I’m wet and cold, and to be honest, I’ve never been more miserable in my life. Rhys didn’t come back last night. My mind was my only company, and it’s an awful friend. Every horrible scenario played over and over in my head all night. I might have dozed off around 4:00 a.m., but let’s be honest—my nightmares might’ve been worse than being awake.

I can’t eat, and if those fucking groupies shoot me one more dirty look, I will not be held responsible for my actions.

I pull my hand through my long hair trying to keep it out of my face as I hear Rafe saying, “You’ve got to be kidding me. Does he need a medic?” He looks around, his frown landing on me, and I know something bad has happened.

Is happening.

“Oh God,” I whisper, and for the first time in my life, I wish I was religious and believed because it’s time to start praying.

My eyes veer back to him. With his tall frame and expensive black suit, he appears strong, confident, and perfect. I barely put on makeup. I’ve cried so much my eyes are swollen and my cheeks are flushed. I might have made myself sick. My skin’s so hot, it’s as if I have a fever.

I think I slathered on some red lipstick before I left the hotel. I was going to stay, wait for him to finally come back. But my mind wouldn’t stop. I kept imagining Rhys with one of the band’s many groupies.