Childstar 2

“You hear me,” I said when she looked back up at me, confused. “When we were young, you always heard me when I was screaming internally. If I’m strong, I’m strong because of you.”

“I don’t want to go to this party. But I don’t want to give my mother any reason to keep pushing you,” she explained.

Whether we went or not, Esther was never going to let me off the hook.

“Then let’s go.” I offered her my arm, knowing full well that the moment we were seen out together tonight, we’d be in the media. But who gave a fuck? It wasn’t like we were hiding it, anyway.

Austin and Oliver, both dressed in black suits, were already waiting for us when we left the bedroom. Austin wore an obnoxiously loud yellow bow tie. Seeing our arms linked, he gave me a wink like I was in on his own private conversation.

Oliver pitched instructions at Amelia. “Your car is waiting. There will be press outside of Mallory’s mansion. Do your best not to answer any questions or say anything about the movie.”

“Got it. And how about you try to smile since we aren’t going to a funeral?” Amelia said, making a face as she stared him down.

Sighing, he gave in and smiled for her. “Happy?”

“My soul is singing,” she joked as we walked towards the elevator.

“Must be nice having a client wishing you to smile and be happy and whatnot,” Austin muttered beside me.

Rolling my eyes, I stepped into the elevator and held my hand out for them to stop behind us.

“Take the next one. I’m planning on passionately making out with her until we get to the bottom,” I said, pressing the button to close the doors on their baffled faces.

“Do I have a say in this?” Amelia asked.

“No,” I replied, spinning her toward me, my lips covering hers. Immediately her mouth opened for me, my tongue brushing against hers as she pressed her body into mine. My hands traveled down the curve of her back before resting firmly on her ass, gripping it so tightly she smiled against my lips.

“So you’re an ass man?”

I smirked. “I’m an Amelia man.”

“Good answer,” she whispered, doing her best to remove the pink lipstick from my lips before the door opened.

As she took my arm again, we walked across the lobby, certainly gathering attention and photos judging by the number of people who stopped to blatantly stare at us. Just like this morning, there were no paparazzi waiting for us. Daniel, my bodyguard and driver, was already waiting at the black Mercedes parked in front of the hotel.

As Daniel opened the door for us, she slid in first, giving me a sinful view of her cleavage before I entered.

“Daniel, how long will it take us to get to the Mallory mansion?” I questioned, unbuttoning my suit jacket.

“Not long. About ten minutes or so if there is no traffic, sir.”

I glanced over to Amelia before pulling out my phone and dialing Austin.

“Yeah?”

“Hand the phone to Oliver.”

I waited.

“What?”

“Amelia and I are going to head out first. Don’t stress. I’ll take care of her.” In more ways than one. Hanging up, I glanced to Daniel nodding for him to drive.

“You didn’t have to call him,” she said.

“Yeah, I did.” Whether I liked it or not, Oliver was part of her life. I had to at least try and cool the animosity between us if I wanted her to be comfortable.

“Thank you,” she said softly.