Rowdy Boy

“Watch me,” I hiss. “Don’t for a second think I wouldn’t. I created this band, and I have the power to disband it too. You want that on your conscience?”

He seems agitated, but not as much as when he looks over at the door. I imagine it’s because he wants to leave to escape this harrowing situation so he can party with the boys and forget this ever happened.

But when my eyes follow his, I know right then and there why the look on his face turned lethal. And mine do too … because Monica fucking Romero is peeking through the crack in the door.

Chapter 19

Monica

My eyes widen in shock.

Fuck.

I got caught watching, and Cole’s eyes are churning with rage.

Then Michael steps in front, blocking my view.

The look on his face is beyond any Cole has ever given me, filled with murderous intent.

“You sneaky bitch!” Michael yells.

Before I know it, the door flings open, and he grabs my arm and drags me inside, slamming the door shut. I scream, but he covers my mouth with his hand. “Don’t you fucking dare.”

“Monica?” Cole growls. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Snooping on us, that’s for sure,” Michael fills in, glaring at me with a smug face that reminds me of a bulldog. “Fucking girls. They’re all the same.”

I try to free myself, but his grip is powerful.

“Ah, ah, little girl. You should’ve thought of that before you tried to listen in to our conversation,” he growls.

Tears spring into my eyes.

“Michael …” Cole intervenes while leaning against the cabinet near the door. “Let her speak.”

Michael’s nostrils flare. “Isn’t this the same one who bumped into you in the hallway?”

When Michael looks at him, Cole doesn’t even flinch, almost as if he’s reluctant to admit it.

“Yeah, she is. I recognize you,” Michael says with a vicious grin. “You’re that fan girl who just can’t get enough, can you?”

He ogles my nightgown, and he slowly lowers his hand from my mouth only to move it to my thigh.

“Get your hands off me,” I growl, crossing my legs so he can’t feel me up.

“Michael,” Cole barks.

“What? I’m just having some fun. What’s the problem?” he retorts.

“She doesn’t want you,” Cole says, approaching us. “She’s here for me.”

Michael narrows his eyes. “Oh, really now? All the fan girls are just for you?” Michael’s clearly looking for a fight, just like before, and I’m on his radar somehow. “Taking all the fun for yourself,” he mopes.

This dude’s got issues, and Cole knows, judging from the darkened look on his face.

“Tell us then. Why are you here?” Michael asks, still firmly gripping my arm. “Huh?”

I make a face at him. “I heard yelling, and I thought someone needed help. Obviously, you don’t.”

He smiles, but it turns into a roaring laughter right away. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. That’s your excuse?” He turns his head to Cole. “This girl is full of shit.”

“I swear, Cole, it’s the truth,” I reply, hoping he’ll believe me.

But Cole doesn’t budge. The tension between us is grim.

“Now, what did you see?” Michael asks in a way that makes me think he doesn’t care about hurting me. He just wants to protect his tiny ego. “Tell me all of it.”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Michael hisses so close to my face that it makes me close my eyes. “Or I swear to God …”

“Stop,” Cole growls. “Let her go.”

The tension between us breaks, and he turns his rage on Cole. “Why? You know what she saw,” Michael spits back. “And you know what happens if she tells others. We can’t let her leave.”

When Cole doesn’t respond and merely stares at him with folded arms, Michael finally releases me from his grip. I immediately rub my sore arm and take a few steps away from him. I briefly glance at the door, but he’s keeping a close eye on me. No way he’d let me escape without blocking the exit.

“Tell us the truth,” Michael says.

“Or what?”

He snorts. “Girl, you don’t want to mess with me. You don’t know what’s at stake here.”

“Your band?” I retort as I manage to muster up some courage. “Or the drugs?”

Michael raises a brow. “See? Now we’re getting somewhere.”

“I was just watching because I heard a noise. That’s all,” I say. “You guys do whatever the fuck you want. It’s not my business, and I don’t care.”

I try to turn around, hoping I can leave like Cole said, but he’s right there blocking the way.

“Get out of my way,” I say.

“Can’t do that,” Cole replies with a stern voice.

“You said I could leave,” I hiss.

When I try to move past him, he moves backward too, blocking the door with an arm. He inches closer, and murmurs, “I said he had to let you go. I never said you could leave.”