The mention of Callan’s name made me flinch. Holland’s face hardened, and the grip around my hand tightened. “Crazy that you haven’t seen it already,” she murmured.
“Holland, just explain to me what video everybody’s talking about.”
Everybody was right.
I felt Holland tense, and I knew what she said next bothered her just as much as it bothered me. “Those two stupid blondes uploaded a video of Lana and Callan having sex. It’s all over a porn site.”
Rocco’s jaw tightened as he looked from Holland’s furious face to my broken one. “Motherfucker,” he hissed, running a hand through his brown hair. Then he shook his headwith a determined frown between his brows. “No. You’re not going anywhere. You’re staying right there until Callan’s back.”
“Get out of our way, Rocco,” Holland warned.
“No,” he said again, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re both running on adrenaline and shock. You’re not thinking straight. The last thing either of you needs is to be alone right now.” He gestured toward the kitchen. “Come on. Both of you. You’re going to sit down, and I’m going to make you something to eat.”
Holland scoffed. “We’re not hungry.”
“I don’t care.”
“And you can’t even cook,” she added.
Rocco raised a brow at her, amusement flashing in his eyes. “Hey, now. That’s a bit of a bold assumption. How’d you know I can’t cook?”
“Well, you never exactly cooked me a meal after we fucked.”
Their little banter almost put a smile on my face, but the seriousness of the whole situation wouldn’t allow it. I was still too hurt. Too scared that this will turn into something more and get out of control.
“Next time I do, I’ll make sure to cook you a three-course meal. Now, come on.” He held out a hand to me. “Lana. Please.”
I looked at his outstretched hand, then at Holland’s defiant face. I was so tired. Tired of fighting, tired of running, tired of the tremor in my body. I took a slow, shaky breath and nodded. Holland saw my surrender and her shoulders slumped in defeat, but she didn’t argue. She just dropped my bag and led me into the kitchen, her glare promising Rocco a slow death if this was the wrong move.
Rocco made us sit down on the stools at the island and moved around the kitchen with a focus I hadn’t seen from him before. He washed his hands, opened the fridge, and startedpulling things out without asking what we wanted. He grabbed steaks and broccoli, then a box of couscous from the cupboard next to the fridge before he started to cook.
Holland sat beside me, her focus always on me, making sure I was okay. I kept my eyes on the counter, trying to stop my hands from shaking.
“Lana,” she whispered, reaching for my hands and giving them a gentle squeeze. “Breathe, okay? I’m right here.”
I glanced at her and gave her a nod. “Thank you.”
She smiled and gave my hands another squeeze, then her gaze went to Rocco, staring at his back while he cut the broccoli into small pieces.
He was silent for a while, and after taking a deep breath and letting out a heavy sigh he told us, “I never liked those two. They were always loud about things that weren’t their business.”
Holland scoffed. “I thought you all had each other’s backs in this industry.”
He looked at us over his shoulder, a brow raised up high. “No. Never trusted them. Not once.”
“And you still fucked them.” It wasn’t a question, and Rocco wasn’t giving a spoken answer to Holland’s question. His expression said enough, and to me, it looked like he truly regretted it.
Did Callan regret it too, now that they’ve done this to me? I didn’t know how much I truly mattered to him. My feelings for him were clear, but he never showed me his. Not that I had opened up about mine, but I couldn’t read him.
“That doesn’t matter anymore,” Rocco told Holland, giving her a serious look before he turned back to the counter.
I cleared my throat, wanting to ask him a question. But I needed another moment before I could use my voice. “Do you…do you think Callan had something to do with this? Did he know?”
He shook his head immediately and turned around to face me. “No. Never. If he had known anything like that was happening, he would’ve said something. And Callan wouldn’t have let them near you.”
I just stared at him, unable to form more words.
His face changed again, showing me exactly how honest he was being. “Listen. I know tonight was hell. I know you feel exposed. But I need you to hear this. Callan didn’t have anything to do with it. He wouldn’t do that to you. He wouldn’t risk you like that.”
