“You finished?” I hiss.
He lets out a venomous snicker, lowering his voice. “Well, well, if it isn’t Rustin McAllister, the talentless trash from Tally’s past. Didn’t I tell you to stay away from her?”
He doesn’t seem the least bit surprised to hear me or to find out that Tally is with me. That’s weird as hell, but I reckon he’s bluffing.
“Try your intimidation tactics on somebody who cares, asshole,” I growl.
“Calm down, boy. Or are you still torn up about your failed music career?”
A sharp laugh escapes me. I’m itching to remind him of my oath, that I said I’d kill him if he harmed Tally, but I can’t risk her hearing me. She can’t know that Dalton and I made a deal.
“Sticks and stones. This ain’t about me. If you raise your voice at Tally again, I’m gonna be the one catching a plane to pay you a visit,” I bring out.
Tally finally stirs, blinking sleepily. Her eyes widen as she sees her phone in my hand and I give her an apologetic smirk.
Sorry, I mouth.
Me answering the call is wildly inappropriate and it could get us both into deep shit. I’d understand if she was mad as hell, but her shock transforms into a smile.
“You were a distraction back then and you’re nothing but a distraction now, boy,” Dalton hisses. “Last timeyou stood in my way, I showed you more kindness than you deserved. You won’t get so lucky again.”
I huff. “You don’t know the meaning of the word kindness, dickhead.”
He tuts. “Tell Tally she can continue her pathetic temper tantrum. In the end, I always get what I want. But Rustin… if I were in your position, I’d sleep with one eye open.”
The line goes dead.
I wince as I hand Tally the phone. “I’m sorry. When it rang, I got so angry at the way he treats you. I wasn’t thinking clearly.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “How mad are you?”
“Hmm…” She tilts her head from side to side. “Not at all.”
The tension drops from my shoulders. “Thank fuck.”
“It was cathartic to listen to you tellin’ him off. Nobody ever talks back when Rex flips out. He was overdue to get a taste of his own medicine.”
My gut churns. “How much did you hear?”
“Just the bit where you said you’d pay him a visit if he yells at me again. I was barely awake. What did he want?”
“He said he’s looking forward to seeing you in LA for the concert.”
Tally snorts. “He definitely did not say that.”
“Well, he said you can take the time off he promised, in some not so nice words. And I think he threatened to cause me serious bodily harm.”
Her head jerks. “Hewhat? That’s low, even for Rex.”
If she only knew what the man is truly capable of…
Casually, I pull out into the road. “The old boy is posturing. Trying to prove he still got bite when he’s all bark, you know?”
Tally sighs, brows drawn. She doesn’t seem convincedby me downplaying the situation and to be honest, neither am I. But I don’t want her to worry.
I’m a grown man and I can defend myself. If Dalton wants to come at me, I’ll be ready.
Tally taps away on the phone screen with dizzying speed. “Oh, there’s a message from Erin!”
“Everything alright?”
