Page 240 of My Three Billionaire Rockstars

My stomach tightens at the thought of leaving the compound.

Public. People. Phones. Cameras.

The last few weeks flash through my mind too quickly: headlines, comments, strangers dissecting my body and my relationships like they owned them.

I rub the back of my neck.

Xander notices. “You don’t have to worry about tonight.”

I glance up at him. “Easy for you to say.”

“No.” His voice stays calm. “It isn’t.”

He sets his glass down and walks toward me. Then he stops directly in front of my stool, one hand settling lightly against my knee.

“Let them talk,” he says. “Soon, none of this will matter.”

I search his face trying to figure out what exactly happened today, but all I find is certainty, and maybe a softness underneath it. Trust. Which is terrifying, because I’m starting to trust him back.

Julian breaks the tension by pointing a spatula at me dramatically. “Also, if you say no, Gabe’s going to make us eat health food.”

Gabe looks offended. “You say that like vegetables are oppression.”

“They are.”

I laugh despite myself.

And just like that, the tightness in my chest eases enough for me to breathe again.

An hour later, I’m standing in my room at the compound staring at myself in the mirror like I’ve forgotten how clothes work.

“This is stupid,” I mutter.

Daisy blinks at me from the bed.

“You’re not helping.”

I haven’t dressed up since all this started.

Partly because there hasn’t been much reason. Partly because I got tired of feeling like every outfit became public property the second I stepped outside.

But tonight feels… different.

I settle on a dark green dress that hugs my curves without trying too hard, soft fabric brushing just above my knees. Simple makeup. Boots instead of heels because I still have standards.

When I finally step downstairs, all three men look up, and stop talking.

Oh no.

Julian recovers first, dramatically clutching his chest. “Jeez.”

Gabe’s gaze drags over me. “You look beautiful.”

Heat floods my cheeks.

Then there’s Xander.

His eyes move over me once, heavy enough that my pulse stumbles. Then he steps closer, fingers brushing lightly against the side of my waist.