Page 186 of Toxic Kiss

“I think what’s really going on here, Anita, is that it’s finally sinking in that you’re irrelevant. You aren’t in control of anything anymore, not the band, my father, or your son, and that terrifies you.”

“Enough,” she snaps.

I don’t stop.

“Cy will walk away, and there won’t be a damn thing you can do about it.”

Her hand moves first, but I see it, and I’m faster.

I block her arm as my palm cracks across her face, sending her expensive sunglasses flying. Anita’s head turns slightly with the impact as she stumbles back, her hand going to her cheek.

The sound echoes. Gasps ripple through the crowd, but I don’t back down.

She looks back at me, shock and fury blazing behind her eyes.

“Here’s the difference between you and me. I may have destroyed my career—” I point at her. “But at least your son won’t look at me like I’m a traitor. Because after this stunt…” I add, louder now, “he’s going to hate you.”

Anita’s eyes show the fear she’s been hiding this entire time, and for once…she has nothing to say.

The guys from the band step up beside me. They’ve been so quiet that I forgot they were here.

Vex glares at Anita, his arms crossed.

“If you try to do anything else to Cyrus or press charges against Haven, then you can consider Venomous disbanded, because I will quit. You can run along and tell Auguste and the board that you’re the reason LG Records’ biggest money makers refuse to perform another concert until Cyrus is out of this place, and you offer him a public apology. Enjoy losing millions.”

Vex punches her right where it hurts…in her bank account.

“That goes for all of us,” Ledger adds.

Anita looks at them and then me, before stomping off and fleeing to her black limo.

As soon as she is gone, I wheel around and face Declan.

“Where was Cy when this happened?”

Declan swallows, confirming my suspicions that he knew.

“Tell me.”

“He went to an NA meeting,” Declan answers.

“You told her where he was, didn’t you?”

The guys all glare at him, and he stares around like a rat caught in a trap.

“You’re supposed to be his friend, and you let her lock him up,” I say, still a bit shocked that Declan aided Anita. Makes me wonder what other shady shit he has done.

“You son of a bitch,” Ash growls and punches Declan so hard that he falls on his ass, and his tablet hits the ground.

“You broke my nose,” Declan says, the sound muffled through his hand.

Vex crouches and stares at Declan.

“I wish that I could fire your ass, but since I can’t…you’re not welcome anywhere near us. Find another fucking hotel, I don’t want to see your face again. Not unless you want to learn how to sprout wings and fly after I throw you from the roof.”

Vex stands and looks at me.

“Let’s go see if we can talk them into letting him out.”