Revolt (Legends and Love)

I managed to get some sleep, but now my head pounds from a mix of alcohol, lack of sleep, and shock, so Astro convinces me to stay in bed. I curl into his side as Raff works on his laptop. Eventually, Dal and Cillian come back. I don’t comment on the blood on Cillian’s knuckles, and I don’t ask.

I know where they were, and I can’t even say I’m sorry—not when they join us and I feel whole and safe since the first time I woke up.

Cuddled into Dal’s chest, with Raff Jr. draped across me, I watch the subtitles of the news report. “Police were called in the early morning to rock star Reign Harrow’s house once more. You might have remembered a week or so ago that there was a break-in. Well, it seems there has been another incident. Could this be a coincidence, or does Reign Harrow have an obsessed fan? So far, there have been no comments from her management or Reign herself, but we hope everyone is okay.”

Turning it off, I push up. “I need a bath to wash the feeling off,” I mumble.

“Beck called this morning to check on you. I told her you would call her back,” Raff says softly.

“Thank you.” I kiss his head as I pad into his bathroom, adding salt and bubbles to the water that he’s started to keep for me. As the tap runs, I lean back into Cillian who follows me in, and he wraps his arms around me.

“Are you okay?” we ask at the same time, making us laugh.

“I’m fine. Don’t you worry about me, love.”

Closing my eyes, I lean back into his warmth until the bath is full enough.

“Arms up,” he murmurs roughly. I lift them and feel him settle his big hands on my hips before peeling off my stolen shirt, leaving me bare. Taking my hand, he helps me into the bath. When my eyes open, I watch him strip and climb in behind me, tugging me back into his arms. His hard cock presses against my ass, but for the first time ever, I ignore it.

I need his comfort more than anything else.

My eyes close as I relax in his hold. When his rough hands start to caress me, I open my eyes to find him washing me. Tears form once more as he gently cleans every inch of me with such care, it almost makes me ache. Have I ever been treated so well? So kind? It’s in every touch.

After lounging in the bath for way too long, Cillian helps me out, drying me off before I do my skincare routine and makeup, needing that layer like armor if I am to face today. Dressing in a white dress and heels to give myself an extra boost of confidence, I head downstairs to meet the guys. I have to speak to the press and police today so I need this edge.

I need them.

I’ve just accepted a coffee from Astro when my phone rings. Raff hands it over, and I check the caller ID before picking up.

“Hello?”

“Reign, I’m so glad you’re okay. There’s been an emergency meeting called at our office. It’s in one hour. Can you make it?”

It’s clear I don’t have much choice. “Sure, see you then.” I meet the guys’ eyes, knowing they are already wondering what’s happening.

“It was Will. They want a meeting in an hour,” I tell them, my head tilting as they share a look.

Sitting in the stuffy boardroom, I take strength from my guys surrounding me, knowing they will protect me. The cameras outside were insane, and there were so many questions. After giving a brief statement, I feel drained. All I want to do is go home and curl up with my guys and let them make it better.

I can’t and won’t though. I won’t let this sicko win, so instead, I sit here while a room of suited males and females discuss the situation like it’s a PR move and not really happening to me.

“Let’s get an update of where we are at, shall we?” Will suggests.

“Well—” I begin.

“Oh, sorry, Reign, I know this must be hard. I was talking to Mr. Walker.” Frowning, I turn to look at Raff. “Please sit, all of you.”

They leave my back, head around the table, and sit stiffly in the chairs.

“Now, we know you have been doing a stellar job of protecting Reign, after all you came highly recommended or we wouldn’t have hired you, but you were hired for this exact job—to stop her stalker.”

“I’m sorry. What?” I blurt.

Heat flashes through me, followed by cold. I almost shiver, my heart clenching like it knows something I don’t.

My eyes go from him to Raff, my heart skipping a beat before racing.

“Oh, well, you see, Reign, yes, we knew about the stalker. You get a lot of threats, and while you were away, one got particularly bad. When you came back, we hired them since we were worried. They were to report on the stalker—”

“You knew?” My accusation hangs in the air, and my eyes go to Raffiel, Astro, Dal, and Cillian. “You knew I had a stalker and never told me? Moreover, you lied to me?”

“They were doing their job. Please don’t be angry, Reign. They were supposed to report back—”

“On my life,” I spit, knowing what he’s trying to say. I feel betrayed. Raff won’t even meet my eyes.

My heart aches so much, I bend slightly to try to ease it, my stomach rolling. I trusted them, and all this time, they have been keeping secrets. I don’t care if it was for my well-being. They knew how I felt.

It’s my life, my choice. I should have been told.

They lied to me.

“Well . . .” Will coughs. “A little, just so we could—”

My ears ring as I stare at the four men I thought I knew.

The four men I stupidly fell in love with.

I thought they were different. I always knew they were here on the board’s orders, but they never once told me about the stalker. If they lied about that, what else are they lying about? What else have they told the board, the very men who want to use me for their own gain?

Fuck!

I let them into my house.

I let them into my heart.

I gave them everything—my pain, my loyalty, my body.

They betrayed it.

They are nothing but liars like every other person in my life.

My heart breaks, that foolish organ crumbling into a million pieces, and I struggle to breathe. I try not to let it show, my leg shaking as I fight the urge to run far and fast just like I did last time.

I’m always the fool, aren’t I?

I told myself I wouldn’t trust anyone, wouldn’t give them my heart and let it be broken again, and here I am, right back in the same situation, letting someone else smash it to smithereens as their lies come to the front.

I am such a fool.

It hurts so much, I feel like I’m dying, and even as I force a smile for Will, it quivers, but I refuse to falter and break here.

I can’t, not even as I feel tears burn my eyes.

They lied to me, and that’s all that matters. I feel filthy for letting them touch me, every memory of us turning sour as I stare at them. They knew my past and chose to keep things from me anyway.

They get nothing more of me.

Not a single fucking one of them.

Fuck them all.

Worst of all, fuck my stupid breaking heart.