Page 65 of Toxic Kiss

Her smile sharpens.

“That won’t happen. Auguste loves me.”

“So you say.”

“Haven, please be realistic. I know your type. Girls like you fall in love with guys like my son because they make you feel like you are somebody. You clamor for a kind word, while he keeps you around to stroke his ego. You want him to fall on his sword for you, but you are the one who bleeds. Cyrus has particular tastes in women.” She looks me up and down. “He wants someone glamorous, who has value. Someone who won’t fall apart the second the spotlight gets hot, or tuck tail and run at the first sign of trouble.”

I’m so angry that I’m tempted to face prison charges just to feel my hands around her throat and watch her choke to death.

“It’s funny that you should say that, Anita. From where I’m standing, you’re the one crumbling under the pressure.” Her glare darkens. “You aren’t his manager. You can’t control his life. What did you do to make that a reality? I’m dying to know. Poor mommy can’t handle that Cyrus is an adult and doesn’t need her anymore. Empty nest syndrome must be tough for you,” I say, and mock sniff.

My claws are fully out now. I’m so done with her. I have been for years, but now…now I’ll never bite my tongue again.

Anita leans in close enough for her perfume to overwhelm me all over again.

“Say what you want about me, but we both know that you’re the reason Cyrus started using in the first place. You broke his heart. My son is a sensitive, creative soul, and you crushed him when you ran away. Now you’re back…and I know you plan to ruin him,” she whispers. “Just like everything else you touch. Don’t confuse his temporary defiance of me for devotion to you. I won’t let you bring him down again after he’s worked so hard to get himself right.”

“Wow, you’re delusion knows no bounds. I have no idea what you’re talking about. How did I supposedly break Cyrus’s heart?”

“Please…you know exactly what you did. Don’t play innocent with me. Besides, don’t you have a fiancé or something? Or did you already ruin that, too?”

My muscles flex as I take a small step toward her. My pulse is thunderous, causing a headache to form behind my eyes.

“Get used to disappointment,” I whisper. “Because I’m not going anywhere. I don’t know what you think you know, but I’ll tell you this. I’m here to do my job, and part of my job is to protect the band, and that means Cy. That is what I will do. If you get in my way, I will steamroll right over the top of you.”

She steps back, mouth twitching with the same hatred she’s always shown me whenever my father isn’t around. She can be as sweet as key lime pie when he’s around, but when he isn’t…

“Enjoy your little power trip,” she says. “But when this fantasy of yours all goes to hell, and it will, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

The elevator doors open, and Anita steps out, her hips swaying in her designer outfit paid for by my father. Her shoes click-clack down the hallway like they are laughing at me.

I don’t follow and just let the doors reclose.

Leaning back against the wall, I stare at my faint reflection gleaming in the metal.

I can’t let her win, but I just need a moment. I forgot how depressing and draining dealing with my stepmother can be.

Collecting myself, I pull out my phone and text my father.

Haven: Dad, where are you?

Dad: Just in the cafeteria, talking to Declan.

Haven: I’ll be right there.

I hit the door-open button and step out. Of course, that is when my phone decides to ring. Charles’s face is glowing on the screen, and that same twinge of guilt resurfaces.

“Hey there.”

“Hey, Teddy Bear. What are you wearing?”

I look around in confusion and then check the time on my phone. It’s nine in the morning on a Sunday.

“Um, the same thing I was wearing last night.”

“That tells me nothing. Is it hot? Have you been thinking of me?”

“No. I spent the night in the hospital because Cy collapsed on stage.”