Page 107 of The Twisted Beats

The lead security guard approaches John. “Ms. Hemings was left here alone tonight with someone who tried to take advantage of her.”

Bren explodes. “What the fuck does that mean? Who is this motherfucker?”

“Wait.” John holds him back. “What’s going on? Cash told me Livianna was at the show but couldn’t get in.”

“Please.” I focus on what I need the most and speak. “Can everyone please leave? I’ve explained my side of the events. Unless you need to call the cops to report the drugs, I have nothing else to add.”

John’s chest rises and falls as he takes quick breaths and assesses the situation. The security guards and the woman sitting next to me don’t say a word.

I make eye contact with every one of them. “You all did more than you were required to. Unless I’m in trouble, will you please let me handle this with my family?”

The lead guy gazes at me for a moment. Something like sympathy floats over his face.

“We’ll make an incident report and leave it there.” He glances down at his team. “Let’s give them space to figure this out on their own. There’s nothing left for us to do here.”

They all mumble things to each other as they leave. They assure John he’s not in any trouble and I sit back down. Bren makes a drink that’s mostly filled with vodka and sits across from me.

His knee bounces up and down as he stares at me with a red face. John joins us but doesn’t sit.

He shifts his weight from foot to foot, with his arms crossed. “What happened, Livianna?”

I point at Bren. “You need to stay quiet and just listen. I’ll tell you everything later.”

He scowls but nods and downs half of his drink.

I face John and rage fills me. “Why don’t you tell me, John? I was there, but you wouldn’t do anything to help get me in, and you left me with him.”

“You didn’t get there on time.” He shakes his head. “It wasn’t up to me.”

“It never is.” The sarcasm in my voicecan’t be denied. “You’re not welcome to speak to me anymore. Go back to your room. Bren and I need to talk, and you’re not privy to know what I have to say.”

“I am because this involves me.” John tries to tower over me.

I rise to my feet. “This has nothing to do with you unless you want to tell Bren why I wasn’t in the crowd tonight.”

John glares at me but doesn’t move or say a word.

“I don’t think I need to give you the details. I’m sure you already know.” My chest heaves as I suck in a shaky breath. “Tell me you had no hand in this, John. Please tell me you didn’t plan this.”

“I didn’t, Livianna.” His hard expression shatters. “I didn’t know Tony would do anything to you. You were only supposed to get there late and?—”

“I’ve heard enough.” I roll my lip together and take a brief pause. “Go. I won’t hold you responsible, but you never get to have a say in where I am or where I go again. Understood?”

His head lowers and he huffs in regret. “It wasn’t supposed to go down like this.”

“I know.” My stomach turns to iron. “You’ve set me up before to get a story. This time it turned out worse than you planned. Don’t expect me to forgive you. Mayhem isn’t worth that much to me.”

John’s head snaps up. “There are much bigger things on the line. You’re going to ruin everything. Is that what you want? Fuck, don’t make yourself a problem. You’re fifteen. Why do you think you’re that special?”

All my deep-seated fears and truths rear their ugly heads.

I smile in knowing. “You misunderstand, John. IknowI don’t mean anything.”

“Then stay out of the way, Livianna, and let things fall in place. Nobody else will get hurt.”

“Too late, John. Way too late.” A tear falls from my eyeand I wipe it away. “Don’t speak to me again. Do what you need to do with my brother’s band but never think you and I are okay.”

He glances at Bren, who’s drunk all his drink and is glaring at John like he’s going to tear him apart. John huffs and leaves, slamming the door on his way out.