And I think that was one of the most terrifying questions of all.
3
ANSON
“Iwant fucking answers,” I snarled as two cops stood in my penthouse living room at four in the fucking morning.
“Mr. Beyers, we will do everything we can,” Officer Murphy said. “We take this sort of thing seriously.”
“You goddamn better,” I snapped. I’d ended up taking Rosalie to the emergency room. I’d had to fight the fucking paparazzi to get her there, but she’d been checked out, and we were back at the hotel now. “If she gets hurt?—”
“We understand your concern,” Officer Declan started.
“…Then you get fucking hurt. All of you. I’ll sue the shit out of everyone in this city.”
“Sir, we are going to do all we can. This is a felony. Bodily fluids as a weapon…” Officer Murphy whistled. “We’ll get it sorted. Here is the information to contact us. Give us a few days, OK? We took her clothing in for evidence. We will be in touch with results soon.”
I ground my teeth but nodded tightly. I didn’t want to get the police involved, but my way of dealing with shit would end up with someone dying.
In fact, if I got my hands on the motherfucker first, that’s exactly what would happen.
The officers left moments later, and I went back in to check on Rosalie. I’d had to give her some sleeping meds when we got home to get her to sleep, but now she was completely out, her red curls cascading around her.
I’d never loved anyone in my life the way I loved her. The fact someone tried to hurt her tonight…
I tightened my hands into fists before I forced myself to exhale. I leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead as my phone buzzed in my pocket again.
Quickly, I brought it out and returned to the living room. I sank onto the couch.
“Evan,” I said into the phone.
“Is she OK?” he demanded as a greeting. I’d promised him I’d call him back, but hadn’t gotten to it just yet.
“Physically? Yes. Emotionally? Not so much. It scared her. She was signing fucking autographs, and some asshole just jumped out of the crowd and soaked her in blood. It was so damn much. Security couldn’t get to him. He disappeared too fast.” I swallowed hard at the memory. It was a male. Probably five ten in height. Small enough that I’d crush the prick like an insect.
“I’m headed there,” Evan said gruffly. “I’m boarding a plane now.”
I rubbed my eyes. “We have two days here in New York. I was thinking maybe we should head to Boston since she has a show in three days anyway.”
“We’ll leave in the morning.”
“Sounds good,” I mumbled. Evan had been furious when I’d told him earlier. I imagined he was bringing his bat. He’d taken to hitting things with it when he was overly agitated.
“It’s not your fault,” he said after a moment, his voice soft.
“It is. I should have been paying better attention.”
“It’s hard in crowds like that. We need to step up her security. I was able to reach Klaus. He’s livid and on his way, but he can’t get a flight until late tomorrow. He has the same thought I do. No more autographs after shows.”
“She’ll hate that. She loves her fans.”
“For now, she’ll have to disappoint them.” He sighed. “I know how she is. She’s too kind, but this is what happens when crazy fans are allowed to get too close.” He paused. “Anson, she has a little girl. Ellis needs her mom.”
“I know,” I said thickly. “We can plan when you get here. I’m sure it’ll be all over the news by morning. I have damage control to do.”
I scrubbed my hand down my face, knowing he was right. This could have ended way worse. What if the assailant had acid and threw it on her? Gasoline and tossed a match? Ugly images flooded my head, making my stomach twist.
“Have you asked her yet?” Evan ventured softly.
