Page 111 of Before the Encore

Bonnie smiled. “Hey, Scarlett. Glad you could make it.”

“Thanks!” She lowered her voice, barely audible over the music. “And thank you again for letting me keep my job. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll do better.”

Bonnie frowned. “What are you sorry for?”

Her lips pressed together, and she glanced down at her sparkly glitter heels. Loud laughter came from some sharp-dressed men to their left.

Bonnie tugged at Scarlett’s elbow, leading her away, under the staircase towards the toilets where it was quieter. Stone sculptures decorated the walkway, casting shadows.

“I shouldn’t talk about it.” Her gaze flicked behind Bonnie. People cheered on the dancefloor as a new track played through the speakers. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“I’m your boss, remember?” She placed her hand on Scarlett’s shoulder. “Not him.”

“Right.” Scarlett nodded. But her lip snagged between her teeth.

Bonnie’s insides squirmed with anticipation. “You can talk to me.”

“Please.” Her lip quivered. “Don’t be mad.”

Oh god. What has he done?

“Bailey never submitted your work to the Grammys.”

Bonnie’s mouth fell open, the words landing like a thump. Her hand dropped.

“He said it was for your own good, that you were getting too vocal and needed to learn a lesson.”

But…

She knew Bailey was stubborn and patronising, and that he always thought he knew best, no matter the topic. But Bonnie couldn’t believe he would do this to her. After all her blood, sweat, and tears she’d put into this album and the tour. Into everything.

Scarlett put her head in her hands. “I knew it wasn’t right, but he’s been horrible lately. He scares me. And the phone never stops ringing.” She spoke quickly, the words spilling out like a torrent. “I was constantly covering for him. His demands, his addiction, some of the people he entertains.” She shook her head. “And…there’s more. There are women that call…saying things.”

Bonnie blinked, unable to process the stream of information. “What? What has he done?”

“I shouldn’t have said anything. My NDA—he told me if I said anything—”

“Scarlett.” Bonnie touched her shoulder. “You know your NDA doesn’t stop you from reporting a crime, right?”

“He denied it, said it was just women looking for an easy payout but…I did some digging. Both of them were in his schedule. The dates matched up. One said she woke up and wanted to know what happened. The other had suspicions, feeling sick like she had in high school”—her eyes met Bonnie’s—“when she was spiked.”

Spiked?

Bonnie placed her hand on the wall. The blood drained from her face.

Bailey? It couldn’t be.

Bonnie couldn’t have been working with someone who would do this, who might’ve done this to her.

“Welcome, everyone.” The lights dimmed as a loud voice spoke over the music. “Please make your way towards the stage for Lipstick Fever!”

No. Not now. Bonnie’s stomach stretched and warped, threatening to erupt. The walls slipped and slid beneath her fingers.

Scarlett put a hand on her shoulder, holding her upright. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, unable to speak for fear of what might come out.

“What a wild ride this has been,” Roberto spoke over the microphone. “It’s no wonder all my hair has fallen out.”