Page 113 of Before the Encore

“Scarlett and her fucking mouth.” A thick vein pulsed in his forehead. “There’s no proof. No proof, and you’re willing to turn on me as quick as that.”

The music thumped hard, vibrating in her chest. “That’s not a no, though, is it, Bailey?”

A darkness stilled his face, jaw locking.

People started walking towards them, shadows moving along the floor.

He grabbed her waist, pinning her arms and covering her mouth with his disgusting fingers. The door banged as he pushed into the men’s bathroom. She struggled in his grip. His horrible aftershave mixed with his perspiration, choking her airways.

“Ret ofv me!” Bonnie kicked her feet, the lights blinding.

“Where has all this fight come from?”

Bonnie screamed, the sound muffled by his hand.

Bailey hummed. “Madison must be brushing off on you.”

Adrenaline filled her veins, anger tipping her over the edge. Bonnie bit hard into the flesh of his palm.

“You bitch!” Bailey yelped, pulling it away.

“You don’t know anything about Madison. Or me.” She spat, then wiped her mouth with her back of her hand. The smell of him churned her stomach. She fought against his other hand, still gripping her waist.

“That’s where you’re wrong. I know everything. How’d you think I got in here tonight?”

She twisted and pulled, finally freeing her arm. She jabbed her elbow into his gut, and he fell forward. Bonnie shoved him in the back, pushing him to the tiles on his knees.

Bonnie’s chest heaved. “When people know the truth, you’ll never work in the industry again.”

“Wrong again, kid. This is showbiz.” He glanced up, wheezing. “Everyone turns a blind eye, sweeps it under the rug.” A loud laugh left his curled lips, the sound grating Bonnie’s spine. “Don’t you get it yet? You made the biggest mistake of your life.”

“And you just made yours. I’m not a kid, Bailey.” Adrenaline burned hot through her veins, and her mouth lifted. “I’m Bonnie fucking Bloom.” And in one swift movement, she booted between his legs.

Bailey groaned, crumpling to the floor, and she turned and ran out of the bathroom. Her feet moved faster than her brain, pulling the breath from her lungs. Lights swirled and twisted across the hallway. When she locked eyes with Madison, her legs weakened, and she nearly fell to the floor.

“Bonnie! Where’ve you been? What’s happened?”

“Bailey. He’s in the men’s bathroom.” Madison wrapped her arms around her, and Bonnie let out a shaky breath. “Call security.”

“Get the security over here.” Madison spoke over her shoulder, where the band, her family, and Scarlett hovered.

Madison cupped her face. “Are you okay? I swear if he did anything—”

“I’m okay.”

The men’s bathroom door opened, and Bailey stumbled out, holding his crotch. His hair flopped unevenly on one side, his balding patch showing through.

In a flash, Madison seized his shirt, pinning him against the wall. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

He tried to push her off, but she slammed him again, harder. His head rolled, looking for Bonnie. He let out another laugh, quieter now. “You have…no proof.”

Madison propelled her head into his, knocking him to the floor with a sharp headbutt.

Footsteps echoed as security arrived, a concerned Roberto in tow. Large boulder-like men pulled Bailey to his feet. Blood gushed from his nose and stained his T-shirt.

“One of the security let him in,” Bonnie explained, blinking. Her mind spun in circles.

Roberto stepped forward. “I’ll stay with them until the police arrives.” He patted Madison on the shoulder, then led the security away into a private lounge.