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Something about the voice prickles the back of my mind, but I can’t place what exactly, and I don’t get a chance to think more about it because the pressure against my neck intensifies.
I press my lips together to stop a whimper from coming out, but it’s the wrong thing to do because the person—the man—shakes me, the cool metal of what I can only assume is a knife digging into my neck and making me wince as it cuts the skin, leaving a burning sensation in its wake.
“Was I clear?” he repeats, his lips pressing against my ear and making a shiver run down my spine. “Nod your head if you understood me, or are you too dense on top of being blind? Bash has a tendency to go for broken things.”
I nod my head once, gently, so I don’t force my neck harder against the knife because I can already feel a drop of blood slide down my neck.
What is going on here?
Who is this man, and how does he know Bash? But more importantly, what does he want from me?
“Good,” he lets out a soft chuckle as his finger slides over my cheek. My stomach recoils, throat bobbing as I try to hold back the bile from rising. Which is anything but easy. “That’s what I like to hear.”
“W-who are you?” I stammer out the question before I can think better of it.
“Of course, you wouldn’t know me,” he mutters, spitting in my face. “But you sure as hell know Bash. Everybody knows Bash-fucking-Black. They don’t see anything past him. Anyone past him.”
The more he talks, the more agitated he gets, and the knife at my throat digs in deeper as his anger grows.
“I’m s-sorry, I-I…” I suck in a breath, trying to calm down while I inwardly curse at myself for asking the question. “What do you want? I don’t have any—”
“Oh, I have what I want. You.” He lets out a maniacal laugh that gets lost in the noises of the crowd. “And you’ll give me exactly what I need.”
What he needs?
“And what is that?” I ask, trying to buy some time. I need to get out of this. Away from him. The man has clearly lost his mind. What could I have that he’d want so desperately?
As if he can hear my question, he whispers softly, and I don’t miss the crazy glee in his voice as he says, “You’ll be the demise of Bash Black.”
His words ring in my head, paralyzing me.
“Thank you, Los Angeles!” Sebastian yells, his voice echoing in the now silent hall. “I’m so happy that you love this new song because it has a very special place in my heart. I’m supposed to play another song for you guys, but…”
There is a slight pause in which fans cheer his name, and I can feel tears prickle at my eyelids.
No, not now. Not yet.
He can’t call it quits.
He can’t come back here.
Not yet.
Where is everybody? Why isn’t anybody doing anything? Can’t they see what this man is doing?
“But tonight, I have an additional surprise.” The cheering of the crowd grows louder. “Tonight, my girlfriend, Penelope, is backstage. Despite everything that’s been happening lately, she chose to come with me and support me. And let me tell you something about her. On top of being an amazing person with the kindest of hearts, and trust me, she needs it to deal with me every day.”
Loud laughter spreads through the room, and I can feel one tear slide down my cheek.
“I know, I know, but that’s beside the point. The point is that on top of all those things, she’s also one of the most talented musicians I’ve had the privilege of knowing, and I’m so lucky to have found her. And, although I’ll probably hear about this later because that girl hates being the center of attention, I want to take this moment to invite her to come out on the stage and sing with me tonight. So how about you all help me convince her to do that?”
No.
No, no, no, no.
This can’t be happening.
This can’t…
