The Price of Fame (13 page)
Authors: Hazel Gower
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Multicultural & Interracial, #Contemporary, #General
He glared at his now ex-manager and thanked God Kylie didn’t understand Greek. Hating to be rude, but not wanting Kylie to hear what he had to say, he answered in Greek. “I told you she was the one. I said I was going to marry her. I just had to convince her.” He glared at Gaelan as things started to click. Getting up, he stalked toward his manager, snarling, “It was you! You leaked the song.”
Gaelan looked around the room as Markus moved closer. “It’s too good to keep to yourself because some girl thought it should be just hers.”
Grabbing his manager by the collar, he pulled him close. “That
girl,
as you call her, will be my wife as soon as I can organize the wedding she deserves.”
“Markus, you’re not thinking straight. She’s not good for your image. You need a well-known person, or at least someone Greek. I thought when she missed your performance and saw how all the women treated you that one of you would give up. I was sure she would give you up. When I heard about the hospital visit and that she wasn’t wearing your ring anymore, I thought you’d both come to your senses.”
The longer the man talked, the tighter Markus closed his hands around Gaelan’s neck. He wondered if he got a judge who was a fan whether he could get a more lenient sentence for killing his manager.
Yanking the man by his shirt, Markus shook him, yelling in his face. “You piece of shit. If you haven’t figured it out, you’re fucking fired.”
Pulling his arm back, he punched Gaelan in the face, and was about to do it again when a hand touched his back. In a slow, calming voice, Kylie spoke in Greek.
“Don’t. He’s not worth it. Plus, I should thank him. If it wasn’t for him, I probably would never have realized certain things like I’m stronger than I thought and will stand my ground. One of the best things he did was show me, us, that we love each other and are willing to work on our differences. Nothing can break us apart if we don’t let it.”
He stared speechless at Kylie. His heart soared, and he felt so blessed. He dropped Gaelan as a knock sounded on the door.
“Five minutes.”
He didn’t care where he was and how much time he had before he had to be on stage. He turned to Kylie, lifting her and crashing his lips against hers, holding her tightly to him. His tongue found hers, and they tangled together, mimicking the actions he so badly wanted to do to her now.
Reluctantly, he pulled away when another knock came telling him it was four minutes until he went on. “When did you learn Greek? How long have you been able to understand?”
Her eyes shone, and her lips curled up into a huge smile. “I started a couple of weeks ago. When you were gone, all I listened to on my iPod was Greek. I’ve picked a lot more up since I’ve been here.”
Brushing his lips over hers, he squeezed her tight as the door opened and a guy with a clipboard hurried him out. Not willing to relinquish Kylie just yet, he moved her so she held his hand and they walked together, following the man in front. “I love you,” he whispered in Greek.
She smiled and repeated back, “
S 'agapô
.”
Epilogue
James really shouldn’t have come. He should have let Kylie and Markus sort out their own mess, but for some reason, when Markus had called begging him to come and support Kylie, he’d caved. So now he was about to get his luggage and meet up with Markus’ sister, who’d be waiting for him with a sign.
Getting his suitcases, he went through customs and got everything he needed, and then headed out with the other passengers who were meeting loved ones or here to have fantastic adventures. Looking around for the sign, he groaned and prayed he was wrong when he walked over to a young woman holding a huge sign that said:
I want a hot Australian. He has to be over six feet, have shaggy blond hair, a nice tan, and dark green eyes. Oh, and he needs to answer to James.
As he moved closer, the woman blatantly looked him up and down. “Wow, no wonder my brother didn’t want you to come. You’re hot. I think I need to go visit Australia if this is what they have to offer.” She linked arms with him and continued on. “I’m Bettina, by the way, but you may call me whatever you want. Kylie is going to be so happy to see you. Her other best friend arrived yesterday, and they’re busy organizing stuff for the wedding.”
He stopped and stared down at the beautiful woman. “The what?” he yelled. “Whose wedding?”
She laughed and slapped his chest. “Why, Markus’ and Kylie’s of course. That’s why you’re here now. They worked out the fiasco from the other week. Kylie is so excited you’re going to be here. Now that I’ve seen you for myself, I think I’m the excited one.”
Unsure what he felt anymore, he looked down at Bettina and noticed she was stunning. Her jet-black hair hung past her waist. She had a full, voluptuous body and a beautiful face, with pouty, plump lips and light emerald-green eyes that shone with life and happiness.
He could use some happiness in his life. Reaching for her hand, he took a deep breath and smiled. “Sorry about that. I was shocked. It’s nice to meet you, Bettina. I look forward to spending a lot more time with you.”
She beamed up at him, and they walked out of the airport hand in hand.
The End
Publisher’s Note
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About Hazel Gower
I’m the mother of four terrors between the ages of two and seven. My mother said I always had an overactive imagination. Writing, I have to say, is my salvation. After I've gotten all the kids in bed and have cleaned up, I sit at my computer or sometimes a notebook with a pencil and relax, write, and escape.
I love to hear from any of my readers, so feel free to send me an email and like me on Facebook.
www.hazelgower.com
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