Because fuck if Mick doesn’t deserve it.
“Oh, I don’t know. Whatshouldhappen?” Ev says, voice cold. “Pretty sure you attacked him first, and I think all these witnesses here agree with that.”
Mick’s glare snaps to Ev when there’s a low hum of agreement, then turns stone-cold. “What? You’re going to lie for them, forhim? You’remybodyguard. What the fuck are you—”
“Not anymore. Paperwork just went through during the concert—thank your dad for me, Jace. I’m with Encore, for the next tour at least. After that, we’ll see.”
“You fuckin’leavingme after twenty-five years?” His voice is hoarse, and he tries to shove my man again. Tyler’s grip doesn’t budge. Solid. Unshakable. “You’d do that to me?” Mick spits.
“Youdid that tous. I tried Mickey. I really fucking did.”
I blink.Mickey? Twenty-five years? I didn’t know they knew each other as kids…
Bowie’s eyes shimmer as he looks at his brother. Yeah, shit, I feel kinda bad forhim. But he’s not interrupting, like he knows something we don’t. I think this has been brewing for a while now.
“You’re going back to rehab, Mick,” Ev says, voice like steel. “And I don’t care how you’re gonna do it, but it’s gonna happen.”
Mick scoffs, bitter and loud. “Why the fuck should I?” Then, to Tyler: “Let me go, you idiot!”
Tyler’s hand only clenches for a second, and that’s all it takes. Mick immediately stops pushing at his unmoving arm, eyes wide as only now realizing what his current situation is. But with a furrowed glance over his shoulder at me, probably to check if I’m alright, Ty drops the shithead anyway.
Mick coughs as he drops on his knees, grabbing his throat and glaring Ty’s way. Ty’s jaw ticks, and he looks at Mick with so much disdain, it’s a look I never want to see on his gorgeous face ever again. It doesn’t belong there…
I finally pull myself together and do something, grabbing his wrist and tugging him toward me. Shit, Mick’s not worth this. Mick’s not worth Ty stooping this low. My man isnota violent person, and he is better than this. He’s good,and I don’t want Mick to taint that.
Besides, Everett’s got it handled.
“If you do,” Ev says, voice tight, “For real this time, I’llconsidercoming back.”
Mick freezes. Just for a second. It’s not much, but I see it. Something raw flashes across his face. Something I never thought he was capable of: pain.
“What. You—” His voice cracks as he grabs his throat again.
“Shut. The fuck. Up,” Ev growls. “You’re going. You understand? I’ll make damn sure of it. I’ll fucking whip you into shape if I have to.”
“Did he say ‘whip’?” someone mutters behind me—Rafa, of course. “Oh, that’s so hot.”
Ev doesn’t even blink. Just reaches for Mick’s collar, pulls him up, and starts dragging him out of here like he weighs nothing at all. Mick somehow doesn’t even object, just letting Everett pull him and they disappear around the side of the bus.
And just like that, he’s gone.
My shoulders sag. I turn instantly, grabbing Ty’s face and scanning him, needing to see for myself. “Are you okay, babe?”
“I am,” he says, voice low, meant only for me. “You?”
God, the concern in his eyes nearly undoes me. But the fire, that fire that was burning there since the moment I got home, burns just a little less bright now.
My throat tightens. I nod. Then whisper: “Thank you… He’s gone, babe. Christ, I hope it stays that way.”
His dimples pop. “I don’t think you need to worry about that for the foreseeable future.”
He presses a soft kiss to my mouth like he needs the confirmation just as bad as I do. He’s gone. He’s really fucking gone.
“I’m so sorry, Bow,” Missy says behind me. I turn to see my friends standing there, watching us.
Bowie shrugs, looking over at her with a half-smile. “Nah... it’s happened before, ya know? Ev’ll... do what’s right. It’ll be kinda nice to have a break from touring, to be honest.” He glances at Missy. “Maybe chill for a bit. Visit some friends.”
Missy’s face lights up with a wide, excited grin.
