Page 72 of Uncharted Desires

“Yeah. Money’s disappearing, and I know it’s not me spending it, or I’m pretty sure it’s not completely me. I’m beginning to wonder if Dec has anything to do with it.”

Stacy brushed at an invisible piece of lint on her power suit. “I told you that man’s a snake. I know he’s made you, and me by proxy, a lot of money, but you know better than anyone that you can’t have blind loyalty in this business.”

West mulled over her words. Declan had always pushed him to give the audience what they wanted. Some people had called West a sellout, and there were plenty of times he’d felt like one. He had made a ton of money, toured the world, and had massive popularity, but had he really done it the way he wanted to? Declan had been the driving force behind everything, like West constantly touring, making albums, and always working. West hadn’t minded much. He enjoyed staying busy. But now that he thought about it, Declan was the grand mastermind, so who better to pocket money from the top?

West resumed walking down the hallway, Stacy walking after him.

“Where are you going, West? What did I say?”

“I think you’re right. I think Dec’s up to something. I want to get back to the hotel and confront him.”

“You sure that’s a good idea?” Stacy caught up to him, her heels clicking down the hallway. “I’d wait until you're back in the States. Have your accountant find the paper trail.”

West halted, and Stacy bumped into him. “Oof . . . are you coming or going, Monroe? Make a decision.”

“You’re right, I need to wait until I have hard evidence on him.”

“You couldn’t have figured that out while still walking?” she asked, rubbing her forehead. “Why are you like a solid wall?”

West smiled down at her, remembering another woman who got mad at him for running into her. Everything reminded him of Kat these days.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Stacy’s disgust was evident.

“Sorry, I was thinking of someone.”

“Aww, your girl?”

“She’s not my—”

Stacy waved him off and resumed walking. “Whatever you say, lover boy. Let’s get you back to her.”

West tried to hide the smile that crept across his face. He was only too happy to get back to the hotel and talk with Kat. He knew she was going to be mad at him for accepting the acting deal with Onslaught Pictures. Suddenly he felt like he had made a huge mistake. He should have waited until they were back in the States to make that decision. He should have talked with her, but he already knew her opinion on the matter.

It annoyed him that deep down she was right. He was scared to put himself back out there, start his own label, and go back to his stripped-down music. The music that he loved but had never been as popular. He was scared that he was past his prime and would never be as successful as he had been. Acting was a chance at something new, a chance to be on top again, but what if she was right? What if it was the easy way out?

He rounded the corner at the back of the building and saw his black town car waiting for him.

“You coming back to the hotel with me?”

Stacy crossed her arms over her chest. “I’d like nothing more, but your little duplicitous manager has created a mess for me to clean up. I’ve already received ten texts since walking out here, all wanting your acting exclusive.”

West tried to look chagrined. “Sorry, Stace. I shouldn’t have told him I’d made any decision.”

Stacy leaned against the car as West opened the door. “No, and don’t tell that guy shit from here on out.”

West gave her a mock salute as he climbed in. “You’re the boss.”

Stacy laughed. “And don’t you forget it!” she said, closing the door, much to the annoyance of the driver who had been standing by.

West leaned his head back on the plush, leather seat and let out a long exhale. How had his day devolved into this? Now he had to talk the woman he was falling in love with into believing that he was indeed falling in love with her, all while acting like his manager wasn’t a lying piece of shit.

He needed a stiff drink.

After a lot of hand gestures and pantomime, Kat convinced the cabbie to drive to the back of the building, where she knew they would drop West off and pick him up. There was always a special place for celebrities like him.

The cab rolled into the back with security yelling at him, and he started yelling back at security.

Kat let out a huge sigh of relief when she saw Stacy standing by the curb talking on her phone.