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make it all worth it. Before Aubrey, this was the place I came to feel love. My fans poured it out to
me unconditionally and I soaked it up. That s actually why I started bagging so many groupies.
There s nothing like being someone s everything.
 You got a minute, son? I glance up from the computer screen to find the Judge leaning against
the doorframe into this impressive den.  There s something I would like to discuss with you.
I glance down at the clock on my computer. Damn. I ve been answering messages for an hour
and a half and didn t even realize it. Aubrey should be back soon, but I wonder why her father wants
to talk to me without her present.
Fuck. This can t be a good sign.
I swallow hard.  Sure.
I stand and follow Judge down a short hall into an office. There s a very classic look in here,
with chocolate walls, cherry bookcases and a matching desk. There s even a bottle of Scotch,
accompanied by four glasses, sitting on a side table.
The Judge s eyes follow my line of sight.  You want a drink?
This is probably some sort of test on his part. If I accept the drink, he ll automatically think I m a
partying alcoholic, but if I refuse, he ll think I m lying.
 Sure, I answer, but don t plan on drinking the entire thing.
He walks over and removes the glass cork from the Scotch, pouring two glasses half-full. After
handing me a glass, he walks around his desk and sits in the high-back chair. His eyes study me
intently as we sit in silence, staring at one another.
Judge sits the glass on his desk and leans forward in his chair.  I m not a man to beat around the
bush about things, Zach. I m very direct, and I don t keep what I want secret. If more people were like
me, the world would be a better place. We would all know where we stand with one another.
This sounds like the intro to a speech about him not liking me very much. Instead of starting an
argument with the father of the woman I love, I simply nod my head like I m in total agreement. I
could be wrong about him, after all. I barely know the man.  I like directness.
 Good, because I m about to lay it all out for you.
Oh fuck.
 Why are you dating my daughter?
That s an easy answer.  Because I love her. There s no waiver whatsoever in my voice as I
speak my truth.
He stares at me a long moment before he continues.  I can see that you believe that, but I know
your type the here today and gone tomorrow guys. I have to be honest with you, Zach. I don t want
that for my little girl. She s too good for that. She deserves a man that s stable and isn t going
anywhere.
I flinch, but understand his reservations. My past isn t a favorable one.  I can assure you when it
comes to your daughter, sir, I m not going anywhere.
He sighs.  I was afraid you d be stubborn about this. You leave me no choice.
He slides a print out of some sort towards me.  What s this?
 Your sealed record.
My eyes grow wide as they scan the record of my historical brushes with the law.  How did you
get this?
He frowns.  I m a judge, son. I can get access to anything.
 But, why do you have it? Aubrey already knows about all this. You telling her won t stop her
from being with me.
He nods in agreement.  That s true, but the press would have a field day with something like
this, wouldn t they? It d be a shame if this was leaked somehow.
I shoot up from my seat, sloshing my drink around before I slam the glass down on his desk.
 Are you threatening me?
His eyes grow wide for a second and I can tell for a split second I ve rattled his tough exterior.
 Calm down. This could be a threat, but I would prefer to think of it more as a bargaining tool.
 What do you mean a bargaining tool? What do you possibly stand to gain by smearing me
across the press?
 My daughter.
I shake my head.  She wouldn t leave me over that.
 No, probably not. My daughter is fiercely loyal gets that from me, so she ll stick by your side.
That s why you re going to leave her.
 No! There s no way in hell I m going to leave her. She ll understand.
 She may, but I took the liberty of pulling the other band members histories as well. Trip
Douglas appears to have some dirty secrets too. I don t think Trip would appreciate his secrets being
shared with the media, or being made public. If you don t walk away from Aubrey, then you re going
to force my hand. I ll tear your band apart. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]