And he hated that he’d been the cause of that.
“Ari—”
“I am alarmed and horrified to tell you that we have received credible evidence that the fire set last night was indeed a threat against my client and friend, Arianna Silvers.”
“What the fuck?” Bain exploded. “What evidence? And if he has fucking evidence what the fuck is he doing holding a press conference about it!”
Bain turned on Arianna. “Did you know about this?”
Her eyes went wide. She shook her head. “N-no.”
“What the hell does he think he is doing? Got no fucking business going to the press with this. Fuck. Where’s my phone. Got to call Dominic. Get him contained.”
“It’s too late, man. It’s everywhere.”
Bain watched as headlines moved across the bottom of the television.
Singer Arianna Silvers receives death threats.
Charity concert ended when firebomb started by stalker.
Arianna Silvers’ life in danger. Concert goers speak of their terror.
“There’s no taking any of this back.” Tom looked over at him then to Arianna.
He cursed as he saw the way she’d wrapped her arms around her middle. She looked so lost and scared.
He should say something reassuring. But Dominic was the one who was good at talking to people. Bain got called in when someone needed intimidating.
He attempted t
o look reassuring. “Ari, it will be okay.”
She just stared at him for a moment. “We need to go.” They did need to go, but he didn’t like how closed off she was.
“Ari—”
“I’ll get my shoes on.” She turned away and raced out. He winced as he realized she was still running around on her injured foot.
Fuck.
Tom whistled. “Man, you better practice getting down on your knees because you have got some fucking groveling to do.”
“Why the fuck am I friends with you?”
“We became friends before you grew into a grumpy, cynical bastard. Also, no one else will be friends with you.” His face grew serious. “Stop hurting her, Bain. She might be strong in some ways, but she seems infinitely fragile in others.”
Did he think he wanted to hurt her? He hated himself for the way he’d treated her. But he wasn’t sure what he could do to make up for being a complete prick.
Why had she kissed him?
She’d thought he was leaning in to kiss her. Turns out, she’d totally misconstrued that look on his face.
Surprise. Surprise.
Once again, she’d proven that she had no fucking idea about the opposite sex.
Idiot.