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He has a knife.
36
BILLIE
“Josh, back the fuck up,” Asher yells, tensing.
I look around him, seeing Josh’s crazed eyes, and he’s heaving with rage.
“It was always you,” he roars.
My heart slams against my ribs as Josh’s furious gaze lands directly on mine. His eyes are raw with unchecked anger, and for a moment, my entire body freezes in panic.
“What the fuck is this?” Josh’s voice cuts through the air, his face twisted with disbelief and fury. His gaze flicks rapidly between Asher and me, the betrayal evident in every sharp line of his expression.
Instinctively, Asher shifts, stepping protectively in front of me, shielding me with his body. I grip the back of his jacket, my fingers trembling from adrenaline and fear. His muscles tense beneath my touch, and I can feel the tension rippling through him as he stands firm.
“Calm down,” Asher warns, his voice dangerously low, but I can tell he’s not fucking around.
Josh laughs bitterly, the sound harsh and cold. “Calm down? You’ve been playing me this whole time, haven’t you, Billie?”He glares past Asher, eyes locked on to mine. “You stupid fucking bitch!”
“You should’ve never underestimated me,” I tell him.
Seconds later, Weston and Easton rush Josh, pushing him to the ground. Brody slams his face into the concrete with a crack, then zip-ties his wrists behind his back. My cousin leans down and whispers something in his ear as the lights to the entire building shut off.
The TVs behind the stage flicker on.
A person with a Guy Fawkes mask comes on the screen. Everyone backstage grows silent and watches the screens. I hear the audience quiet down outside as the distorted and lowered voice speaks.
“Greetings, citizens of the world. We are Anonymous. Today, we bring you the truth behind the facade of Josh Lustre and Lustre Fashion. For far too long, he has exploited creativity, stolen designs, manipulated markets, and silenced voices. His actions are not just immoral; they are criminal.
“Fashion thrives on creativity, innovation, and authenticity. Yet Josh Lustre represents the opposite—corporate greed, betrayal, and dishonesty. He has built his empire on stolen ideas, fraudulent contracts, insider trading, and harassment, hidden beneath layers of lies and manipulation.
“We have watched. We have listened. We have seen the damage his actions caused—careers destroyed, artists silenced, and trust broken. Today, we say,No more.
“Lustre believed himself untouchable. He believed power and money would shield him from consequences. He was mistaken. Today, his secrets are exposed, his empire dismantled, and justice served.
“To those harmed by Lustre, we stand with you. Your voice matters. Your creations matter. Your truth matters.
“To Josh Lustre and those like him, your time of corruption is over.
“We are Anonymous. We are a legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us.”
No one says a word as the screens go black and the lights come on. Whispers travel through the building, and it’s pure chaos as police surround us. The knife is confiscated, and I watch Josh get arrested and then pulled away by five officers.
My brothers and Brody approach me. The three of them stare at me, and then they glance at Asher. They don’t know which of us is responsible for that and aren’t brave enough to ask.
“We’re getting the fuck out of here,” Asher tells them, grabbing my hand and leading me down the skybridge.
He’s silent, not saying a word as my heels click and echo across the floor. We step onto the elevator, and he finally turns to me.
“Did you do this?” he asks.
“No.” I shake my head. “But every move is needed to win the game. Every piece is important. Someone is keeping me safe.”
He pulls me into his arms, kissing me. “Bellamore didn’t need me.”
“Maybe not,” I tell him, “ButIdid.”