right about where Sean is? That he'll find him okay?"
Jake slowly walked towards me, smiling slightly. "Oh, don't you worry about Sean. He'll turn up just fine. No, Amy…my junkie brother isn't my concern. What I'm really interested in is you."
I felt a flush of panic set in, my body tingling and my breath quickening. "And what exactly are you interested in me for?" I asked, desperately trying to remain calm and appear confident.
"Nothing sinister," he laughed, holding a hand up. "Don't worry, I'm not about to steal you away – or try to – from Rick. Not that I wouldn't expect you to consider it, of course. I am devilishly handsome and filthy rich, after all."
"So is Rick."
"Absolutely," he conceded with a grin. He came close to me, just inches from my face and placed a hand on my waist. "Although I'd be an idiot not to try, now, wouldn't I? You are absolutely beautiful, after all…and so fucking sexy."
I turned away as he moved in to kiss me. "Not interested," I snapped, shooting him a sideways glance. "If I'm here for you to seduce me, you'd better drop it now."
Jake stepped back. "My apologies. Just the stress getting to me, you know?"
I took a large sip of champagne to calm my nerves. "I think it's time I left." I picked up my smartphone to call Rick.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting Rick to come back and pick me up. Don't worry, I'll save your embarrassment and not mention what you just did. I'll put it down to the stress of your missing brother, the alcohol or just you being an asshole – or maybe a combination of all three."
With a sudden swipe, Jake smacked the phone out of my hand and sent it flying across the room. Now I was getting nervous.
"Oh no, don't go yet! The fun is only just beginning! You see, Amy, as much as I'd love to bury my face in those gorgeous breasts of yours and slip inside that undeniably tight little pussy you must have, my intentions are far more than just carnal."
My breathing was getting heavy, and Jake stared at my cleavage rising and falling while licking his lips. "What do you want?" I asked, angrily. I felt my knees begin to go weak, my entire body shredded with nerves.
"Well, it's quite simple really," Jake said, slowly pacing around me. I shuddered as he placed his hands on my shoulders from behind and kissed at my neck. "You're going to convince that little shit of a boyfriend of yours to reform the band. In fact, you're going to make sure he writes the best fucking album he's ever produced and goes on the longest, most profitable tour in the history of music. I want the likes of Springsteen and the Stones to make loose change compared to what Beautiful Losers are going to cash in for their swansong. Take a look around, Amy. This life doesn't come cheap, you know…and neither me nor my brother are prepared to give it up that easily."
My head began to spin. Were my nerves really starting to affect me to the extent that I could no longer stand? Or was there something else? I looked down at my glass of champagne…
"The Tramadol should be kicking in any moment now. Sorry, Amy, I know it was a crummy thing to do. But I knew you wouldn't be convinced easily. In fact, I knew I would have no choice but to be a little underhand. Apologies for that."
My entire body became weak and I tried to stay upright with every last modicum of strength I had, knowing I was fighting a losing battle. Gravity would win. In seconds, I knew I was headed for the deck, but not without a verbal fight at least. "You bastard…I was warned about you. About all of you. Rick's a far better man than any of you deserve the time of day with…"
As my body finally gave way, Jake caught me in his arms. I struggled to keep my eyes open, his vile face flashing in and out of my faltering vision. "Oh, bravo! How fucking noble! So good to hear that you're so loyal yet so blind. Rick's never been faithful to anyone, you know. Every relationship he's ever had he's screwed up through either his partying or