Trial And Error

Chapter Fifty-Two

Kian's POV

Kian's phone buzzed incessantly with notifications pouring in from all directions. Her social media was a frenzy, and her text messages flooded with new alerts. She tapped on a text from her mother first.

Mom: Saw the news. Is Madison okay?!

Anxiety gripped Kian as she opened another message from Olivia.

Liv: Madison got hurt, need you at the house

Those six words felt like a punch to the gut. Madison? Hurt? Kian's fingers flew across the screen, pulling up Twitter where she was tagged in posts. The first showed an overwhelmed Madison trying to push through a sea of paparazzi. One stumbled, toppling into a bodyguard like dominoes. But most alarmingly, Madison went down too. A photographer swung their camera arm to dodge her falling body, but the equipment struck the singer's head.

Kian's blood boiled as she angrily shut off her phone before witnessing Madison hit the pavement. She stormed out and peeled out of the parking lot, breaking every traffic law as she sped towards the brunette's house.

Pulling into the secluded property, Kian made sure the gates closed tightly behind her, barring any intrusive paparazzi from sneaking inside. The last thing they needed was one of those vultures snapping photos of an injured Madison. Though a dark part of Kian hoped one might slip through - it would give her an excuse to beat their ass and send a message that Madison was off limits.

Using her key, Kian flung open the door. Her eyes instantly landed on the group huddled around the white couch - all members of Madison's team. The singer herself sat upright, gingerly holding an ice pack to her cheek.

"What the hell happened?" Kian's growl sliced through the tension.

All eyes snapped to her. She saw the puffiness and redness rimming Madison's eyes from crying. Kian rushed over, kneeling before her lover and gently cupping her face to assess the damage. The area was angrily swollen and red, but thankfully the camera hadn't broken skin, meaning no scarring. Still, an ugly bruise would surely bloom.

Fury burned through Kian's veins as she looked around the room, finally locking eyes with the artist's head of security. Marcus matched the Lieutenant in height, and stature, clearly upset over the situation as well. She abruptly released her gentle grasp on Madison's face and stalked over to the bodyguard, grabbing fistfuls of his black t-shirt.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't give you a matching bruise." Kian growled, her anger barely contained. The man held still, tension radiating from his frame.

"That's enough, Kian," Madison's sharp voice cut through. "It wasn't his fault."

"Like hell, it wasn't!" Kian rounded on her. "He should been more careful, more vigilant. That's what he's trained to do-"

"I said enough!"

Kian clenched her jaw, nostrils flaring as she drew in a harsh breath. Madison rose from her spot on the couch with shaky legs. Probably coming down from the adrenaline rush.

"Excuse us, we'll be in my room." It was not a request. Kian released the bodyguard's shirt with a shove and a menacing glare before following Madison's retreating form.

Once the bedroom door closed, Madison turned to face Kian's towering rage. "You can't just go around yelling at my employees like that!"

"I wouldn't have to if he had done a better job!" Kian's biting retort sliced through the air.

"He did do his job. We underestimated the amount of people out there.

Kian pinched the bridge of her nose, struggling to rein in her frustration.