Icon

Chapter 28

The harsh ring of the doorbell comes too soon. I jump slightly at the sound, closing my eyes tighter with a aggravated groan. It persists and I raise my heavy head off Stellan's chest.

A chuckle rumbles through his body and I hear him sigh. "What time is it?"

Squinting over his chest, I gasp. "It's noon!"

"Noon?"

"I've never slept in this late ever."

He turns slightly, wrapping his arms tighter around my body. "Well, we have an excuse, anyways."

My eyes bugger, remembering the events that occurred rather surprisingly last night. The door bell rings again and I hear the persistent, musical voice that only comes from my best friend.

"Ugh, coming!" Stellan calls, letting me go in order to reach down to grab his jeans off the floor. Flushed, I sit up, reaching down also for my nightgown. Stellan leaves the room as I change quickly. Viktor's loud mouth is in the apartment within seconds.

"Jesus Christ, put a shirt on! I can't think! Iris!"

I roll my eyes, not surprised when Viktor makes himself at home, opening the door without knocking. "Hello, Vik."

"Did I interrupt something?"

"I'd be a lot angrier if you had," I state, smirking. Stellan appears behind him in the doorway, his hair tossed and tousled. My eyes trail over his physique appreciatively and I get why Viktor can't think. I'm slightly disappointed when he moves past Viktor towards his drawer, pulling out a black t-shirt.

"Okay, well, I wanted to come check and see how you were doing... Also, I wanted to let you know that Vance has gotten representation."

"Who?"

"Marcus. It's Marcus, Iris."

Holy shit. No. Stellan and I look to each other, our eyes wide. "You've got to be kidding me."

"I wish I was, to be honest."

"So, we can expect him to come at us full force, then?" Stellan questions with finality.

"I would tell you to expect it."

I sit forward. "Has he released a statement?"

"Uh, yes... he has."

I take Stellan's hand, primarily for comfort.

"What did he say?" Stellan questions as Viktor reaches into his bag, pulling out a newspaper. I immediately know this cannot be good.

"They're using the abuse angle, Stellan."

"There's no damn proof in those records that indicate that it was Stellan who did that. That story is never going to hold up in court!"

"Maybe not. But it's certainty gotten the public rowdy."

Stellan hands me the paper, shaking his head. The headline reads:

VANCE WATERS UTTERS ABUSE AGGELATIONS AGAINST ESCORT

"This is utter bullshit," I state, setting down the paper.

"Don't read too much into it. He's just trying to play things dirty- use their fame to get the public on their side."

"What do we do? Should we release a statement?"

"It would probably help if Iris came out- indicating that those allegations are false and unwarranted and that you've known Stellan for a long time. Let them know he wouldn't do that."