spotlight-the constant scrutiny, the expectations to live up to an image that wasn't truly him. His label, Titan Entertainment, was especially str

swept up in the chaos of fame, parties, and superficial relat

lose to Ivan could destroy everything he had built. The press would eat it up, and the fans... They wouldn't just be angry, they

, things were

und. His mind was elsewhere, lost in the memory of Ivan's intense gaze, the way he seemed so unaffected by the fame that surro

h the music. "You've been zoning out

xon had been with him since the beginning of his career, and

Atticus replied,

d, raising an eyebrow. "Thinking a

shaking his head.

he guy's hot as hell, but you know how it is. You can't afford to get

know. No dating. Keep the fans happy, maintain the

eak the rules until now," Jaxon pointed out,

d, untouchable. But maybe that was exactly why Atticus was drawn to him. Ivan wasn't like anyone else in his life. He didn't care

lly, his voice quieter than usual.

er. "I get it, man. But you gotta be careful. This industry chews people up and spits them

ng a hand through his hair. "But

cision to make. Either you cut it off before it gets

-

n the numbers in front of him. Ever since that night at the lounge, he had felt a shift in his usual control

and relationships were always transactional-until Atticus. The pop sta

him out of his thoughts. It was a me

de

s got the whole entertainment world watching him

Dating someone as high-profile as Atticus was a risk, and Ivan ha

His assistant, Ethan, stepped in, holding a tablet. "Mr. Laure

up and adjusting his

s phone buzzed again. This time

ti

re you too busy being all

smile that tugged at his lips

v

fit you into

-

arazzi. He wore a baseball cap and sunglasses, though he knew it wouldn't fool anyone if they got

sharp, tailored suit, his expression calm and unreadable. He moved through the café wi

show up," Atticus said as I

lied smoothly. "If I say I'm goin

aning back in his c

the decision he was about to make. Being here with Ivan was a risk. It went against eve

breaking the si

an eyebrow. "Wh

is voice steady and calm. "Why me? You know th

k, calculating, but there was something else there too-something

lse," Atticus replied honestly. "

icus, as if weighing the risks himself. Then, finally,

mischief returning to his ey

mile, but his eyes remained seriou

ngerous game the two of them had just begun to play. But inside, both Iva