Assured (Soul Serenade #2) (25 page)

It doesn’t take us long to get ready. We change into our dresses and touch up our makeup. Fluff the hair and we are good to go.

“Ugh, I feel like a whale,” Logan whines.

“Seriously? You look hot. Kacen is going to swallow his damn tongue when he sees you. You’re pregnant and glowing. Trust me.”

“Let’s get this over with. Did you decide if you’re wearing a sweater?”

“Yeah, I think I am. There’s not much to this dress and it’s a little chilly.”

“My hormones can’t decide if I’m hot or cold. I’m going to grab one just in case.”

We grab our bags and step off the bus. Our guards are standing by the door waiting for us. There is also a man decked out in a suit, hair slicked back.

“Ah, who do we have here?” he asks.

One of the guards places his arm out in front of us, as if to shield us from him.

“Come on now, you don’t really think I would hurt these two lovely ladies now, do you? I’m looking for the band.”

“Not here,” our other guard says.

I realize that they’ve been with us this whole time and I don’t even know their names. They rarely speak to us, except “this way,” or “wait”—things like that. After this incident, though, I will learn their names. They put their lives on the line for us. Not that we’ve had any issue up to this point, but it only takes once. Suit guy creeps me out, so I’m grateful they’re here.

“I find it hard to believe they would leave these beauties. Mrs. Warren, nice to see you again.”

Logan stiffens beside me, but she doesn’t respond to him.

Both guards, who are mountains of men, step between us and cross their arms over their chests. “Guys aren’t here, move along.”

Suit guy chuckles. “See you soon, ladies.” He smirks and walks off.

The guards don’t move until he’s out of sight.

“Let’s get you to the party,” the one standing in front of me says. He throws an arm over my shoulder and we begin walking to the SUV.

“Logan?”

“She’s right behind us,” he answers. He’s all business, and I make a mental note to thank Cole for insisting that I also have a guard.

Once we’re safely in the car and on the road, I reach over and grab Logan’s hand. “Did you know that guy?”

“He looks familiar, but I can’t place him. I’ve met so many people since I’ve been with the band, it’s hard to tell. He obviously knows me, or at least knows who I am.”

“You guys recognize him?” I ask the guards.

“No, ma’am,” Logan’s replies.

“We owe you both an apology. You’ve been by our sides this entire tour and we don’t even know your names.”

“It’s supposed to be like that, ma’am.”

“Why?” Logan asks.

“When we get personal with clients, attachments are made. Protecting you becomes personal and we might not react with a clear head,” my guy replies.

“But you know us,” I counter.

“Yes, ma’am, we do. It’s our job to study your patterns and actions. It’s what we need to do to protect you. That part is personal, but we keep our lives to ourselves. Helps with personal detachment.”

“Must be lonely,” Logan muses.

“No, ma’am. We do this for our families back home,” her guy replies.

“He was creepy, for sure. I mean, I didn’t get serial-killer vibes, but creepy, you know?” Logan says.

“Yeah, he was creepy all right.” I think about the incident and then I think about the guys finding out. “Nothing happened, and I never felt like we were in danger, but I can only guess that the guys are going to freak.”

“Yeah.” She sighs. “Kacen is protective enough.”

“I don’t suppose we could not tell them?”

My guard grunts. I guess that’s a no.

The remainder of the ride is short and quiet. I’m dreading telling the guys, knowing they will surely blow this out of proportion. We were never in danger; the guy was just a creep.

Our guards escort us into the building. My eyes search the room, looking for the Soul Serenade boys.

“They’re on their way. About two minutes out,” my guard tells us.

Logan and I stand behind them, backs to the wall. I can only imagine how ridiculous we look.

“What the fuck happened?” I hear Kacen’s booming voice.

Here we go.

Cole’s long strides carry him directly to me. Reaching out, he grabs my hand and pulls me in to him. “What happened?” He’s holding on tight to his anger. I’m impressed, actually.

“Nothing, some creepy guy in a suit with slicked back hair was waiting outside the bus. He said he was looking for the band, and he knew who Logan was, but she didn’t recognize him,” I’m quick to explain. Who knows how long until the fuse is lit.

“Did he touch you? Logan?” he grits out.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Instead, I place my hands on either side of his face, capturing his full attention. “No. I told you what happened. They”—I motion with my head to our guards, who have stepped back a few feet. Neither has said a word, letting the guys talk to us first—“are just being cautious. Doing the job you hired them to do. We’re both fine. Nothing inappropriate was even said. The guy just gave us the creeps.”

Cole buries his face in my neck. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I hold on tight.

Finally, lifting his head, he seeks out the guard assigned to me. Keeping me close, he offers him his hand. “Thank you.”

“Sir.” He nods.

No other words are spoken. Cole wraps himself around me and again buries his face in my neck.

I hear Kacen thank the guards as well and tell them they can take a break. “We’re going to go find a table,” he tells us.

“Yeah, man. I think we’re going to go get some air. We’ll be right back,” Cole informs him.

Cole leads us across the room and down a hall, a set of French doors at the end. Pulling on the handle, the door opens and he ushers us out onto the small balcony.

I walk toward the edge and he pulls me back. “I just need to hold you for a minute.”

I relax into his embrace, soaking up his warmth.

“We got a message from Zack and Chad. They’re required to report everything to us. The message said, ‘We had an issue with a man outside the bus, but it’s handled and the girls are safe.’” He kisses the top of my head. “I’ve never felt that kind of fear, Stacy. The message said you were safe, but it didn’t tell me if you were hurt.”

“I’m fine. The guy just gave us the creeps. He didn’t touch us, didn’t say anything out of line. He was just . . . odd,” I try to soothe him.

“I get that, I do. When I got the message, I didn’t know.” Pulling back, he places my hands over his heart and then brings his to gently caress each cheek. “You feel that?”

I assume he means the rapid beat of his heart against my hand. I nod.

“That’s you. You’re inside me.” He kissed my forehead. Pulling back just far enough where his eyes can lock with mine, he watches me. I don’t know how long we stand there, but it seems like hours before he finally says, “I love you.”

Butterflies dance in my stomach as his words sink in.

He loves me!

I stand on tiptoes so our lips are barely touching. “I love you, too.” I kiss his lips, softly.

“Yeah?” he asks, hopeful.

“Yeah, I was afraid to tell you. I didn’t want to scare you away.”

“Baby, nothing could scare me away from you.” He kisses me once more, his soft yet firm lips caressing mine.

“We better get back in there. You’re here to make an appearance.”

“I just need another minute,” he says, holding me against his chest. “I don’t ever want to feel like that again. Like my entire world is crashing around me. I need to put your ass in a bubble.”

“Come on, crazy man, let’s get moving. The faster we get this over with the sooner we can get back to the bus.”

His eyes light up. “I love you,” he says again, as runs his thumb across my lips.

I’m sure my lip-gloss is long gone.

Inside, we find the rest of our crew at a table. Logan gives me a smile, letting me know that she was also able to calm her man down.

My man.

He loves me.

“You good, man?” Gavin asks Cole.

He has his arm slung over my shoulders. Leaning in, he kisses my temple. “Never better.” The creepy man long since forgotten.

“Glad you could make it,” a strange voice says from the end of the table.

Looking up, I see him. Creepy guy.

“Ladies, it’s nice to see you again,” he continues.

Cole whips his head around to look at me, then Logan. I nod, letting him know this is the guy.

“Wilson, what the fuck? What are you doing hanging around outside our bus?” Cole seethes.

Creepy guy—Wilson—throws his head back and laughs. “Why, looking for you, of course. I see your flavor of the week told you I stopped by.”

Cole tries to stand, but I hold tight to his arm. “Let it go,” I plead.

“What do you want, Wilson?” Kacen asks.

“Just wanted to make sure you all were going to show up. I’m not used to this . . . domesticated version of the band.” He sweeps his eyes over Logan and stops on me, blatantly staring at my chest until Cole growls.

I pull my sweater closed to block his view. It’s not like the girls are hanging out but, this guy is not getting a peek of anything.

“Watch it,” Cole warns.

Wilson holds his glass of amber liquid in the air as a toast and walks away.

“I hate that prick,” Gavin seethes.

I look over and see that his knuckles are turning white as he grips the beer bottle in his hand.

“Who is that?” Logan asks.

“
That
is Fuck-stick Wilson, the CEO of Stone Records,” Tristan explains.

“He’s the one?” Kacen confirms with Logan.

“That’s him, but he didn’t do anything. He wasn’t inappropriate or anything. We just got a weird vibe from him,” Logan tells him once again.

These men are fiercely protective.

“Good show tonight,” Bobby Jones, the band’s manager, says as he approaches the table.

“Thanks, man.” Cole shakes his hand, as do the other guys.

“Ladies, you look lovely as ever,” he comments.

Logan and I both mumble an embarrassed “Thank you.”

“So, there are a few people Wilson wants me to introduce you to. Once we get that over with, you all are free to go. I know you have a long night of driving ahead of you.”

“Whose ass are we kissing this time?” Gavin asks.

Bobby chuckles. “Wilson is trying to sign a new band. Trying to convince them to leave their current label. He just wants to brag that he signed the hottest rock band out there.”

Tristan finishes off his beer. “Let’s get this over with and get the hell out of here.” He types out a text then shoves his phone back in his pocket.

“The guards are outside,” Cole says.

I place my hand on his leg. “We’ll be fine. We are in a room full of crowded people, and you already know who it was. He wasn’t there to hurt us, Cole. He’s just an ass,” I scold him.

Leaning in, he kisses the corner of my mouth, trailing his lips across my cheek until they meet my ear. He nips at my lobe before he whispers, “I’ll be right back, sweets. I love you.”

I beam at him.

The guys reluctantly leave us to schmooze. “What was that?” Logan asks, wearing a grin.

“What was what?”

“That?” She points her finger at my face and makes a circle. “What did I miss?”

I shrug. “He told me he loves me.” I act like it’s not a big deal when all I want to do is scream and jump around the room.

“Stacy! I told you! EEEPP! I’m so excited.”

“I’m going to go grab us a drink. Water?”

“Yes, please. Hopefully, the guys will be back soon and we can get out of here.” She rubs her pregnant belly. “This one has worn me out today.”

I reach over and rub her baby bump. “Be right back.”

On the way to the bar, I see the sign for restrooms and decide to stop in and touch up my lip-gloss.

I take in my flushed face, the smile that is permanently etched there, and my heart feels full. Never would I have thought I would be here. That Cole would settle down with me. Not that we’re settled really, but he loves me, so that’s something. I quickly run my tube of lip-gloss over my lips, drop the tube back in my bag, and head back to the bar. As soon as I walk out the door, his voice stops me.

“Cole seems enamored,” Wilson says.

Ugh! What is
with
this guy?
“Logan’s waiting on me. It was good to see you,” I say politely and turn to walk away.

“I wasn’t done talking to you, bitch,” he seethes as he reaches out and grabs my arm, yanking me back toward him.

“Take your hands off me.”

“Feisty one. Is that why he’s stuck with you?” He tightens his grip on my arm. Leaning in close, he runs his nose up my cheek.

“Don’t touch me.” I turn my head, but he squeezes my arm even tighter.

“Do you fight him? Huh? Is that what it is?”

I clench my teeth shut, willing him to let me go.

“You see, I used to make money from them—on the side, of course. Those boys like to play. I have some paps in my back pocket, on the payroll if you will. They take the pictures and I sell them. It’s a win-win. That is until spoiled princesses like yourself and your friend fuck it all up. Why is that? What is it you have that the others don’t?”

He runs his fingers up my thigh. I move my leg to try and kick him, but it just pisses him off. His grip on my arms gets even tighter.

“Stop fucking fighting me. Is it your pussy? Is it made of gold? Maybe it’s the taste?” Again, he trails his hand up my thigh, further this time. “They don’t party anymore, they don’t fuck random women. You know what that means? That means you are taking money from my pocket. I don’t fucking take kindly to that. Especially not from whores.”

Tears fall from my eyes. “Please, stop,” I beg him.

He leans in close and licks my cheek, the smell of liquor almost knocking me over. “I want a taste. I need to see what the hype is all about.”

“No!” I scream. He pushes me against the wall, holding my arms in the air. I try again to kick him, but he just moves his big body in close, blocking me. Just, when I’ve come to accept my fate, that this man is about to violate me, I hear voices.