Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One (2 page)

He had the most beautiful brown eyes I've ever seen! Like melted chocolate and his eyelashes were to die for!

I'd pay good money for lashes like that.

“Please don't shout at me Cameron!” She sniffed dramatically again.

I was confused by the fact he hadn't really acknowledged me.

“I found her outside! Look can I speak to you without your sister here?! I can explain better then! Besides, I think she could do with a hot drink, plenty of sugar!”

He glanced at his sister as she sniffed in and started to cry somewhat dramatically. I guess to avoid having a lecture.

I didn't understand why he'd not hugged her or at least tried to comfort her, he'd not even asked why she was upset. That was odd. I rolled my eyes and dug out a tissue and handed it to her.

He narrowed his eyes at us both and pulled his phone from his pocket.

“Jones I've found Georgia, I’m near the backstage exit, can you come and get her and take her back to mine, there's appears to have been a situation!” He cut the call and just stood and stared at me intently.

I felt like I wanted to glance down embarrassed at the attention I was getting but instead I took the opportunity to study him. He had razor sharp cheek bones.

Wow, those cheek bones...

He stood at over 6 feet. I felt small next to him, my five foot 7 frame was dwarfed by his shadow. After a few intense minutes another man with neatly cut brown hair in a suite that looked to be in his 40s came along the same path clearly security detail only he was softer in the face than George's brother. He smiled at all of us.

“Come along Miss Ballard I'm sure that's enough excitement for one night.”

He stepped back and waited for her, but she took one step towards him and then turned around and flung herself at me throwing her arms around me hugging me hard, causing me to stumble a little.

I hadn't expected that. I blinked rapidly. “Whoa!” I didn't know what else to do, so I just hugged her back. Her brother was giving us a bemused look and Jones just looked between all of us and then at his watch.

“Thanks for rescuing me! Also that was the coolest punch I've ever seen! I hope your hands not broken!” She smiled as she stepped back and allowed Jones to lead her away.

Her brother shook his head. “What exactly happened?!” He beamed a smile at me and indicated for me follow him. “This way, we can talk privately.”

He led the way to one of the dressing rooms which had been set up as a temporary office. He held the door open and waited for me to pass by him.

I wasn't used to having men open doors for me. I raised a brow and walked in. The room had been set up with a bank of laptops that was monitoring various CCTV in the venue.

I walked right in and turned around to face him propping myself up against an old radiator. My feet were killing me now. I was out of practice wearing heels for more than a few hours.

He closed the door behind himself and walked over to me and held his hand out in friendship.

“Let me introduce myself, I'm Cameron Ballard, I'd also like to apologize on my sister's behalf, she can be a little over dramatic!”

I took hold of his hand. I judged people on handshakes, not many men or women could manage a good one. I gripped his hand and shook it firmly.

His hand was soft and well looked after, as our skin connected I drew a breath in. Everything south of my waist clenched as our skin connected. He squeezed my hand and held the eye contact a little longer than necessary.

I tried to rally my thoughts as I let go of his hand. I knew who he was now he'd introduced himself. He was part owner of a major record label as well as countless other businesses, but I wasn't going to let him intimidate me. I didn't care if he was a multibillionaire money didn't impress me.

“It's good to meet you! I'm Evangeline Watson, and I don't know your sister well, but from what I saw tonight she had a valid reason to be upset!”

He studied me as recognition flashed through his eyes.

“Ah, I see. Well, now we know each other, you can tell me what happened and what Georgina meant by the best punch ever!” He smiled at me flashing brilliant white teeth. He really was very charming.

I let a breath go and rallied myself and what I'd seen into a logical sequence. “What I'm going to tell you might not go down very well, so please let me finish my explanation before you fly off the handle!” I knew if it had of been a sister of mine, I'd have gone mental.

He narrowed his eyes. “Okay, please go ahead.” He sat himself down on the edge of one of the cabinets and studied me intently.

I took a deep breath, trying to ignore how intently he was studying me and how long his legs were.

“I went outside to get some fresh air and as I walked around the side of the building at first I thought I'd stumbled upon a couple out there making-out, but the whole scene was wrong, the girl wasn't kissing him back so I decided to go closer to see what was going on and it was then I realised something was wrong! I know what these guys in bands are like they are all the same! Men are assholes!”

He laughed. “Not all men Miss Watson!”

I became flustered by the way he said my name and had to rally my thoughts again.

“It wasn't till I got right near that I realised that the girl was shaking! Things were said and I may have punched him in the face.” I shrugged and looked down at my right hand, it had swollen a little, my skull ring had dug into my middle finger and my other knuckles where grazed.

He went silent. Then he stood up and walked over to one of the laptops and started tapping at the keys heavily. His face like thunder. His whole manner had changed, his body language was intense. I could virtually feel the atmosphere crackle.

“And you're saying that girl was my sister?! Did she explain what hell she was doing out there?!” His voice was restrained but he couldn't keep the edge from it.

I sighed. “Yeah, she said she asked him for a photo and he took her outside! Look, I don't know his name, but you'll know it's him! I bet this left a nasty mark!” I held my hand out. “I also think I've broken my finger!”

He turned his head to look at me. “Why did you hit him?!”

I wasn't sure if I wanted to share what he'd said about Sean. “Um, well he made some personal remarks about me and then tried to slap me, so I hit him! Plus prior to that when I pointed out she was a minor he didn't care, he simply said he was giving her what she wanted! Also, he offered to show me a good time!” I tutted and shook my head. “I guess I just saw red!” I rubbed my fingers wondering if I should go to the hospital.

“If I show you the list of all the male guests here tonight do you think you would recognize him?!” He smiled and held out his hand for mine.

I gave him a funny look, but held out my hand, wondering what he intended.

He turned it over and then took off my ring and did something I'd not expected, he pulled my finger with quite some force. It made a satisfying pop as intense pain washed over me. I tried not to swear.

Sweet mother of Jesus that hurt like fuck.

“Jeez Cameron you could have warned me!” I bit my lip, tears pricked my eyes. It really had hurt. I tucked it under my left arm pit so he'd not try anything else.

He smirked. “It was dislocated! Now all you'll have to do is go to the doctors and check it's not broke!”

I narrowed my eyes at him giving him a dirty look, wondering quite where he got off acting so cold and clinical about everything. No wonder his sister had been worried about his reaction but I did want to help find the guy so I stepped forward.

“If it helps his band is new and he spoke with a really deep London accent!” I moved so I stood next to him. He was scrolling through various photos of bands.

“Thank you for stepping in, she's only just turned 14, she's really into alternative music and all that, but literally has no sense of danger!” He smiled at me, flashing his perfect white teeth, but his eyes remained cold.

I grinned at him lopsidedly. Being this close to him was making me feel funny, his aftershave smelt really good. I shook the vision of me stood holding him against me as I ran my nose down his neck. As the laptop software scrolled I suddenly saw him flash by. “Stop!” I shouted it a little louder than I had meant.

He turned his head and looked at me with a raised brow.

“That was him! The dude with the huge stretched ears!”

He clicked backwards and up popped his face. “And you’re sure that's him?!” He studied my face.

I studied the screen. “Yes, I am sure it's him, Jamie Richardson he plays lead guitar for Viking Principle and the Lightning!”

I thought back to when I'd been outside. That was him without a shadow of a doubt. I studied Cameron, his face was blank, unreadable.

I shook my head. “What are you going to do when you find him?!” I guessed he'd sort him out somehow or another.

He hit the print button, then turned his head. “Make him rue the day he took my little sister outside!” He licked his lips. “How bad was it?!” His face was still saying impassive, but I knew under that professional outlook he was raging.

I picked my words carefully. “When I turned the corner, I saw him stoke his hand over her face. Then he tried to kiss her, but she just froze with fear! When I saw him touch her and she made it clear she wasn't okay that was when I stepped in!” I didn't know what else to say, as much as I was keen to see Jamie get what was coming to him, the look on Cameron's face actually scared me a little.

“I think the less you know the better! Thank you for stepping in, not everybody would have done that!” He picked up the printed paper and folded it in half.

It made sense not to tell me. The less I was involved the better. “There was no way I was walking away! I guess growing up around guys I just learnt to handle myself!” I shrugged. “I hope Georgia is okay! Look, I'm gonna head home now! My contact details are prolly on that!” I pointed to the laptop. “So if you need me, well, ring me or whatever! I'm going home to find some pain killers for my hand and to take my shoes off!” I smirked at him.

He smiled at me. “Sure thing Evangeline and thank you again!” He walked towards the door and pulled it open for me. “You’re quite the pistol Miss Watson!” He winked at me.

I didn't know how to react I just blushed. “It's been said before!” I muttered as I left the room.

My feet carried me on auto pilot away. He had such a presence, I'd never met a man that held my attention like that before. It was strange. I got half way down the corridor and realised I'd left my ring behind. I chewed my lip wondering if I should just leave it, but it had sentimental value so I turned back around against my better judgement. By the time I got to the door, I’d walked out from, I could hear shouting. I stood and listened for a second wondering if I should just knock. I could see Cameron sat at the laptop on his phone, his back to the door.

“I don't care how much it costs! Just arrange it!” There was a pause. “Well, I've sent you the photo but he'll have a nasty cut on his face from a skull ring!”

He laughed. “Quite the pistol by all accounts! Think she might have broken her finger though! Hmm, yes, if he threatens to press charges, I'll give her an alibi, it's the least I can do! She didn't have to step in like that!”

I bit my lip again and raised my left hand to knock at the door.

“Find out as much as you can on that score! My curiosity had been peaked! Like how long and why... Boyfriends, exes the lot, she said all men were assholes, but it was something in her eyes that made me wonder! I'll be back before 1am I want as much Intel as you can get by then Jones and tell my sister I'm sorry!”

I sighed and dropped my hand and walked away. I didn't know what he'd meant, but I didn't want him to know I'd been standing there. I could replace the ring. I left the venue and hopped into one of the private hire cabs that the awards show put on to make sure guests get home safe.

“Where to miss?!” The taxi driver sounded bored. I didn't blame him half of the people here would be going to after parties, but my hand hurt and I wanted to go home.

“Butlers Wharf apartments, please!” I was actually just looking forward to taking my shoes off and finding some pain killers my fingers had swollen up. I didn't regret it though. I'd do it all over again if I had too.

“Sure thing! We have 4G super-fast Internet in the car if you need it!”

I smiled. I didn't need to use the free Wi-Fi, but it was decent of him to offer.

chapter 3

A short time later I was walking through the main doors to my apartment complex. I was greeted by Harry one of the doormen.

“Hello Miss Watson, a good evening was it?!” He smiled from the behind the desk.

I laughed. “No, not really! Think I've broken my hand!” I held my hand up to show him.

He pulled a face and winced. “Did you need a doctor?! I can get concierge to ring for you?!”

I shook my head. “No need, it's still moving and it's late! It was dislocated, but someone fixed it!” I smiled as I headed for the lift.

He nodded at me “Well, I'll have the names of the local private doctors sent up for you in the morning!”

“Thank you Harry!” I called as I got into the lift.

I was used to my own company, but I had nobody here. I sometimes wished that more of my so called friends actually cared but clearly they'd forgotten about me now I was gone. I walked out of the lift and over to my front door. There were two other apartments up to my level. We were at the top on level 6 which meant our apartments where the biggest with the most outside space.

I unlocked the door and stepped in hitting the light switch. I loved it. It had everything I needed. It had three bedrooms, I'd taken the master bedroom, as it was the biggest. I'd left one as a guest come dressing room and the smallest I had turned into a craft room and music room. The main space was all black tiles and open space with a large central lounge room with an entertainment center. I shrugged my jacket off and hung it over the peg by the door and kicked my shoes off.