Fallen Angel

by Bev Dulson

  Hunter had disagreed with her on the party idea, he thought that given the new letters she was opening herself up to a situation that was harder to contain. Logan had assured him that there would be plenty of extra security. Magenta agreed with Logan, she wasn’t hiding away from anyone, she’d never done that before and she wasn’t about to start now.

  Juke was excited, his middle name was party and he loved any opportunity to show Magenta off in the best light possible and dress up himself of course. He was also in charge of Roxie’s style for the party, he normally didn’t do anybody else but Magenta, however he knew it was only a temporary measure until they sorted her team out and he knew it was important to Magenta that Roxie was well managed, so he was happy to take one for the team, the other benefit was that he would make sure that nobody out shone his darling Magenta.

  Trina actually felt a little excited for the party, this was her unofficial freedom party, she was Trina, her own person, she could do what she wanted, well within reason, she was still Magenta’s PA and her job was her priority. But for her, secretly it was about embracing her first New York party and she was going to enjoy every second of it.

  Roxie was nervous about the party, this was all going so fast, new record contract, Magenta was going to mentor her, she knew all eyes would be on her at the party and she couldn’t afford to put a foot wrong. It seemed like she’d been forgiven for stealing Magenta’s song, but she knew how fickle fame could be in the short five minutes she’d been in the industry, seeing what had happened to Magenta over the last few weeks was proof of that, she’d managed to turn the tide of public opinion, but only because of the long career she’d already had. If Roxie messed up at the first hurdle it’d be game over. There was another reason she was nervous too, Fly McFly, there was an instant attraction there and she’d been caught up in a whirlwind romance, how was she supposed to act around him at a party?

  Fly couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken a date to an event, normally it was just whatever woman was available at the time. He wanted to do it properly, he was going to pick her up, might even buy her a bunch of flowers. Roxie Meyers was rockin’ his world, who even saw that coming?

  Johnny had promised Logan he’d be on his best behaviour at the party, they both knew that was a lie. He hadn’t had chance to speak to Trina since his hotel room. What did it mean that she was no longer wearing her wedding rings? Did it change things? He had fallen head long for her and he wasn’t about to give up without a fight.

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

  Max had finally arrived in New York, felt good to be back, this was his city, even more so than L.A. and at the moment Magenta was taking up squatters rights and it was time to kick her out. His budget wouldn’t stretch to a hotel, so he was at the only place he could think of. The brownstone was in darkness. He was taking a risk, but it was a calculated risk. He knew after the debacle with Erika that the cleaning contract had been cancelled. He also knew the house was on the market, so there was the chance that prospective buyers might be shown around by realtors, but he figured he’d have time to hide in the basement if that happened. It was a risk he’d have to take whilst he organised his plan of attack.

  First issue was getting into the house, he knew she’d have changed the locks, but had she remembered the window at the back of the house that had the loose latch? Probably not. He took his chance and as he suspected, he could jimmy the lock. He was in the building in under sixty seconds. He congratulated himself, not just Hunter who could be action man. He used the low light on his phone to find his way. He didn’t want to put the lights on and alert the neighbours. God, it felt strange being back here. He’d loved this house and hated having to hand it over to Magenta on a plate, this was one of the first things he was going to reclaim once he’d ruined his ex-wife.

  He tread slowly out into the hall, from what he could see from the dim light his beautiful house hadn’t changed much and soon it would be his again. He couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face. The smile was frozen on his face as he hit the deck, he hadn’t heard his assailant creep up on him, much less see him. He lay dazed on the floor, then with a second strike the dim light of his phone went out and all that was in front of him was a darkness he’d never known before

  CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

  The world’s media was out in force as the guests arrived at the Waldorf Astoria. The music execs from Logan International Music were amongst the first to arrive, it wasn’t the done thing for the stars to arrive first.

  Magenta and Hunter were in the limo, Tango up at the front with the driver, assessing any potential risk. He was wearing an ear piece tonight to be able to communicate not only with Romeo, but the extra security team drafted in for tonight.

  ‘Tango, are you sure everything’s been triple checked?’ Hunter shouted up front.

  Tango twisted in the front seat to speak to him. ‘Yes, leave everything to me, you just enjoy tonight with your beautiful lady,’ he winked at them both as he turned back around and pressed the partition screen up to give them privacy.

  ‘He’s right.’

  ‘About leaving everything to him?’

  ‘No, about you being beautiful, you look absolutely stunning tonight.’

  ‘Juke’s done a fabulous job,’ she sipped her champagne slowly, it already felt like it was going to her head.

  ‘You make it easy for him, it’s hard to improve on perfection.’

  She frowned slightly. ‘He did say something strange, he said he’d had to change my moisturising cream and he looked completely baffled by it.’

  ‘No point asking me, my beauty knowledge is zero, but I can totally appreciate your beauty.’

  ‘Looking pretty boss there yourself.’

  He grinned. ‘Can’t let the side down can I?’

  The car came to a halt, the chauffeur opened the door for them, Tango was already two steps ahead as they hit the red carpet. The camera lights were flashing away as Magenta stood, her hand in Hunter’s as they posed for the pictures. Juke had put her in a figure hugging Versace magenta coloured dress that accentuated her curves, her boobs had never looked better. Her flame coloured hair cascaded in ringlets down her back. She looked like a medieval princess, with Hunter, her handsome knight alongside her. She could see Fly and Roxie up ahead, hand in hand, now that was a surprise, the press seemed to be going wild for them. Juke had done a great job with Roxie’s styling, a simple but classic Victoria Beckham Black dress, which complemented her white blond hair perfectly. Although the best accessory seemed to be Fly.

  Johnny was not happy as he stepped out of the limo onto the red carpet, but he couldn’t let his rock star face show that. He was supposed to be sharing a car with Fly, but he’d decided he was taking a date instead and Johnny Kidd did not third wheel. So, he ended up in Logan’s car, who happened to be sharing it with Trina, purely platonic Logan had laughed. So now, he was helping Trina out of the car, who was completely fucking with his head with how God damn gorgeous she looked, she was wearing a midnight blue dress that turned her eyes almost turquoise. Being on the arm of this beautiful, strong woman should not be making him annoyed, but having Logan hanging off her other arm had him totally pissed. He couldn’t even have this moment with her, the chance to walk down the red carpet with the love of his life. He absolutely had to get her on her own at some point, he needed to know where her head was at ‘cos his was totally fucked. He felt her hand squeeze his arm, he looked down at her, he couldn’t tell if the look on her face was nerves or excitement. Either way, he’d never wanted to kiss someone so much. Forgetting the fact he was on the red carpet, or maybe he didn’t, maybe he just didn’t care, he bent down and kissed her lightly on the cheek. ‘Don’t be scared,’ he whispered in her ear. He could hear the clicks of photographer’s cameras go wild. That was something they’d never seen before, Johnny Kidd being a gentleman – not a store cupboard in sight.

  The room was buzzing with a party atmosphere as soon as Magenta wal
ked in, she took a flute of Champagne from a bar tender painted in gold. The venue they had chosen were experts in pulling off events of the social calendar at the drop of the hat. Magenta was impressed, the floral displays, lighting and colour scheme looked like months of planning not 48 hours. Yet another benefit of being rich and famous, it didn’t always sit comfortably this level of expenditure and flamboyance, but when you were protecting your reputation you had to fight with everything you had. She also wanted to put on a show of defiance, whoever was sending these notes was not stopping her living her best life.

  She grabbed Trina as she walked past. ‘Mate, you look fabulous tonight.’

  ‘Tonight is my independence, first night out as a single woman,’ she flashed her left hand up.

  ‘Oh, My God, T. What have I missed?’

  ‘It’s over with me and Dean and he knows it.’

  ‘I think it’s totally the right thing, you look absolutely glowing.’

  She nodded. ‘I know it’s the right decision. I still love him, he’s the father of my children, we’ve had twenty years together, I just don’t like him anymore and I can’t reconcile that. I’m sure there will be rough roads ahead, but I can handle them.’

  ‘Too bloody right you can and you know I’ll always have your back.’

  She squeezed her hand. ‘I know.’

  ‘So, where does that leave Johnny?’

  ‘That is the million dollar question. I like him, I don’t love him, so polar opposite to Dean.’

  Magenta shrugged. ‘I’d be worried if you said you did love Johnny, just go and have a bit of fun, you deserve it after everything Dean’s done.’

  ‘It’s just weird, how did you really feel when Hunter reappeared in your life? Your emotions must’ve been all over the place.’

  ‘Truthfully, I wanted to hate him, he broke my heart, but that lasted all of five minutes, I’d never fallen out of love with him.’

  ‘I don’t feel like that about Dean...yes, he’s broken my heart too, but that’s it. I’m done.’

  ‘Don’t look now, but incoming.’

  Trina didn’t have time to look before Johnny was by her side. ‘Trina, would you do me the honour of having this dance?’

  Magenta burst out laughing. ‘Bloody hell, what’s with the posh boy accent?’

  Johnny glared at her.

  ‘I must ask Jonathan, what are your intentions towards my best friend?’

  Trina giggled as Magenta went all Downton Abbey with her voice. ‘Give over you two, yes, Johnny, let’s go and dance.’

  Johnny swept her onto the dance floor. ‘Haven’t had chance to tell you how beautiful you look tonight, Scouse.’

  ‘Certainly never thought I’d end up somewhere like here wearing a Gucci dress all those years ago when I was working in Boots.’

  ‘That like a shoe shop?’

  She laughed. ‘No, it’s like a chemist. You certainly wouldn’t have noticed me in my Boots uniform.’

  He pulled her close. ‘Wouldn’t bet on it.’

  It wasn’t long before Magenta was also on the dance floor. With Hunter’s arms around her waist, her head resting on his shoulder as they swayed to the music she surveyed the room. There were lots of people she hadn’t had chance to speak to yet. Her favourite interior designer, Amber Gordon Stevens, along with her senator husband, Matt, now there was a power couple if ever there was one. They were accompanied by his sister Summer and her husband, she’d met him once before and in another life if she wasn’t with Hunter and he wasn’t with someone she would’ve been very attracted to him, he had that dangerous look in his eyes. She must go over and chat at some point. New York’s glitterati were out in force, Daniel Craig, he’d always supported her, they were from the same neck of the woods. Justin Timberlake, Tina Fey, Scarlett Johansson all of these stars using New York as their base and more than happy to turn up to a free party.

  It appeared she wasn’t the only loved up couple. She could see Fly and Roxie in the corner, looked like they hadn’t come up for air once. She smiled, wouldn’t be many places they could get away with that, but the beauty of a party like this, absolutely no camera phones allowed in the main function room, only professional photographers’. She glanced over to Trina, she was still dancing with Johnny, they weren’t all wrapped up in each other’s arms, but they did appear to be deep in conversation. She had no idea what they were talking about, but she could guess. Johnny had seemed to have fallen hard for Trina, did she think Johnny was right for her? Who knew? She just wanted her friend to be happy and right now she wasn’t sure that jumping into a new relationship was the right thing. She just wanted T to be happy.

  ‘So it’s definitely over?’

  She nodded. ‘Sent him a picture of the rings and Logan has let me use the company lawyers to help serve the papers.’

  ‘I think it’s the right thing, he doesn’t deserve you.’

  Their hands were entwined as they danced but Trina was keen to keep a safe distance between them. She still wanted him, she couldn’t deny that but she didn’t need to jump head first into a new relationship, surely he could understand that?

  ‘Doesn’t mean I’m ready for anything new…’

  ‘Doesn’t mean we can’t have fun whilst we’re waiting for you to be ready.’

  ‘You don’t give up, do you?’

  ‘On you, never,’ he grinned. ’Look, this is weird for me too, I have never felt like this before.’

  ‘Clearly, wasn’t expecting you to go on a bender.’

  ‘Wasn’t expecting to wake up from it and see you sitting there.’

  ‘Look, I don’t know where this is going, might not be going anywhere and obviously my life is in Liverpool, yours is L.A. so there’s geography to think about…’

  ‘Always hated geography, making music was always my thing,’ he winked at her, pulling her closer. ‘So, let’s not think any further than tonight, Scouse, can I kiss you?’

  She reached up, her hands on his cheeks, pulling him closer. ‘Just for tonight.’

  Magenta knew she’d have to go and mingle with her guests soon and she’d have to do her speech welcoming Roxie to the LIM family, but right now she didn’t want to leave Hunter’s arms. With everything that had gone on these last few weeks, Hunter’s arms were the calm in the storm. She lifted her face up to his.

  ‘Just realised something.’

  ‘What, babe?’

  ‘It’s been ages since I told you I love you.’

  ‘Bout two days I reckon.’

  ‘Two days too long.’

  Taking her hands in his, pulling her even closer to him, he bent his head in and whispered in her ear. ‘I love you, la.’ He let his lips trail across her jaw line until they reached her lips.

  ‘Love you right back, la,’ she whispered against them.

  Her lips parted under the pressure of his hot mouth.

  They were interrupted by a tap on his shoulder, it was one of the security team. ‘I’m so sorry Mr Cole, but I’ve been told to notify you that Jax Buckley is on the premises.’

  Hunter looked up and saw Tango running towards the entrance. ‘Shit!’

  He kissed Magenta on the lips quickly. ‘I’ll be back, do not go anywhere, stay in here.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

  Magenta was working the room, whilst trying to keep her nerves at bay. She was being the professional she was supposed to be, but her mind was elsewhere, worrying about what was going on with Jax and whether Hunter had managed to find him. Maybe he’d been right about this party, it had left them wide open to attack. She pushed those thoughts to one side as she approached Amber Gordon Stevens. She hugged her friend. ‘Amber, it’s so good to see you.’

  ‘You too, darling, looking as fabulous as always,’ Amber pulled away from the hug. ‘You remember my husband, Matt and his sister Summer and her husband, Chase?’

  Chase of course, she couldn’t remember his name before. ‘Of course, lovely to see you all again.’

&nb
sp; They really were a strikingly glamorous quartet. Summer and Chase in particular gave off this loved up vibe, he couldn’t take his eyes of her.

  ‘Amber, I need to try and get you over to England, my home is in desperate need of your magic touch. It’s looking too show homey.’

  ‘I would love a trip to Liverpool, we could turn into a holiday, hey, Matt?’

  ‘I’ve got the prelims coming up, need to focus on that. Girls trip?’ He nodded towards his sister?

  ‘I would love that.’

  ‘Hold on, you’re not going to the land of the Beatles without me,’ Chase butted in.

  Magenta laughed. ‘There’s more to Liverpool than the Beatles.’

  Before she could continue the conversation further, Juke was by her side.

  ‘Magenta, darling, can I borrow you for a moment?’

  She made her apologies to her guests as Juke led her away by the elbow.

  ‘We really need to talk?’

  ‘What’s the matter?’ She’d never seen Juke look so serious.

  ‘I’ve noticed a few things.’

  ‘Like what? C’mon mate, stop talking in riddles.’

  ‘The thing is... I think…’

  ‘Magenta, it’s speech time, get your butt on that stage with me,’ Logan boomed as he interrupted them.

  She scanned the room looking for Hunter, she couldn’t see him. She wasn’t sure she felt comfortable being so exposed without him close by. Logan grabbed her hand. ‘Can’t keep the audience waiting.’