Hollywood Undercover

by Bella Love-Wins

  A look of surprise froze on Alexandra’s face as the men brought the roses directly to her, ten bouquets of a dozen roses each, all placed in front of her on the boardroom table.

  “What is all this?” she asked.

  Wilkes came forward with a flirtatious grin. Hands behind his back, he looked like a Southern gentleman in his three-piece suit.

  Looks are so damned deceiving.

  He bowed to her, collecting her fingers to kiss the back of her hand. Her forced smile made her cheeks burn. What she really wanted to do was snatch her hand back and say a few choice words for trying this over-the-top crap at her first meeting. For everyone else’s sake, she subdued her irritation.

  “Thanks Wilkes. This wasn’t necessary.”

  He straightened up. “I wanted to welcome you officially as the new head of this label. I’m sure we have nothing but bright days ahead here at Purple Blaze Entertainment,” he magnanimously announced.

  God, the man could be grandiose.

  She looked out at the beaming, flattered expressions of awe on the faces of the women, and some of the men too.

  Strategically done, Wilkes.

  Well-played.

  He was aligning himself with her. If Lexxi Rock was the new Queen of Purple Blaze, Wilkes Barracks wanted everyone to know he was King.

  Fuck.

  The V12 engine of her Lamborghini sports car roared as Alexandra smoothly accelerated to fifteen miles over the speed limit, trying to make it to the studio before her session was scheduled to start. It had taken hardly any time at all to segue back into the fast pace of LA. The life she had left behind picked up right where it left off, although now she felt like a new person with the reins directing her life now firmly in her hands.

  The hot breeze was ruffling the short raven curls instead of several feet of purple hair. With her smartphone synced to the car by Bluetooth, she chatted with Gerry, her wardrobe stylist. “Did you check the pictures I emailed you, Gerry? I shouldn’t have to come back into Purple Blaze for this. Just go to a men’s clothier and buy up the smallest sizes of what’s in.”

  She hung up, and promised herself to call Bash more often. On second thought, she told Siri to phone him. It rang twice before Bash picked up.

  “Alexandra. Great to hear your voice.”

  “Same here, Bash.”

  “How was your flight back?”

  “Fine. I slept like a baby when I got in. I just missed having you to cuddle up with.”

  “Me too. What’s that sound in the background?”

  “I’m on my Bluetooth.”

  “You’re driving?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Stay safe, baby. You should call me when you get in.”

  Baby.

  She loved the pet names he was starting to use on her.

  “I’ve got to drive over to the recording studio, then there’s a final photoshoot tonight which will definitely spill into the wee hours of the morning. I probably won’t be in until you’re fast asleep.”

  “That’s okay. Phone me when you can. When you’re safe at home or in the office.”

  “Okay. Well, I didn’t want to keep you too long. I’ll try you in the a.m. Miss you, Bash.”

  “I miss you too, doll.”

  “Bye.” Her eyes flicked to the dash clock after she hung up.

  Just as she had predicted back in Tucson, her packed schedule left no room for distractions. Yet, multitasking couldn’t eat up enough memory on her mental hard drive to completely block out errant thoughts of Sebastian Sullivan.

  Baby.

  Doll.

  God, she loved that. She hoped it would last. She shook the flashbacks, the dreams and the real memories—like the sight of him in nothing but a towel standing in the kitchen as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

  Damn, I still can’t believe he knew who I was the whole time, and still let me pretend to be someone I wasn’t.

  That took real patience.

  Her posture fell. This was such an embarrassment. It’d be something to look back and laugh at. Only, it was Bash who would probably laugh harder at what a fool she had been. Suddenly focused on the road, she had to slam hard on her brakes to narrowly miss ramming into the back of the SUV in front of her. She gritted her teeth and ducked sheepishly when the offended driver flipped the bird out the driver side window.

  “Sorry,” she groaned.

  Bash was so right about focusing on the road too.

  She swerved into the correct lane to catch her exit, zipping down the off-ramp and cruising along surface streets to her destination. Even trying not to think about him made her think about him. Remembering how hard it was to reveal to Bash that Alex Roberts was Lexxi Rock, memory lane dropped her off at a replay of the first time they kissed.

  God, that kiss.

  Now, she and Bash had become so much closer, even if he still had somewhat of a difficult time with the idea of Lexxi Rock. Being Alex Roberts gave her the single best month of any summer ever, bittersweet as it was. Like Cinderella—except in male drag, perhaps—she had played someone she wasn’t and met the man of her dreams. Too bad she had to run out and leave without her Chuck Taylor boots when the clock struck midnight, or rather when Rick the Fairy Godfather summoned her out of the fairytale.

  Maybe Prince Bash will start scouring the towns between Tucson and Los Angeles, and finally fit that Chuck Taylor boot on my dainty little foot too.

  She laughed at the thought.

  Little by little, doubt started to sneak in again, wrapping itself around the reality of how great things had been going so far with Bash. She had returned to Tucson to take care of acquiring Blaze. Being able to sneak some time in with Bash was a handsome bonus, but exactly when the hell would she be able to go back there again? She had so much on her plate right now it was hard to imagine squeezing in a side of romance. If he ever got the chance to come to Los Angeles, it would be slightly easier, but not by much. He’d spend his days waiting patiently and many nights alone. For the millionth time today, she forced Sebastian Sullivan out of her head. She had work to do.

  Alexandra drove into the studio parking lot and got out of the car. She hit the remote to lock the vehicle and set its alarm, looking up at Beyond the Note Sound Studios. It was the studio where she had already recorded much of her new album, and planned to complete at least one of the last few tracks today. It felt a little like coming home. This was the part about being an artist she enjoyed the most. Creative minds came together and churned out great music. Already she was tingling with anticipation to get started. She knew just which song she wanted to record. That is, if she had brought the right journal with her.

  One of these days I’ll stop jotting lyrics down on every stray scrap of paper and use my tablet.

  In a side pocket of her guitar case was the notebook—finally located with relief—in which she had written the song she called ‘Release’ for now. With enough practice, and with her mind on Bash so much lately, it could come out like second nature at the session today. She hoped it would. There had to be another perk to having Bash on her mind constantly.

  She arrived inside the building of the studio a few minutes later, and heard her name the second she walked through the second set of revolving doors.

  “Hi,” Gerry called to her, hurrying across the large lobby area.

  “Gerry. Smart move catching me down here.”

  “I know how to get my business done, dear. So, which one of us is the stylist, huh?”

  “You are, love.”

  “Yes, of course I am, Lexxi. I saw the pics you emailed me, by the way. Most of those tired, wannabe grunge outfits reminded me of something my thirteen year old would wear, but she’s going through a phase.”

  “Wannabe grunge?” Alexandra giggled at the thought of Gerry’s former beauty queen daughter going through a ratty jeans and oversized t-shirts phase.

  “Listen, cutie, I know what look you’re going for. You want to wear boyish clothes
. I got it, I got it! But you need to let me work my magic. You have to keep it a little feminine for your male fans too. Can I at least add some glitter and glam?”

  “Lexxi Rock can blend masculinity and femininity without glitter and glam, Gerry. I spent all night doing research, and from runways to corporate offices, I know this can turn heads. I’m not talking about women in men’s clothing. I mean women completely revamping the masculine style. Dandy women—that’s what they’re calling the style. Google it sometime. It’s strong. It’s sexy. The lines are hip. It would be great to dress it down a bit from that, get some snazzier hats I like and make it my own.”

  “Like Dandy Lexxi?”

  “Yes! Exactly.”

  “All the more reason for us to meet up and talk things out. I’ll pick out some more selections and get it ready for you. Can you make it down to my fitting rooms for four p.m. instead?”

  “No can do, Gerry. This recording session will take a while.”

  “Five then?”

  “I don’t know—”

  “Lexxi, honey. This can’t wait.”

  Alexandra let out a breath. “I’ll do my best.”

  “Alright, fine. I have a six o’clock, but that’s the latest I can do,” Gerry replied.

  “No, no. Postpone the six. Or squeeze it in next week. You’d do that for me, right Gerry?” Alexandra tried to sweet-talk her. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  “Dammit. Okay I’ll try my best. Make sure you leave me some extra time so we can talk about the wardrobe for the tour.”

  “Deal.”

  “One more thing, Lexxi. Everybody’s been buzzing about you taking over at, uh, Purple Blaze is it? What’s the scoop? Is this tour going to be your last? Like, are we consultants all going to be out of a job soon?”

  Alexandra chuckled. This was an obvious probe for inside information. “Oh, Gerry, you know I’d never let my best people go. I have no plans for retirement anytime in the foreseeable future, but whenever I do decide to put any part of this music business behind me, you guys will be the most sought after in the city. Now, you’d better stop listening to the gossip over there. Unless it comes from my lips, question everything.”

  Gerry blew out an exaggerated breath in relief. “Whew! I’ll be sure to be the gossipiest little gossiper in there, and let everybody else know to get their stories straight. Alright, I’ve got you penciled in for whenever you get finished between five and seven-thirty.”

  “Thanks, Gerry. See you then.”

  Gerry took off through the front entrance as Alexandra made her way to the elevators. When she stepped off at her floor, she was ready to work.

  “Hello, one and all! Lexxi Rock is in the building,” she called out after dramatically throwing open the studio doors.

  Familiar faces greeted Alexandra with questions about her absence and the Purple Blaze takeover, and filled her in on what she missed while she was away. In the midst of trying to speak to everyone at once, her favorite engineer, Bryce, stepped up behind her and spun her shoulders around in one swift movement. She let out an excited squeal at the sight of him.

  “I didn’t realize I’d miss you guys so much!”

  He held out a hand for a handshake, but she threw open her arms for a hug. “Well, damn. What a transformation, Lex!” he exclaimed, pulling back after a long squeeze.

  She tugged the guitar case off her shoulder and gave him the three hundred and sixty degree view to show off her hair, as well as the tattered pants cropped just below the knee, and the white linen shirt she was wearing.

  “You’re rocking the dandy woman look, I see.”

  “See I knew someone around here would get me. I’m so glad it’s you, Bryce. Still, hold on a minute.” She checked him out from head to toe. “Lexxi Rock needed a makeover, but look at you! Bryce Wilcox, did you sprout some chin hairs in my absence? You finally look closer to your age. About twelvish or thirteen now,” she joked.

  He howled with laughter. It was a running joke he looked way too young to be so deep in the industry, but Bryce was one of the best engineers she had ever had the pleasure of working with. “Ready to make this happen?”

  “I am.”

  “Good. Before we do, can I talk to you for a second?” Bryce nervously motioned for her to follow him to his closet-sized office. He closed the door behind him and eyed her cautiously. “I didn’t want to say this in front of everyone. You know how we can be around here.”

  “I do, but everyone knows everyone else’s business anyway,” she told him. It was a wonder no one had asked her how her trip to the French Riviera went—or Tucson for that matter.

  Well, the Alex Roberts part had better still be a secret.

  “What’s up, Bryce? Don’t tell me we have a problem.”

  “Purple Blaze, that’s you now, has an artist blocked in Studio 7B.”

  “Wilkes Barracks,” she supplied.

  Wilkes had one last song to finish up for his album. Alexandra had a few left to record, although her plan was to completely finish one today. There was still the wardrobe with Gerry later on, and the photoshoot, which was likely to turn into a two-session engagement, and she had almost forgotten there was a late business dinner with a potential new artist. She made a mental note to nag the human resources director so someone else could come in and handle the tedium of running the day-to-day affairs at Purple Blaze. Once she set the direction for the label, someone savvy could take care of the rest, under Rick’s expert counsel. Being here at the studio reminded her she truly just wanted to make music.

  Bryce seemed at a loss for words.

  “Just tell me what you want to say, Bryce.”

  “Okay. Well, Mr. Barracks was booked in for a few hours before you, but when he heard you were scheduled in 7A today, he extended his session and decided to wait around. I think he’s hankering to see you,” Bryce stammered out, making fun of Wilkes’ common set of country boy slang. “I don’t mean to overstep my boundaries or anything, but after he—I mean, after what happened—”

  “You don’t have to sugar coat it, Bryce. After he cheated on me with Lydia Daniels, you mean. Everybody, including me, heard about it on a late night talk show. It’s common knowledge. I promise you, there’s no threat of a jilted lovers’ brawl in the hallways. I’m over it, and he should be too.”

  Bryce colored slightly at her bluntness. She could swear he looked like a guilt-ridden kid about to confess he broke something valuable. She smiled to set him at ease.

  “I’m cool. Really.”

  “Okay. I just wanted to give you a heads up,” Bryce added.

  “Don’t worry about it. Thanks for telling me, but while I have no major issues with Wilkes at this point, I’m on a time crunch here, so let’s try to avoid him at all costs.” She laughed, half-joking but half-serious. Who knew what Wilkes would come up with next.

  She and Bryce headed through the wide hallway lined with separate recording studios. It was probably a coincidence she and Wilkes were both scheduled around the same time. She had mentioned to him that Beyond the Note Sound Studios was one of the best, back when they had started dating, and he began recording here shortly after that. As long as he let her be, she didn’t mind. Still, the stunt he pulled with the flowers had her worried. She didn’t have time for Wilkes or his agenda. Every step along the brightly colored hall had her praying she wouldn’t have to see him now.

  Sadly, that wish wasn’t answered by her fairy godmother, because the minute she and Bryce turned the corner to get to their booked studio, they came face to face with none other than Wilkes. He appeared to be on his way out. She groaned, thinking if she had talked to Gerry or Bryce a minute more, she could have missed him.

  Just my shitty luck.

  Wilkes lit up when he saw her. “Lexxi!”

  She peeked over at Bryce, who did his best to act as if he was invisible. Sighing, she made a show of glancing at her watch—the one she wasn’t wearing at the moment. “Oh. Hi Wilkes. How’s that albu
m coming along?” she asked impatiently.

  She sped past ornamental trees and framed black and white photographs of past and present icons, remembering absently her picture was somewhere along one of these walls, too. All she wanted was to get to the oasis of studio 7A where she could lock out the rest of the world until the track was finished. That was all she wanted for the next few hours, but Wilkes skipped along behind her.

  “Everything is going well, but I—”

  “Excellent, excellent!” She took a page from Rick’s playbook and sped up her speech, throwing around some empty words as she kept walking. “I can’t wait to hear it. Listen, call the office if you need anything, anything at all. I probably won’t be available for the rest of the day, but they’ll take good care of you. See you later, Wilkes.”

  “Lexxi, hang on a second,” he said, laughing and oblivious to every hint she had dropped. “I want to talk to you. Since when do we breeze past each other?”

  Wilkes grabbed her wrist, and she quirked a brow in displeasure at the commandeering move. Bryce’s eyes bounced from Wilkes to Alexandra, and back to Wilkes. Her cynical brain wished she had brought along a bodyguard today. Unfortunately, there was no way to channel that idea and make her six-foot-six brick wall of a personal security consultant appear right now.

  “Three minutes. If it’s any longer, you’ll need to make an appointment.”

  He nodded excitedly. Frustrated, she waved Bryce along, and he left them in the poppy orange section of the hallway, made brighter under a skylight.

  “Yes, Wilkes? What is it?” she asked tersely. Wilkes’ smile wavered at the gruffness of her question, but he managed to keep it in place.

  He’s a better actor than me.

  She was sure there was a scowl on her face right this second.

  He shuffled nervously from one leg to the other. “I wanted to tell you how proud I am of your ambition. You’re taking everybody by storm with Purple Blaze. I mean, wow! Did you get your groove back while you were on vacation or what? New job title, new you, huh? I have to admit, the new look might take some time to grow on me, but—man, I’m just…well, I’m happy for you, Lex.” He chuckled and canted his head to the side, studying her.