When Haylee got back to her suite, she called Evan. Hearing his voice brightened her day. “Mommy, you’ll never guess what kind of ice cream I got last night.”
“What was it, honey?”
“Aunt Meri gave me the strawberry kind that you bought,” Evan said. “And she let me have the syrup I like. I ate two scoops.”
Haylee smiled at a five-year-old’s mentality, where the most important issue in life was ice cream. “I bet that was yummy.”
For a few more minutes, Evan told her about the exciting events of his day. His joy was contagious, and Haylee found herself smiling.
“When will you be home, Mommy?”
“In a few weeks,” Haylee said. “But I’ll call again. I love you, sweet boy.”
Evan groaned. “I’m not a baby. I’ll be six on my next birthday.”
“I still love you,” Haylee said. “Can you hand the phone to your aunt?”
After talking to Meri and receiving assurance that Evan was fine, Haylee put her attention on that evening’s event. Her heart ached that she couldn’t fly home to be with her son, but she had to put that aside. A concert was a big production, especially at Radio City Music Hall. She had to prepare, starting with stretching. Performing on stage was exhilarating, but also physically demanding.
Chapter 6
Rockefeller Center was a large complex consisting of nineteen commercial buildings. The Midtown Manhattan center was split by a large sunken square and a private street. Lucas was impressed, although it wasn’t his first visit.
The Art Deco buildings were a hub of activity, drawing crowds daily. For safety reasons, Lucas preferred a smaller venue. The sheer number of people who frequented the place made it difficult to control danger. Haylee’s stalker would be able to blend in easily, which presented a problem.
At another time, Lucas could have enjoyed the entertainment offered at the center. In his younger days, he had ice-skated at the rink during the holidays and been awed by the one-hundred-foot-tall Christmas tree. He had even been to the lighting ceremony once. But this time, he wasn’t there for pleasure.
Radio City Music Hall, located along Sixth Avenue, was notable for a long marquee sign that wrapped around the corner. Both sides displayed the hall’s name in neon letters. Lucas stood outside to look at the sign, staring at Haylee Nichols displayed below Radio City.
Lucas had known that she was a big star, yet seeing her name at such a renowned venue drove that home. It left no doubt about the audience numbers he could expect that night, or the potential issues. Haylee was famous, and it was his duty to keep her safe.
The hall’s security was responsible for crowd control, and Lucas hoped they had their act together. He didn’t want fans getting close to Haylee, even if it was only to express their enthusiasm. Lucas went inside to scope out the theater.
Haylee’s security was coordinating with the Radio City staff. Lucas counted on them to do their job, so he could do his. He made a point to talk with Jeffrey about the concert setup, since he was Haylee’s tour manager. The arrangement of props and staging, along with the program sequence, was important information.
Lucas had to know what to expect, where there would be barriers, as well as points of entry. He would keep his eyes on Haylee, but he couldn’t stay beside her every second. While she was on stage, Lucas had to be alert and prepared. He had decided on escape routes, should that become necessary.
Late in the afternoon, Lucas grabbed an early dinner with Haylee’s head of security. Adam was sharp and had covered all bases concerning safety. That was good to know, but Lucas wouldn’t relax until the concert was over and Haylee was secure at her hotel.
There were numerous possibilities of what could go wrong in securing a live concert, but Lucas had done all he could to prepare. If Haylee’s stalker had the notion that he could get close to her that night, he was sorely mistaken.
Lucas drove back to the hotel with security to escort Haylee to the concert hall. She had finished with makeup and costuming, and awaited transportation. The concert was all about entertainment. And Haylee’s outfit would surely wow the audience.
Haylee wore a green strapless dress with black leopard stripes and a slit up the side to show off her gorgeous legs. Her dark hair hung down her back in lovely waves, and she wore dangling earrings that glittered when she moved.
Lucas watched her walk in sequin-encrusted high heels, swaying her hips and tossing her hair. He could barely speak.
“I’m ready,” Haylee said with a smile.
“You take my breath away.” Lucas swept her out the door toward the elevator, trying not to act like a starry-eyed schoolboy.
“I guess I can’t ask for more than that,” Haylee said, her eyes sparkling.
On the way to the hall, they didn’t have a chance to converse. The limo was packed with security, and Amy sat next to Haylee, whispering about last-minute details. When they arrived, Haylee was swept backstage to get ready, while the band tuned up.
Lucas took his position off stage with an unobstructed view of Haylee. When the lights went up and she strode out to the welcoming cheers of her fans, he tuned out the noise. Duty called, and the only thing that mattered was keeping Haylee safe.
Haylee laughed and joked with her audience, then the band began to play the first tune. Lucas wanted to join the fans and listen to every song, to get lost in Haylee’s magical allure—but that was a luxury he couldn’t afford.
With his attention on the audience, Lucas remained vigilant in his duties, yet he was moved by the music. Haylee belted out each song, putting Lucas under her spell, along with the rest of the crowd. As she moved to the music, undulating to the beat, the stage was hers—and so was his heart.
*****
Haylee thrilled at the sight of the packed hall. Each time she performed at Radio City, she marveled at the opulent auditorium. It was large and striking, with a great arch over the stage in front of the curtain. The arch was sixty feet high and a hundred feet wide, forming a huge semicircular void.
Beneath the arch, sound dispersed from the structure and rose outward then forward to fill the room. The ceiling united the sides and top in one great curve, proceeding in consecutive bands that reminded Haylee of the radiant northern lights.
As Haylee moved across the stage, orange and gold lights glowed around her and lit the arch above. The feeling was indescribable and the sound quality remarkable. It was an honor to perform on the same stage, as a long list of famous entertainers had before her.
Under the stage lights, Haylee couldn’t see the audience out in the darkness, but she knew there were six thousand seats in the theater, about half on the main floor. Playing to the crowd didn’t intimidate her; it exhilarated her. Singing to her fans was a good feeling.
Haylee shared each song from the heart, conveyed emotion, and drew the audience into the thrill right along with her. Music was her love and performing was her passion. The stage was a special world, alive and vibrant, and the high during her performance was a joyful, addictive feeling.
At the end of the show, the audience went wild, yelling for more. Haylee had returned twice for encores, so exited the stage—but not before bowing and waving to her cheering fans. Lucas escorted her to the performer’s area, so she could change out of her costume.
But Haylee was too excited to sit. She paced in front of the mirror, talking to Lucas. He stood by the door, smiling and listening to every word.
“You were amazing,” Lucas said.
“The audience was great,” Haylee said. “Could you feel their energy?”
Lucas looked at her with admiration, only Haylee could tell that it wasn’t a fan’s glassy-eyed expression. He liked her, and he enjoyed watching her. It felt good, and any restraint Haylee possessed had evaporated. Still high from the concert, she threw her arms around Lucas and hugged him like a long-lost friend.
Only Lucas didn’t feel like a friend. He was firm and muscular, plus he smelled like woodsy-scented soa
p mixed with the scent of virile male. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close, and Haylee melted. Lucas was her protector, plus he really cared about her.
Lucas didn’t have to say that for Haylee to know. It was the way he behaved, the way he treated her, and how he looked at her. She had been acutely aware of him during the concert. Haylee lingered, giving him one more squeeze, before pulling back. Her face was close to his, and Haylee’s gaze drifted to his lips.
Haylee was tempted to kiss him but turned away. The way Lucas looked into her eyes, she nearly gave in. But she wasn’t sure if he wanted it too. Maybe it was just her mood, the amazing feeling of singing to a packed house. Or maybe she was really falling for Lucas.
“I’ll…uh, go change,” Haylee said, flustered. She headed for the dressing room, glancing back to see Lucas staring at her. Even from across the room, she felt the heat between them. She ducked into her dressing room, before she made a bold move that she might regret.
Haylee closed the door and leaned against it. She was in so much trouble. Lucas was a heartthrob, and she wanted more than friendship from him. She had no clue how to dampen her desire. But an affair with her bodyguard was out of the question.
*****
Lucas stared at the closed door. Every urge pushed him to open it and pull Haylee into his arms. The near-kiss had been almost as hot as the real thing, but not quite. Her lips had been so close that Lucas had felt her sweet breath on his skin, and he craved feeling his mouth on hers.
Amy tapped on the door. She had been in the hall, fending off photographers. “Is Haylee ready?”
“I’ll check.” Lucas went to the dressing room, just as Haylee stepped out. In her street clothes, she looked just as delectable as in her costume. He offered his arm, trying not to show too much emotion.
Lucas opened the door and motioned to the waiting security team. Surrounding Haylee, they ushered her out of the theater and into the limo—but not without incident.
A throng of fans had gathered outside, waiting for the star to exit. The shouts were deafening, and their enthusiasm was at a high pitch. Lucas held Haylee close, and Amy stood on her other side. Then security formed a protective net, keeping the crowd at bay.
But as Haylee navigated the steps to the sidewalk, the mass of people pushed in, clamoring for autographs. A shove from the crowd knocked Amy off balance, and she fell against Haylee. Fortunately, Lucas had his arm around her, but she still staggered and almost tripped.
Security pushed through the crowd, making a path for the star, then Lucas yanked the car door open. Once Haylee and Amy were inside, he slid next to them. Adam and another guard took the opposite facing seat, pulling the door shut behind them.
The limo started forward, with fans pounding on the rear window, calling for Haylee and waving cards for her autograph. Slowly the driver edged through the mayhem and headed down the street. Lucas didn’t relax until they were well away.
Lucas wasn’t pleased that Haylee had nearly been mauled. He figured that the public pressures had to be hard on her, but she seemed to take it well. She was more used to it than Lucas was, and he intended to find better routes to exit concerts. The exuberant crowd was dramatic but not necessarily safe.
“The crowd was rowdy, but no one was hurt,” Adam said, sounding fairly calm.
“This time,” Lucas said, determined to avoid such situations in the future.
Haylee leaned her head against the seat then closed her eyes. She was probably coming down from her high. Lucas understood that, knew how it worked. She would no doubt be exhausted, yet she may not be able to sleep.
The next afternoon, the tour was moving to Brooklyn for the Coney Island performance. Haylee would change hotels to be closer to the venue. If Lucas had his way, she would get some time on the beach to relax—if he could figure out how to keep her away from public view.
The limo delivered them to the back entrance, and Haylee was escorted to her room without further fanfare. Lucas closed and locked the door, then turned to see her on the sofa with her arms around her knees.
Haylee looked more like a teenager after a night out than a celebrity winding down after a strenuous performance. Her hair was wild around her face, and she had removed her makeup. The natural look suited her.
“I need to sleep,” Haylee said. “But it’s hard to drift off after such an adrenaline pump.”
Lucas sat across from her. “What would relax you?”
Haylee blushed, likely having the same thought as Lucas. She shrugged. “Talking helps.”
Lucas was up for that. For the next hour, he chatted with her, enjoying her company. Haylee didn’t seem anxious for him to go, and he sensed the tension ramp up between them. He could tell she wanted him, and damn if he didn’t want her.
“I better go,” Lucas said, then stood up. “You can’t sleep all day tomorrow.”
“Will you leave the door open?” Haylee said. “I just want to feel closer. I know it seems like I let the stress roll off, but it does affect me.”
The stalker had to be on Haylee’s mind. There had been no sign of him at the concert, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t around.
“Just so I know you’re there,” she said.
“Sure, I’ll leave it open.”
Lucas waited until the lights went off in the other room, then he kicked off his shoes and stripped down to his underwear. He stretched out on the bed, thinking only of Haylee. It was impossible not to, with her only a few steps away.
Tormented by desire, Lucas stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep. Then his phone vibrated, and he grabbed it from the nightstand. He scanned the text just as he heard Haylee say, “Oh, no.”
Lucas threw on clothes and went next door to find Haylee on the phone. “Can I speak with the doctor?” She looked devastated. “Okay, well, when he has a chance.”
There was a knock at the door and Lucas let Amy in. On her way by, she said, “You heard?”
“Yeah, security texted.”
“Please, Tyler, call me the instant there is any change.” Haylee ended the call and dropped her phone on the table. “It’s Evan. He had a severe asthma attack and Tyler rushed him to emergency.”
“How bad?” Amy said.
“He could barely breathe,” Haylee said. “Meri has his bed close, so she can hear if he has trouble. He coughed a bit, but that’s normal. Then she heard him wheezing and went to check. He was holding his chest and saying that it hurt.”
“Was there any advance warning?” Lucas said.
“Not really,” Haylee said. “There usually isn’t. Meri noticed that he didn’t want to play as much and had an intermittent cough. But that’s not that unusual.”
“Any idea what triggered the attack?” Lucas said.
“It’s difficult to know,” Haylee said. “An attack can happen during sleep. I just wish I had been there. Now, Evan is in the hospital and I can’t go to him.”
“What can we do?” Lucas said.
Haylee’s eyes filled with tears. “Tyler says the doctor won’t keep Evan overnight. Even if I left right now, he would be home before I arrived in Philly.”
“Tyler and Meri are with him,” Amy said.
“But they aren’t his mother.” Haylee’s expression tore at Lucas’s heart. “The doctor gave Evan medication through an inhaler to open his airways. As soon as he is stable, Tyler will take him home.”
Lucas knew that the important thing with asthma was the treatment plan, including avoiding any triggers. “I assume Tyler and Meri are familiar with what to do?”
“Yes, completely,” Haylee said. “Evan stays with them often. But I feel so bad that I can’t be with him, that I’m not there to hug him and tell him that it will be all right.”
“Evan will come through it,” Amy said. “He’s a strong boy.”
“If only I could talk to him,” Haylee said. “But when he gets home, he should sleep. I can wait…as long as I know that he’s out of danger.”
C
hapter 7
Before leaving, Amy gave Haylee a hug. “Get some rest. You can’t do anything tonight, and Tyler will call if there is any change.”
Lucas stayed, looking concerned. “We’ll do whatever you need. I’ll take you home, if that’s what you want.”
“If only everyone else had that attitude,” Haylee said. Knowing that Lucas cared soothed her anxiety just a little. She sat on the sofa, looking at the phone as if it might give her answers.
“Evan was given medication, so it’s likely that he is recovering.”
“You were a medic in the Navy?” Haylee said.
“Yes, I was a special forces medical sergeant,” Lucas said. “After my SEAL training, I received further education in trauma medicine so I could provide medical care in combat environments.”
“Did you go to medical school?”
“I received training at one of the military’s toughest medical schools,” Lucas said. “The training center was at Fort Bragg.”
“What made it so tough?”
“I had no prior medical education,” Lucas said. “So, it was pretty intense. Medics in training have to stick to a rigorous physical training regimen before class every day. And it was mandatory to study three hours a night and on weekends—no exceptions.”
“So, you’re a doctor?”
“Not exactly,” Lucas said. “But I could qualify as a paramedic, and my training would get me about halfway through medical school.”
Haylee set the phone beside her and leaned forward. “I’m impressed. What type of medicine did you learn?”
Lucas shifted in his seat. “Trauma, mostly. It was about saving lives. I took care of guys who were injured from explosives, battle wounds…that kind of thing.”
The more Haylee got to know about Lucas, the more it seemed there was to know. “You know about asthma?”
“Not specifically,” Lucas said. “I learned everything from how to stitch a wound to how to deliver a baby. And had to have a working knowledge of dentistry, public sanitation, water quality, even optometry.”
“You seem to understand what’s happening with Evan.”
Lucas (Must Love Danger Book 5) Page 5