HERO (The Complete Series)

by Bella Love-Wins

  They weren’t far off. After my final fight, I had been bombarded with interview requests, most of which I had blown off, and I hadn’t been to a fight since then, but it wasn’t because I wanted nothing to do with it anymore. It was just a lot to relive. The physical wounds had healed, but emotionally, it was too fresh.

  “Wow.” I paused, sinking back into the bed. “I had no idea.”

  “Does that mean you’re interested?” Gary asked.

  “Uh—yes. Yes! What would we need to do?”

  “Let’s get together when you’re back in town. When do you get home?”

  My heart sank, wishing the answer was different. “I fly out this evening.”

  “Okay, excellent. Can we do Thursday? It’ll give you time to get over your jetlag. Let’s meet at my office. We’ll do lunch down at the pier, and can go over the details.”

  I hesitated. Was this what I really wanted? Up to a couple weeks ago, I would have been thrilled about an opportunity like this. Now, my heart and mind felt tied to protecting Johnny. I needed to get over it fast.

  “Amanda? How does it sound, honey?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry, Gary. I’m just wiped. This is great news.”

  “All right,” he said. “See you soon. Have a safe flight!”

  “Bye, Gary.” I clicked off the call and nestled back under the covers.

  “What a mess,” I said into the darkness before rolling to my side to finally sleep.

  Chapter 12 - Johnny

  “Come on, Johnny,” Kevin said, standing in the doorway of my hotel room, an hour after we left to duke it out in his suite. He had followed me back here, and now Amanda was not in the room.

  “Tell me where Amanda is,” I demanded.

  “Johnny, just listen to me. Get your bags packed. We’re checking out in a few hours.”

  “Where is she?” I repeated. My teeth gritted together, and it took every ounce of self-control to not launch myself across the room and put my hands on him. Kevin was technically my godfather and adopted father after my parents died. Although we had gone through more than a few rough patches over the course of our relationship, I had never wanted to physically hurt him before this.

  Kevin paused, sizing me up. “You want to hit me, son?”

  “Just tell me where she is.”

  He let out a tired sigh. “It’s over, Johnny. She won’t be continuing on the tour with us. I booked her a flight for tonight. She’s going back to Miami.”

  “Christ!” I raked my hands through my hair. “You’re un-fucking-believable, you know that?”

  Kevin stepped inside and shut the door behind him so people walking by in the hallway wouldn’t hear. “Johnny, you may not like or agree with my decision, but I don’t really care right now. That girl is bad for you, bad for this job, and right now, especially after everything that happened on that island, we can’t afford any more mistakes.”

  “That’s your opinion. And seriously, you’re wrong on all counts. Even Fred told you she saved the day when she found that basket. You have this sick, twisted hatred of her. God knows why. You can’t see that all she’s done so far is help. She’s done her job! She’s gone above and beyond. And I…I happen to like her. So why don’t you admit it? You don’t want to see me happy. That’s what this is about.”

  I got up, ready to storm out and look for her around the hotel, but someone knocked. Kevin swore under his breath and opened the door. It was Fred standing in the doorway.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but we have some things to go over with you both. And Amanda too. Can you get her out here, Johnny?”

  Kevin had not even let Fred in on this plan of his to get rid of Amanda. He looked at me, and I held up my hands. I wanted no part of this conversation.

  “We’re not keeping Amanda on the security team,” Kevin said.

  Fred’s eyebrows raised. “What?”

  “Kevin doesn’t think we need her services anymore,” I said. “It’s bullshit.”

  I sat in one of the chairs, frustrated.

  Fred turned to face Kevin. “Not a good move. I understand that you hired her, but we agreed on an investigative approach. I’m surprised you didn’t consult me on this.”

  Kevin squirmed under Fred’s stern glare. “My apologies Fred, but she was not doing her job in a professional manner. She didn’t stay at her post while Johnny performed last night. If the stalker had found a way on stage, he would have been vulnerable.”

  “And you know the stalker used surreptitious means to lure her from her post. To Amanda’s credit, she found that suspicious package in Johnny’s room. Look. I came to discuss a few more options that would enhance the level of on-stage security. And Amanda has an important role to play. Either way, we need her.”

  “Hear that, Kevin?” I said finally. “The FBI needs her. So why don’t you tell us where she is?”

  Kevin rolled his eyes. “She’s gone. Like I told you, Johnny, she’s leaving on a flight to Miami this evening. She’s probably already at the airport.”

  “Then call her, get her back here,” I said, heading to the bedroom to get my phone. I had left it on the night table, and forgot to take it with me when I argued with Kevin in his room. For the first time, I noticed that Amanda’s bags were missing.

  She was really gone.

  I crossed the room and got my phone off the table, flicking through my contacts. Shit. I had phoned her from the land line at home when she had flown back to Miami to pack. Her number was not in my cellphone. I couldn’t call her.

  “So much for that,” I said to the empty room.

  I pushed the phone into my back pocket and charged back to the living area. Fred had already left the room.

  “Did you phone her?” I asked Kevin. He had to have her number.

  “Yes. But only on Fred’s recommendation, not so you can get in her pants. She’s not answering,” he said, heading for the door. “I’ll try her again in a bit. I have to pack my things. And I need you to get your bags ready, Johnny. We’re checking out soon.”

  * * *

  Half an hour later, my bags were packed. I took them out and set them down beside the door. Kevin was back in the living area.

  “Did you call her?” I asked, interrupting their conversation.

  “I did. She didn’t pick up, Johnny.” He didn’t even bother to look at me when he spoke.

  “Give me her number.”

  “Here,” he said, passing his phone to me. “Try calling her yourself.”

  I snatched his phone and keyed her number into mine. I hit the Call button and waited, but it went to voicemail. Crap. Things were starting to look dire. Kevin didn’t want her on this job, and as soon as we got back to the city, Fred could likely find a replacement, even if he didn’t want to. Amanda would be on the other side of the country, and I would have no legitimate reason for her to come back to LA.

  I forced my brain to stop thinking about all the possible scenarios. I would find a way to see her again. For now, I needed sleep. After the concert, and the time in bed with Amanda, I was dog-tired. Kevin had told us we had to be back to the airport in a few hours. I decided I would take a short nap, but all I did in the bed was toss around and think of Amanda. After an hour of restlessness, I got up. A walk would help me clear my head. I searched my bag for my baseball cap and a hoodie, grabbed by sunglasses, and opened the door to take off.

  “Where the hell are you going?” Kevin asked.

  “Out.”

  I left my suitcases at the door and walked out. I started off down the hallway, but stopped and did an about-turn. It was a stupid idea to be anywhere in this hotel on my own. I would likely end up swarmed by fans before I could make it off the elevator. I knocked lightly on the door next to mine. By the time Fred answered, Kevin was standing in the hallway. He returned inside when he saw me at Fred’s door.

  “I need to get outside or something. Can one of your guys go with me?”

  “Sure. I’ll go. The rest of the agents are getting
packed.”

  He told the others where we were heading, and we made our way to the elevator. Down in the lobby, I found the coffee stand tucked neatly beside the hotel gift shop. I ordered two coffees and handed one to Fred. We were walking down the hallway to access the hotel courtyard out back when I caught a flash of someone leaving the hotel reception desk.

  “Amanda!” I said, and strode quickly toward her. I pulled her into my free arm, and didn’t think twice about planting a long kiss on her lips—out in public, right in front of Fred.

  “I didn’t realize you were still here,” she said, pulling back slightly after our kiss. She nodded at Fred, fully stepping out of my arms.

  “Nice to see you’re still here, Amanda.” Fred had been a couple of paces behind me, and hung back for a moment.

  “Thanks Fred. Not for long, though.” She turned back to me. “I tried phoning you a few hours ago.”

  “You were probably calling the house line. Why didn’t you wait for me to come back to the room?”

  “You heard Kevin. He doesn’t need me working on this tour anymore. I was just about to take a cab to the airport.”

  “Kevin’s wrong. We need you to stay. Right Fred?”

  He nodded.

  “Oh shit,” Amanda said, before Fred could speak. She was transfixed, looking at something behind us.

  “What?” I turned to follow her gaze, and saw Kevin charging toward us from across the lobby.

  Chapter 13 - Amanda

  “Let me handle this,” Johnny said to me. “And don’t go anywhere this time.”

  “I’ll help,” Fred said.

  Johnny turned and stood ahead of me as Kevin made his way to us.

  “Why are you still here?” Kevin asked, looking around Johnny’s body to make eye contact with me. His voice was low enough not to cause a scene in the wide open hallway, but his harsh tone was clear. “You should be at the airport by now.”

  Johnny stood his ground, and seemed like he would say something just as cutting. Fred raised his arm to stop them both.

  “Kevin, I think we’re fortunate Amanda is still here. Just hear me out for a second. We worked out a plan of attack before we left LA. We even went so far as to stage their cover as a couple, using the media. Let’s follow it through. I could use Amanda’s help on this job. The six remaining events will be larger crowds, and Amanda has already shown us she can think on her feet. Let’s keep her on the team and see this to the end.”

  Fred’s words were encouraging. I knew it wasn’t my fault that I had ended up leaving Johnny vulnerable on stage, but I was still harboring some guilt. It felt good to get some credit.

  As if reading my mind, Johnny protectively wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “We need her, Kevin. And besides, she’s my tour girlfriend, remember?”

  I noticed the way Johnny suggested this romantic relationship act would only be during the tour. It should not have bothered me—after all, I wasn’t looking for anything permanent. For a moment, though, I felt a pang of something unfamiliar in my gut. Sadly, there was not any time to assess it, with Kevin glowering at me.

  “So what’s the verdict, Kevin?” Fred continued. “Can we keep her on the team? If so, we all need to go over those tactics I had mentioned earlier.”

  He shook his head and let out a long breath before answering, “Fine.”

  “And Amanda,” Fred continued. “What about you? Are you willing to stay?”

  Fred was my new hero. I felt some solace that at least one person among them acknowledged I had a choice in staying or going. I started to nod, and suddenly remembered the conversation I had earlier with Gary. We had agreed to meet in a few days to decide on the MMA network TV opportunity. I considered mentioning it, and in hindsight I should have. At minimum, I could get through to Kevin that I was turning down other opportunities to be here, and didn’t need this roller coaster ride, or to constantly be under threat of termination at a moment’s notice. I decided against raising it. And then I glanced up at Johnny, and found all the convincing I needed to share my decision.

  “Yes, I am.”

  Johnny beamed at me, not bothering to contain his excitement.

  “Excellent.” Even Fred seemed relieved.

  “Great,” Kevin add, glaring at me for a split second. “We’d better get back up for our luggage. We need to get over at the airport soon.”

  He turned, and the three of us followed him to the elevators. Johnny did not move his arm from my shoulder the entire time. A short while later, we all were downstairs, ready to get to the airport and back to Los Angeles. The road crew and security team had been loaded into two limo-busses with the luggage, and went ahead of us. Fred’s European FBI staff had assisted during the Greek Islands stop, but were not continuing on. Fred, Larry, Kevin, Johnny and I waited inside until our limousine arrived. By then, with all the activity, a small crowd of fans had heard about Johnny checking out of the hotel, and had gathered outside to take pictures. I slid on my oversized sunglasses, took Johnny’s extended arm, and exited the hotel with him. He smiled at the crowd and waved, and when we stood at the limo door, he nudged me and I waved as well before hopping into the limo.

  Johnny’s strong hands gripped my hips as I climbed into the limo, and a wave of heat flooded my body. I reminded myself that this time needed to be different. I was going to have to resist my desires if I had any chance of redeeming myself for this assignment. At minimum, I owed it to Fred to keep things professional going forward. There was also the issue of Johnny wanting more. Sleeping with him would only distract me again, and that was something neither of us could afford anymore.

  Fred, Larry and Kevin sat facing us in the back of the limo. Fred used the time to fill us in on what they learned about the incident on the island.

  “So there was security footage?” I asked.

  “Yes,” Fred answered. “The person who delivered the basket to Johnny’s room was female, as we suspected. She’s clever though. She hid her face with a large hat on all the hallway footage. We still don’t have much in the way of her identity, but we can confirm she was there.”

  “Couldn’t you match up the clothes she wore with other video footage from the night?” I asked.

  “We’re working on that.”

  “And what about how she got here? Didn’t the Sheikh’s guards keep a log of who came on the island along with their IDs? If they have a list, then you’d at least have something to work with, even if she used fake credentials.”

  “We’re already on it. They supplied us with the guest list and event staff. We sent it to Jenny and Lucas. They’ll begin clearing the names today.”

  “Is there any chance she’s staff?” Kevin asked.

  “It’s doubtful. She wasn’t wearing a uniform, to begin with. We also showed the footage to the island catering managers and the event coordinator. None of them recognized her from her clothing. Also, there was no record of the basket being logged in as a delivery. Someone took it to the island themselves.”

  “She also could have just paid that person you saw on camera to deliver it,” Johnny added.

  “It’s possible, but doubtful. This unsub’s profile indicates a high level of organizing control. She would not leave much to chance, or trust others to complete a task on her behalf. And the fact that she made it onto the island…it tells us she’s adaptable, inventive, and more importantly, has the resources to travel from Los Angeles to Greece. She’s serious, and has the means to follow through on her threats.”

  “That’s not good,” Kevin said. He seemed genuinely worried.

  “It’s not. This threat is real, folks.”

  We all paused, and a quiet fell over us as Fred’s statement sank in.

  “What about fingerprints?” I asked when the sobering moment passed.

  “Everything in the basket, as well as the basket itself, is coming back with us for testing. It will be a few days before we have definitive DNA results. If there are any useable prints at all, we’ll h
ave those within a day of touching down in Los Angeles. It doesn’t seem like it, but this incident is not all doom and gloom.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, for one, the stalker made an appearance. She came into the public domain, not just behind some internet server. She’s out of her comfort zone now. It’s only a matter of time before she makes a mistake and leaves a clue behind.”

  “Or I get blown up,” Johnny said, seeming uneasy.

  I whipped my head over to look at him. “That’s not going to happen.”

  “Let’s talk about this additional measure to reduce Johnny’s vulnerability while he’s performing,” Fred continued. “Amanda, what do you think about being onstage with Johnny?”

  I turned back to face him. “Onstage? Like patrolling?”

  “Not exactly. I was thinking more low-key.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Actually, I think you could make a believable backup performer.”

  “What?” Kevin and I both screeched simultaneously.

  Johnny snickered. I shot him a dirty look. “I think it’s a bad idea. Sorry Fred. I don’t sing. I don’t play any musical instruments. And I can’t dance.”

  “For once, we agree on something,” Kevin added.

  “Listen,” Fred said, “I know, it’s not Amanda’s thing, but there are several advantages.”

  I crossed my arms and waited.

  Larry picked up where Fred left off, as if they had planned to tag-team this pitch. “You would be onstage, Amanda, and could see if anything unusual was happening, from the best vantage point.”

  “Okay, that’s one thing. Go on.”

  “I could watch you dance in a miniskirt,” Johnny added, throwing me a wink.

  I scowled and I nudged him on the arm with my shoulder. “Not helping,” I warned him.