“Can I talk to you privately for a second?”
“Sure,” he answered, and walked over to the corner of the room with me.
I kept my voice low to tell him what we knew. “The stalker may be here in LA. Or in this building.”
Johnny grimaced. “What?”
“She also warned she’ll be at the awards show tomorrow.”
Terry and the other two sound techs looked between us, confusion on their faces. They could not hear what we were saying, and I didn’t stop to explain it to them.
“Larry’s getting Fred and some more agents down here. They’re locking down the suite, and will check the building and surrounding area to see if she’s still nearby.”
“Okay. What should we tell the band? And what about Terry and his guys?”
“Larry will talk to him. He’ll keep it simple so not too much gets out.”
“Ugh,” he groaned. “Okay so you’ll wait here at the door?”
“Yes. Just carry on, but don’t be alarmed if we need to take you home early.”
“That’s fine. Does Kevin know?”
“I’ll call him soon, if Larry hasn’t contacted him already.”
He nodded and returned inside. I stood at the door of the booth. I wished this was a straight security assignment. If it were, I would not have to play the girlfriend game, and the gun I carried for this assignment would be on my person. I couldn’t even hide it on me today—there was nowhere to hook the holster on this ridiculous jumper. I settled for placing my purse at on the floor in front of me—ready to use it if it came down to it.
Larry stood at the outer door, speaking quietly on the phone, in all likelihood with Fred. Forty-five minutes later, he took another call and unlocked the door. Fred and four of his agents came in. He called me over to give me an update. To my surprise, his team had only become aware of the message because I alerted them. It felt good to be useful to them.
“We’re on this,” Fred told me. “Good work, Rachel.”
“Thanks.”
“We checked the other floors in the building, as well as the stairwells and parking lot outside.”
“Are you going to put up a perimeter or something?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Resources and time. There’s not enough of us to do a thorough search, first of all. And too much time has passed between Johnny entering the building and when the stalker left the comment on the website. There’s no way to tell if she’s still out there, or if she was here at all. We’ll learn more from what she did online.”
“That’s too bad.”
“We need to get Johnny home now. Just in case she’s around here. Outside is too wide open for him to leave without our protection.”
“Kevin’s not coming back?”
“No. He went to his house. He had plans with his wife. Johnny’s driver is waiting downstairs.”
“Okay. I’ll get Johnny.”
I walked over to the side door of the booth again. I didn’t need to interrupt this time. His eyes were trained on me and Fred as we spoke, so he knew something was up.
“Time to go?”
I nodded and he told his band he needed to take care of some things. He spoke quietly with Terry, and left with me, Fred, Larry and the other four men. They all stayed close until Johnny and I were safely in the back of the limousine. Fred told us he and his men would take a look around the area. Larry stayed with them. He tapped on the top of the limo, and Charles, the driver, took off with Johnny and me.
Chapter 13 - Johnny
“I don’t want to go back to the house,” I said, turning to Amanda as we were left the studio.
She stared up at me, a slight wrinkle between her brows. “Where do you want to go?”
I shrugged. “You feel like getting a drink?”
“You heard Fred. We’re not going to be safe until we get home. The stalker could have seen us leave.”
He let out a frustrated groan. “I didn’t think of that. Okay. Let’s go home. Hopefully, Kevin’s not there.”
The time at the studio after Kevin had left the studio had been a dream come true. We finished tracks to three of my songs, and had extra time to go back over Kevin’s selections. Terry was the man. He listened to my vision, and quickly added beats and layers to what I had played. It was easily the best recording day I had in years. Getting the songs released would be a stretch with Kevin around. I could do that on my own, or let Terry use his team to do it independently, if Kevin was going to be a hardass.
We were a few hundred feet from the gates of my house when we noticed a group of media people waiting outside. As soon as the limo was close to the gate, the cameras went off. Charles had to wind down his window to punch in the access code. That’s when the crowd of a dozen or so videographers, photographers and reporters went wild. They all started flashing more pictures, aiming their microphones, smartphones, recording devices and video cameras, and hurling questions at me through his window.
Amanda didn’t hesitate. She pulled a sweatshirt from her bag and threw it over the opening in the glass between the driver and us. As soon as the gated opened, the limo sped up my driveway, and Amanda flopped back into her seat.
“That’s nuts!” She said.
“Yeah. I wonder what they want now.”
“Probably a response to the dressing room pictures.
Amanda rested her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. I took the opportunity to let my eyes travel down her body.
“I know the perfect escape,” I said. “If the media leaves later on, we’re going.”
Amanda cocked an eyebrow at me. “And where is that?”
“You’ll see.” I didn’t give her any hints.
“We really shouldn’t. The stalker found you at the studio. She can find you anywhere. And we already know she’s aware of where you live.”
“Amanda. I can’t stop living my life because of that crazy woman. I won’t become a hermit and barricade myself in my house just to be safe. This is exactly what those people want…to terrorize…to victimize us before we’re even victims. It’s crazy.”
She did not have a chance to respond. Charles stopped the limo at my front steps. He let her out and I jumped out behind her. I spoke quietly with him for a moment, letting him in on where I wanted to go later. He said he would wait at the security shed near the front gate, and I could call once I was ready to leave.
“Come on,” I told Amanda after Charles went back to sit in the limo. I wrapped my arm around her waist. “It’s just the two of us here at the house now.”
* * *
Amanda must have taken to heart what I said about not being a victim. We hung out for a couple hours in the games room downstairs, and when we didn’t hear back from Fred and his agents, she agreed to go out with me. I told her we could dress casually where I was taking her. We both wore jeans and cotton shirts when we met at the bottom of the stairs. And I felt an extra-special boost—she was wearing the locket I had given to her. She carried a light leather jacket in her arms. It reminded me to grab one from the closet near the front door when we left.
Charles rolled up as we got outside. He was taking us to the dive bar we had gone to after our dinner out about a week ago. Once we were on the way, I relaxed against the seat. Amanda kept looking at me. I couldn’t read her expression, so I let it be. I wanted us to enjoy each other for the rest of the night.
The city around us transformed as dusk fell. It was my favorite time of day. I had a fascination with watching the city make the shift from day to night. Some businesses closed, and others opened. People hurried home in business attire and uniforms, many of them reappearing downtown hours later, dressed to kill, hitting up the hottest restaurants, bars, and clubs. The energy would change later at night, and turn into what some would call an adult playground. Charles drove past all of that, getting us away from the heart of all the action. Personally, although I enjoyed watching it, I had little desire to be
a part of the city nightlife. Not anymore.
I looked over at Amanda. I was where I wanted to be, sneaking out to my favorite secret sports bar to have a quiet night with her.
“What are you thinking about over there?” I eventually asked her.
“Not much.” Her eyes briefly darted my way before she turned to look out her window.
“Are you worried about getting into trouble because we’re going out?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No. You’re right. You can’t live like a prisoner forever…I was thinking… God, I hope I don’t upset you with this…”
“Just tell me.” I said, reaching for her hand. “I can handle anything. As long as you’re honest with me, we can figure it out.”
“Okay. I was thinking about last night… about what you said about being more than friends.” She paused for a while, seeming to think about what she would say next.
“You don’t have to censor what you’re thinking before sharing it with me. Just say it.”
“Okay. Here goes…how are you so sure about this? I mean, we’ve only known each other for a little over a week. You barely know me. So what makes you positive it’s me you want?”
That was a tough one. If I had been more prepared, it would have been the perfect opportunity to come clean and tell her I had been her biggest fan during her MMA days. I was not ready for that, so replied with, “Haven’t you ever just known something with such certainty there was no doubt at all?”
“Hmm. Maybe. I didn’t have any doubts about wrestling or joining the MMA.”
“Well that’s how I feel. About you.”
“After a week?”
“Not everyone needs time to be sure it’s the right thing.”
“And what if I had taken up your offer to be friends? How sure would you have been then?”
I looked out the window. I would have been crushed, but I did not tell her in so many words. “I don’t know. That would have been an entirely different path. But I guess…friendship would be better than not having you in my life at all.”
“So what if I told you I’m sitting over here, still unsure whether I did the right thing by asking you to stay last night?”
“Well my only thought would be you need more time than I do, to be sure. And I don’t mind waiting.”
She was silent.
“Is that what you’re thinking?”
“Yes. I’m sorry.” I waited, searching her eyes as she nibbled her lower lip. “It feels like my heart is in two places,” she finally said. “Meeting you, and getting caught up in all this, was unexpected. Your whole world is larger than life. I got sucked into its allure…This opportunity to work for you came out of nowhere, and maybe I got a little carried away. The amount of money, the traveling to exotic places, private planes, fancy food. It’s insane, you know? And then, I didn’t count on this crazy attraction between us. I got lost in it. I kept telling myself it could be simple, casual… a temporary thing. I didn’t count on you being…” She trailed off.
“Being what?” I asked.
“You,” she finally managed. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “You’re amazing, Johnny. Somewhere along the way, my heart decided to go all renegade, and now I’m confused. I’m terrified to make the wrong move…God, I feel like such a flake for being indecisive. ”
She met my eyes—hers were wide and somewhat fearful. I moved over to get closer to her and wrapped her in my arms.
“When I hold you like this, do you feel any uneasiness with me?”
“No.”
“And when we hung out in the games room earlier, was it awkward in any way?”
“Well, no.”
“How about during our run yesterday?”
“No.”
I moved my lips to her ears and whispered, “And when I made love to you last night?”
She smiled. “No, Johnny. It wasn’t.”
“Then how about we forget about what we talked about last night. Forget it ever happened… Let’s not label anything. How about you just spend time with me? Be with me now. That’s all. Deal?”
She tipped her head and let it come to rest on my shoulders. “Okay.”
Chapter 14 - Johnny
Charles stopped the car. We had arrived at the bar. “We’re here.”
I opened the door and stepped out, offering her a hand, which she took. She hopped out, and we walked into the bar. The place was practically empty, which is exactly why I liked it. We found a booth near the bar. She slid in on one side and I sat across from her.
“Evening,” a middle-aged woman greeted us from across the room. “I’ll be right with you!”
I nodded and turned back to Amanda. Her eyes moved from the entrance to the tiny hallway to the restrooms, then she turned to look behind her.
“Keeping an eye out for the stalker?” I asked when she faced me again.
“This place would be a whole lot safer if there was another exit behind us.”
“Why?”
“If and when trouble walks in one door, the idea is to have another door to go out.”
“And what if trouble walks in the back way?” I teased.
“You’ve got eyes too, right? We can watch each other’s back. Hold on. I’m going to check for an exit.”
“Don’t bother. I already know where it is. The kitchen has an exit to the alleyway out back.”
“Ahhh. Okay I feel better already.”
The woman who greeted us came over. I ordered a pint of beer, and Amanda asked for water. She insisted on not being under the influence tonight. Once the woman left, I noticed Amanda’s gaze fixed on the TV above the bar. I turned and noticed it was a men’s MMA fight playing.
“Are they any good?”
She shrugged. “I’ve heard of them, but I don’t know their records. I don’t follow much of it anymore.”
The server came back with our drinks. Amanda grabbed her water off the tray and took a big gulp before the server got the coaster set on the table. I held back a smile as I caught the woman’s eyebrows shoot up.
“A little thirsty?”
“Yes. I’m used to hydrating more, but it’s hard remembering to keep on top of eating well and getting in my fluids these days.”
I nodded. “I can help remind you.”
“All right.”
“And I think it’s time I get my own personal assistant. I’m tired of Kevin treating you like his very own lapdog when his assistant isn’t around.”
“I like the sounds of that,” she said with a laugh. “Seriously though, I don’t mind too much. It’s just, he’s so demanding and ungrateful toward me. I don’t see him treat anyone else that way. It’s pretty demoralizing, to be honest. I don’t know what I’ve ever done to him…”
She looked past me again, her eyes back on the fight playing out on the big screen.
I put a hand over one of hers. “You haven’t done anything. Try not to take it personally. He’s over-protective of me. He was this way with my first set of band members. Anyone who appears to detract from his master plan is a threat in his eyes.”
She took another long sip of her water, draining the glass this time. Her hand gripped the glass after she put it down. I was afraid if she tightened her fist any further, she would crush it until it broke.
“Amanda, what’s going on?”
“Nothing, I’m good.”
“No, you’re not. Tell me what’s going on,” I demanded.
Her eyes snapped to mine, lit with a strange new look I could not identify. I waited for her to unload on me.
“I’m fine. Just leave it alone, okay?”
Her gaze roamed around the bar again. I grabbed her hand. “Amanda, you’re not fine. Just talk to me. We can leave if you’re not feeling well.”
She stared at me, her eyes boring into mine. I didn’t back down. After what seemed like a few minutes, she broke the intense gaze, and looked down at the tabletop. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what my problem is right now. I’l
l be fine.”
“You can talk to me. You know that, right?”
She nodded, still staring at the table. “I do.” Silence fell. She straightened up and took a deep breath. “Do you want to know why I became a fighter?” Her voice was low and unsteady. I leaned in closer to hear her. “It’s a long story.”
“I’ve got time. Go on.”
“All right. My parents divorced when I was young, and at first mom had custody. She rarely let me see him. She had one boyfriend after another, and most of them were not very nice to her. None of them paid any attention to me. It was like I was invisible. She would leave me alone, a lot, to go on dates. Or lock me in my room, if she brought them back to our place.
“Anyway, one night, when I was fifteen, she had this guy over. They started arguing, and he beat her up pretty bad. I heard the noise, and when I came out and saw him hitting her, I got really angry…almost blind with rage. I rushed in the room to help her. I don’t know how, but I pinned the guy on the floor and punched him so hard in the face, it broke his nose.
With all the commotion, one of the neighbors had called the cops. By the time they got there, the guy was long gone. My mom refused to press charges against him, so the cops left. But you know what did me in? She screamed at me for breaking the guy’s nose and chasing her man away. Can you believe that? The guy gave her a black eye and two bruised ribs, and she was mad at me…
“That was when the rift between my mom and me opened right up. I went to my grandmother’s house after school the next day, and begged her for my dad’s number. He had moved to two towns away, and when I told him what happened, he came and got me. He was just as enraged as I was, and threatened to find the guy and whoop his ass. Those were his exact words.” She smiled briefly. “Anyway, he enrolled me in a new high school when I moved in with him, and signed me up for the wrestling team. I was the only girl, but I didn’t care. And it turned out I was great at it. I could beat every boy on the team. None of them dared to make fun of me.”
She lifted her eyes from the table and stared at the game on the TV. The waitress came by, refreshed Amanda’s water, and left again. When she reached out for her glass, I noticed her hand was shaking.
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