by J. J. Massa
Family Harmony
J.J. Massa
Published 2005
ISBN 1-59578-083-1
Published by Liquid Silver Books, imprint of Atlantic Bridge Publishing, 10509 Sedgegrass Dr, Indianapolis, Indiana 46235. Copyright © 2005, J.J. Massa. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
Manufactured in the United States of America
Liquid Silver Books
http://lsbooks.com
Email:
[email protected]
Cover Art
by April Martinez
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
Dedication
To my husband Jimmy, my children and my editor Tracey … I couldn't have done it without you!
To all of my readers. Thank you for your never-ending support.
Also, thank you to Rae Monet. Thank you for lending a shoulder, a kind word and for being a wonderful friend.
Chapter 1
Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, Va
5:30pm
Lakon Montgomery was in the middle of rehearsing his current number-one hit when something caught his attention. Specifically, a perfectly shaped, denim covered, feminine derriere drew his attention away from the business at hand.
He half-heartedly plucked at his guitar as the young lady emerged from behind an enormous speaker. The lead singer from the opening band walked over, noticing the direction of his gaze.
“Don’t even bother, big guy. She won’t give you the time of day,” the man laughed at him shaking his head.
As Lakon moved his eyes back to the girl, he saw a handsome young man helping her up. The young man and the girl bore a strong resemblance to each other.
“C’mon, luvvie, let’s go to the beach and see just how many clothes each of us has to shed to cause an accident,” the young man suggested.
“Loser buys the booze, right?” the girl laughed.
“Guess you’d better get your tiniest bib, eh?” he elbowed her, taking her hand.
“Guess you better get your biggest pair of socks, eh?” she elbowed him back.
When the couple walked away, Lakon turned back to the other singer.
“Who was that?” he asked.
“She does sound, her brother does lights, or vice-versa. Hey man, catch ya later—I’m following them to the beach. I may never get to touch but at least I can look.” The other man left.
Fighting his body’s reaction to the image of her in a skimpy bikini, Lakon was left staring after the girl and inhaling the intriguing scent she’d left behind.
* * * *
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, Pa
2:30am Wednesday
Lakon was surprised to hear voices as he and his manager, cousin and fellow werewolf, Yancey Livingston, slipped into the concert hall. They’d been out hunting on this, their first night in Philadelphia, and had just transformed back to human form. Lakon had clothes in his dressing room and the two thought they could come and go unnoticed. Usually, after two in the morning, the area was deserted.
“Who’s here?” Lakon asked Yancey once they’d reached his dressing room. They hadn’t been spotted.
“It’s got to be Mya and Myles Brooks. They do lights, sound, and set design. They write a little, too.” Yancey explained. He pronounced her name Mie-ah. “They like to work when nobody’s around. They’re good. Wanna let them know we’re here?”
“Naw,” answered Lakon. “I’ve always wanted to see how they figure out what colors to use.”
The two men quietly eased into the Center’s seating area, but stayed back in the darkness.
For a few minutes, they watched and listened as Myles manipulated lights from a booth near the ceiling while Mya danced around the stage calling out colors. They could hear Lakon’s own voice singing as it was played over the sound system.
Watching from the shadows, Lakon couldn’t take his eyes off the small brunette beauty. Her long, artfully mussed, sable-colored hair begged a man to plunge his hands into it.
She had an oval face framed by a dainty chin, elegant cheekbones, and well-shaped, delicate eyebrows. Her eyes were a rich light brown that was the color of aged bourbon, and were rimmed by impossibly long lashes. It had been a while since any woman, human or Were, had garnered his attention.
“Okay, Myles,” came her melodious voice. “Hit me!” She had a mild English accent.
Lakon’s recorded voice stopped and the luxurious notes of a saxophone began to play. The young girl grinned broadly and said, “Play Mr. Montgomery’s song, Sweet!”
The tune changed to the notes of “Smooth Operator” by Sade and Mya raised her hands over her head and sang the first verse and chorus. Her hips swayed sensuously.
“That was magic, Luvie!” the girl smiled.
The saxophone music changed to Lakon’s most popular song. She danced around the stage calling out colors again and pointing. As she did, the spotlights of color swept her slender body.
Finally, they heard Myles’s voice boom from overhead.
“Come, let's away to prison; we two alone will sing like birds I' th' cage.”
The tinkling sounds of the girl’s laughter surrounded them as she responded to Myles’s King Lear quote.
“As You Like It, my love: Now go we in content; to liberty, and not to banishment.” she stood shielding her eyes with an open palm, looking up at his booth.
“Right in one, Pet. Now, let’s get thee to a Pub, shall we? We’ll finish off tomorrow night.”
Still laughing, she swept a low bow and made her way off the stage as all the lights went off. Lakon recognized that curved derriere from the day before. He and Yancey sat silently, waiting to see what would happen next.
They watched as a young, dark haired man came through a doorway under a muted light. In one hand he carried what Lakon realized was a saxophone in its black case. His free hand reached for the girl’s as the two headed for the door.
“I could fair murder a kebab and a plate of chips” they heard Myles say.
The men heard them call out to the security guard as they left the building.
Lakon turned to Yancey.
“That was definitely entertaining,” he stated blandly. “Why haven’t I seen those two before?”
“They only come out at night, Lake. Maybe it’s easier to work with the lights at night.” Yancey thought about this a minute. “They don’t mix a lot with others—especially the girl. Myles keeps his distance, too, though.”
“They’re not Vamps are they?” Lakon asked in alarm. He didn’t mind working with Vampires but he did like to know when they were around.
“No, of course not! I would have run it by you before I hired a Vamp, you know that.” Yancey was a little hurt that Lakon would question his common sense.
“Stop acting like an old woman, Yance, it was a fair question,” he laughed at his cousin.
“Hmmph.” Yancey conceded. Lakon chuckled for a minute before his eyes began to narrow.
“If they purposefully avoid others, they’re hiding something. Find out what you can. Let’s do this again tomorrow.” Yancey agreed and the two returned to their hotel.
* * * *
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, Pa
2:30am Thursday
The werewolves stood outside the auditorium for a minute talking.
“Okay, what did you find out?” Lakon asked his cousi
n.
“Not a whole lot, Lake. They’ve done a lot of odd jobs and they’ve been with us maybe two years or so.” Yancey was puzzled. “Everything I did to find out about them met with a dead end. I’ve got some feelers out.”
“I’m pretty sure they’re not dangerous, Yancey, but my curiosity is piqued. Let’s go in and watch tonight’s performance.” Lakon gave his cousin a devious smile.
Once inside, Lakon and Yancey moved to the gloomy recesses of the hall and sat down. As they watched, Mya once again called out light colors as recordings of Lakon’s songs played.
Finally Lakon’s recorded voice stopped. Both men were stunned by what happened next.
“Okay, darling, work’s over. Let’s play!” That was Myles’s mildly accented voice from overhead. It boomed throughout the auditorium.
“Myles are you sure there’s nobody here? I’d hate to get caught!” this came from Mya speaking into the microphone on stage.
Lakon enjoyed the hint of a British accent in her husky, melodic voice. He wondered what they were up to. He and Yancey exchanged looks.
“Halloo!” called Myles. “Halloo!” he called again. “See, Luv, the coast is clear. Now, break my heart!”
Music began to play from overhead. It wasn’t very loud so the men could clearly hear the voice that began with it. Mya had a smile on her face.
“Come on, Pet, hurt me!” Myles called.
As the hidden audience sat in the shadows, a beautiful and powerful female voice swelled and ebbed around them. The singer’s emotions filled every corner of the arena.
Lakon was amazed at the skill and range Mya managed as her beautiful voice reached the song’s crescendo and then eased her listeners through to the end. He started to step forward until Yancey laid a hand on his arm.
“Wait, cousin.” Yancey told him. Lakon saw him swipe at his eye and hid a smile. Yancey was pretty sensitive. “I don’t think they’re done yet.”
“Thank you, darling,” Myles asked over the loud speakers. “One more? I promise I’ll feed you after.”
The men heard Mya chuckle. “Only one more. Oh, and I have a new melody for Mr. M. that I want you to pass on.”
“Yeah? Sure it’s his speed?” he asked. “It’s fair dodgy getting it to him.”
“I’m sure. It’s about Himself thinking with his goolies.” Myles let out a bark of laughter.
“Goolies, huh? You didn’t actually say testicles? I’m sure it’s a very clever song.”
“Any idea what that meant?” Lakon asked Yancey.
“None whatsoever,” came Yancey’s answer.
“Okay, what’ll ya have, then?” the girl asked her brother.
“Do that Dolly Parton song that Whitney Houston recorded,” Myles requested.
“I will, if you’ll play for me,” she countered.
They were treated to two minutes of sensuous saxophone music as the girl swayed in rhythm on stage. When it ended she moaned.
“Mmm, oh, Myles,” she sighed. “Okay,” she told him.
He adjusted the music and Mya began singing “I Will Always Love You”.
The young lady was truly gifted. Both werewolves wondered why she kept her voice hidden away. Lakon decided to end that tonight. He’d become bored with his own voice and his own shows. He wanted to shake things up a bit.
“You go north,” he whispered to Yancey, pointing at the booth on the ceiling. “I’ll go south,” he said pointing at Mya. “I don’t care if she is human—I want that girl to sing with us.”
Yancey gave a nod of agreement and took off.
Chapter 2
Lakon Montgomery’s dressing room
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, Pa
Mya Brooks sat shivering next to her brother, Myles, as she watched Lakon Montgomery pace in front of her. She was trying to listen but she was definitely very shaken. Myles wrapped an arm about her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. Their boss arched a brow but said nothing.
The man who’d hired them, Yancey Livingston, presented the offer to the siblings. Mya would sing one song alone at each concert and one or two duets with Lakon. She’d be paid and given plenty of time to prepare. She could still work with her brother if she chose.
Myles could be nearby or could continue to stay in the booth on the ceiling during concerts. He could accompany her on the saxophone whenever appropriate. They would both travel with the band instead of the crew. Their position would be more permanent.
After listening to everything being offered, Myles asked if he could have a minute to talk to his sister. The two men graciously offered to leave the room for them. Mya didn’t know that they would hear every word just as clearly from the hall.
After they left, Myles turned to Mya.
“I’m so sorry, Darling,” he said. “I guess it was bound to happen.”
“It’s me, Myles. I don’t know why I thought working with entertainers would suit us. We were certain to be found out.” the girl sniffed.
*
In the hall, Lakon and Yancey looked at each other in confusion. They were so used to people trying to break into their business that it was unusual to meet a talented singer who didn’t want to sing professionally.
“What do you think they’ll do when we tell them about the contract, Myles?” Mya asked. “We have to be honest with Mr. Montgomery.”
Contract? Great! Just Great!
“We were children when that contract was signed, Pet. I’m sure Himself can get us out of it.” Myles seemed confident. “You haven’t sung a note professionally in nearly ten years and not once on this continent.”
You can’t sign children to a contract… their parents, sure, but children?
She must have seemed dubious because Myles added, “If he wants us, we’re quid’s in. If he doesn’t, we’ll just move on.”
Mya’s voice was choked with tears. “Myles, you need medical care, we can’t keep moving on.” She sniffed. Then the men heard, “Myles… Do you think…? Would Mr. Montgomery… He’s so big. He’s a little scary, Myles.” She said finally.
Lakon’s eyes flashed green in the hallway. Rustling could be heard in the other room.
“Don’t fret, Luv.” Lakon heard Myles kiss his sister. “I know Mr. M has a temper but I’ve never heard of him striking an employee. That sort of news gets around fast.”
“Myles, I don’t like to be around people. I make them mad,” Mya said, quaking. “And I…”
“Hush, Pet.” he soothed. “You don’t make people mad. Mad people act badly to you. We’ll tell Mr. Montgomery that he can’t hit you, okay?”
In the hallway, Lakon’s eyes glowed green and his teeth lengthened. The werewolf snarled deep in his throat. Yancey pulled him down the hall a few feet.
“Get a grip, Lake. She doesn’t know you from Adam. We’ll find out what’s going on and see if we can fix it.” Yancey growled back at him.
After a few more mumbled reassurances, Myles asked his sister, “Do you think we should say yes or hit the road, Mya? You’re the one who’d have to do the work.”
“If Mr. Montgomery can help us get free of Mother and Father and help us get your medicine…” She took a deep breath. “I’ll do it. Do you agree?”
Apparently he agreed because he opened the door. After a minute, Yancey and Lakon returned to the dressing room. Brother and sister received them apprehensively.
“We should tell you,” began Myles without preamble, “back in England, when we were eight, our parents signed us to a contract.” He squeezed his sister’s hand.
“The contract said that Myles and I were the creative property of our parents and any money we generated through performing would go to them.” Mya didn’t look at anyone in the room. “They’d reimburse us as they saw fit.”
“We ran away when we were fifteen,” Myles told them. “Neither of us has performed in eight years. I have a copy of the contract in my room.” He told them. “If you help dissolve that contract, and cover medical costs, Mya will pe
rform for you.”
“Myles!” she whispered. “Tell them the rest.”
Lakon stepped in front of her. Her scent teased his nostrils. He stepped back a half pace.
“You tell me, Miss Brooks.” He growled.
She flinched and didn’t look up at him. She reached for her brother’s hand and spoke barely above a whisper.
“When we left, we shut our parents in the loo and nicked ‘em light.” She said in a rush.
Myles laughed. “Light, Pet? We snatched ‘em blind.” Seeing the confusion on the faces of the other two, Myles explained, “We locked them in the bathroom and took every bit of money or jewelry we could find.” Remembering the event fondly, Myles nudged his sister.
“We left Sid Vicious playing in the hall when we went off, didn’t we, Luv? A right nice screaming headache for every bruise on your lovely body.” he snickered. She laughed with him.
Lakon turned his back to the siblings. He was having trouble controlling his beast. He was sure it was because the idea of parents abusing their children didn’t sit right with him at all.
How could they laugh about her being bruised? Why her and not him, too?
“Bring the contract to me tomorrow, Myles.” Yancey told him. “It should be a simple matter to nullify it.”
With his back to them, Lakon said, “Go get some rest. I’ll let you know when and what I want to practice. You can leave the new song with Yancey tomorrow.” He walked out.
Chapter 3
Suite of Yancey Livingston
Aspic Inn, Philadelphia, Pa
Around noon the next day, Yancey welcomed Myles into his room and offered him a drink. Myles accepted a cup of tea and the two men sat down.
“Let’s have a look at that contract, Mr. Brooks.” Yancey took the folded papers from the younger man and spread it out.
“Please, Mr. Livingston, I think you’re the elder here. Call me Myles.” he was trying to show respect.
Yancey laughed. “You know most people don’t like being reminded of their age, Myles. Well, would you look at this…?”
Myles sat back and enjoyed his tea. He could tell that Yancey was lost to him for a few minutes. He watched the shifting emotions on his host’s face. That contract must be very creative, indeed.
“Okay, young man…” Yancey began, drumming his fingers on the table. “Here’s what we’ve got…”