The Luminous Rock Series Box Set

by K E Osborn

  “I’m sure she’ll be there for Christmas, booger-butt. But I’ll be there as soon as I can. I promise.”

  “Talk soon.”

  “Will do, love you.”

  “You said that already, I’m hanging up now.”

  I chuckle as she hangs up the cell and I take a deep breath as I place it down and then look up to Luke who’s standing at the edge of my bed, arms crossed, and a scowl on his face that would scare little children.

  Hell, it’s intimidating me.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  MERCS

  Luke scowls at me as I take a deep breath preparing for whatever shitstorm he’s about to throw at me. I’m guessing he knows the truth, not the cover, and that’s why he looks so damn pissed at me right now. He shakes his head looking up at the ceiling, reaches out placing his hands on the end of my bed leaning over and staring right at me. His posture is intimidating, and I feel like a fucking dick for everything I’ve done, or in this case, not done.

  “You put Effa in danger.” His voice clipped, short and sharp.

  “I did, it was unintentional. She was never meant to become a part of my crap. It just… spun out of control.”

  He exhales standing back up, in a less threatening manner and rubs his chin. “I thought we had a rapport… you and me? I thought we understood each other, Mercs? You and I both have Effa and the band’s best interests at heart?”

  “I always have Effa’s best interests at heart.”

  He raises his eyebrow and scoffs. “Bullshit! Then why the hell did you get involved with a bookie? Why didn’t you come to one of us if you were in debt? If you couldn’t go to Effa… if you weren’t comfortable going to your girlfriend for help…” he wipes a hand through his hair. “Jesus I get the whole emasculation thing…” he pauses, closes his eyes and sighs then reopens them. “We had a rapport, Mercs. You could have come to me. You could have explained your fucking situation with your sister…” his eyes soften a little. “I might look like a hardass. Hell, I act like it most of the time too, but I do have a register on the emotional scale. I know what it’s like to love people, to care about people... I have a sister, too. Did you know that?”

  Raising my brow, I shake my head. “No, I didn’t know that.”

  “No. You didn’t. I think if you’d taken the fucking time to come to me and ask for my help… Fuck! Mercs, I would have given you the money in a heartbeat. It could have been a fucking advance on your salary. You only had to damn well ask. Because like you, my sister means everything to me, and if it were my sister needing the money to help her get better, then I would do anything like you did to help her. I know Jett got to you. I know he rubbed you the wrong way. But not going to Effa was stupid, foolish and idiotic. Not coming to me? Even fucking worse. The only one who suffered because of your stubbornness, because of Jett… is Kiera.”

  “I never thought about coming to you, Luke. I just didn’t think for a second you would advance me the type of money I needed.”

  He huffs and lets out a small laugh. “Jesus, Mercs, I would have given it to you. I looked up Kiera’s procedure on the net… the cost is anywhere from one hundred to two hundred grand for it. Right?”

  I nod, and he shakes his head. “Mercs, I have that in spades. Effa has that in spades. Fuck, all of us do, and any one of us would have stepped up to help your sister. We’re all really fond of her, and don’t want to see her become any sicker. If there’s one thing to come from all of this, I’m thankful that you came to your senses, and let Effa give you the money for Kiera’s treatment before you got into any further trouble.”

  “Luke… normally I wouldn’t let people talk to me like this. But you know what? You’re right. And I need to take the slap down and shut the hell up. I need to take this like a man because you, the band, the crew, everyone, have been so damn good to my family and me.”

  He smiles. “Yeah, well we like you guys. But I swear to God, if you ever and I mean ever, put Effa in a dangerous situation again—”

  “Trust me I won’t. I love her too much.”

  He nods and lets out a long drawn out breath. “Good. Glad to hear. Now rest up. The girls are still doing their show, and we have to move on tomorrow, but I suggest once you’re released from the hospital you go home. Spend some time with your family, and then come back to the tour once Kiera is strong and healthy again.”

  “Luke, no. I think I should come back to the tour, just for a short time so I can get Tank and Jay up to speed with the adjustments I want for the show. Then I’ll go be with Kiera.”

  He frowns rubbing the back of his neck. “Are you sure? I mean you have a broken nose, broken ribs? You really shouldn’t be working. You definitely shouldn’t be up on the rafters.”

  “Yeah, I get that. I’ll work the boards… Luke. I need to work. I can’t sit around all day waiting for Kiera’s procedure to take effect. It will drive me crazy. I gotta keep busy, and I gotta make sure Effa is okay, too. She needs her daily meds, and someone to make sure she’s resting properly.”

  “Fuck… okay. But under no circumstances are you to leave this hospital until they say it’s safe for you to do so. Then we’ll send someone to bring you to wherever we are. If I notice there are any issues with you, health-wise, I will send you straight home. No questions asked. Understand?”

  “Yes, of course. Thanks, Luke. I appreciate it.”

  “You don’t like to make my life easy, do you?”

  “Now where would the fun be in that?”

  He scoffs as he spins heading for the door. “Rest. That’s not a suggestion.”

  Nodding, I relax back into the bed and close my eyes to the sound of my door shutting behind him. Thank fuck my time with Hex is over and everything’s going to work out okay. Fuck, I’m a dickhead for leaving it all, though. Seems I have more friends than I thought.

  Two Weeks Later

  Luminous’ jet picked me up after being discharged from the hospital in New York and flew me to Boston to meet up with the band. They’re playing at Fenway Stadium tonight, and so the cab is taking me directly to the stadium. I’ve checked in with Effa, and she knows I’m on my way, and that I’m ready to come back to work tonight much to her disapproval. But like I said to Luke, I need to keep busy. If I think too much about Kiera, I drive myself crazy.

  The driver pulls up at Fenway Park, and I take a deep breath as I step out of the cab. My ribs hurt like a bitch as I hobble trying to get my footing right. I know Luke’s set up a stool for me, so that will help.

  After paying the driver, I slowly head inside the park. Security’s at the gate, and they look at me strangely as I approach. But when they realize it’s me, they let me pass without question. I head inside and attempt to find my way through the corridors to the girls’ green room. With a bit of searching, I find it not long after, mainly from the racket coming from inside the door. Smiling, I head for the noise and walk in to see Casey and Andi playing what looks like some kind of crazy card game. They’re yelling and screaming at each other, while Alana is at the buffet eating, as usual. Kristy is on the sofa on her cell, probably on social media, and Effa is talking to Luke in the corner. I smile as I walk in feeling like I’m home again, and knowing that the girls are doing a good job at keeping Effa occupied like I instructed.

  Andi glances up and gasps with a great big smile. “Holy shit! You still look like you’ve gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. I bet he looks like shit though, right? You would have kicked his ass,” she mocks, and I grin with a slight chuckle.

  Effa turns to see me and her eyes light up as she spins rushing toward me. I brace myself for the impact as she sprints, tensing all over as she reaches me, but she stops and slowly wraps her arms around me softly giving only a minor squeeze. “I’m so glad you’re here. I missed you.”

  Smiling, I lean in and kiss her hair. “I missed you, too, baby.”

  “Here, sit down,” she offers leading me to the sofa.

  I glance to Luke who nods at me and
moves over to Alana.

  “Are you guys ready for tonight?” I ask.

  Casey reaches out grabbing a shot glass from in front of her and fills it with what looks like chili sauce. “I got one. Drink up,” Casey calls out as Andi groans rolling her eyes.

  “How did I agree to this game again? And how are you getting so many aces? I don’t want any more chili,” Andi groans as Casey chuckles.

  “So you admit defeat?”

  “Yeah, I’m done. You win.” Andi slams her cards on the table, and I glance to Effa as Casey stands up and begins to move around the room in a victory dance as we all stare at her.

  “Yeah, don’t ask. They’ve been playing this game for at least an hour. I have no idea how they can stomach that stuff, though I still don’t know why they’re all here so early?” Effa murmurs, and I shake my head as Andi reaches for a bottle of water, and I chuckle. “How are you feeling?” she asks.

  Gingerly, I sit down on the sofa, wincing at the pain still in my ribs.

  “Fine. Painkillers are my friend. The hospital gave me some strong ones to keep me going—”

  “You shouldn’t be here, Mercs. You should be resting at home.” She sits down next to me and grabs my hand looking into my eyes, hers are full of concern.

  I sigh. “I want to be here with you.”

  She snorts. “Fine. But honestly you take it easy.”

  “Of course.”

  “Hey Luke, have you got a moment?” Nix calls out poking his head through the door. I look up and smile as he looks at me and winces. “Oh, shit! Kaden… I heard you got your ass handed to you. You okay, man?” he asks stepping into the room.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m back now. Don’t forget who’s doing your lighting. I might have had my ass handed to me, but I can still make you guys look like crap up there on stage.” I chuckle.

  “Yeah, yeah, pretty boy. Nothing will make us look bad… but all jokes aside, I’m glad you’re okay. It’s good to have you back.”

  “Thanks, man,” I reply as Luke steps up to Nix and walks out the door with him.

  I turn back to Effa. “They seem to be settling in.”

  She nods. “Yeah, they’re taking to touring well. They’re made for this life. Fort Affliction is going places, and it’s all because of you.”

  “Nah, they got where they are on their own merit.”

  She nods and takes a breath. “Guess you’ll need to go and check over the lighting situation soon?”

  I nod looking up at the clock on the wall. “Yeah, I do, but actually there’s something I need you to come and check out with me at the stage if you have a minute?”

  She tilts her head and smiles. “You’ve been here, what… thirty seconds, and have already got something up your sleeve?”

  I chuckle. “Tank kinda helped me out with it. But c’mon, it’s ready for you now.” I glance at the other girls who all smile and stand up because they all know what’s coming as we make our way to the stage area.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  EFFA

  Walking hand in hand to the back of the stage, I sense I’m a little out of my depth. The girls are giggling behind me, and I feel like I’m the last to be let in on some big secret. “Okay, what’s going on here, guys?” I ask.

  “You’ll see,” Alana’s sweet voice rings out as Kaden brings my hand up to his mouth tenderly and kisses the back of it and then lets it go, walking off leaving me with the girls. Raising my brow, I slump my body.

  “What in Gaia’s name is going on here?” I ask as he jogs gingerly to the back of the stage, and the girls hustle me up the front of it. I take short, but quick steps, as they rush me along. Stepping up the few steps to the stage area, I look out to where we will be performing tonight and see the most beautiful sight. I gasp. There’s candles placed out, petals lining the entire floor, and the thing that really makes me smile is cupcakes placed sporadically on little rainbow boxes. It’s so cute and definitely me. It’s also very romantic as Kristy pushes my back and I stumble out into the middle. A spotlight beams down on me shining brightly. The rest of the room darkens, and only the spotlight shines with the gentle glistening of the candles lighting the room. Excitement fills my chest, and as I look at the back of the stage, I notice Kaden walking toward me holding a bouquet of daisies and a stuffed unicorn. I giggle, not knowing if I’ve stepped into some kind of dream world, or if this is all my dreams coming to life.

  Looking at him through my lashes, he stares at me intently. The look in his eyes determined. Strong. Steady. I have no idea what’s going through his mind right now, but he looks calm, and in control. Mercs steps in, closing what little space there is between us as he places the daisies and unicorn on a box beside us.

  “The moment I saw you for the first time in that crazy giraffe onesie, I knew.”

  I tilt my head in confusion. “Knew what?”

  “That you were going to impact my life in a way I never saw coming.”

  I smile and shrug. “You changed my world, too.”

  He shakes his head taking my face into his hands. His warmth filtering down my entire body. “No, you don’t understand, Effa. You didn’t change my world. You changed me. You make me a better man than I ever thought possible. You make the world brighter. You make everything better when you’re around.” He inhales sharply, then takes a step back as I look at him furrowing my brows and wondering why he’s stepping back from me.

  He takes my hand in his, his thumb gently stroking over my skin as suddenly he drops to one knee. The quick movement making me gasp as I open my eyes wide, and he looks up at me with a genuine smile.

  My heart’s racing in my chest as I wonder if he’s about to do what I think he’s about to do. My chest is heaving while he holds onto my hand tightly as it shakes against his.

  “Vespa. I love you. More than words can say. You mean everything to me, and I know now that life’s so desperately short. So, I want to live every day to the fullest. I want to love, and I want to love fiercely. I want all of that love to be for you. I know this is soon, but why wait? With what happened with Hex, I know life can be over in the blink of an eye, and I want to spend every moment I can with you by my side, as not only my best friend, but my confidant, my rock, and my wife…” My heart explodes with excitement as I gasp at his words and he continues, “You’re everything. My beginning. My end. You’re my life, and I want you to marry me. So… will you… marry me?”

  My eyes glisten, my body shaking all over as he looks into my eyes, his not wavering for a second as he looks at me with intention. I feel all of his emotions as he smiles. Mercs’ free hand reaching into his pants pocket as he pulls out a ring box. My eyes open wider as I let out a shocked gasp. He chuckles letting go of my hand and brings it up in front of me.

  “You have a ring?” I ask, and he smiles nodding his head.

  “I’ve had it since I asked your father’s permission to marry you.”

  I scoff out a bewildered laugh as I shake my head. “When the hell did you ask my dad?”

  He smiles. “When they were in Ligonier. I asked him the night we went to the pub, and you all met Fort Affliction.”

  Swallowing hard, warmth floods through me, and I smile so full I want to burst. I feel like a giddy school girl as he shifts slightly on the floor, a look of unease washing over his face. My smile falls slightly, and I swallow hard as I furrow my brows at him wondering what’s caused his change in demeanor.

  He lowers the ring box and sighs. “So, I’m gathering by the lack of answer it’s—”

  I almost jump on the spot as I shake my head, realizing that I haven’t said anything yet, and this is why he’s looking unsettled. I grab the collar of his jacket and yank him up as I stare into his eyes. He looks at me as I chew on my bottom lip and move in closer to him. “Yes, Kaden Mercury. I will marry you.”

  A round of cheering, cooing and applause echoes from behind us as his eyes widen in obvious joy. Mercs’ arms swoop out wrapping around me so tightly.
Then he hoists me up by my hips and swings me around in a circle, and I notice him wince with the strain to his ribs. I squeal as he slams his lips to mine and I kiss him, hard. I need him, just like he needs me. Our tongues find each other as we kiss. We kiss like there’s no tomorrow. Forceful, passionate, lustful, and with so much love I can’t get enough.

  I’m undeniably happy right now as he slides me down his body and my feet finally touch the floor. Slowly, he pulls his lips from mine as my body tingles all over from the excitement, and the amazing kiss. He looks into my eyes letting out a long sigh as he swipes some hair back from my face.

  “You’ve made me so fucking happy,” he whispers, and I smile, my arms wrapping around his neck. He detaches from me, the ring box still in his hand. Moving it in front of me, he slowly pulls the lid open. Glancing down, I see a single round diamond, set in a white gold band that looks twisted, and one strand of the twist is inset with diamonds. It’s simple but absolutely perfect for me. Just a little bit of quirkiness which is exactly what I like.

  He’s done amazing.

  My body relaxes as I look at my ring and I smile widely as he tenses slightly. “I know it’s not a massive diamond, I know it’s not extravagant or very rock star. I don’t have much money, and if you want something better I can—”

  “Stop!” I interrupt him. “Kaden, it’s exactly what I want. It could have been a daisy chain for all I care. It’s absolutely perfect. I love it so much. You know me better than you think you do. I can’t wait to marry you.”

  He relaxes and takes the ring from the box, his fingers shake slightly as he positions it on the tip of my ring finger and he slowly slides it on. A sense of warmth floods over me as it moves into position, and I smile wide as he leans in kissing me again, but much softer and gentler this time.