Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One

by Mills, L. C.

  Ignite Me

  Shards of

  Glass

  Part One

  L. C. MILLS

  BOOKS ALSO BY L. C. MILLS

  ANGELS GATEWAY SERIES

  SECOND CHANCE

  &

  OF GODS AND MONSTERS.

  1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

  © 2015 by L. C. MILLS

  All rights reserved.

  L. C. Mills has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  First published in Great Britain in 2015.

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 1517625637

  ISBN-13: 978-1517625634

  Book cover design by Arrows At My Window

  DEDICATION

  For everyone that believed and trusted in me, thank you!

  IGNITE

  ME

  CHAPTER 1

  Being the daughter of a rock star has its benefits and ever since I was old enough to use it to my advantage I had done so. I grew up being in the public eye, my Mom hadn't hung around long enough to bring me up away from it! She wasn't the maternal type! Our relationship was a strained one even now! She'd gone off with some hot shot millionaire banker and didn't want a baby in tow, so now I saw her at Christmas’s and birthdays if I was lucky, so it meant I'd been brought up on the road by Dad John Watson and his band 'Flooded Abyss' they were a heavy metal rock band!

  At the age of 13 I was sent to boarding school to do my education because he just couldn't cope with a hormonal teenage girl anymore, but I learnt more in them 12 years from them 5 guys than I ever did at school! When I was 18 after I'd finished with school, unsure what college course to do, I went on tour with my Dad's band, I was the official photographer! I was pretty talented with a camera. It was on that tour that I meet and fell head over heels in love with the lead singer of their support act; Acceptable Fragment, Sean Hagen was 25, he had a god complex which I should have ran from but I didn't! I was the envy of every girl on the internet! I got to sleep with him, I got to kiss him good night and best of all I got, all the crazy late night texts and drunk calls they wished they could have but in reality they'd not want! It was great for a year or so until things started going wrong.

  The band blew up over night with a song I'd help write 'Downhill Fame' which had rocketed them right into the limelight! It had also shot our relationship right into the center of every magazine and .coms updates! We blew up along with their fame! My anxiety was crazy, I was having panic attacks almost daily because I was so worried something bad was going to happen! That one day he'd get so drunk or so high he'd do something crazy and just end up dead or end up hurting me badly. It was bad enough he couldn't seem to control himself when put in front of any size zero model or movie star desperate for photos with rock stars, but according to him they didn't count as cheating because it was doing the band good! It got to the stage where he would hurt me and that was when my father had brought me to my senses and I'd made the choice to come back to the UK for a while. My Dad was born and breed there so I felt like it was somewhere I could connect to.

  I broke up with Sean because I couldn't cope with his mood swings and his cheating anymore not to mention the fact he had hospitalized me, more than once. He had issues and I wanted to fix him, but by trying to fix him I'd broken myself in the process! He'd called just before I boarded my flight back to London, poured his heart out said he would follow me to the ends of the world to get me back! That he'd acted badly and that he'd change! Stop sleeping with all the band sluts and stop hurting me. His words not mine, but deep down as much as I wanted to believe it, wanted to run back to him, I didn't believe him because by the time the wheels had touched tarmac in London the music magazines and gossip columns where telling of how he'd been out on a bender and fucked some big time movie star! So I had collected my luggage with a broken heart and made my way to the exit where one of Dads people was picking me up. I had scanned the line of cars and found my name written on a white card. Evangeline Watson. I went into auto pilot. Fake smiles all round! I'd sorted out a rented apartment in a gated complex overlooking a prime location on the river Themes. London! This would be my new start, away from Sean and away from the bad things! Well, at least that's what I told myself! I was only months away from being 21! I had to get some kind of grip on my life. I wasn't very good at this kinda thing though. I needed people around me, but here I had no one, I had to make this work! It was either that or go back to America and fall back into the same old habits! Being cheated on wasn't nice. Men are assholes! I was so done with men like Sean. It had become public knowledge that I'd moved to London after the paparazzi got photos of me falling half-drunk out of some night club with some minor TV celebrity! The annoying thing was, I hadn't even done anything! He wasn't interested in me and I wasn't interested in him. The truth was we'd simply and innocently left at the same time and had literally bumped into each other, muttered embarrassed apologies and went our own ways.

  That was three months ago and now I am actually out in the city living my new life, and to my surprise I was actually doing okay!

  CHAPTER 2

  After three hours of a mind numbing award show, I found my way backstage, praying I might find someone I actually knew! I knew I had only been invited because of who I was, but it was good to be out of my apartment for a few hours, I was turning into a recluse. I didn't mind these award shows, but essentially it was just record labels all ego rubbing with magazines and all I really wanted to do was go home to bed but I didn't want to leave too early! I had done my turn, smiled for the cameras, gave the award out for Best International Band so I was free to wander outside to get some fresh air. I checked my phone for the umpteenth time to see if there was any missed calls but there was none.

  Surprise, surprise! My so called friends from back in New York and Los Angeles had clearly forgotten about me. The only one that hadn't was my best friend from school, Jessica Martin she text or rang me regularly. I sighed and shoved my phone back into my pocket and walked around the corner of the building, but took a step back and studied a couple that were standing not far away, I recognized the guy, he was in some band that was new out, the name escaped me, but the girl I didn't recognize her. I chewed my lip as I watched them, they didn't look right. He had one hand flat against the brick wall, the other stroking her face and seemed to be talking to her. The whole scene was off though. I would normally have walked away, but something told me to stay. I stepped back and watched as he dipped his head and kissed her on the mouth. I was about to back away and leave them to it when I realised she wasn't kissing him back, she looked frozen with panic as he swept a hand down over her side.

  Shit.

  My heart beat funny in my chest because I knew there and then I wasn't walking away, I also knew that if I went over he would probably flip it, but I couldn't walk away and let her do something she clearly didn't want to do, so I pulled myself to my full height and marched over, faking confidence.

  “Dude, I think your girlfriends had enough!” My American accent rang out loudly around the small space.

  He span around on the spot, taking me in. “Oh, why don't you fuck off!”

  I was glad in part that he was being rude to me because I tended to get angry real quick.

  “Wow, you English guys are such charmers!” I counter
ed.

  It was only when he moved that I saw the girl was shaking. My face contorted, she wasn't a day over 15 if that!

  He wasn't done with me yet though, and the way I saw it was if he was throwing abuse at me he was leaving her alone.

  “Why don't you fuck off? Just cause you think you're someone cause your dads in some mediocre band.”

  I laughed at him. I had learnt a long time ago to take insults like that on the chin. “Well, I don't see you wining any awards tonight and besides Mr. Hotshot she doesn't look much older than 15! That makes her a minor!” I glanced at the girl, she was dressed quite smart she must be here with someone other than him.

  “What the fuck is it of your business? She was all over me! She wanted a piece of me! I was giving her what she wanted!” He had a broad London accent. He smirked as he looked me up and down, checking me out. “Maybe you want some of me as well?! I wouldn't turn you down! I bet I'd make your night sweetheart!” He slurred his words, clearly he'd been on the free champagne.

  I laughed again. “I wouldn't touch you even if you were the last man on this earth! In fact, I hope you never breed!” I sneered at him in disapproval.

  “I really just wanna go find my brother now.” A young, scared voice interjected. She sniffed, trying to hide that she was crying.

  “What the fuck did you just say to me?! You stuck up bitch! No wonder Hagen broke up with you.”

  I watched him as he brought up his hand to lash out at me.

  Wrong move buddy!

  I'd learnt self-defence years ago. “I broke up with him asshole.” I stated it, matter of fact, as I balled my right hand into a fist and brought it up and punched him as hard as I could square in the jaw. I heard a crack ring out and my hand seared with pain. “You ever touch her again or any other kid that's a minor and you remember how much that hurt because next time I'll do more than punch you! Now go to hell! I'm gonna take this teenage girl back inside!”

  He grappled with his face but didn't say another word, but shoved past me to get away.

  I let a breath go. My heart trembling in my chest. I turned to the girl now shaking against the wall.

  “Hey, are you okay?! I'll take you back in! Sorry about that, but you don't want to be involved with guys like him!” I walked up to her and put my arm around her shoulders and patted her back kindly, trying to comfort her.

  Her bottom lip wobbled dangerously as she tried to dry her eyes.

  I felt sorry for her. I had been that teenager in awe of all these older men, but not once had I been stupid enough to go outside with one.

  “Its okay guys like him are jerks! Not worth your tears honey!” I was used to being pretty confident around most people, even if half the time that confidence was fake.

  She sniffed in. “Thanks for rescuing me, I just wanted to get a photo with him and then he was all over me and I got scared! My brother is gonna go mental at me!”

  She seemed more scared about that than having been caught like she had been.

  “I'll take you back inside and we can explain to your bro what happened! I'm sure he won't be cross at you!” I lead her back inside, the awards show was in full swing various bands milling around coming and going from the stage.

  “Hey, I don't even know your name, also how do we find your brother?!” I still had my arm around her shoulder. I wasn't sure who was holding who up. I hadn't been that brave for a long time. I actually felt like my old self.

  She smiled at me. “I'm Georgia, my brother is... Oh God, here he comes now... Oh no.” She moved closer to me and I glanced up to see a man in his late 20s storming down the back stage area path way coming right forwards us.

  He wasn’t traditionally good looking, but there was something about him, dark and dangerous. He dressed in dark black jeans and a cotton button down shirt that looked expensive. It hung on him perfectly. He had a shock of black hero hair that looked out of place amongst all the bands with rocker hair. He must be one of the record label executives I mused to myself. He looked beyond angry and Georgia seemed to be trying to make herself seem as small as possible besides me. She was shaking and had started crying again.

  “Where the hell have you been Georgia?! What have I told you about wandering off?” His accent was crisp and British that automatically did funny things to me.

  “Hi there, we were just looking for you!” I beamed my best smile at him. I was proud of my pearly whites. I had spent a small fortune having my teeth fixed.

  He stepped back looking me up and down with a confused look on his face.

  He had the most beautiful brown eyes I've ever seen! Like melted chocolate and his eyelashes were to die for!

  I'd pay good money for lashes like that.

  “Please don't shout at me Cameron!” She sniffed dramatically again.

  I was confused by the fact he hadn't really acknowledged me.

  “I found her outside! Look can I speak to you without your sister here?! I can explain better then! Besides, I think she could do with a hot drink, plenty of sugar!”

  He glanced at his sister as she sniffed in and started to cry somewhat dramatically. I guess to avoid having a lecture.

  I didn't understand why he'd not hugged her or at least tried to comfort her, he'd not even asked why she was upset. That was odd. I rolled my eyes and dug out a tissue and handed it to her.

  He narrowed his eyes at us both and pulled his phone from his pocket.

  “Jones I've found Georgia, I’m near the backstage exit, can you come and get her and take her back to mine, there's appears to have been a situation!” He cut the call and just stood and stared at me intently.

  I felt like I wanted to glance down embarrassed at the attention I was getting but instead I took the opportunity to study him. He had razor sharp cheek bones.

  Wow, those cheek bones...

  He stood at over 6 feet. I felt small next to him, my five foot 7 frame was dwarfed by his shadow. After a few intense minutes another man with neatly cut brown hair in a suite that looked to be in his 40s came along the same path clearly security detail only he was softer in the face than George's brother. He smiled at all of us.

  “Come along Miss Ballard I'm sure that's enough excitement for one night.”

  He stepped back and waited for her, but she took one step towards him and then turned around and flung herself at me throwing her arms around me hugging me hard, causing me to stumble a little.

  I hadn't expected that. I blinked rapidly. “Whoa!” I didn't know what else to do, so I just hugged her back. Her brother was giving us a bemused look and Jones just looked between all of us and then at his watch.

  “Thanks for rescuing me! Also that was the coolest punch I've ever seen! I hope your hands not broken!” She smiled as she stepped back and allowed Jones to lead her away.

  Her brother shook his head. “What exactly happened?!” He beamed a smile at me and indicated for me follow him. “This way, we can talk privately.”

  He led the way to one of the dressing rooms which had been set up as a temporary office. He held the door open and waited for me to pass by him.

  I wasn't used to having men open doors for me. I raised a brow and walked in. The room had been set up with a bank of laptops that was monitoring various CCTV in the venue.

  I walked right in and turned around to face him propping myself up against an old radiator. My feet were killing me now. I was out of practice wearing heels for more than a few hours.

  He closed the door behind himself and walked over to me and held his hand out in friendship.

  “Let me introduce myself, I'm Cameron Ballard, I'd also like to apologize on my sister's behalf, she can be a little over dramatic!”

  I took hold of his hand. I judged people on handshakes, not many men or women could manage a good one. I gripped his hand and shook it firmly.

  His hand was soft and well looked after, as our skin connected I drew a breath in. Everything south of my wa
ist clenched as our skin connected. He squeezed my hand and held the eye contact a little longer than necessary.

  I tried to rally my thoughts as I let go of his hand. I knew who he was now he'd introduced himself. He was part owner of a major record label as well as countless other businesses, but I wasn't going to let him intimidate me. I didn't care if he was a multibillionaire money didn't impress me.

  “It's good to meet you! I'm Evangeline Watson, and I don't know your sister well, but from what I saw tonight she had a valid reason to be upset!”

  He studied me as recognition flashed through his eyes.

  “Ah, I see. Well, now we know each other, you can tell me what happened and what Georgina meant by the best punch ever!” He smiled at me flashing brilliant white teeth. He really was very charming.

  I let a breath go and rallied myself and what I'd seen into a logical sequence. “What I'm going to tell you might not go down very well, so please let me finish my explanation before you fly off the handle!” I knew if it had of been a sister of mine, I'd have gone mental.

  He narrowed his eyes. “Okay, please go ahead.” He sat himself down on the edge of one of the cabinets and studied me intently.

  I took a deep breath, trying to ignore how intently he was studying me and how long his legs were.

  “I went outside to get some fresh air and as I walked around the side of the building at first I thought I'd stumbled upon a couple out there making-out, but the whole scene was wrong, the girl wasn't kissing him back so I decided to go closer to see what was going on and it was then I realised something was wrong! I know what these guys in bands are like they are all the same! Men are assholes!”