9781488051265

by Reverb (epub)

  Ray turned to the rest of the group. “This is David Altet. He’s the guy I hired to be our security.”

  There were murmurs of hellos as David made his way into the room, all except from Mish. She was glaring at Ray. When that same gaze was leveled at David, she crossed her arms, defensive and wary.

  He didn’t blame her. Couldn’t. He understood the desire, the absolute need to be who you were. And Mish Sullivan was a woman who was equal parts protector and individual. No doubt she’d chew David out if he gave any of her bandmates flak.

  “I suggested to Ray that meeting you all before the tour would be a better plan than showing up at your first gig, barking orders.” He found an old stool that had a few paint splashes on it, and propped his ass on the edge. “Though I don’t bark all that often.”

  “Well, that’s good, since I don’t take orders.” Mish shoved a hand into her red curls and peered at Ray. “Please don’t tell me this is the guy I’m gonna have to take care of.”

  David couldn’t help the quirk in his lips, which of course Mish caught. She raised an eyebrow at Ray, then focused on David. All six foot one inch of fire, strength, and beauty strode right up, and those sweet hazel eyes, tinged green in the light of the studio, bore down on David. “You’re tiny.”

  David cocked his head and looked up. “I’m five-nine.”

  “Hey! I’m five-nine.” Domino stood up straighter. “I’m not tiny.”

  “Babe, you are kinda shorter than the rest of us when you’re not wearing your boots.” Adrian slung an arm around Dom and pulled him close. “But it’s not the size that matters, it’s how you use it.” There was almost a purr in his voice.

  Ray rolled his eyes, Zavier coughed into a fist, and David couldn’t help his own laugh. Yeah, this group was okay. Well, except for the firebrand towering above him. She was more than okay...she was glorious. What he needed, though, was someone he could work with, and who could work with him.

  Mish’s stern visage had softened into humor. “Damn it, Adrian! I’m trying to be imposing, and you’re throwing around double entendres!”

  “Sweetheart,” he said with a very New York accent, “there ain’t nothing but double entendres around you.”

  “And that,” Zavier said, “is Twisted Wishes. You still want to work with us?”

  David nodded. “You guys seem like tons of fun.”

  Mish put her hands on her hips. “I could stick you in my pocket!”

  “You could try.” He grinned up at her. “But I’m well versed in taking tall people down, I have a couple of black belts, and was in the army for twelve years. So you might not succeed.”

  This time, it was her mouth that twitched up. “Might not?”

  “I’m confident in my abilities, but never say never, you know?” He rocked back on the stool. “Besides, I saw the photos of your assailant. You’re tough, Sullivan.”

  “Call me Mish.” Her hands were still on her hips, but her smile was wide. “Sounds like I might not need to take care of you.”

  He shrugged. “I’m pretty self-sufficient.”

  “But never say never?” She winked at him.

  He snorted. Yeah, Mish Sullivan was something else. Beautiful. Sexy. Talented. Intelligent. Too bad she was also the job, ’cause that kind of woman made his blood heat. “Life is full of surprises.”

  With that, Mish stepped back and seemed to loosen up. “All right. He can stay.” She directed that bit at Ray. “But I want to see the shit you’ve been getting about me.”

  Ray looked at Adrian, and Adrian raised a brow at David.

  Time to earn his keep. “You should share them. Mish deserves to know what’s going on. It’s her life, and she’s right—she can take care of herself.”

  “But you’re going to be guarding me.”

  “Technically, I’m running security for all of you.” Technically. The threat was to Mish, so he’d be paying the most attention to keeping her safe. Still, he would look out for the whole band.

  She shook her head, sending cascades of red curls around her face. “So no personal hot bodyguard just for me?”

  Hot? That sent a bolt of awareness straight through him and he shifted on the seat. Flirting wasn’t a good idea, especially with Ray and the rest of the guys right there, but he couldn’t help himself. “Princess, if you need a personal bodyguard, I’m sure we can work something out.” He kept his tone light and humorous.

  Mish laughed, and it was deep and loud and perfect. “So what do you go by anyway? Dave? David? Altet? Some other nickname?”

  “I prefer David.” He almost included and he/him pronouns, but he’d been read as male for years at this point. Being asked whether he preferred David over Dave was new, though. An unexpected kindness, one that made him aware of who he was, and how comfortable his skin felt now.

  “Well, David.” Mish was close again, towering over him once more, and a huge part of him really fucking liked that, which was a problem. “Here’s something you should know: I ain’t no one’s fucking princess.” She had a razor-sharp smile and her eyes were nearly green.

  “Rock queen. Got it.” He held her gaze.

  Her eyes widened. “Fuck. I think I like you.” She spun around on her heel and headed back to her instrument.

  Ray blew out a breath. “Yeah, I guess we better get back to work.”

  The rest of the band grabbed their instruments, and Adrian gestured toward the hallway. “Got a minute?”

  So either Adrian was going to chew David out for flirting with Mish...or something else. Adrian seemed wary, but not in an angry or protective way. David pushed himself off the stool and followed him out.

  The closed door muffled most of the sounds of the band tuning, plunging the hall into relative quiet. Adrian rubbed the back of his neck and looked downright worried when he turned to face David. “I—um.” He dropped his hand. “Look, are you sure about showing Mish the emails?”

  Okay, he was not getting chewed out. David nodded. “She should see them. She has every right to know what’s going on, and that her attack wasn’t as random as it seemed. Plus, I think it’ll smooth over my presence here if she understands why Ray and you all are taking this seriously. At this point, she’s the only one who hasn’t seen those messages, right?”

  Adrian’s neck was on the red side. “I don’t think Zavier’s seen them. Dominic hasn’t either, but we talk about it sometimes.”

  “You really ought to show her, before she kicks all of your asses.”

  Adrian’s chuckle was largely embarrassment. “You’ve got our number already.”

  He did—and didn’t. “It’s gonna take time. But I’m glad that—” he nodded at the studio door “—went well.”

  Adrian gazed at the studio. “I don’t want any of them hurt, you know? I wasn’t there when shit happened to Ray, but Dominic talks about it.” He shook his head. “Anyway. Do you want to show them to Mish, or should I?”

  That was a good question. “Maybe I should. I’m more removed both from the situation and the band. If she needs to yell at someone, better it be me.”

  “Don’t think she’s going to yell at you.” Adrian glanced at the door again. “But her reaction’s not going to be all that great.”

  Well, they’d find out.

  They headed back into the studio and listened while the band practiced. Given the intensity and energy, this tour would be even better than their last—which was saying something. They’d already been labeled a must-see touring band. Fans crowded the venues and VIP tickets had sold out fast.

  Listening to them now, David could see why that was true. He settled into his seat and flipped through the emails and messages Adrian had forwarded to him. One in particular caught his eye—a candid photo of Mish walking along a sidewalk somewhere in Manhattan. She had sunglasses on. No coat. A black skirt that rode above her knees a
nd bright pink tights paired with a top made up of every color close to red and purple quilted together in a mishmash of shapes. Mish was smiling into the brilliance of the sunny day. Long strides on heels that added two inches to her height.

  Yeah, the camera loved her. Loved every member of Twisted Wishes. Beautiful people, all of them.

  The text that had accompanied the photo had been chilling, though.

  Those tights are too garish for a lady like you. I do not want to see you in them again. I’ll be watching.

  Personal. Direct. Whoever this guy was, he was talking directly to Mish.

  Yeah, Mish needed to know. From their short interaction, David had a decent idea how she’d react—with a slew of curses. Pretty much what he’d do in the same situation.

  He’d never liked anyone dictating what he could wear, who he could be, or how he chose to express himself. That had been a fight all through his youth.

  David had swum the waters Mish navigated, knew the danger there. He closed his eyes. This wasn’t going to be an easy job, but then the best ones never were.

  * * *

  So David Altet was going to watch over her. Between rehearsing songs with the band, Mish stole a few looks at him. She’d teased him about his height, but damn if that wasn’t perfect. He was built, proportioned just right. Muscular without being bulked out. His long face sported a trim beard. Short, dark hair. Lovely brown eyes. Sunglasses hung from a blue T-shirt he’d paired with black jeans.

  God only knew how old he was, though. Couldn’t get a sense of that.

  But if she was going to be stuck with David, at least he was easy on the eyes. Smart, too. Good for banter.

  Still, worry wormed around the back of her mind. The guys, her guys, were keeping her out of the loop on this email and social media nonsense. They weren’t overprotective of her—usually it was the other way around. So this shit must be something. Which...damn. And fuck, too. Her insides twisted in between sets.

  The first thing she’d be demanding of David would be a full accounting of what the fuck was going on. Better she know than be kept in the dark, despite her well-meaning bandmates. David seemed like the type to be honest with her, and he’d said she should know. Bonus points in her book.

  When lunchtime rolled around, they took a break to eat. There were enough sandwiches for all of them, which meant Ray had planned for David being here. Made sense, but she hated that Ray hadn’t included the entire band on this hiring decision. Worse, she wasn’t sure if he was leaving Dom out, too, or just her.

  Yes, they’d all discussed the plans to hire someone, but once upon a time, they’d all have been in on the process. She toyed with the edge of her sub wrapper. The whole thing bothered her enough to say something.

  “Hey, kiddo?”

  Ray looked up—she only ever used that for him, after all. “Yeah?”

  “I’m not liking this ‘being left out of the loop’ thing you’ve got going on.”

  Everyone in the room stilled.

  A creep of a blush appeared on Ray’s cheeks. He opened his mouth, but paused as if considering his words. He did that more often now—a good thing. Nice to see him grow, even if she was miffed at him.

  “What do you mean?” His expression was honest and open, though the lines of worry were there, too. Next to him, Zavier looked curious but unfazed.

  “Well, you kind of hired David just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “Used to be we did things all together.”

  Ray’s brow creased. “We talked about it, in the hospital. You were okay with the idea.”

  For some value of okay, sure. But she didn’t say that. “I know. It’s not that.”

  “Then...?” A hint of annoyance. Zavier bumped his arm. Ray startled, glanced at him, then back to Mish. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m getting what you’re saying.”

  That was also nice to watch. Zavier tempered Ray, kept him clearheaded while letting him lead.

  “Who interviewed him?” She nodded to David, who didn’t seem upset by the conversation. In fact, he nodded back as if understanding what she was asking.

  “Me and Marcella—oh.” Ray let out a breath. “Yeah. It was only the two of us.”

  “Used to be the band,” Dom said. “I mean, I don’t mind with this, but Mish’s got a point.”

  Ray studied his hands. “Yeah.” He looked up and around the table. “Sorry, guys. This was something we should’ve done together.”

  David stirred. “If you want to go through the interview process again, check out other people, that’s fine. For this to work, I need everyone to be happy with hiring me.” All business. All class.

  He was sure pretty to look at, too.

  “No, no. You’re fine.” Too damn fine. She turned to Ray. “David’s fine. I trust your judgment, it’s just...”

  “I fucked up, ’cause I’m already keeping stuff from you?” There was chagrined Ray, which she hated seeing, but needed to in this case.

  “Basically.” She picked up her sub. “I love ya, sweetheart, you know that. But I can’t deal with not being fully invested.”

  “I know.” Ray sat back and spoke to David. “You okay with all that?”

  David caught her eye, then focused on Ray. “Yup. I like that you guys talk shit out, rather than letting it fester.” He gestured at the table. “It’s a good dynamic. Says a lot. You care about each other.”

  They did. Mish loved each member of Twisted Wishes, and Adrian, too. Even Marcella, though she wasn’t around as much as Adrian. Then again, he was more or less engaged to Dom, even if they hadn’t said anything outside the band. Mish tucked into her sandwich. They were her family. Her really weird, queer-as-fuck, musical family. She’d only ever had her mom before this—and not very long at all.

  Now David was here. Compact, intelligent, handsome David, with his bell-like voice. Seemed pretty damn mature.

  “How old are you, anyway?”

  She’d asked right as he’d taken a bite of his Italian sub. David rolled his eyes and chewed, taking his time. She chuckled and went back to eating her own food.

  When he finished, he took a gulp of water and met her gaze. “I’m forty-three.”

  She nearly choked on her sandwich. No fucking way he was ten years older than her. She couldn’t say anything because her mouth was full. Payback.

  David’s eyes danced with amusement. “I know. I look younger.”

  She finally swallowed, and with a rough voice answered, “Much.”

  He made one of those amused sexy grunts guys could do. Damn him. But he slipped into serious with an apologetic shrug. “You shouldn’t be kept out of the loop. I can show you the stuff Adrian’s been getting and explain the situation, if you’d like.”

  Fucking at last. “This gonna throw me off practice?”

  “Yes,” Ray said. “Mish...don’t. Not now.”

  David inspected his food, then met her gaze. “It’ll probably piss you the fuck off, so I’d recommend later. And maybe a beer or something stronger after that.”

  Well, fuck. “You do realize that I’ve been an opinionated woman on the internet, right?” She’d kept a low profile after joining Twisted Wishes, but before that—well. She’d had some choice words thrown at her. Different name back then, though, so nothing to connect her to Twisted Wishes unless you knew where to look.

  His brows furrowed. “It’s not rape threats or someone yelling whore or cunt or trying to doxx you.” He took another bite—a small one—and chewed. Stalling technique? Probably.

  “So after practice, then. Go out for drinks?”

  He shook his head. “Somewhere private.”

  Well, there was only one place that would fit the bill. “Hey, David, wanna go home with me?”

  He had the decency to blush. Granted, it was faint, a hint of color on his cheeks and under his beard, but
a victory nonetheless. “Sure,” he answered. “I’ll even walk you.”

  Her very own bodyguard. “Suddenly I feel like I’m in a Whitney Houston musical.”

  David’s lips twitched. “I do like karaoke.”

  “Oh no,” Dom said. “She’s gonna drag us out again.”

  “Not if she has a willing victim.” Zavier leaned back in his chair. “This will be fun to watch.”

  “Zav.” Ray had his aghast look on, and Zavier answered with one of his big fucking grins.

  David pulled a slice of pastrami out of his sub and addressed her. “You that good or that bad?”

  Before Mish could reply, Ray spoke. “That good. She’s...” He huffed a laugh and turned to her. “I really should write you a song.”

  “We really should collaborate,” she countered.

  Ray nodded and there were murmurs of agreement from the others. Finally. Maybe it was because he’d been such a dork earlier, but Ray was definitely pulling her back into the fold, where she fucking belonged.

  As for David—She wiped her hands with the napkin and stood. “Well, honey, we’ve got some practicing to do, but after that, you can walk me home from school.”

  Once more, he grinned up at her with those sinful lips. “Can’t wait, darling.”

  Well, fuck. This one might be more trouble than Zavier had been. The excitement in her belly at that thought didn’t mean a damn thing.

  Chapter Three

  A side benefit to David’s new job was finally hearing Twisted Wishes play live. He wasn’t a superfan by any means, but he did have their albums and enjoyed their music. Watching them practice was an absolute treat. The passion they had for the notes, the words, and each other shined through in the way they moved and played. The love of their music was layered into Ray’s voice and woven into Mish’s hip shimmies and thrums of her bass. It wrapped every roll of Zavier’s drumming, and Domino’s outlandish riffs.

  Wasn’t an act—this was Twisted Wishes.

  David’s heart ticked up as they worked through song after song and he found himself catching his breath whenever Ray interrupted one to go back over a piece of it.