by Elin Peer
“Oh, then why didn’t you say that?”
“Are any of you tired now? We have to rotate sleeping.”
There was no way I wasn’t going down to the dinner. I wanted to see if Willow was there; even while sitting here and listening to Leo talking, my knee was bouncing up and down with impatience.
“We only need one man on duty when she’s in here. The hotel is secured from the outside, so the threat is low. The other two can float, eat, or sleep. When she walks around the hotel, I want two of us with her at all times. During concerts we’ll all be present.”
“I don’t mind taking the first night shift,” I offered.
“Great. I’ll replace you at five. The sound tests aren’t until eleven a.m. so you can still get five hours before we have to leave the hotel.” Leo turned his head to Zasquash. “With us covering the night shift, you can sleep tonight.”
“Thanks, but what about my morning run? I can’t function if I don’t get some exercise.”
Leo leaned back. “Then get up at six and run for an hour. I’ll bet a princess like Salma isn’t an early riser anyway.”
I clapped my hands and got up. “Sounds like we have a plan. Only four weeks to go before this circus is over. How about I run down and check out the dining area? Just to make sure it’s safe and secure.”
“Good idea.” Leo got up with me and looked down at Zasquash. “Ping us when the two Momsies wake up from their beauty sleep. We’re going to check out the hotel.”
“Hey, Solo.”
On my way out the door, I looked back at Zasquash. “What?”
“Look for a pool, will ya?”
I didn’t tell him that I was only interested in finding Willow.
CHAPTER 9
Unwanted
Willow
I saw a ghost.
Or at least I reacted as if I saw a ghost.
One moment I was smiling and chatting excitedly in the lift with Morten from the orchestra, whom I had gotten to know on the flight here. The next moment the doors slid open and we walked out, taking only a few steps before I saw Solomon. My body came to a full stop and I froze with my left leg in front of the other, my smiling face turning into an “oh-no” grimace.
From there my nervous system took over. Like an animal coming across a much bigger predator I went into flight mode and pivoted around to get back into the lift. Morten, who had been half a step ahead of me, missed the whole thing. With frantic movements I pushed the panel and pressed myself into the corner. It was stupid, as Solomon had seen me just as well as I’d seen him. My heart pounded and I hissed low, “Come on, come on,” as the doors finally slid together.
Ten days ago, I’d confronted Solo by the lake at the reunion but it hadn’t left me with the vindicated feeling I’d hoped for. I’d said things that were out of character for me. Things I now felt bad about. That day I’d been fueled by anger, but I wasn’t sure my armor of hate was thick enough to go for a round two with him so soon and definitely not without warning.
A small scream escaped me when a hand appeared and the safety mechanism in the doors made them open again.
“Did you forget something?” Morten popped his head in.
“Ehm… yes. In my room. I forgot something in my room.” It was hard to speak with my throat feeling dry and swollen.
“Oh, okay, I’ll just see you later then.” He moved out of the way so the doors could close.
As the lift began going up and my heart rate went a little down, I thought about the possibility that I was going crazy. Maybe I hadn’t seen Solomon. Maybe it was just my brain playing a trick on me. There was no way he could be here. Solomon worked with domestic violence cases. It was probably my unconscious fear of running into him while being in the Northlands that had made me imagine it.
Go down and check again, I told myself, but my legs were like jelly; I needed to sit down and gather myself before going anywhere.
What if he’s really here? Did he come to talk with me? Is he stalking me?
My head was spinning with all sorts of emotions from anger to curiosity as I plunked down on the bed in my room.
Enough!
Just go downstairs like an adult and you’ll see for yourself that it was just your imagination. He’s not really here. And if he is… then… I thought about it. You’ll just tell him to go away.
I pumped myself up in front of the mirror and when I heard voices in the hallway, I walked out of my room thinking that I’d be safer in a group.
“Oh, hey, Willow. Is that your room?” Ben was coming toward me with an entourage of two Nmen and Salma. “I feel like I’ve neglected you.” He stopped and took my hands. “This makes everything so much easier. We’re neighbors.”
“How lovely.” I hoped my smile looked relaxed.
“Were you heading down to dinner?”
“I was.” I waved back at Salma, who called out my name.
“Great.” Ben tugged my hand under his arm and turned around to reach for Salma. “Look at me arriving with two goddesses.”
I inclined my head in a greeting to the two security guards that I’d seen at the border. They filled out the hallway as they walked side by side.
“Hi, I’m Zasquash,” the taller of the two introduced himself. He had to be close to seven feet tall, and from the way his skin was tanned and weathered I suspected he spent a lot of time outside in the sun.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I returned his warm smile and noticed the laugh lines around his eyes.
The smaller man was serious and had an aura of authority about him. He had on a police uniform with short sleeves that showed off his tattooed arms, and on his chest was his name “Leo da Vinci.”
He greeted me with a short “Hello” while I scolded myself for thinking of him as small. Next to Ben the man looked large and he was half a head taller than me, so he had to be at least six-three.
Both of the Nmen stared at me like I was a celebrity that they knew.
“Oh, where are my manners?” Ben chuckled. “This is Willow Darlington.” He turned to me. “These gentlemen are here to keep us safe. Leonardo da Vinci and Zasquash… ehm… I don’t think I know your last name.” Ben was leaning his head back to look up at the huge man, who flashed his teeth at me in another smile.
“Zasquash will do just fine.”
I tilted my head. “Is that your real name?”
“Yup.”
“And whom were you named after?”
“A famous biker who was known for his loyalty and no-bullshit attitude.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And his name was Zasquash?”
“Yup. Bikers had funny names, but it suits me.” The large man burst into a contagious grin and elbowed his colleague. “Better to be named after a badass biker than some painter.”
Leonardo gave him a pointed stare. “Leonardo da Vinci was a genius. I’m proud to be named after him. And for the record he was much more than a painter. He invented things too.” He turned to me. “You can just call me Leo.”
I bowed my head again. “May peace surround you, Leo. And of course, the same to you, Zasquash.”
Zasquash shifted his balance. “Yeah, peace and quiet to you too, Willow. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“You have?” I was going to ask from where when Ben pulled me along.
“Dinner is waiting.”
My head turned back and questions were on my tongue. Had Ben and Salma talked about me? Had Solomon?
“Make sure that I sit with you and Willow,” Salma whispered to Ben in the lift.
I smiled at her and noticed that her fingers pressed into Ben’s arm as if she was nervous and clinging to him.
Zasquash exited the lift first and stood like a wall of a man on the side while we walked out. Most of the other performers were already gathered in the foyer and many smiled and waved at Salma, who was by far the biggest star among us.
I more sensed than saw her insecurity and stepped quickly to her side. There was no sign of
Solomon and I calmed my crazy thoughts, telling myself that Zasquash could have heard about me from one of my many friends here in the Northlands. I was tired after a long flight and it was possible that I had taken some other Nman for Solomon.
“This way.” Luba, one of the organizers, waved her hand. “Dinner will be served in here. It’s a buffet, so help yourself.”
“How about you two find a place to sit and I’ll get us something to eat,” Ben offered Salma and me before looking over his shoulder. “Leo, would you and Zasquash be so kind as to assist the ladies to a table while I get them some food?”
I didn’t appreciate being treated like a fragile flower. “It’s okay, I can get my own food.”
Ben nudged me with his hand in the small of my back. “I know, but Salma would enjoy your company and it’s easier this way.”
Salma looked up at me with her beautiful gray eyes. “He’s right. I get nervous around strangers.”
I conceded and followed Leo, who led the way to a table in the corner of the large dining room. “This should do.” He waited until we were sitting down before rocking back on his feet. “Enjoy.”
“Won’t you and Zasquash eat with us?”
“No. There’s no real food on that buffet anyway. It’s all vegetarian. We’ll eat when you’re back in your rooms.” He nodded his head and walked to stand by the wall where he could keep an eye on things.
Salma leaned closer to me and held a hand to her mouth before she spoke. “They’re different than I expected.”
“The Nmen?”
“Uh-huh. Less savage.”
I couldn’t help a glance in Zasquash’s direction. The man might have a warm smile, but he had an aura of danger around him and I wasn’t sure Nmen got more savage than him.
“What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. They seem more educated and civil than I thought they’d be. I mean except for their crude words and large bodies they’re not that different, are they?”
I laughed. “Oh, they’re different for sure. You just don’t know them that well.”
“But we had a nice conversation about cultural differences. It was nice and they weren’t aggressive in any way.”
“Aggressive? Why would they be aggressive? Their job is to protect you.”
A line formed between Salma’s eyebrows. “I know. My therapist said the same thing.”
“You have a therapist?”
“Yes. It’s because I suffer from anxiety. Ana, my therapist, said that this tour would be a great way to prove to myself that I can do anything.”
I placed my hand over hers and squeezed it. “I think she’s right. We can do much more than we think we can.”
Salma’s eyebrows flew up. “Do you have anxiety too?”
“No. I mean except from the occasional PMS breakdown, I’m fine.”
She smiled. “That’s nice. I wouldn’t wish what I have on my worst enemy. Anxiety has ruined my life.”
I blinked at the harshness of her words and the intensity in her eyes. “But you’re so successful.”
“Here you go, ladies. I brought you a little bit of everything.” Ben arrived with two plates full of salad, and bread, pies, and some tofu. “They have fruit, chocolate cake, and sorbet ice cream for dessert if you’re interested.”
I reached out for the plate that he handed me and thanked him. “I’m not used to being pampered like this.”
“Happy to help.” With the plates set in front of Salma and me he dried off his hands. “All right. If you’re all set, I’ll get myself a plate too.”
“Go ahead,” Salma encouraged him and looked down when two people from the orchestra approached our table. They swerved away and chose a different table.
“Hmm, that’s odd. I thought they were going to join us.”
Salma sighed. “It’s me. Not you.”
“What do you mean?”
She picked up a cherry tomato and looked at it with a sad expression. “Meeting new people is difficult for me. I get insecure and look down or away. People think I’m arrogant, but I’m really just…” She trailed off as her shoulders lifted in a sigh.
“Scared,” I finished for her.
“Yeah.” She met my eyes and popped the tomato in her mouth. “Did you think I was arrogant today when you met me?”
“No. I thought you were warm and kind.”
Salma’s whole face lit up. “You did?”
“You were very different from what I expected.”
“Because you’ve heard that I’m a diva?”
I didn’t deny it, but just nodded a little and took a bite of my spinach pie.
“Sometimes I get nervous before a concert and I take it out on the people around me.” Salma picked up her piece of bread and pulled it apart. “That’s why I like to have Ben around. He knows not to take it personally. I don’t mean the things I say. It’s just my fear speaking.”
“I’ll remember that if you take it out on me.”
We ate in silence for a few minutes, both lost in our thoughts, and then she dropped the bomb.
“Did you meet your classmate yet?”
My fork stalled mid-air. “What classmate?”
Salma looked around. “I don’t see him right now, but one of your old classmates works as security on the tour. He was just as huge as Zasquash. Dark blond hair and blue eyes.”
“Solo. Was his name Solo?” I wasn’t blinking and my voice was trembling.
“Yeah. I think so. Wait a minute. You don’t look happy.”
My heart was pumping fast and my eyes were darting around searching for him. “No, I’m not happy. I hate him.”
Salma pulled back. “Why?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Willow. I can tell you’re upset.”
Craning my neck, I couldn’t see him anywhere. “If he’s supposed to be security, why isn’t he here?”
“They take shifts, I think.”
Leaning back in my chair, I folded my arms in front of me.
“Are you okay, Willow?”
“Just promise me that if you do have an anxiety attack and he’s around you take it out on him. He deserves every foul word you can think of.”
Salma stared at me with her eyebrows lifted up high. “Wow, Willow, are you sure you don’t suffer from anxiety yourself? You sound as angry as me when I’m scared.”
“Do I? Huh. Is this really the worst you can get?” My pulse was racing and I was mad to the bone. Why was Solomon here? And why hadn’t Pearl warned me? “They should have told me he’d be here. I would have never agreed to go on this stupid tour if I’d known he would be around.”
“Who are they?” Salma’s whole body was turning toward me now.
“Pearl and Lord Khan. They were the ones asking me to take Lily Rose’s spot.” My jaw tensed. “They know we have history.”
“Who does?”
“Me and Solo,” I said with a tone of annoyance. “They know how much I hate him. And they also know the reason why.”
“Oh, I see. But you don’t want to share what happened between you two?”
Ben returned but stopped with his plate in his hands. “Don’t you like the things I picked for you?” He pointed with his thumb over his shoulder. “I can get something else if you’d like.”
“No, it’s not the food.” I found it hard to look at him, being as mad as I was. This was supposed to be my chance for a new beginning and then Solomon was destroying everything, again.
Sitting down, Ben gave Salma a questioning look. “I thought you two were doing fine together. What happened?”
“It wasn’t me.” Salma’s hands flew up in the air. “I didn’t yell at her or anything.”
I pushed the plate away and got up. “I’m sorry but I lost my appetite.”
Both Ben and Salma were looking up at me, he in complete bewilderment and she with concern.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to find Solo and
tell him to leave right now.”
“Maybe you should wait until you’re not angry anymore. Words might slip out that you’ll regret later,” she warned.
“I don’t care. If I don’t confront him now, I’ll be hiding in my room and I refuse to do that.”
Ben placed his hand on my elbow. “Sweet Willow, I’m not sure what this is about, but maybe it’s better to meditate a little to clear your mind.”
I exhaled harshly. “No. My fight trainer, Marco, once told me that anger can be a fuel and that attack is sometimes the best defense. I’m going to find Solo right now.”
Salma and Ben exchanged a concerned look and then her eyes caught something behind me and she spoke low. “Looks like you don’t have to look far. He’s coming this way.”
I spun around and all color left my face. The same old flight response was making my spine feel like a burning fuse.
There he was. Big and mighty, walking through the room like he owned it with his eyes fixed on me.
Toxic. Bad. Handsome. Dangerous. My thoughts were in a big jumble and I clenched my hands into painful fists along my sides in a desperate attempt to center myself before facing off with Solo one more time.
CHAPTER 10
The Threat
Solomon
“Hey.” My face was stern as I waited for Willow to greet me back.
She didn’t.
“Can I talk to you?”
Willow gave a stiff nod, so I gestured for her to go first and ignored the way the other Motlanders were staring at us.
As soon as we were outside in the foyer again, I led her around a corner and into an empty gym with a mat for fighting.
“What are you doing here?” Her words were harsh and direct.
I closed the door and turned to face her. “I didn’t know you’d be one of the performers.”
“You want me to believe that?”
My eyes narrowed. “Have I ever lied to you?”
“Pearl would have warned me.” The way she took a step back as if I was a fucking threat to her made my throat burn. “Did you ask to come on the tour because you knew I’d be here?”
“No!” My voice rose a little from the overload of emotions raging inside me. “I wasn’t given a fucking choice. Do you think I’d go looking for you after you told me that you hate me and wish me dead?”