The crowd of paparazzi was larger than Jimmy expected. He threw his arm around Audra, gave her a big, smacking kiss on the cheek, and flashed a bright smile at the cameras. He wanted their love and happiness captured on film and plastered across the tabloids. It was welcomed publicity.
The paparazzi shouted questions at him faster than he could answer, so he just waved and smiled. “Show ‘em how much you love me,” he whispered to Audra.
“You’re such a ham!”
“I just want the world to know I’m yours, baby.”
“I have no problem with that.” She grabbed his face in her hands and placed a wet, seductive kiss on his mouth. Flashbulbs blinded him behind his closed eyes, and a series of “woots” rose from the street. After a few seconds, he realized the cheers turned to shouts, and it was Tommy’s voice he heard above the crowd.
Jimmy and Audra broke their kiss and turned toward Tommy.
Tommy had one of the paparazzi by the shirt and pulled up to his full height. The reporter continued to snap one-handed photos until Tommy knocked the camera to the ground. He twisted the guy’s shirt in both fists and pulled him to the tips of his toes. “Who the fuck are you?” Tommy demanded. “Why do you keep bothering us?”
The reporter’s face was beet red, and he frantically pulled at Tommy’s hands in an effort to free himself. It looked like Tommy was choking the life out of him and he couldn’t breathe.
Jimmy darted toward them to intervene, but Angel was already trying to get Tommy to loosen his grip, and Damien had the guy by the back of his shirt collar and was pulling him in the opposite direction. The reporter was being jerked between Tommy and Damien in a human tug-of-war. Building security couldn’t get anywhere near them.
The reporter pressed the palm of his hand against Tommy’s forehead and tried to push him away, which was the wrong thing to do. Tommy threw a punch that landed under the guy’s left eye, and he dropped to the ground.
Camera flashes lit up the sidewalk like the Fourth of July.
This was bad. Really fucking bad.
Jimmy whisked everyone into the waiting limo and it sped away. He leaned over and punched Tommy in the leg. “What the fuck, man? Audra and Kira live here. I’m buying an apartment in this building. What the fuck are you trying to do, get me thrown out before I move in?”
“That guy was a fucking asshole!” Tommy was still fuming, and anger burned heavily behind his blazing eyes.
“I don’t care. I’m tryin’ to play it cool and show Audra’s father I’ve changed. I’m smiling at the cameras and acting like the poster child for good behavior, and you’re over there punching out one of the paparazzi and smashing his camera. I don’t need this shit!”
Tommy leaned forward with a mask of fury covering his face, and he pointed his finger in the direction of the apartment building. “That fuck went too far! He tried to say I loved Angel more than Jessi. He’s been harassing us – Jessi in particular – since last year. No one fuckin’ harasses my wife!”
Tommy had a point, and some of Jimmy’s anger dissipated. “You couldn’t punch him in front of someone else’s apartment building?”
“I should have punched him when he showed up at Damien’s apartment months ago.”
Damien nodded in agreement. “I almost put my foot in his ass for startin’ shit with my friends in front of my place. Now I wish I would have.”
Alyssa leaned in to join the conversation. “He followed Jessi all over Europe last year. He was really fuckin’ nasty.” She flipped her long black hair off her shoulder. “I should have punched him back then.”
“Stop with the punching!” Angel huffed, clearly still upset by the violent turn of events. “I told you all a million times – ignore the paparazzi. No one ever listens to me, and now look what happened. I’m sorry, Jimmy. I hope we didn’t cause any more problems with you and Mr. Abelman.”
“It’s fine, man. I wasn’t involved. He can’t pin this one on me.”
Angel turned his attention to Jessi. He looked deep into her eyes, filled with concern, and searched her face. “Are you all right? You’ve been quiet and that’s not like you.”
“Yeah. I’m fine. The whole thing took me by surprise and it escalated so fast.”
Tommy put his arm around her and held her close. He closed his eyes and rested his cheek on the top of her head. “You’re not going out alone anymore. I want security with you. At the boutique, too.”
“The shop? The paparazzi doesn’t show up at my store unless you and Angel are there.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m hiring a full-time guard to stay at the store. We should all have security with us when we go out from now on. It’s getting too crazy. Sometimes we can’t even walk down the street.”
“He’s right,” Angel agreed. “Someone could get hurt. Unintentionally.”
“Yeah,” Alyssa snorted. “Like the paparazzi.”
Angel picked up Tommy’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “Did you bruise your hand, mi amor? You need this to play your guitar.”
Tommy flexed his fingers, which appeared to be fine. “The last thing we need now is for me to break my hand and fuck up the tour. Sorry, Jimbo. I hope I didn’t cause you any trouble with the purchase of your apartment.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
Chapter Twelve
Jimmy’s eyes shifted to his bandmates, all fidgeting nervously in the burgundy tufted office chairs that faced Mr. Abelman’s desk. Marissa sat off to the side, anxiously swinging her foot over her crossed legs, while Mr. Abelman stared at the newspaper.
There was a photo of Jimmy kissing Audra’s cheek, alongside a photo of Tommy’s hands at the paparazzo’s throat, with Angel and Damien in the mix. The headline read: Radical Drummer Plays Nice With Falcon Records Heir, While Immortal Angel Bandmates Assault Photog. At least Jimmy was portrayed in a good light for once, but it looked like Tommy, Angel and Damien were beating the hell out of the photographer. Jimmy could smell the lawsuit brewing, and he was sure the stench hit Mr. Abelman right in his wallet.
Mr. Abelman threw his reading glasses down on his desk with disgust. “One week and you all sit before me once again.” He glared pointedly at each of them, but his eyes stabbed at Tommy like ice picks. “Mr. Blade, your actions are deplorable and actionable.”
“It wasn’t—”
“Enough!” Mr. Abelman cut Tommy short with a shout and the raised palm of his hand. “I’ve heard it all before, so save your excuses. Do you have any idea how much money it’s going to cost me to make this go away? You’re paying this man’s medical bills and replacing his camera. That’s on your dime.”
Mr. Abelman opened his desk drawer and swallowed two antacids, while everyone sat in silence. “Like I don’t have enough on my plate right now.” His intense stare hit Jimmy like a baseball bat. “You’re damn lucky you weren’t involved in this, Wilder, or I’d nail your ass to the wall. Now get the hell out of my office.”
They quickly filed out of Mr. Abelman’s office, thankful to get away with just a warning. Once they were safely beyond the closed office door, they breathed a collective sigh of relief. “That could’ve gone a lot worse,” Jimmy said.
“You’re not the one who’s got to shell out hard earned cash to some asshole who deserved a pop in the face,” Tommy huffed.
The click clack of Marissa’s high-heeled shoes echoed on the polished floor as she marched toward them. “Do I have to keep my eye on you every minute of the day?” There was a deep crease between her brows, but it was more from concern than from anger. “Are you trying to kill that man? Do you have any idea how much pressure he’s under on a daily basis? Or are you just trying to sabotage your own careers?”
“It wasn’t my fault,” Tommy said. “That guy face-palmed me.”
Damien stifled a laugh.
“He pushed your face with his hand.” Marissa placed a balled fist on her hip. “You had him by the collar, and you’re built like a linebacker, Tommy. He was defending himself.�
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Angel spoke up to defend his lover. “That reporter was harassing Tommy – baiting him into an altercation. That guy was asking to be punched.”
Angel finally jumped on the punch-the-paparazzi bandwagon, and it made Jimmy break into a smile.
“What the hell are you laughing at?” Marissa aimed her hard-as-steel glare at Jimmy. “You’re very lucky you came off as innocent in this fiasco.”
Jimmy flashed her an angelic smile and traced an imaginary halo over his head with his index finger.
Damien playfully shoved him. “You’re worse than any of us.”
“Oh, man, that was so wrong.” Jimmy clutched his shoulder and turned to Marissa. “Do you see the abuse I put up with around here?”
Marissa shook her head, but a smile broke through her hardened glare. “You guys are lucky Mr. Abelman loves you.”
“He loves us?” Damien asked with genuine surprise.
“Yes. That’s why he’s so hard on you. Well, to be honest, you bring trouble to the table, but he doesn’t want to see you ruin your careers the way so many young rock stars do.” She crossed her arms and rested her knuckle against her chin while she eyed Jimmy. “What are you doing with Audra? And don’t tell me it’s none of my business.”
Suspicion was everywhere. No one took Jimmy’s integrity at face value. Was it that hard to believe that he was ready to settle down with one woman? “I’m trying to start a future with her. Why doesn’t anyone believe me? I’m not a bad person, Marissa.”
“Yeah.” Damien was quick to add. “Jimmy may be fucked up in a lot of ways, but he wouldn’t hurt Audra.” Damien clocked him in the arm. “He knows I’d kick his ass.”
Jimmy rubbed the ball of his shoulder and gave Damien an I’m-gonna-kill-you laugh. “Stop fuckin’ with me, man.”
“I can vouch for him,” Angel told Marissa. “He really has calmed down, and it’s a nice change.”
“Good,” Marissa said, “because those girls are like family to me, and they’re the world to Mr. Abelman.”
“Well, Audra means the world to me too,” Jimmy stated.
Jimmy pulled into the parking bay behind Trump Parc and tossed his keys to the sandy-haired valet that immediately appeared at the driver’s side door. He stuffed a fifty dollar bill in the valet’s jacket pocket. “Take good care of her.” He no longer needed to check in with the concierge. Everyone in the building knew him, and he had his own VIP parking spot in the garage. Soon, he would call this place his home. He’d be a resident in one of the most upscale, lavish apartment buildings in New York City.
He hopped on the elevator alongside an elderly woman with too much makeup and a small fluffy dog. “Hey, pooch.”
“Hey yourself,” the woman answered with a red-lipped smile and a lively spark in her eye. She wiggled her fingers at Jimmy when he got off on Audra’s floor. “Enjoy your day, young man.”
Jimmy gave her his best smile. “You too, ma’am.” He made his way down the hall and tapped his fingers on the door of Audra’s apartment.
As soon as she saw him, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “What a nice surprise. What are you doing in the city?”
The mere touch of her hands on the back of his neck, and her soft lips grazing his mouth, even the simple scent of her perfume, all made his blood rush through his veins, and he felt his jeans tighten around his crotch. “I had a meeting at Falcon. I couldn’t pass up seeing my lady.”
The warmth in her eyes mirrored the flame in his heart. She led him into the living room, glancing back over her shoulder at him every few steps.
Kira was sitting in one of the recliners. “I didn’t know you were coming. It’s nice to see you. Angel sent me that new track you recorded last week. Audra and I have been listening to it all morning.”
Jimmy hated sharing music that was still a work-in-progress. “It’s rough. It still needs a lot of work and Angel needs to put lyrics to it.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s going to be a hit. I can’t wait until it’s finished.”
Her confidence and enthusiasm was always over-the-top.
“Glad you liked it.” Jimmy drew Audra to him with his arms around her waist. “What’d you think of it, babe? Is it Immortal Angel’s next number one hit?”
“Yes, but I’m a little biased.” She gave him a coy smile. “I’m in love with the drummer.”
His dick jumped in his pants.
“I’m going to run and leave you two alone.” Kira headed for the door. “I hope to see you before you leave for Canada next week. If not, have a great time. And keep thinking about new music. We want to start working on the third album as soon as you’re back from Australia.”
“You don’t have to leave just because I’m here, Kira.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Yes I do. My kitchen is on the other side of your bedroom wall. Bye.”
Kira slipped out the door and Jimmy laughed. “I guess we should try to be a little quieter, huh?”
Audra’s hands flew to her cheeks. “Mrs. Warner lives upstairs from me. She’s the little old lady who always walks with her Pomeranian.”
That explained the old woman’s knowing smile on the elevator. “Don’t worry about it. From the way she leered at me on the elevator just now, I don’t think she minds. Grab your jacket. We’re going for a ride.”
Audra didn’t care where they were going. She loved Jimmy’s Lamborghini. The valet opened the passenger door for her, but Jimmy took her hand and escorted her to the driver’s side.
“You want me to drive?”
“Yep. We’re not done with our driving lessons. Besides, you look really beautiful behind the wheel of my car.”
She jumped into the driver’s seat and a temporary flutter of nerves passed through her. Although Jimmy had taken her out driving on two previous occasions, this was the middle of the afternoon and the first time she would be driving in congested New York City traffic, with pedestrians who paid no attention to the right of way. She revved the engine and a confident surge of adrenaline overrode any hesitation she had been experiencing.
Jimmy watched her from the passenger seat. “Whenever you’re ready, pull out of the garage onto 58th Street.”
A mischievous grin spread across her face, and she slapped the stick into first gear. The car lurched forward as she pressed her foot down on the accelerator. It sped down the street faster than she expected, but the steering was effortless, and she was more comfortable with shifting gears.
She stole a glance at Jimmy. His eyes were on the road, and he was leaning forward with one hand braced against the dashboard. “Slow down. Watch out for people walking in the street. There’s a taxi pulling away from the curb up ahead.”
Her laughter filled the car with carefree defiance.
“I’m not kidding around. You’re going too fast. Slow down.”
It was the first time she’d seen Jimmy nervous. The car came to a smooth stop at a red light, without Jimmy’s help in downshifting.
“You did that really nice.” He seemed calmer now and at ease since the car was no longer in motion.
“Thanks. I was taught by this guy who’s an expert on sticks.”
“Oh my God! It’s Jimmy Wilder!” a female voice screamed from the street.
Two girls ran to the car door next to Jimmy.
“I knew this was your car!” the first girl squealed.
“Who’s that driving?” The other girl stretched her neck to get a look at Audra.
Jimmy laced his fingers through hers and kissed the back of her hand. “This is my lady.”
They eyed her wearily, with jealousy projected in their gaze, but Audra ignored their scowls. “Hi.” Audra waved cheerfully, undisturbed by their evil stares.
Neither returned her greeting, but turned their attention back to Jimmy, full of star-struck excitement.
“Can we get a picture?” The girl started snapping selfies with Jimmy before she finished the question.
“Can you sign my
boobs?”
Jimmy laughed. “Sorry, no signing body parts.”
She pouted. “Please?”
He pulled a sharpie from the console, reached through the window and signed the girl’s arm. “How’s that?”
“Oh my God!” She admired his signature. “Thank you!”
Audra listened to the girls fawn over Jimmy and shamelessly flirt with him. She’d seen it all before, but now that they were together, it bothered her. The girls were relentless. Not just these two, but all of his female fans seemed to want to get to know him intimately. Her heart told her to trust him, but it was hard when temptation was everywhere, even at a stoplight in midtown Manhattan.
A taxi cab honked its horn and the girls reluctantly retreated to the sidewalk.
“Bye.” Audra waved to them, but they ignored her.
She slowly pulled away from the light with less enthusiasm than when she started the ride.
“You okay, babe?”
She wasn’t sure and didn’t know how to answer.
“Are you jealous?”
Jealous wasn’t exactly the word to describe the hesitancy in her heart, but there was definitely a question and concern about the women who threw themselves at him.
He placed his hand over hers on the stick shift. “It’s all part of fame. It doesn’t mean anything. I’m done with all those girls, but I still have to be nice. It’s all just for appearances. You’re the one I love. I hope you believe me.”
Her confidence in him was restored, but it didn’t alleviate the heaviness in her heart.
Chapter Thirteen
Audra sat in her father’s office, determined and confident. They hadn’t spoken much in the last week, not since he blew up about her relationship with Jimmy and threatened to remove her as Immortal Angel’s tour manager. It meant that he knew she was right. No one possessed the same vested interest in Immortal Angel as she did. No one could represent them as well as she could, and she knew that his threat about removing the band from Kira’s client list was said in the heat of anger. Kira was the younger of the two, and although Audra was the one who always stood up to her father, Kira was the one he could never say no to.
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