Fallen Idol (Love and Music in Texas Book 4)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  Kyra thought about it. "What if I bought the house for you?"

  "Kyra Renee! No way!" Dad boomed.

  "Why not? It's not like I can't. Do you want to stay here?" Her parents were silent, but their faces told her what she needed to know. "Come on. You sacrificed so much for me just so I could get an early start in music. Why can't I give a little back?"

  "We couldn't take that kind of charity from you, even if you are our daughter and can afford it." Dad folded his hands together.

  "Okay, fine." Kyra tried to come up with an idea that they'd go for. "What about if I put together a benefit concert or something? Help rebuild the clinic? Maybe help some other local business, or the schools music funding? That way Mom could keep her job. I want to help. Somehow, you've got to let me," she pleaded. "We could get an auction going, then in a few months after the place is built, do a concert. I can come back for it."

  "Now that one, I think we can work with." Mom's eyes were full of relief. "But will it be too much?"

  "I'll work through the crowd thing. If it's a few months away, I've got time. I'll get some well known acts and some that aren't. So you'll let me plan this one?" Excitement rushed through her to the point Kyra practically bounced in her seat.

  "I'll talk to the owner and see if he'd be interested. Then we'll leave you to your magic."

  *****

  Tonight was the first night in a while that Matt didn't spend with Kyra and her family. Instead, he and Andrew were in Harmony's Echo with Randy and Blaine, putting the final touches on his surprise for Kyra. He had to swear Andrew to secrecy.

  "Are you proposing to her?" Andrew practically yelled.

  "What? No! Good grief, kiddo! I've only known her a few weeks. She's got at least a year full of touring. No way." Matt hated how much Andrew's disappointment showed. His shoulders sagged, and the corners of his mouth fell downward in a frown.

  "Oh. Okay."

  "Randy? I could use some help with this!" Blaine called from the kitchen.

  "Be right there!"

  Matt sighed. He knew what he had to do. Blaine and Randy left so that he could talk to Andrew about Kyra. Damn them, but it was the right thing to do. "You really like Kyra, don't you?" Not the best question to start off with, but to be honest, he had no idea how to approach this subject.

  Andrew rolled his eyes. "You already knew that, Dad."

  "Hey, come on. Don't pull that eye roll with me. I'm trying to understand. We barely know her. How can you want me to propose to Kyra already?"

  "She makes you smile," Andrew pointed out. "For the first time since Mom left, you're happy."

  "So, it's all for me?" Matt was touched by his son's concern.

  "Mostly. I really like her, too. She's funny, and she's nice. Kyra's what I wished for the longest time that Mom would be. A woman who loves her career and her family." Andrew propped a hand under his chin. "Is that wrong? I thought maybe you two could figure it out. Baby Stetson manages, even with Avery being a young mom."

  "Hey! We can't compare my band!" Randy called from the kitchen before returning to stand behind Andrew. "I don't mean to barge, but there is a difference with Baby Stetson and Kyra."

  "What's that? So what if Kyra has worldwide fame and you guys don't yet. I think if Dad and Kyra wanted to, they could get married and make a family one day," Andrew argued.

  Matt stood, putting his hands out. "Hold on, hold on. Let's take it one thing at a time. There's still the fact that I don't know Kyra well enough to ask her to marry me. Second, I don't even know if I love her-"

  "Forget I said anything," Andrew muttered. "What's the point in having a dream if everyone is going to break it." He pushed his chair back and darted off to the guest room, then shut the door. Matt was about to go after him, but Blaine stopped him.

  "Let him cool off," she suggested, her expression full of compassion. "It's apparent he feels strong about it."

  Matt stared back at the door, torn between his options. "How the hell did I let this happen? He's already had enough disappointments. Now I get involved with a woman who's going to leave, and Andrew's upset."

  "You can't help what Andrew feels," Blaine said softly. "He has a point. You have been happy. Kyra brought out a side of you no one's seen in a while. I may not have been around as long as everyone else has, but even I can see that."

  "Still," Matt grumbled.

  "Do you feel something for her?" Randy asked, sliding his arm around Blaine.

  "More than I ever thought I would," he admitted. Kyra was in his thoughts.

  "Then all you can do is play it by ear. Come on, look what we're planning right now. If you didn't have strong feelings for Kyra, we wouldn't be working on giving her a dream come true night." Blaine's eyes sparkled. "I have to say, I like this side of you. I'm glad to be part of this."

  "You really think she'll love it?" Matt had a moment of doubt.

  "There's more to that woman's world than music highs and lows. Obviously, or she wouldn't have told you about the things she's missed out on," Blaine assured him. "Now, let's finish up. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it all. Andrew will come around. He has before."

  Matt slumped back in his seat, attempting to concentrate. His mind was on Andrew, Kyra, and the future. The unknown was a strange place, and he found himself there once again.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  "I'm not letting my guard down yet, but nothing big happened in the past few days, ever since Amy's boyfriend took off for Nashville. They identified the woman, but can't find a connection." Kyra dangled her feet over the edge of the tree house, a spot she'd found comforting.

  "Does Mark still have bodyguards around?" Taryn asked.

  "Yeah, just to be on the safe side." Talking to Taryn like this reminded her of old times. They used to stay up late at night on the tour bus, talking and giggling like crazy kids. She missed it. A lot. Kyra finally stopped avoiding her, and they'd been on the phone for an hour already.

  "I take it you still haven't found anything out in order to confront him."

  Kyra sighed. "No."

  "I don't want to believe he's up to no good, Kyra. Just so we're clear."

  "I can't imagine you would, but you didn't spend half your life letting him aid your career."

  "I was there for part of it!" Taryn's shrill voice was loud in Kyra's ear.

  "You're right. You were. We should probably leave this subject alone. I still have time before I go back to Nashville to figure it out." Kyra heaved a sigh, the pressure of everything starting to get to her in the form of a headache.

  "So you're really going to go alone tonight?"

  When Taryn called earlier, Kyra wasn't sure she should tell her a thing, but she hadn't said anything about it to anyone else. It just slipped out when they were talking about music, comebacks, and her idea for the benefit show. "I have to. I need to know I can do this."

  "You know, I had a fear of the crowds, too. I wasn't attacked like you were, no, but I'm mistaken all the time for a girl who can't care for herself. They see a wheelchair and automatically think the worst. It took a while for me to go out in public and play drums."

  "How did you get past it?" Kyra wondered.

  "I recorded myself playing drums and posted it online. I didn't tell anyone for a couple of weeks, but somehow it was found, and I started receiving messages. Then I was invited to a few shows to play. I gained confidence by the reactions of the people around me. It took years."

  "Ever think of going back to the big tours?"

  "I'm not sure." Taryn's voice changed. She sounded wistful.

  Kyra bet she was holding herself back. She decided not to express her thoughts out loud. "So you can understand why I'm doing this."

  "Yeah, I guess so. You also have a lot more at stake, and your crowd fear goes deeper. I saw the video of Baby Stetson's concert and also heard about the dance. It's not safe to go alone without telling anyone."

  "I told you!"

  "On accident. I'm not sayin
g don't go. I'm saying take your guy with you."

  "Matt's not 'my guy.'" They'd seen each other less the past few days. Kyra missed him. Was he trying to distance himself from her because she only had a few weeks left?

  "If he's not your guy, I'd love to know what your definition is. Are you blind, chick? The man is crazy about you. He wouldn't have done all of the things he has if he wasn't."

  "You know, I wish there wasn't years of pain between us. I miss this." Kyra clutched the phone to her ear and climbed down the tree house ladder. It was almost time to get ready. She had a thirty minute drive ahead of her tonight.

  "Never thought I'd say this, but so do I. See? Another thing to thank Matt for."

  "Yeah, maybe. We have a lot of mistrust and things to work through." Kyra slid open the patio door and stepped inside. Her parents were nowhere to be found. Probably talking to Mom's boss. They'd been working out details and discussing things the last few days. To Kyra's delight, they were on board with her idea to try and save their clinic.

  "Hey, be safe tonight. I promise I'll stop badgering you about Mark. What matters most is you being okay."

  "Thanks, Taryn. I should be fine. I might get tense and freak out a little, but I can do this. I have to." Kyra headed up the stairs. Amy and Sharon were in the living room, but neither gave her a second look.

  "I can come out there. Just tell me where."

  "If I have anyone there I know, I'm not sure it'll have the same effect. I have to bare my soul." Not the way she bared it with Matt. If Matt, Taryn, or anyone else went with her tonight, they'd stop her. Especially if they knew what song she planned to sing. "I want to do this benefit concert, and I want to be able to handle my tour. This is the only way."

  This was better off doing alone. It was the only way she'd learn to get past the fear.

  *****

  Kyra pulled up in front of the place and stared at it. Rows of cars, trucks, and motorcycles filled the parking lot. A long line already formed at the door. She'd signed up as a last minute singer for the spotlight, and she'd been told the crowds were huge.

  Yeah, just what she wanted.

  Now that she was here, she wasn't so sure.

  "I can back out. I don't have to do this. I don't have to prove myself," she muttered, gripping the wheel.

  No. She needed to.

  All afternoon after getting off the phone with Taryn, Kyra avoided phone calls. The last thing she wanted to do was accidentally let on to anyone else that she'd left alone to go face her fear. Somebody would have talked her out of it.

  Staring at the door, she kinda wished they had. She half expected the bodyguard to object to her plans, but he simply said he'd follow her. At least there was someone to watch out for her tonight. She didn't know the man, nor did he know her. It would still work. He had no idea about her problem with the crowds, did he? She'd begged him not to call Mark and go with her plan. If he had to follow, fine.

  Kyra climbed out of the car, dropped the keys in her purse, and reached for her guitar in the backseat. She headed in the direction the person on the phone earlier told her to go. Wearing a hat, she kept her head down and continued to walk, ignoring the bile in her throat and the way her legs felt like stretchy rubber bands or something. She didn't notice her watchful companion anywhere. Good. He could stay hidden.

  Kyra checked in around the back, and they let her through, instructing her on where to go. Inside, the room was loud and thick with a smoky haze. She coughed as she wrinkled her nose. It had been a long time since she'd performed in a place like this. The room smelled of cigarette smoke, sweat, and alcohol. Music blared from speakers just a few feet above her head. She followed a handful of singers to the designated room. She knew they were part of the event since they were practicing their vocals as they walked along the dark, narrow hallway.

  "This your first time?" a young woman asked. Kyra pegged her for early twenties. She had bubblegum pink lips, bleach blonde hair, and high cheekbones. Tall and skinny, she couldn't be more than 110 pounds soaking wet.

  "Yes," Kyra answered, being vague on purpose. She'd stopped at a shop and picked up a wig. It was best not to be recognized tonight. She'd play someone else for an evening and see if she could pull this off.

  "Singer? Dancer?" The woman fiddled with something in her purse. Did she really care for the answer?

  "Singer." Kyra held back an eye roll. She only carried a guitar case in her hand.

  The woman already walked off, her hair swaying behind her.

  "Okay then," Kyra muttered.

  Someone offered her a bottled water, which she accepted. Her throat was parched! Nerves. The room was already crowded, and a wave of panic settled in.

  Breathe. Deep, calming breaths.

  She'd been fine at the dance, at least until the fight with Amy. Matt was there. She'd been fine at the rodeo and concert, until the moment Melody sang her song. Again, Matt was there. This was why she had to pull this off on her own, but damn it, Kyra wished she had Matt's comforting arms around her right now.

  "What the hell am I going to do without him?" she mused out loud. A man with a wide brimmed cowboy hat shot her a look, and she politely smiled before moving away to a less crowded corner of the room. She slid against the wall until her butt met the hard bench. Setting her guitar case on the floor beneath her feet, Kyra closed her eyes, picturing Matt's face. At one point, when she found it hard to breathe, she almost pulled out her phone to text him. He'd be there in a heartbeat. She knew that. Matt would swoop in, hold her against him, and tell her everything was all right. His touch would soothe her, and she'd be calm.

  Tonight, in this hole in the wall club in Texas, some dreams were going to come true. Kyra's was just to make it through the anxiety so she could sing again.

  "It gets easier," a male's voice said from beside her. Kyra glanced up to see a face she recognized, only he'd grown a mustache and beard. Kyra couldn't place his name, but she knew that face. She opened her mouth to scream, but he opened one side of his jacket to show her what he had hidden inside the pockets. "Don't say anything. You'll get up there, sing the song you signed up for, and then we're going for a ride. I've got someone watching your house with a gun, so you'll do as I say. Want proof? I can show you."

  Of course, she'd picked the far end of the room where no one paid attention to her. In fact, most everyone was crowded around the same bubblegum lipstick woman she'd been talking to earlier. She was busting some pretty wild dance moves and gaining attention.

  "You. Where do I know you from?" Kyra whispered, keeping a close eye on his hand and that damn weapon.

  "Other than posing as your sister's boyfriend? It should be easy to figure out. But we'll talk later. I found out you're performing first. Heartless, huh?" He leaned close. His retched, smelly breath made her want to hurl. "I'll be right up front, watching. I'll hold up my phone to remind you. I've got video from your front yard of your sister and her friend. Oh, and I think that's your new boyfriend walking up the drive looking for you. I won't hesitate to tell the viewer to shoot them." He glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then faced her again. "Got it?"

  She wasn't about to call his bluff, so she just nodded. A sickening feeling crept up from her gut.

  "Good girl," he whispered, sliding on the bench next to her. "We've got a few minutes before they call you up. I'm your bodyguard, if anyone asks. You had a real one, but let's just say I eluded him."

  *****

  The last time Matt heard from Kyra was this morning, and she'd barely had anything to say. He wondered if he was getting a brush off. The past day or so, they'd both been busy. Tonight, he wanted to drop by and catch her off guard, maybe take her out for dinner if she wasn't busy with her family. Andrew was with school friends working on a homework project.

  Amy and Sharon were on the porch talking about something when he walked up. "My sister isn't here," Amy informed him.

  "She's not?" He stopped on the first step.

  "Nop
e. I actually thought she was with you. She's been gone for a few hours now."

  Matt straightened. Where could she have gone? Granted, Kyra was a grown woman. She could go where she wanted without telling anyone, but that was unlike her. Considering the distant feeling he picked up from her, he was alarmed. "I haven't heard from her since this morning." He tried to think. Did Mark have something set up for her that he could recall?

  "Amy! Sharon! Can you come inside please?"

  Matt heard the urgency and the worry in Mr. Sanders' tone. He guessed the girls did too, because without argument, they jumped up from the wicker chairs and ran inside. He followed, a bad feeling creeping in like the fog.

  "Matt. Hey, I didn't know you were here. Where's Kyra?" Mr. Sanders shot him a puzzled frown.

  "I have no idea. I thought she was home," he replied. So no one knew where Kyra was? Odd. This wasn't good.

  "Why did you need us inside, Dad?" Amy asked.

  "I just got a call from one of the security teams watching the neighborhood discretely. Someone's been lurking around the house taking pictures or video. I wanted you inside until they're caught." Mr. Sanders peered over the girls' heads and sent a silent message to Matt.

  Something was wrong.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  "First performance of the night is by Clarise! Come on up, young lady!" The deejay's announcement pulled Kyra back to reality. Could she make an escape and get out of here fast enough? She'd debated on a plan, but Brandon had the upper hand. If she called her family, he still had someone out there near the house with a gun. If she ran, he still... Yeah, this was going nowhere. She'd have to follow through, then figure a way to get out of this without anyone getting hurt.

  She was shot a warning glare as he held up his phone. Kyra spotted her front porch with her sister sitting there.

  She gulped. No way out. She wasn't taking a chance. The crowd cheered as she made her way to the stage. "Thank you," she said into the mic as she raised the guitar strap over her head. "I'm going to sing one of m... a song y'all know from Kyra Sanders." Well, she'd almost let that slip. "It's called Heartless."