Love Defined

by Kelli McCracken

  Copyright © 2019 by Kelli McCracken

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover art by Clarise Tan with CT Cover Creations

  To my Family

  for your love and support.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  About the Author

  Additional Contact Information

  Also by Kelli McCracken

  1

  ~Mia~

  “If you keep drinking like that, you’re going to regret it.”

  I ignored my best friend’s advice and tipped back the shot of tequila sitting in front of me on the bar. Of course, I wasn’t going to listen to Andi. Tonight was a celebration, twenty-one years in the making. It wasn’t just my birthday, either.

  Tonight we celebrated my freedom too.

  After being under my grandfather’s wing for so many years, learning about the family business, I finally had a solo assignment away from home. And even though my father didn’t train me, he still played his part in the business as a talent scout. I begged him and my grandfather to give me a project away from their prying eyes. It was my father who suggested I manage Rebel Stone.

  Starting tonight, I would introduce myself as their new manager.

  As happy as the idea made me, I knew the road ahead of me wouldn’t be easy. The men in this band were notorious for their bold, brazen behavior. Especially notorious was their frontman, Darius Stone.

  According to rumor, his ego matched his mouth—loud, obnoxious, and fearless.

  After I placed my glass back on the bar, I looked at Andi. “That was my last shot. Don’t worry. I have my wits about me.”

  “Are you nervous about meeting him?” Andi played with her drink, swirling the contents of the glass before she took a sip.

  I shook my head. “Why would I be nervous? The shots were just to help me relax after a long flight.”

  Andi snickered as she set down her glass. Then her eyes met mine. “So you don’t think Darius Stone is hot?”

  Great. I knew this was coming. This was about my first solo assignment. Granted, I’d developed a little crush on the lead guitarist from Gravity Fallen a few years ago, but this wasn’t the same. I knew Darius Stone’s reputation, how he chased after woman, drank like a pirate, and cursed like one too. And to top it off, he had an ego. Good looking or not, I wasn’t interested.

  “Darius is hot, yeah, but I’ve heard too many stories to fall for his bullshit,” I answered. “Believe me, if he says anything stupid tonight, I’m prepared, which is one of the reasons I had three shots.”

  Andi cocked her head to the side. “And the other reason?”

  I folded my brows and feigned a disappointed expression. “Have you already forgotten that today is my birthday?”

  A noticeable shade of pink filled Andi’s cheeks before she averted her gaze. She grabbed her glass, clinked it with mine, then she raised it higher. “To my best friend, my boss, and the sister I never had. Happy birthday, Mia.”

  I picked up what was left of the cocktail I’d ordered with my shot and smiled at her. “Thank you.”

  We both downed our drinks then glanced around the bar. I spotted the next band coming to the stage as the announcer walked toward the microphone. This group headlined tonight’s performance and was part of the reason Andi had joined me on the trip. She was here to introduce me to the Rebel Stone, but she was also here to scout this band.

  I caught her checking her watch. Her shoulders rose and fell as she took a deep breath and released it. “Damn it. I knew Darius would run late for our meeting. He may be easy on the eyes, but he’s a little shit too. He loves making people wait on him.”

  “Just remember,” I said, “I’m here to change things.”

  “Good luck getting that cowboy to settle down and listen to reason. I swear, I think your dad suggested this band because he knew you’d fail and have to come home.”

  Her words stung, but the truth did that sometimes. She wasn’t saying anything I hadn’t thought. My dad loved me, but he was overprotective. He didn’t want me working away from Music Haven or managing anyone, but I had to do this. If Music Haven was to be mine someday, I had to learn how to manage a band. How could I run a music retreat if I couldn’t control my clients?

  Buzzing chased away my thoughts as I focused on Andi’s phone. She lifted it from the bar and tapped the screen before placing it to her ear. “This is Andi Williams.”

  I sat in silence, not meaning to eavesdrop on the call. As the announcer introduced the next band, I did my best to listen to his voice, but the harder I tried, the less I heard. The irritation in Andi’s voice pulled at me.

  When I faced her, she ended the call and then slipped her phone inside her handbag. “That was Darius. He doesn’t have time to find us, so we need to go to his dressing room backstage.”

  Perfect. I’d prefer the introduction to be in private and somewhere I could hear my own thoughts. I knew once this next band began their performance, I’d be lucky to hear anything.

  Clutching my purse, I slipped the strap over my shoulder then fell in step with Andi. She led the way through the crowd until we reached the back entrance to the stage. Two security guards stood in front of us, blocking our path until Andi told them who we were and who we needed to see. I heard one guard tell the other that Mr. Stone texted him a moment ago to expect Andi and me.

  They parted their massive bodies enough that Andi and I could squeeze through, then they closed the gap. I pitied anyone who tried to get past them without consent. They’d have one hell of a fight on their hands.

  Andi led me backstage as we passed a few other bands, managers, and employees of the music club. It reminded me of being backstage at home. I’d grown up at Music Haven. Grandfather had kept me at his side from a young age, teaching me about the business. Nothing I saw surprised me.

  As we came to a door on the right, Andi stopped and knocked three times. After a brief period of silence, a deep voice replied, “Come in.”

  A distinct skunky scent invaded my nose when we walked inside. Marijuana. Growing up around bands, I’d witnessed different types of drug use. Pot never bothered me. Still, I hoped it was the only thing this band was doing.

  The tabloids had smeared Rebel Stone’s reputation on several occasions, reporting that the members were known to abuse harder substances. Part of me wondered if this was the reason their previous manager had quit. Their agent swore the manger left because he couldn’t handle the endless parties.

  God help them if I caught them using anything. They could smoke themselves stupid on pot. I didn’t care. Anything else was off-limits. I refused to allow them to ruin my reputation.

/>   The smoky room was full of fans getting autographs. I recognized a few faces among the other women in the room. Some were well-known groupies, just like my half-sister, Izzy. I was surprised she wasn’t here. The last I heard, she was following a couple of different bands around the states, sleeping with whichever member wanted her in his bed.

  I pushed my sister from my thoughts and refocused on the crowded room, which had slowly emptied of fans. Only a few female groupies remained. The last fan thanked the band for her autograph before she retreated toward the door.

  Once it shut behind her, it got quiet. A couple of the band members stared at Andi and me. They whispered something to each other and then one motioned the woman standing beside him to leave. The other women followed suit, waving to the guys during their exit.

  Now that the room was clear of distractions, we had the attention of the band members and one man I recognized as their agent, Mitch Ward.

  “Welcome, ladies,” Mitch said as he approached us. “Sorry to keep you waiting so long. We weren’t sure how long this meeting would take, so we wanted to get autographs out of the way to free up some time.”

  Andi remained perfectly poised as she studied Mitch. “I understand, but keep in mind that we’re working too. I’m here to watch Sinful Saviors, who just took the stage, so you’ve put me behind schedule.”

  “Our sincere apologies.” This came from a guy I recognized as Roman Connor, the lead guitarist. I took in his black hair and gray eyes. His crooked smile spoke of his confidence. He thought his words would be enough to suffice.

  I chuckled to myself. He had no clue who he was dealing with. Andi was a stickler for rules. She didn’t like deviating from her schedule, so whenever someone inconvenienced her, she would chew them up and spit them out like it was a normal day.

  Even at the young age of twenty-one, she’d made a name for herself in the industry as the best and toughest personal assistant. It gained her a lot of respect from record companies, agents, and managers alike. Mitch should have known better than to let one of his guys try to smooth over this situation.

  Just as Andi parted her lips for what I was sure was a diatribe, Mitch let out a nervous laugh and frowned at the guy who spoke. “You’ll have to forgive Roman. He’s never followed much of a schedule, so he doesn’t understand the importance of one yet.”

  Shaking her head, Andi snorted at his response. “That’s going to change as soon as the new manager takes over.”

  “Duly noted, Miss Williams.” Mitch chuckled. “Believe it or not, the guys are looking forward to getting on a schedule and having some consistency in their life. Have you met all the gentlemen from Rebel Stone?”

  “Just once,” Andi replied. “I was with Shane Brooks when he first came to meet with them a few weeks ago. I’m actually here to introduce them to my boss, Mia.”

  All eyes fell on me as Andi motioned for me to join her. She approached the lead guitarist, Roman Conner, first, followed by Wyatt Davis, the bass guitarist, and Boone Rivers, the band’s drummer. We greeted Darius Stone last. As soon as he shook my hand, the static I’d picked up walking across the carpet jolted through me. I noticed Darius wince too.

  “Sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to shock you.”

  Darius’s trailed his chestnut-colored eyes over me as he grinned. “No worries, doll. No harm, no foul.”

  After he lowered his hand to his side, an awkward silence filled the room. We each took turns exchanging glances with one another, but no one said a word. I debated on what to say next. My best bet was to set up a meeting on a day they weren’t performing. Then we could focus on the plans I had to help their band.

  Before I could utter the first word, Darius finally broke the silence.

  “So, where is my new manager?” He glanced at the door behind us then back to Andi. “I’m looking forward to chatting with Mr. Brooks. It’s been a dream of mine to work with Shane. Brandon too, considering everything he’s done for our band in the last few weeks.”

  As I listened to Darius speak, a chill ran down my spine. It was obvious that my father hadn’t explained to Mitch or the members of Rebel Stone that he wouldn’t be the one working with them. That meant I had to be the one to share the news.

  “Forgive me, Mr. Stone—”

  “Mr. Stone is my father,” he replied. “Call me Darius, beautiful.”

  I clenched my teeth. His flattery wouldn’t work on me, despite how many other women it got in his bed. I wouldn’t be one of them.

  “Okay then, Darius, let me be the first to inform you that Shane Brooks will not be managing your band. And if you want to thank the person who’s done so much for Rebel Stone, well, you’re looking at her.”

  “Beg your pardon?” The way Darius's brows drew together, I knew he didn’t understand what I’d said.

  “I’m the one who’s been helping the band because I am Rebel Stone’s new manager.” It felt good to say those words. I raised my chin higher and met his confused face with one full of confidence.

  “You’re our new manager?” Darius’s voice turned gritty.

  When I nodded at him, I didn’t miss the way he winced.

  “Is there a problem, Darius?” I asked in a gritty voice of my own.

  “I just thought… I mean, you’re a woman.”

  Crossing my arms at my chest, I stared him in the eye. “I think we’ve already established that. For your information, I’ve worked under Brandon Brooks’s guidance for many years.”

  Darius worked his mouth to say something. Nothing but a grunt came out. A second later, he snorted and shook his head. “But you’re a woman.”

  Was he really going to be a sexist pig? I already knew he was a womanizer, but this was insulting. Did he think I wasn’t good at my job just because I had tits and a vagina? What a jerk.

  “Listen, numb-nuts. Yes, I’m a woman. Thank you for reminding everyone in the room of that fact. Do you have a problem working with women, let alone Brandon Brooks’s granddaughter?”

  “Whoa! Wait a second. You’re Brandon Brooks’s granddaughter?” Darius’s eyes widened when I nodded. Had I finally proven to him that I knew what I was doing?

  “That’s right. Brandon Brooks, the creator, owner, and CEO of Music Haven, is my grandfather. His son, Shane Brooks, is my father.”

  Our family name was well known in the music world. My grandfather carried a lot of clout amongst his peers. The industry respected him as well as the rest of my family. Yet this Darius guy thought he was above everyone.

  I was here to show Darius Stone how wrong he was.

  ~Darius~

  Idiot.

  Dumbass.

  Fucking moron . . .

  Those were just some of the words I called myself as I stared at the granddaughter of a legend. When my agent, Mitch, told me Brandon Brooks had agreed to help our band, I had assumed he’d send his son or someone else in the business to be our new manager. How was I supposed to know he would send his smart, sexy, built-like-a-brick-house granddaughter? Holy. Shit. She was fucking unbelievable.

  “Miss Brooks, it really is a pleasure to meet you.” My words did little to affect her, regardless of how soothing I made my voice. “I didn’t realize your father had a child old enough to work in the family business.”

  Child. Yes. That’s what she was. She was at least fifteen years younger than me. Women her age were complicated and crazy over everything. I didn’t need that type of drama in my life.

  “Again,” I continued, “it’s a pleasure meeting you, but it doesn’t change the fact that I can’t work with you.”

  I turned back toward the vanity to collect my wallet and phone. This was a bust. As much I dreaded the thought of refusing Brandon Brooks’s offer to help, I couldn’t work with his granddaughter. She would be a distraction.

  “I don’t know what your problem is with having me as your manager.” Her voice shook as she spoke. “You just admitted how I’ve done a lot for your band and you were looking forward to m
eeting me.”

  “I don’t mean to offend you, Miss Brooks.”

  “It’s Mia.” She left Miss Williams’s side and made a few quick strides to the counter where I stood. “If you don’t mean any offense, then what’s the problem?”

  My jaw tightened as I gritted my teeth and glanced at my friends and our agent. They were counting on me to behave myself and accept the help we were being offered. If I could explain my reasoning…

  Hell. I doubted it would make a difference.

  I tried to focus on Mia but couldn’t hold her gaze. The floor became my focal point. “I don’t mean to sound like a sexist jerk, but the truth is, you’re a stunning woman.” I studied every inch of her body, imaging the way her skin would feel next to mine. “I can’t work with you when I’d rather be fucking you.”

  I didn’t miss the gasp coming from her assistant’s direction or the ‘oh shit’ responses coming from my friends. There was no time to respond to anything. After she made a few short steps, Mia and I were face to face.

  With all eyes glued to us, she didn’t hold back when she grabbed me by the balls. I flinched at her touch and tried to move back, but she had a firm grip on my testicles. After a second of staring at each other, I only had one solution to this problem. I had to make her think I wasn’t affected by what she was doing. For fuck’s sake, it was taking everything in me not to get hard in her hand.

  Maybe I should. Bet she’d let go of me real quick then. It would be even better if she took me up on the offer. I couldn’t help but grin at the thought.

  Just as I opened my mouth and prepped a sultry comeback, Mia’s brow rose. “You know what, Darius. I’d entertain the idea of fucking you, but it doesn’t feel like it would be worth my time.”