Reckless Invitation (The Reckless Rockstar Series)

by Samantha Christy

“But Niles does. We’ll keep him on as president.”

  That makes sense. “Okay. Where do we sign?”

  Thirty minutes later, Garrett hands over the check, I surrender the flash drive, and then my uncle and his suit leave. Dirk doesn’t say a word or look at me. The motherfucker knows I’ve won.

  “So that’s it?” I ask. “We own the company?”

  “That’s it,” Mr. Perry says. “I’ll file the paperwork with the state.” He shakes our hands. “Good luck.”

  We sit in the conference room, not knowing what to say. Then Crew’s face breaks into a brilliant smile. He gets up and runs a victory lap around the conference table, then lifts Bria and spins her around while the rest of us holler and whoop.

  I pick up Dirk’s coffee cup and slam-dunk it into the trash. This has to be one of the best moments of my life. Man, I wish Ella were here to see this.

  “Do we go practice now?” Bria says when we calm down.

  Garrett laughs. “Not so fast. There are a few personnel decisions we have to make.”

  My smile almost cracks my face. “Oh, please let me be the one to toss Ronni out on her ass.”

  There is a knock on the door. Niles sticks his head in. “You wanted to see me?”

  Garrett waves him in. “Have a seat.”

  Niles looks mildly ill, like he thinks he’s about to get the axe.

  “Let me introduce you to the new owners of IRL,” Garrett says, gesturing to us.

  “All four of you?” Niles says.

  “That’s right. We’d like you to stay on if you’re willing. None of us know how to run a record label, and as far as we can tell, you’ve been doing a good job of it.”

  He looks more than a little relieved. “I’d be happy to. Thanks.”

  “Now can I fire the bitch?” I say.

  Niles appears concerned. “Can I speak freely?”

  “Please,” Crew says.

  Niles stands and paces. “I know you all have your differences with Ronni, but I’ve been in this business for twenty-five years, and I’ve worked with a hundred reps. Believe me when I say Veronica Collins is one of the best, if not the best. She’s brusque, demanding, and unconventional at times, but she also gets the job done. She gets more airtime for her clients than anyone I’ve known. She got you the tour in Florida when nobody knew who Reckless Alibi was. She has a brilliant mind for this business.”

  I give him a hard look. “Be straight with us. Are you sleeping with her?”

  He chokes, pulls out his phone, and shows me the background picture: two little girls and a woman. “These three are my entire life. That woman out there may be sleeping with half of New York City, but not with me. You asked me to stay on as president because you trust I know what I’m doing. I’m asking you to trust me on this. Ronni will take you where no other rep can. You’re her boss now. She has to answer to you, not the other way around. All I’m asking is you give it a chance. Will it be difficult? Maybe. She can be hard-headed and heavy-handed, but in time, I think we can make this work. I promise it’s what’s best for Reckless Alibi. And as the owners of IRL, you need to do what’s best for business.”

  I’m tempted to pound my head on the table. “Fuck.”

  “He’s right,” Bria says. “As much as I hate to say it, we need to keep her on, at least for now. We’re only getting started. If we go with another rep, it could set us back. We don’t want to lose this momentum. It’s a small price to pay for success, don’t you think?”

  “Are we all in agreement then?” Garrett asks. “Ronni stays?”

  Everyone nods, albeit reluctantly.

  “What about the others?” Niles asks. “There are six more on staff.”

  Crew says, “If Ronni gets to stay, I doubt we can fire anyone else.”

  Niles shakes our hands. He doesn’t appear to look down on us. He doesn’t even seem intimidated that a bunch of twenty-somethings are now his bosses. Maybe he’s impressed that we managed to get the company out from under Dirk. “So it’s business as usual?”

  The four of us glance at each other. “Guess so,” Garrett says. “Go do whatever it is you do.”

  “I appreciate the vote of confidence,” he says.

  “Hey, Niles?” I say before he leaves. “Can you send Ronni in? We have a few things to go over with her.”

  He chuckles. “Sure thing.”

  Garrett crosses his arms in amusement. “This is going to be fun. Liam, you have the floor.”

  In usual form, Ronni saunters in five minutes later, letting us know we work according to her timetable, not ours. She’s annoyed. “Will somebody please tell me what the hell is going on around here? Dirk left in a huff, Niles is practically giddy, and the four of you look like a bunch of kids on Christmas morning.”

  Crew gives me a nod. I’ve waited for this moment for a year.

  “There are a few things we need to discuss with you.” I motion to an empty seat at the end of the table.

  We’re all trying to keep straight faces. Ronni examines us one by one and crosses her arms in front of her, refusing to sit. “Is this an intervention or something?”

  Chuckling, I say, “Or something. Take a good look, Veronica. The four people sitting at this table are now the owners of IRL.”

  Her face contorts into an ugly, mutinous expression. Then she laughs. “This is a joke, right?”

  I push my copy of the sale agreement over to her. She leafs through it, disgust emanating from her every pore. She looks up. “How?”

  “It doesn’t matter how. The four of us own the company and that’s a fact.”

  With a flick of her wrist, the contract is flung across the table. “I suppose I’m fired now?”

  “Believe it or not, no. You have Niles to thank for that.”

  “So you’re keeping me around to torture me? Some kind of payback?”

  The corner of my mouth twitches into a wry grin, because there’s nothing I’d like more. “Not exactly, but if that’s what floats your boat.”

  “Maybe I’ll just quit then.”

  “You won’t. You’re making a killing off us. Nobody in their right mind would give that up.”

  Her eyes perk up. “So you admit you need me.”

  “We need each other, Veronica.”

  Her lips pucker. She’s hates it when we call her that. “If you wouldn’t mind, I prefer Ronni.”

  My insides are bursting with laughter, but I hold it together. I swear to God saying those words was like eating a forkful of dog shit for her.

  “No problem, Ronni.”

  “I’m not going to kiss your asses, you know.”

  “We don’t expect you to. But you will treat us with respect, as you do Niles. Just as you would any superior. And we won’t tolerate you telling us whom we can and can’t look at, date, marry, or fuck. Is that clear?”

  “If you think I’m calling you Mr. Campbell, think again.” She’s trying not to show it, but I know this is killing her. She takes another look around the table. “Why isn’t Brad here?”

  “He’s leaving Reckless Alibi,” Garrett says.

  Her eyebrows shoot up. “Since when?”

  “He told us a while ago.”

  “And you’re just telling me this now?” She turns her back to us and gazes out the window. She’s obviously trying to hold it together.

  “He’s staying on until we can find a replacement,” Crew says. “We’ll start looking soon.”

  “I have a list of candidates for every single one of your positions in a folder in my office.”

  The four of us shake our heads. “Of course you do,” I say. “You are free to submit names to us, but we’ll be the ones choosing Brad’s replacement. You’re welcome to a vote. But let’s face it, it won’t hold nearly as much weight as it would have yesterday.”

  I watch her throat as she swallows hard. “Is that all, or do you want me to fetch you coffee?” she says sarcastically.

  “I think that’s it for now,” Bria says. But bef
ore Ronni reaches the door, she adds, “Oh, and you can call me Bria from now on. No more Brianna unless we’re in public.”

  Ronni exits without another word. I twirl my chair around a few times. She was right. This does feel like Christmas.

  Chapter Fifty-two

  Ella

  Watching Liam onstage is my favorite thing to do, but he’s been different this last month. Since the incident with Don, he scans the audience for more than just me. He’s looking for him. Even though he’s paying a pretty penny for round-the-clock surveillance, he’s afraid Don might show up.

  Tonight is one of Reckless Alibi’s last club performances. They have two songs in the top 100, and their albums are getting more popular every day. From here on out, they’ll only play larger venues or make special appearances. Despite Ronni being a royal pain in the ass, she has come through for them, and they’ve gone ahead with planning another tour. Although I’m less than pleased they kept her on, they’ve assured me she’s the best at what she does.

  I sit at a table in front with Jeremy, wondering what it will be like when they play for thousands of fans, not hundreds. When they won’t be able to walk into a restaurant without being recognized. When my greatest claim to fame will be that I’m Liam Campbell’s girlfriend.

  Sometimes I wish things could stay the way they are. I worry about what fame could do to someone like Liam, with his sordid past. He’s no stranger to drugs and alcohol. On the other hand, I want him to get everything he’s worked so hard for. I made a promise to save him if he ever needs saving.

  He gazes at me during the final song, and I wonder if he’s having the same thoughts I am. This may be the last time I get to see him play from the floor. I flash him the “rock on” sign. He winks at me.

  “You’re good for him,” Jeremy says.

  “I hope so.”

  “I’ve seen a lot of musicians in my time. Rarely have I seen one get tamer as they gain popularity. It’s usually the opposite. He’s changed since Florida, and I know you have everything to do with it.”

  “What do you think is going to happen to them, Jeremy?”

  “Honestly? I think you’re listening to one of the next best new artist nominees. They’re the most talented group I’ve seen in the past ten years. I believe they’re going to reach levels beyond even that. I wouldn’t be surprised if they become one of the classics, like Aerosmith or the Eagles.”

  My heart beats wildly. “You’re kind of scaring me, Jeremy.”

  “Don’t worry, Ella. I’ve got their backs. In addition to being talented, they have good heads on their shoulders. And Liam has you to keep him grounded.”

  “Everything’s going to change, isn’t it?”

  He puts a fatherly hand on my arm. “Are you ready for that?”

  Liam is at home onstage. It’s exactly where he belongs. “I think I could be ready for anything as long as we’re together.”

  The music stops, and the audience cheers loudly. Jeremy takes my elbow. “Let’s go backstage.”

  Liam spots me and smiles, his grin full of hungry anticipation.

  I hug him. “Great performance.”

  He kisses me. “Thanks.”

  “Are you going to miss playing places like this?”

  “I think I am. I love being able to see the people—their faces, their excitement.” He brushes my hair behind my ear. “I love being able to see you.”

  Ronni comes in a side door. “They’re ready for you on the sidewalk,” she says. “The limo leaves in fifteen minutes. Try to sign as many autographs as you can.” She walks over to me. “You can wait in the limo if you want. I can have someone escort you.”

  I try not to smirk. I know how hard it’s been for Ronni to be nice to me. I can see in her eyes that she still doesn’t like me. She doesn’t like Bria either, but she’s been smart enough to swallow her pride and make nice. My guess is she goes home and screams into her pillow, because she’s no longer calling the shots. But she’s willing to put up with it because Reckless Alibi is not a band she wants slipping through her fingers.

  I watch from the limo as the five of them pose for pictures and sign autographs. Security holds back women who try to breech the ropes and grope the guys. Five months ago I was this heartbroken girl with an ordinary life. I was one of those women. Then I fell through the ropes into Liam’s world. How did I ever get so lucky?

  Thor opens the door and everyone piles in. Liam checks his phone, as he always does after a show. He gives me a look.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “The private investigator left a message. He wants to see me as soon as possible.”

  I check the time. It’s almost eleven o’clock. “It’s pretty late.”

  “He texted me half an hour ago.” He types something, sends it, and almost immediately gets a reply. “He wants me to come by his office.”

  “Now?”

  “Will you come with me?”

  “Of course.”

  The driver drops everyone else at IRL and then takes us across town.

  “What do you think he wants?” I ask.

  “I have no idea, but it must be important to have me come in this late on a Friday night.”

  “Do you think Don left town?”

  “That’s something he could have said in a text.” He holds my hand tightly, clearly bothered.

  “It’s going to be okay,” I tell him. “Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it.”

  We arrive at our destination and are buzzed into the building. We take an elevator up, and someone meets us when we step off. “Liam, thanks for coming.”

  “Hi, Mr. Stone. This is my girlfriend, Ella.”

  “Nice to meet you. Come on in, and please call me Ethan.”

  He leads us through an immaculate reception area, down a hallway, and into a large office. The whole way I’m thinking how expensive this must be, though Liam doesn’t seem to care.

  “I was surprised you wanted to meet this late,” Liam says.

  Ethan motions us into the two chairs opposite his desk. “I thought you’d want to know the latest developments. I wasn’t sure how quickly it would hit the news, and I wanted to brief you first.”

  Liam looks scared. I have to say, I’m a bit terrified too.

  “Tell me,” Liam says.

  “I’m not sure how to say this, so I’ll just come out with it. Curtis Wingate—Don Campbell—is dead.”

  My hand flies to my mouth to stop a gasp. Liam is stunned.

  “Dead?” he asks. “How?”

  “We’ve kept tabs on him continuously. At six o’clock tonight, there was a shift change between two of my investigators, Kirk and Neil. As circumstance would have it, that’s exactly when things went down. Kirk followed Don home from a midtown bar, where he drank alone for two hours. Don parked but didn’t exit the car. He was clearly drunk. Kirk parked behind Neil, who had recently arrived. A man came out of the bushes, fired two shots into Don’s car, and took off down the street on foot. Since Neil had a better view of the crime, he called 911 and stayed on the scene while Kirk discreetly followed the perp, saw him get into a car one block over, and then tailed him for over an hour to his destination.”

  I say, “He was murdered?”

  “He was,” Ethan says. “Does the name Michael Scarbucci mean anything to you, Liam?”

  Liam shakes his head.

  “He’s in the employ of Tri-Camp Enterprises.”

  Liam stiffens. “That’s my uncle’s company. Dirk Campbell.”

  Ethan nods. “Mr. Scarbucci drove all the way to Stamford after the shooting, straight to Dirk Campbell’s house.”

  Liam is in utter disbelief. “My uncle?”

  I take his hand. “Remember the guy in Dirk’s office when you went there a few months ago? His name was Mike.”

  Liam’s expression changes from confusion to realization to pure amusement. “My fucking uncle put a hit on Don?”

  “It’s too early to say,” Ethan says, “but my sources
tell me Dirk Campbell is a major person of interest. There is a warrant out for his arrest. Could be Scarbucci was quickly persuaded to turn state’s evidence. It was an incredible stroke of luck that we were on the scene when it happened. If Kirk and Neil hadn’t been there, he’d have gotten away with it.”

  “It makes sense,” Liam says. “Dirk needed insurance.”

  “Insurance?”

  “My uncle and I had a falling out a long time ago. I’m sure he was protecting Don, but after he came to the gig last month, Dirk has been scared. He didn’t want anything to ruin his chances at running for governor. With Don out of the picture, he wouldn’t have a problem. It also ensured I’d never go to the authorities for the abuse I suffered as a kid.”

  Ethan looks sad. “I’m sorry for whatever he did to you, Liam.”

  “He’s really gone?” Liam asks. “Are you sure he’s dead? They didn’t revive him at the hospital?”

  “Neil stayed at the scene. Don was pronounced dead there.”

  “And Dirk could go to jail for it?”

  “If they determine he ordered the hit, it doesn’t look good for him. Even if he does get off, he can take being governor off the table. People don’t recover from the kind of press he’s about to get.”

  Liam is having a hard time suppressing a smile. “Don’s dead. Sorry, you probably think I’m a douchebag for being happy about it.”

  Ethan holds up his hands. “It’s not my place to judge. My wife went through something as a kid. Her mom dying was one of the best things that happened to her. Whatever baggage he saddled you with—don’t carry it around. Let it go. Your life will be profoundly easier.”

  Liam stands and shakes Ethan’s hand. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “You can thank me by paying my rather substantial bill. And by referring me to your friends.”

  “You got it.”

  Out in the hall, Liam leans against the wall. “It’s over. Don’s dead. Dirk is going to jail or at the very least, his life will be ruined.”

  “Looks like you’re getting everything you ever wanted.”

  His eyes burn into mine. “I think I am.”

  I take his hand. “Let’s go celebrate.” I realize what I said. “Oops. That’s probably not the right word to use on this occasion.”