by JN Welsh
Leona grimaced.
“I know you and Luke got off to a rough start. He’s not a bad guy. He just—” Tommy broke off. “He’s had some difficulties with his past management.”
Leona didn’t speak, hoping Tommy might reveal more than what she already knew. When he spoke to her about Luke, she noticed he often cherry-picked his words.
“So, will you manage him, Leo?” Tommy raised his eyebrows in question.
Leona paused as if giving it some consideration, but knew she no longer had the option of saying no. “Yes.”
Tommy looked as relieved as she felt. “Great. Luke is about to go onstage. Why don’t you watch the show from here?”
“I’m here with someone, so I’m going to watch it from the floor. It’ll also give me a better sense of the fan experience. I’ll come back after the show and we can secure time to finalize everything.”
“Okay.” Disappointment touched Tommy’s face then disappeared just as fast. “Enjoy the show.”
“I will, thanks.” The two shared a brief handshake before she left.
The crowd chanted Luke’s name and Leona was excited to see what all the hype was about. Getting through the now packed club seemed impossible, but Izzy held their small space at the bar like a wild boar guarding her piglets.
“How’d it go?”
“We didn’t meet all the demands, but he wants us to manage him. Abe will be happy.” Leona set the glass on the bar.
“Are you happy?” Izzy probed, swaying to the music.
A male voice came over the speakers and announced The Musical Prophet.
“We’ll talk later.” Leona knew the chances of she or Izzy returning to this conversation were slim to none.
Luke appeared on the stage and jumped up and down to incite the crowd, obviously pumped to play. He had changed into a short-sleeved, white button-down shirt that defined his muscular physique. He glowed under the black light against the darkness of the club. An ember of affection kindled in her chest, leaving her breathless.
Damn if that man isn’t fine. She fought against the impulse to celebrate this beautiful specimen of a man. Especially when his doubt and abrupt hostility toward her still stung.
Luke took charge of the equipment and put the headphones around his neck and over one ear. Even from a distance, Leona glimpsed the tattooed artwork on his forearm, and her hand itched to touch him.
Leona peeked at Izzy, whose eyes were wide with excitement, confirming triggered pheromones.
The extravagant light show displayed Luke’s name in brilliant graphics. The go-go dancers on either side of the stage gyrated, shimmied, and shook with energy. The crowd was electric with appreciation. Vocals from the song echoed through the speakers and the crowd went wild.
“This is mental,” Izzy yelled.
Leona strained to see Luke’s figure through the sea of smartphones primed to capture him on video. Club staff threw LED light-up foam glow sticks into the crowd. The rainbow of colors flickered at different speeds, adding ambience to the venue and fun for the fans.
The vocals faded to silence and the fullness of the song blared through the speakers. Bass enveloped the crowd, taking them higher until the entire club bounced in unison.
A spotlight illuminated the steel scaffolding above the stage. Scantily clad female dancers in fishnet stockings, platform heels, and bustier tops entertained the crowd. Additional dancers catwalked across the platform in costumes ranging from silver spandex jumpsuits to red mop curl wigs.
“What a fantastic circus.” Leona was awed and inspired to move to Luke’s music. Like all the other fans, she danced like she never wanted his set to end. The cool club turned into a sauna of sweaty, perfumed bodies and stale alcohol that wetted the textured finish of the PVC tiled flooring.
The consistent thump of the beat and velvety bass kissed an uplifting melody—all of which provided the soundtrack for the night.
Leona now understood why the fans dubbed him The Musical Prophet. She danced carefree, and in this tiny slice of time, was happy.
Happy. Leona hadn’t used that word in a long time. She’d spent the better part of the last year just trying to keep her emotions stable and retrieve that strength she could count on.
“He’s so good, Leo,” Izzy said, breaking her trance.
Leona may have issues with the man, but she fell in love with his music. This wasn’t a typical DJ set of popular music. This three-hour marathon of original produced songs and creative remixes left club-goers, including her and Izzy, drained.
When the show ended, they rested against the bar with sweat glistening their faces.
Izzy’s hair curled at the temples. “I need to touch up my makeup, right?”
Leona nodded. “If I didn’t wear black lace, you’d see my sweaty pits from across the room.”
“Outstanding.” Izzy gave Leona a high five and then turned to order another drink.
“He was good.” Leona refrained from overpraising Luke because he was still a jerk, just one who made amazing music.
“You sound surprised, love.” Izzy twisted her hair up and fanned her neck.
“I guess it was more emotional for the fans than I expected.” Leona tried to sound unaffected.
“For the fans? How about for us? I’m mad for him.”
“Like I said. He was good,” Leona admitted, but Izzy eyed her until she folded. “Okay. I’m a fan.”
Another DJ replaced Luke to play more popular music and the crowd started to thin out.
Izzy sat on a barstool and crossed her legs. “I’m completely knackered, but if Luke played another song, I would get off my ass to dance. Like that rave at club L’Essence in Paris.”
“I’ll always remember Paris.” Leona tumbled onto Izzy, gathering her friend into a hug. “We’ve been dancing for hours.”
“My feet are killing me, but I don’t care.” Izzy rubbed her calves. “I can’t wait to see him up close and personal.”
Convinced that Luke hadn’t changed much since their rooftop meeting, Leona hoped he at least met Izzy’s expectations.
When she and Izzy arrived backstage, the first thing she noticed was the mess of people. Leona couldn’t tell the difference between the dancers, media, VIP guests, and other random individuals. In the middle of it all was Luke, who focused on two half-dressed women, while Tommy spoke to a well-dressed man that Leona guessed might be the club owner.
“What a disaster,” she whispered.
When Leona had informed Tommy of the necessary accommodations for VIP guests and fans, she assumed some sort of process for getting fans in and out would be in place. Her mistake. From what she could see, none existed.
She scanned the room as if she were a computer processing data. Her mind cried out for organization and began applying order to the chaotic scene.
“Uh-oh.” Izzy plugged her ears with her fingers and backed away. “Go easy on them, love.”
Leona loaded a bunch of air into her lungs. “Everybody out!” Her voice filled the room and she marched over to two gentlemen in black. She reloaded. “Security. I want everyone out. Now. I need VIP guests roped off outside. We’re going to funnel people in, about five at a time, and out the other way. I’ll inform you when. I want all media in the backroom, just there.” She pointed in a general direction. “Luke will come in for interviews momentarily.”
Security didn’t question her command. She searched the room for Tommy and called to him.
Tommy rushed over. “Wow, Leo. Where’s the fire?”
“Do you know all these people?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “We have to do this a better way. I need you to get Luke to do his media interviews, so the VIP guests and fans get some time with him. It’s the only way to get people in and out of here fast. Right now, this mob situation puts Luke in a dangerous position.”
&
nbsp; There was rustling through the crowd and Leona saw Luke approach. From her position his head floated toward them like it’s own entity.
“What the hell are you doing?” Luke growled.
“I’m managing,” she growled back. “Don’t worry. You’ll be back with the ladies soon enough. Like I fulfilled my promises to you, I’m doing the same for the fans who paid extra to meet you.”
Luke’s eyes narrowed at her. “You didn’t quite fulfill your promises, did you? The show didn’t sell out.”
She sighed. “I did my best under the circumstances. Now, do you want to argue with me or make your fans happy?”
The anxious fans were herded outside of the backstage area. Fans complaining for an explanation buzzed as a metal gate, reinforced by two security men, blocked any reentry.
Luke’s hard expression softened. “Okay. What do you need me to do?”
“Interviews...just there.” She pointed in the general direction.
Tommy guided Luke away to do his interviews.
“You’re welcome,” Leona muttered. She called in three more security guards and rattled off additional instructions.
Izzy came out of hiding and stood by her side.
“This may take a while,” Leona stated.
“He’s right cute, Leo.” Izzy fluffed her hair.
“He’s a pain in the ass.”
Fifteen minutes later, backstage was functioning like a well-oiled machine. Now that Luke wanted Wallace Entertainment to manage him, Leona’s name would be attached to the event. Even if the night didn’t have the type of success she had been known for, she wanted it to be representative of her professionalism.
Leona’s work was quick and calm. All instructions for Luke went to Tommy, since her artist chose to challenge her every time she approached him with a task. Luke wasn’t her first difficult client but he seemed reluctant to let her help him.
With all the moving and excited bodies, the temperature in the stuffy backstage felt like humid wetlands. Leona opted to ditch the sheer shawl and handed it to Izzy.
Tommy and Luke approached.
“Uhh... I need to get Luke back to the hotel. He has a post-show chat with the fans.” Though Tommy spoke directly to her, she couldn’t help but notice Luke ogling the tight black lace of her mock halter-top.
“What time is the chat and when do you need to leave?” Leona peeked down, even though no watch adorned her wrist.
“The chat is at four.” Tommy hesitated. “So I need to get him out of here in about twenty minutes.”
Luke didn’t speak, but continued to appraise her.
Leona crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re joking.”
Tommy adjusted his glasses. “I’m afraid not.”
Leona massaged her forehead and tried to think. “Well, can he do it from here?”
“No. The camera crews are setting up at the hotel so that we can do a live feed to Luke’s video channel. The episode is supposed to be more intimate.”
The media interviews were done and most of the fans had gotten their time with Luke, but he wasn’t finished. Tommy had just put a wrench into the well-oiled machine.
Leona accessed her deepest thoughts, trying to figure out how to make things go faster, when a photographer began snapping pictures of her talking to Luke and Tommy. Her reflex response had her arm raised in an instant to hide her face, and within seconds she scurried behind Luke.
Luke peered at her over his shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“They should focus on you.” She hated having her picture taken, especially after the events of the past year.
Luke evaluated her with curiosity.
Leona again focused on working out a solution. “I need you to get through the rest of this fast. No disappointed fans. Let’s make sure everyone leaves satisfied tonight.”
Izzy sauntered over. Her red porno pumps led the way. “Still camera shy, love?” her friend inquired with lightheartedness, but gave her arm a squeeze and smiled over the concern etched on her face.
“Hey,” Leona said to her and gave Izzy a non-verbal “I’m okay.” Leona then turned back to the two men, who were more interested in the gorgeous Brit than anything Leona had to say. “Right.” Leona pursed her lips. “Luke Anderson, Tom Mills, this is Isabelle Fisher. Owner, fashion writer, and blogger for Trendzy Magazine.”
Tommy nearly fought Luke to shake Izzy’s hand. “You can call me Tommy.”
This was the typical reaction to her friend. Izzy shook Tommy’s hand and then Luke’s.
“It’s nice to meet you, both. Luke, your set was exceptional. However, you could have worn a more festive shirt. I’d like to style you for my magazine.”
Leave it to Izzy to insult, compliment, and network all at the same time.
“You’ll have to speak with my manager.” Luke gave Izzy a brief smile.
Oh, I’m your manager now?
Luke seemed less spellbound with her friend than most men, and Leona was strangely relieved.
Izzy adjusted her hair over her shoulder, further hypnotizing Tommy, whose wandering eyes lingered on her naked shoulder and “come play with me” breasts.
“I’ll confirm with Leo, then.” Izzy displayed all of her perfect pearly teeth. “See? He’s not so difficult after all, Leo.”
Leona wanted to cork Izzy’s mouth like a wine bottle. “Luke has a lot to do, Izzy. We really need to get back to work.” Leona was thankful the dim lighting hid her embarrassment.
“Of course, love. I’ll mingle.” Izzy gave one last flick of her hair and departed.
Tommy was completely engaged with Izzy’s rear end as it sashayed away.
“Tommy?” She waved her fingers in front of him.
Luke bit back a laugh as he, too, witnessed Tommy’s adoration of Izzy’s ass.
Tommy snapped his head back to Leona. “Yes?” His cheeks reddened and he cleared his throat.
Humor shined in Luke’s eyes.
That was different. “You guys finish up. I’ll alert security to the changes.”
“Sounds good,” Tommy agreed and left.
Leona attempted to follow Tommy’s lead when Luke blocked her path.
“Difficult, huh?”
Shit. She searched for a glimmer of the humor they’d shared only moments ago, but none existed. “I call it like I see it.”
Luke leaned in close and his enticing fragrance confused her. “If you think I’m difficult now, you haven’t seen anything yet. That’s a promise.” He strode away without waiting for a response.
Leona stomped toward security. “Thanks, Izzy.”
Chapter Five
“Let me be clear. We’re seeking complete management representation for Luke, including both talent and tour.” Patrick Beckham, Luke’s lawyer, explained the situation to Leona’s team in a late-afternoon contract meeting. “We previously worked with Luke’s former personal manager, Ivy Nichols, and Ted Kimmel, a freelance tour manager who organized Luke’s four-month summer tour.”
Tommy nodded in agreement. “Most of the groundwork is done, but we only have a month before the tour kicks off. The appearances are secured, but the logistics need to be managed.”
Luke pressed his back against the office chair as if restraining himself from speaking. Leona wondered what he really thought about this setup and not just what his team presented. He had dressed up for the occasion in a blue button-down shirt that hugged his defined shoulders and biceps. He finished off his ensemble with a dark gray tie and his signature dark blue jeans and white-soled sneakers. She was drawn to the increased level of sexy brought on by the small change in Luke’s attire. And though Leona focused on Tommy and Patrick, images of Luke’s ass from when he’d first arrived at the office distracted her.
“That’s not a problem. Leo has experience with tour man
agement, so we don’t have to seek a freelance tour manager. You get a two for one deal. Leo can easily take over the reins,” Abe suggested, snapping her back to the meeting.
“Good, because it was our expectation that Leo would take over as tour manager and perform a combined role for Luke. The contract we’ll be negotiating today already reflects that,” Patrick said.
Leona did a double take at Abe. “You want me to do what?”
Luke leaned forward in his chair. Even when he was poised for an argument, he was a bona fide heartthrob. “Is there a problem?”
“Not at all.” Abe’s confident delivery forced her to focus.
“Absolutely,” Leona contradicted. Luke’s musky fragrance wafted toward her. You smell good enough to eat, but I will not be fooled. “I assumed that Luke needed a personal manager and that I’d be working with my team and Tommy to help Luke with operations that fit into his long-term career plans. It wasn’t my understanding that I would be going on tour. This changes things.”
Abe’s head whipped around and Leona felt the weight of his eyes on her. “How so?”
“I can’t do all the deals, branding and merchandising aspects and be the tour manager at the same time. That’s not realistic.” Leona leaned back in her chair.
Abe cleared his throat. “Leona can handle a little extra in addition to the work for the tour. However, I’ll handle any overflow.” Though Abe addressed the table, he arched a Southern brow at her. Abe knew that not only could she simultaneously be a personal and tour manager but that she could do elements of the jobs of everyone else in the room.
“There is also the matter of time,” Leona persisted. “The details are based on another tour manager’s due diligence. I can’t rely on that alone. I have to review everything, which is like doing it over.” If this Ted Kimmel was a tour manager worth his salt, his name would be familiar to her and it wasn’t.
“I think you’ll find there is a foundation, Leo,” Tommy announced.
“Maybe you’re right, but I don’t work that way. I can’t trust that someone else did a thorough job.”
“Control freak,” Luke muttered under his breath.