Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
I've done security for Wes before, and his wife and Addison are best friends. She works for Saunders Management, the talent management agency Riley owns. They manage some of the biggest country musicians in the business. Wes put me in touch with her. Once I explained the situation, she and Riley were eager to meet Kenna.
They head in my direction. I meet them halfway.
"Riley, Addison, this is Gideon Carmichael," Wes says. "Gideon, meet Riley and Addison."
"It's nice to meet you both," I say politely. "Thank you for coming."
Addison smiles shyly but doesn't say anything. Wes warned me that she probably wouldn't. She doesn't say much to people she doesn't know. But Riley grins at me, thrusting her hand out.
"I know your brother," she says.
"I'm sorry. I told Ma he shouldn't be allowed out without supervision."
"I didn't say which brother."
"Doesn't matter. It applies to both."
She laughs lightly. "I like you already."
I wink at her, which makes her laugh again. "Is that her on the stage?"
"Yeah, that's my girl."
"Your girl, huh?" Riley smirks at me. "Does she know that?"
"Oh, she knows."
"We're going to get the fuck out of here and let you guys talk," Wes murmurs, holding out his fist for me to bump. "Let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks, man. Seriously."
"Anytime, brother."
"Bye," Laney says, waving at me.
"Bye, sweetheart."
He leads her toward the hall as I turn toward Riley and Addison. They're pressed against the railing, listening to Kenna as she belts out Wait for You, a song about her dad. The lyrics are fucking heartbreaking, but she sings it like an old country lullaby. It's hauntingly beautiful.
"She just signed her first deal?" Riley asks, glancing at me over her shoulder.
"Yeah. She should have had one long before now." I know I'm biased, but it's also true. Her voice is phenomenal. She can sing her ass off, and she knows how to play to a crowd.
"Why didn't she have one before now?"
"You'd have to ask her."
"I'm asking you," Riley says.
"She promised her parents she wouldn't sign a deal before she finished college. She graduated three years ago. Her dad died not long later. Her last manager wasn't great. He didn't know how to handle a girl like her," I say frankly. "And John is a fucking prick, excuse my language."
"John Ballentine?"
"Yep."
Riley's nose crinkles. "He's a shark."
"Yeah."
"You said her last manager couldn't handle a girl like her. What'd you mean by that?" Riley asks, her gaze probing.
"She's not a delicate little flower," I say, giving it to her straight. I think she appreciates it that way. "She knows what she wants, and she isn't afraid to stand up for herself and her music. If you want someone willing to change everything about themselves to fit a mold, it isn't her. She knows exactly who she is and what she stands for. She won't follow along blindly. But if you want someone who knows her shit and is willing to fight for it, that's your girl on the stage. She works harder than anyone I've ever met."
Riley nods, listening to her as she finishes the song. "What aren't you telling me, Gideon?" she asks as Kenna turns to speak to the band. "Why are you here? And don't tell me it's just because you're in love with her. I know better. I have connections too, you know."
Well, shit.
"Does it stay between us?"
"I can't guarantee that," she says. "But I can promise that it'll go no further than the people who absolutely need to know. And those are the people who will take whatever you tell me to the grave."
I deliberate for a long moment and then say fuck it. If keeping Kenna's stalker under wraps means she loses this opportunity, it isn't worth it. The woman standing in front of me can open doors for her that no one else in this town can. She knows everyone. She's worked with everyone. Her company is the best in the business. Kenna needs Riley in her corner now more than ever. If I can make that happen, I'll do it.
"She has a stalker," I say quietly. "We don't know who it is, but they've been sending her threatening messages and gifts for the last couple of months. At her last show, they slipped into her dressing room and left dozens of photos of her all over the walls."
Riley's eyes widen.
"She fired John right after the same show. He didn't take it well."
"You think it's him?"
"My gut says it is, but all the evidence says it isn't."
Riley nods. "Trust your gut, Gideon. There have been whispers about John crossing lines with clients for a while, but nothing has ever been confirmed. He has an army of lawyers and millions of dollars to throw around so people tend to tread carefully when it comes to him."
"Yeah, well, I prefer to stomp and make a lot of noise myself."