Page 36 of Beyond the Stix
“Yeah. It’s going to be a shit-storm, boys, when the band finds outjusthow bad Ron is. I want us to be prepared when hellfire rains down. Knowing Danny, when he finds out the truth…” Tobias doesn’t need to further explain how the lead singer will react. We all know and have seen how passionate the man can be, especially when it comes down to his inner circle. All of them are.
Each member of the band gives Ron the credit for taking Warrior Black into the spotlight. He’s been there for every major milestone the band has hit. Ron has pushed, bitched, and, some say, lied—which hasn’t been proven, to get the band to the top.
“When will Ron tell them the truth?” Dom drops into a seat, a grim determination across his face.
“I don’t know, but when he does, we have to be present. Right, Cal?” Our lead lasers his attention on the youngest of our security group.
“Why are you picking on me, damn it? I’m here—I’m fucking present.”
“What he means, Cal, is that your excuses to take off on us like you did last year won’t work,” Pen jibes, looping a beefy arm over Cal’s shoulders.
“That was one fucking time, and now I’m being grilled for it,” Cal huffs, pushing off the man’s arm. “I’m not going nowhere, Tobias.” He strides toward the front of the plane and sits next to Raef.
Tobias sighs. “I hope so.”
“Is that it?” I’m afraid to ask, but need to.
“Yes,” Tobias says with resolve.
Dom, Fig, and Pen disburse, each of them taking positions around the band. I stay back with Tobias, another question forming in my head, but not wanting to share it with the rest of the team.
“Ask it,” Tobias whispers.
“I’m assuming that with the news, the schedule will shift.” Okay, it’s not a question, but I definitely need a confirmation from my friend.
“You know it. Danny will do what Ron asks, but I know my guy. After Rocktoberfest, there might not be a tour.” He confirms what I’ve been thinking.
“I had a feeling,” I admit.
“We’ll see who wins though. Danny’s stubborn, but Ron has been unbending.” He shrugs. “And now we know why.”
I’ve seen firsthand how tenacious the manager can be. He doesn’t take no for an answer, and will do whatever it takes to make sure Warrior Black gets everything they deserve. Ron Darling took a risk with them, and it paid off in the end.
The band’s popularity is growing by leaps and bounds. Losing their manager will cut deep for each member, especially Connor, since his father’s death is still fresh in his head and heart.
In the plane, the atmosphere has become too quiet for my liking. Even the flight attendant doesn’t utter a word as she passes out drinks to most of the band members. Danny ends up with juice, while our security opts for water.
An hour passes, and my attention remains fixed on Connor. His usual bouncing around from seat to seat is absent. He’s not joking around with his friends. Instead, he’s planted in the seat he took when we boarded the plane and hasn’t moved. With his earbuds in his ears, a notebook in front of him and a pencil in his hand, he’s more focused on what he’s scribbling down than what’s around him.
I want to talk to him, but from the way his body’s hunched forward—like he’s in a protective bubble, it seems he doesn’t want to be bothered. And I don’t blame him. I will give Connor the space he needs until he comes to me again.
After landing, Dom, Pen and I leave the plane first and meet with the two delivery drivers from Harper Security. They brought us a black Lincoln stretch limo and a black GMC SUV. After signing for the vehicles, the rest of our group climbs out of the plane.
Tobias and Dom lead the band to the limo while the rest of us grab the bags and stow them in the SUV. However, what we aren’t met with, is the new manager Tobias mentioned.
Per instruction from Ron’s text to Tobias, we head straight to the studio. When we arrive, the band finds out that their manager won’t be in attendance like he usually is, but in his place, Ron has sent a substitute.
“I want to officially introduce myself. I’m Dante Ross. My pros are they and them. I’ll be taking over for Ron, until he gets back on his feet.” But the smile on their face doesn’t reach their dark brown eyes.
Them and they. Need to remember that.
Even I can see how flawless their makeup is. Dressed in a red suit, cut to perfection, the pants hemmed at the ankles. The black shirt that peeks from under the jacket is trimmed around the V neckline in gold yet doesn’t distract from their impeccable presentation.
They move fluidly in a pair of four-inch black heels like they are born to it. Dante’s androgynous look is a visual decadence anyone in the human species could appreciate.
“Wait. How do you know Ron?” Rafe narrows his eyes on Dante, mistrust radiating from them. A quick scan at the rest of the band shows they all have the same wary look on their faces.
Dante’s unflinching stare has Rafe squirming where he stands. “I’m his cousin—but that doesn’t matter. Ron told me about the band and the situation you are in. Warrior Black has three days to finish recording the last six songs before the higher ups—his words, blow a fucking fuse.” Dante raises their gaze to Danny. “He also instructed me to tell you, Raven?—”