Page 4 of Killer Notes

“What’s even stranger, this note is different than the one Danny received yesterday and all the others,” Connor adds with concern.

“How so?” Ron asks as he takes back his phone and studies the screen.

“The notes to Danny are more song-like. But the note on Laney is a straight up warning. There’s no rhythm or flow,” Connor says with frown. “This letter was written in anger.”

“It doesn’t matter if they used my real name or stage name. Laney got hurt. This stalker needs to be caught before they go after someone I care about,” I grate out, a knot of rage twisting my emotions.

The murmurs of agreements from my friends should ease my anxiety, but it doesn’t.

“Well, help is coming. And since we can’t do anything in the meantime, let’s talk schedule for the next nine months,” Ron says as his assistant rushes back in. Her face is flushed and her tight ponytail is messed up. I want to ask if she’s okay, but Ron’s glare at Jennifer has me clamming up. And I thought she was going to stick.

Through clenched teeth, Ron throws in, “We’ll talk about where you were later, but right now I want you to tell the guys the schedule.”

Jennifer quickly smooths back her fly aways before she begins explaining the timeline. “For the rest of this month, you’ll be at the studio on Barns, working on the songs for the album. After Rocktoberfest, you’ll head back to the studio to record. You will then have two weeks off before you set out on the tour with Def Flowers, and possibly one more group, but that’s still in the works. Then you’ll have one month off before y’all are back in the studio to work on the second album.”

“Remember, you have a lot riding on the first album.” Ron’s encouraging words are more like a warning. From the knowing looks across all my friends’ faces, we’re on the same page and have to take our manager very seriously.

Ron takes the seat next to Raef, who’s been quiet the entire time.

“We’re not letting any stalker ruin this for us. Right?” Connor eyes me.

“Right,” I confirm, but with some trepidation. Scrubbing both hands through my hair in slight frustration, I can’t help wondering who’ll be next. I stand, not able to sit any longer. “Maybe I should—”

“Don’t you fucking dare,” Connor glares at me. “This isn’t your fault.”

“Danny, don’t turn this on yourself. The one at fault is the attacker,” Raef finally comments. “You didn’t tell that psycho to put the hurt on Laney.”

“Yeah. Blame it on that fucking whack job,” Bobby says derisively.

“I am.” Then I hesitate, trying to come up with the right words to explain how I jumbled up my feelings are about all this. “What if the bodyguards—you know—doesn’t understand.”

“Then we will tell them,” Raef says simply. His easy smile that pushes back my anxiety.

“I want one with muscles.” Connor cuts in and poses with his arms flexed.

Everyone except Ron and me busts out in laughter.

“You’re not funny, Wildman.” Ron throws his rubber stress ball at Connor’s head and misses.

“Yes, I am.” Connor shrugs and then turns back to me, his eyes filled with mischief. “If you ever need a moment to rub one out, you can always shut the bedroom door, while we distract your bodyguard.” My best friend heaves his ass onto my lap and starts gyrating his hips.

“Fuck off, asshole.” I push him off. “You should be worried aboutyourdaily jerk off sessions,” I fire back, the easy banter loosening the tightness in my chest.

Callum, Raef, and Bobby look at each other and then start chanting out the true words of the late, great Billy Squire, “Stroke me, stroke me.” The intensity around us lightens even more.

Connor thinks he’s at his best behind the drums after a good release. That’s how the song, “Jerk It”came about, which we’ve added to our lineup for the upcoming album.

“That’s enough,” Ron rolls his eyes. “Let’s be serious for a moment and not talk about someone yanking at his meat.”

“Calm down, Ron. Wildman, here, is the only one who strokes off on the daily,” Callum chortles.

“We do find this very serious. But you know us, laughter eases the worries,” Raef adds as he elbows Ron.

“You do know, as of right now, Warrior Black is in lock down mode,” Ron says flatly.

All humor leaves the room.

“What if I say yes to the lock down but no to the bodyguard?” Bobby quickly jumps in to ask, but Ron’s response is just as swift.