Page 62 of Killer Notes

True his word, Tobias comes back a few minutes later with a smile on his face. He leans in and says, “You got your wish, sweetheart.”

I tip my head back and train my eyes on his handsome face. “What do you mean?”

He takes my hand and yanks me off the couch. “Where’s Laney?”

“In the bathroom. Why?”

“Follow me.” He puts his index finger to his lips and then waves at the band to do as he says.

As we step off the bus, our security detail surrounds us. It’s funny if you think about our career in this music business. We’re babies compared to most of the legendary rock bands around us. Yet, here we are, surrounded by bodyguards like we’re important.

Then I immediately see where we’re parked. Our bus is right next to Embrace the Fear.Jesus Christ. I feel like I’m dreaming and all of this will go away if I blink my eyes.

“This is real,” Callum whispers, awe lining his voice.

“We areinthis.” That’s Raef. He, too, is feeling the charge in the air.

“Fucking A,” Bobby says in wonder, followed by a high five with one of the bodyguards. I think his name is Dom.

“There’s Ron,” Callum announces, while bouncing on the balls of his feet. It’s obvious he’s feeling the same current that’s running through each of us.

Connor stands silently next to me, his hands tucked into his pockets, his eyes cast down at his feet.

I nudge him. “What’s with you? You’ve been quiet since we got back on the bus in Fallon.”

“Nothing.” Connor dips his chin further, like he’s trying to avoid looking at me. I glance up and see John moving closer, but his face is a mask of indifference. I ignore him and center my attention back on my friend, who’s not acting like himself.

“Oh, no. Spill, Wild,” I insist, pushing him like he usually pushes me.

Connor steps back, nearly bumping into John, and then shakes his head. “It’s nothing, Danny. Just drop it.”

For a second, I think my best friend is joking, but with one look into his steely green eyes, I know he isn’t. So I slowly nod. “Alright.”

My gaze bounces between my best friend and the bodyguard. I see Connor glare at John and then immediately look away. John on the other hand, has a smirk on his face.

Hmmm. I don’t know what it is, but something is going on between them, and I’ll pull that information out of Connor later.

Ron approaches us with another man, who’s quite the opposite in dress and size to our manager. While Ron is dressed to perfection in a black Brunello Cuccinelli tailored suit, white crisp shirt, and Giorgio Armani loafers, the other guy is in a pair of dark blue jeans, a black t-shirt and gym shoes. He towers over Ron by six inches and his bulky muscles are almost equals to Tobias’s.

John leans in close and whispers, “Maybe he didn’t get his own memo about the suits?”

I want to laugh, I remain quiet and keep my eyes on our boss and Warrior Black’s manager.

“Finally, you’re all here.” Ron begins passing out lanyards with a plastic VIP tag clipped to each one. “Don’t lose these. Now, this is Dean Harper, owner of Harper Security. He and the rest of his team will be with us through Sunday. Mr. Harper can quickly explain the schedule for this weekend. So I need everyone to follow his cues.”

Dean opens his mouth, but a loud squeal from behind us shifts our attention. “Ronny,” Laney hollers as she steps off the bus and flounces in the man’s direction.

Ron’s spine stiffens and his lips pinch tight. “I told younotto call me that.” His words are like sharp barbs, but they have no effect on the clueless woman.

“Everyone must be on their periods today,” Laney says under her breath, but her words are loud enough that we all hear them. She then turns to me. “I’m here to do your bidding. What do you need me to do? Fetch you anything? Food. Water. A hug?”

Laney takes a step toward me, but Tobias gets in front of her and says with a thin smile, “Water for everyone, please.”

“O-kay,” she mutters, then tilts her head slightly until I’m in her line of sight. “Danny?”

“Water would be good. Thanks,” I add, then refocus on the owner of Harper Security.

“Be right back.” She winks at me and strides away with purpose.