by Donna Raider
“Why?” Leah asked.
“You heard the uproar at the concert in Augusta,” Mika explained. “I don’t know if you read the fine print of the contract you signed giving Richie permission to participate in the contest. One of the things you agreed to, as his guardian, was one additional concert of the promoter’s choice. From experience and the reaction to the YouTube video, I know this is going to cause an entirely new Elvis craze to sweep this country. Also, if the band does a concert, us owning the rights to Elvis’s ten greatest hits will save us a lot of time and trouble getting permission to use his songs for the concert and recordings.”
“And here I thought you were just another pretty face.” Leah smiled. “That is very brilliant of you.”
“Since we are immortal,” Mika said, “we do need to plan for a very long future. I have a feeling, my queen, you would not be happy spending eternity as a peasant.”
“As long as I’m with you,” Leah said as she snuggled into her, “I truly wouldn’t care.”
Mika knew she was telling the truth.
##
Leah was in the shower. Mika was dressed and in her study when it sounded like a crowd was beating down their front door.
Mika answered the door. Richie, Emily, and the entire Samson family flooded into her home, followed by Asher, the band members, Ruth, and Amber.
Everyone started talking at once.
“Mika, I’ve been calling you and Mom all morning.” Richie’s voice was shrill with excitement.
“Yeah, our phones have been ringing off the wall because no one can reach you,” the sheriff added.
Amber placed her hand on Mika’s arm and said quietly, “City Hall is in an uproar. They have had too many phone calls; the switchboard has locked up.”
“They keep calling me because they think I was the lead singer of the band. My name was the one in the program.” Asher twitched uncontrollably.
“What is all this noise about?” A beautiful, commanding voice resonated throughout the mansion as Leah majestically descended the stairs dressed in her usual impeccable business suit.
Silence fell over the small crowd.
“My queen.” Asher fell to his knees. Suddenly Delilah, Samson, the band members, and Ruth followed his example. “You must take care of this.”
“Please,” a regal Leah motioned for them to rise. “We aren’t in the Holy Lands anymore. What’s going on?”
Once again, everyone began talking at once.
The landline in Mika’s office rang. “Would you take care of that, honey?” she asked Leah. “I’ll try to sort out what is going on here.”
“Why haven’t you answered your phones?” Richie cried.
“We were tired when we arrived home last night, so we turned off our cell phones.” Mika frowned. “We knew you were with Emily, so we didn’t anticipate any problems.”
“This contest thing has gotten out of hand.” Richie calmed down slightly. “They want us to go on tour and do concerts and record and appear on TV. No one knows what to do. You and Mom have to talk to them.”
Leah returned to the room. “The transaction is complete. The purchase has been made.” She smiled at her wife.
“Do you have a phone number where we can contact someone?” she addressed her son.
Richie handed her a slip of paper with several phone numbers. “The guy’s name is Marcus Devon. He gave me his cell, home, and office number. He said it was imperative that we contact him today.”
“Why don’t we all meet at the diner at one for lunch?” Leah smiled as she hugged her son. “We’ll find out what they want, then we can all discuss it and decide what to do.” She turned her gaze to her son. “Richie, why aren’t you in school?”
“We canceled school today,” Delilah spoke up, “in celebration of the band’s win.”
“As Richie’s other mother, I would like some input into any contracts or recording deals the band makes.” Emily scowled.
Leah handed her the slip of paper. “Be my guest.” She raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly.
“Well, n-no,” Emily stammered. “I don’t want to handle it. Hell, I will just see you at the diner.” Her efforts to spend more time with the brunette were stymied.
They herded everyone out of their home and discussed their next move.
“As Richie’s legal guardian, I think you should talk with them.” Mika frowned. “If that is okay with you.”
Leah nodded as she walked into her office and began dialing the cell phone number on the slip of paper. She put the call on the speakerphone so her wife could hear the discussion.
“Marcus Devon,” a smooth, confident voice blasted over the speakerphone.
“Mr. Devon.” Leah was in full mayor mode. “This is Mayor Leah Cross. I’m returning your call concerning my son Richie and his band The Choirboys.”
“Mayor Cross, thank you so much for returning my call.” Marcus’s voice was calm and nonthreatening. “I’m calling to schedule the next concert for Richie’s band. I wondered if we might meet and discuss the particulars.”
“Could you give me a little additional information now?” Leah’s voice was pure honey. “For instance, do you have a timeframe and location for the next concert? It is just one more concert, correct?”
“That is what we would like to discuss with you,” Marcus answered. “Based on what we saw in Augusta, we would like to offer Richie and the Choirboys a recording contract. Of course, we would need them to travel. Make personal appearances. Do TV talk shows. You know, the whole nine yards.”
“As I understand it,” Leah purred, “my son is contractually committed to performing one more concert. Is that correct?”
“That is true,” Marcus turned on the charm, “but surely you wouldn’t want to stand in the way of your son becoming a recording star. He has tremendous charisma and audience appeal.”
“Mr. Devon, my son is thirteen.” Leah’s tone was very cool. “The only thing I want him to become is a high school and college graduate. After that, he can choose his career.”
“Thirteen?” Marcus sounded shocked. “Oh, no, I am talking about the lead singer of the band. Isn’t his name Richie Anthal, or is it this Asher fellow?”
“Neither,” Leah said sharply, “the lead singer became ill just before the performance, and we talked someone else into filling in so the band wouldn’t be disqualified.”
“I apologize.” Marcus sounded genuinely concerned. “We’re interested in the singer. Of course, we will take the band too, if that’s a deal breaker. Oh, and can you give me the number of the company that provided your security? Those warriors were awesome, and I don’t use that word loosely, Madam Mayor.”
Mika shook her head.
“Mr. Devon, we are willing to fulfill the clause in the contract that requires our band to perform one concert in the location of the contest organizer’s choice, but we aren’t interested in any additional contracts or commitments,” the mayor said with finality.
“Do you know how we can get in touch with the singer?” Marcus pressed for information. “Could we set up an appointment to meet with you and the singer to discuss this in person? I am headquartered in New York, but I will be happy to come to your office or any other place of your choice.”
“May I call you back in about fifteen minutes?” Leah stalled.
“Certainly,” Marcus said kindly. “May I ask you a question before you hang up?”
“Yes,” Leah said suspiciously.
“Are you the stunning brunette that accompanied the band to Augusta?” Marcus was a pro at using flattery to get what he wanted.
“There are several brunettes in our group,” Leah answered. “All of them are stunning.”
“I will wait for your call,” a chastised Marcus said. He knew he had met his match in Mayor Leah Cross.
Mika watched her wife’s eyes as she hung up the phone. She enjoyed the verbal fencing with Marcus Devon but was extremely irritated by his attempt to sway her wi
th flattery. As queen, she had learned that flattery was the most belittling form of negotiation, and only the simple-minded fell for it.
“It appears that you will have to meet with him to settle this,” Mika said. “He can’t know who I am. The church would not be happy if they started receiving phone calls about their rock n’ roll priest.”
“We… we will meet with him.” Leah frowned. “We will work out the time and place of the next concert, meet our contractual commitments, then be done with this. With your priest clothes and your blonde hair, you look nothing like the rock star. Except for those gorgeous eyes and sensuous lips.” She ran the tip of her tongue along Mika’s full bottom lip.
“Let’s set the meeting in New York.” Mika smiled. “You and I own a wonderful penthouse there. We can make it a small getaway for us while conducting business on behalf of the town. I want to take you to Niagara Falls.”
“Um,” Leah hummed. “We could leave on Wednesday. Meet with Mr. Devon on Thursday and have the rest of the weekend for ourselves. I would love that.”
She called Marcus back. “I will be in New York next Thursday. If you would like to schedule an appointment any time that afternoon, I’ll be happy to meet with you in your office.”
“Perhaps we could discuss this over drinks and dinner?” Marcus turned on the charm.
“I already have dinner plans.” Leah winked at her wife. “I’m certain I’ll be busy most of the evening. A one or two o’clock meeting in your office would be best for me.”
“Two would be good for me.” Marcus sighed softly. “Let me give you my address.”
Leah wrote down the address, then bid the man good day.
##
Mika looked at her watch. “Looks like we have an hour to kill before meeting everyone. How about that long overdue tour of our home?”
“The only rooms you haven’t seen are upstairs.” Leah led the way to the second floor. “You’ve seen Richie’s old room,” she said as they passed the door. Next to Richie’s room was a nursery.
“This was Richie’s nursery.” She opened the door to a well-lit room decorated in blues and ivory. It still had Richie’s crib and changing table. It was furnished beautifully with all the furniture one would need for a baby.
“Is there any chance we will ever put this room to use?” Mika smiled shyly.
“We’ll see,” she said softly.
There were two large suites on the other side of the nursery.
The west wing included Richie’s current bedroom furnished with more adult furniture than his original room had contained. The room was large, with a desk, dresser, sitting area, and a full bed.
Four more guest rooms were furnished in her wife’s exquisite style.
“So, we have six extra bedrooms and a nursery,” Mika ran the numbers in her head. “Were you planning on entertaining a lot when you arrived here?”
“I was planning on a large family,” she said sadly, “but things change.”
“Mom,” Richie called from downstairs, “they sent me to get you. Everyone is anxious to find out what’s going on.”
##
A hush fell over the crowded diner as the mayor and priest entered with their son. “What’s up?” The sheriff broke the silence.
“Mika and I have a meeting with the contest director next Thursday,” Leah explained. “The boys are contractually bound to perform one more concert, the time and place to be decided by the contest committee. We intend to make it clear that much more security must be in place for our boys. The Augusta performance could have been a disaster if all of you hadn’t been there.”
The crowd murmured and nodded in agreement with their mayor.
“Hopefully, we can schedule the performance at a time when school is out, so the boys won’t have to miss school,” the mayor added. “Asher, do you think you can pull it together to perform?”
“No… no way,” the shaking man stuttered before he rushed to the bathroom. Nausea overcame him just thinking about performing.
“Mika has to do it,” Ruth yelled. “She was dynamite. She has gone viral on YouTube.”
The crowd roared in approval.
Leah glanced quickly at her wife. “I am sure Mika will do whatever we need to do to fulfill our obligations. For the rest of this week, let’s all get back to our daily lives. I know Mika and I have plenty to do before we go to New York next week.”
“Have you been watching the news?” Samson asked Leah. “Mika is all they can talk about on TV. Everyone is asking who he is. Everyone thinks the lead singer is a man. Someone did a video of the security you provided. They are going crazy over that too. That video had three million hits.”
“People want to know who arranged for them. How to get in touch with them. Who would think warriors would cause such a stir?” Delilah huffed.
“As I recall, they always did.” Leah smiled at Delilah.
##
Mika and Leah spent the following week answering questions and smiling at suggestions given them by the citizens of New Judah. Everyone was talking about the excitement of the Choirboys Band.
Leah finished putting her last garment into the suitcase. “I’ve never been to a place as large as New York City,” she admitted. “I’m a little nervous.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about,” Mika assured her. “New York is just like any other city, only larger. It won’t hurt you.”
“I’m not worried that New York will hurt me,” Leah laughed. “I’m concerned that I’ll hurt New York.”
Mika shook her head. “Yes, I’d forgotten that if you’re startled or frightened. you have the power to level New York. That is something we’ll have to guard against.” Leah nodded in agreement.
“New York will just have to take her chances,” Mika chuckled. “Looks like we’re moving into the next chapter of our lives, my queen.”
CHAPTER 21 - Negotiating with the Queen
Mika had let the building management know that she would be arriving on Wednesday with her new wife. There was a great deal of excitement among the staff. The caretakers were employees who called Cross Towers their home. All of them were very fond of their employer and often worried that she had lived a solitary life without the benefit of companionship. There was a great deal of discussion about her wife.
“No need to pack,” Mika kissed Leah lightly. “You will be astounded by the clothes in New York and will most likely want to bring a few new outfits home with you.”
“You want to transport into your penthouse?” Leah raised an eyebrow questioningly. “What about transportation once we arrive?”
“Yes,” Mika nodded. “There’s a car for us at the apartments.”
“Why don’t I do the honors,” Mika agreed, “since I know where we’re going?” Lacing their hands together, they closed their eyes. When they opened them, they were standing in a gorgeous room with two walls of glass. They had views overlooking the Hudson River, and various landmarks in New York.
“This is beautiful,” Leah exhaled.
“So beautiful,” Mika whispered, taking in her wife’s wide-eyed beauty. She led her through the apartment showing her the various rooms. “And last, but not least, our bedroom.”
Leah surveyed the room, mentally making changes in it.
“The entire penthouse would benefit from your decorating skills,” Mika admitted as she led Leah through her bachelorette quarters. “It has never had another woman’s touch. Like me, it desperately needs it.” She stepped behind Leah as she looked out the window and wrapped her arms around the brunette.
Leah turned in her arms and kissed her, slowly moving her lips against Mika’s, driving her crazy.
“We better let the staff know we’re here,” Mika gasped, “We don’t want them innocently walking in on us making love.”
A shiver traveled the length of Leah’s body. She loved the way Mika had already planned that they would come together at some point today.
Mika picked up the apartment pho
ne and pushed three numbers. “If you ever need anything, dial 511 for the office,” she told her wife.
“Mrs. Worth, this is Mika. I just wanted to let you know we’re in the penthouse. What would be a good time for us to meet with you today? After a brief pause she said, “That’s perfect. See you in half an hour in the conference room.”
“Hum…what can we do for half an hour?” Mika smiled. “I know.” Mika led her to the side of the room overlooking New York. “I can point out some of the famous landmarks.”
Leah pretended to pout indicating that her wife’s idea of a good way to pass half an hour wasn’t the same as hers. The time quickly passed as Mika showed her landmarks Leah had seen on the internet and TV.
##
Mika ushered Leah into the room full of anxious employees. Just as she anticipated, there was a collective gasp from the room as they encountered the beauty that was her wife. She was extremely proud of Leah and pleased with the staff’s reaction to her.
Leah ducked her head slightly to hide the blush that was creeping up her neck.
“Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us,” Mika smiled. “I wanted you to meet my wife, Leah.”
Leah smiled her most endearing smile and moved around the room, shaking hands with each staff member, as her wife introduced them. She was gracious and charming, as only she could be when she wanted to.
The priest was very pleased that her wife was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.
While Leah visited with the staff, Mika arranged for James to drive them to the meeting with Marcus tomorrow. Then she visited with Mrs. Worth for a few minutes arranging for outings she wanted to share with her wife during their stay.
“We are going to do some sightseeing today,” Mika explained, “and have some business to transact tomorrow. We will be here at least until Sunday. Everything is immaculate. I deeply appreciate the way you take care of our home.”
“Mika,” a portly lady in an apron, stepped forward, “lunch is about to be served. We would love it if you and your beautiful wife joined us.”
