In Plain Sight (WeHo Book 11)

by Sherryl Hancock

  “Okay, you need to slow your breathing,” Kieran said. “You’re panicking, and that’s what’s making you sick. Just breathe, babe. Just breathe…”

  “He won’t let this go,” Memphis said, shaking her head.

  Once again Remington looked over at BJ. His lips were pursed, his expression was flickering, and she was fairly sure Memphis was right about that.

  “Don’t worry about that right now,” Kieran said. “We’ll deal with that later, okay? Right now I just need you to breathe, okay?”

  Memphis nodded, closing her eyes slowly and swallowing convulsively.

  When Remington glanced at BJ again, she saw that he was grimacing at how long it was taking Memphis to calm down. He really hadn’t meant to scare the girl that badly—or at all, for that matter. He had no idea why she was reacting to him hearing her sing the way she was.

  Cassie had indeed told him he should be keeping an eye on Memphis McQueen, or more accurately, an ear. He’d seen Memphis sitting on the patio, and when he’d opened the door had heard her voice and had to stay to listen to more. He was absolutely blown away by the girl; he’d known she had an artists’ ear for music, but she apparently had so much more than that.

  He was, however, thinking that his new assistant might serve him better handling his sound engineer for the rest of the tour. He wasn’t sure what was going on with Memphis, but he knew that she had seemed very fragile ever since the incident in Texas, and the last thing he ever wanted was any of his people’s health or safety in danger.

  “Are they a couple?” he asked Remington. “Because when I asked Memphis yesterday about this, she said they weren’t, but the girl sure seems to know how to handle her.”

  Remington looked consideringly over at Memphis and Kieran. “Well, if you’d asked me yesterday, I would have said no. And I’d also tell you that Memphis is kind of a sports fisher, if you know what I mean.”

  “Catch and release?” BJ said, grinning.

  Remington nodded, grinning as well. “But… something seems to have changed with them. I don’t know where it’s going, but I can tell you, we all really like Kieran. She’s very genuine.”

  BJ nodded. He’d gotten that exact vibe from the girl from London, and he was usually a very good judge of character. He felt that Remington was also a good judge, so he nodded, his mind already churning.

  “I’ll see you inside,” he said finally, pushing off the wall. He walked past Remington and back into the building.

  Remington stood at the door, waiting for Kieran and Memphis to finish talking. She leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette. She knew Wynter was safely inside and that Quinn was keeping an eye on her, so she was safe to wait for the two women she’d suddenly taken responsibility for to get done with their conversation.

  “Do you want to go back to the room for a little bit?” Kieran said gently.

  Memphis shook her head. “I’m okay,” she said, breathing more easily.

  “Are you sure?”

  Memphis nodded again, sitting back to pull out another cigarette. She glanced toward the building and saw Remington. Remington inclined her head to Memphis, who grinned, nodding to the former MMA fighter.

  Reaching over, Memphis picked up her beer and drained the bottle. Then she grabbed her phone, unplugged her headphones, and located the song BJ had tried to get her to sing. To Kieran’s shock, she hit play and proceeded to sing the song word for word, hitting every single one of Brenden James Sparks’ notes and holding on just a fraction of a second longer than he did. Kieran looked over at Remington and saw her shocked expression and her nod of respect.

  When the song ended, Memphis sniffed, twitching her lips, then stood and put her hand out to Kieran to help her to her feet. She surprised Kieran by leaning down to kiss her softly, then moved her lips to Kieran’s ear.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Kieran smiled, closing her eyes for a moment. “Glad I could help.”

  “You did.”

  Chapter 6

  The concert that night was completely sold out. There were a number of celebrities who came out for it, some of whom came backstage after the show. BJ and Allexxiss brought a few people with them, one of whom was Midnight Chevalier, the California Attorney General, along with her husband, Rick Debenshire, and Midnight’s bodyguards, Kana Sorbinno and Tiny Ako. Joe Sinclair, Randy Sinclair, John Machiavelli, and Cassie Roads-Machiavelli were also backstage talking to people.

  Kieran watched as Jordan Tate strode over to Joe Sinclair and hugged him tightly, then turned to Randy. She, like many others, had seen the tabloids years before when Joe Sinclair and Jordan Tate were a couple. It was interesting watching them interact now.

  “What are you doing?” Memphis asked, moving to stand behind Kieran. She was sitting on one of the high chairs at the pub table, with many of the group standing nearby.

  “Star watching,” Kieran said, smiling.

  “You’ve met Jordan.”

  “I know, but I haven’t met Joe Sinclair.” Kieran glanced back at Memphis and saw her blank look. “You do know who he is, don’t you?”

  Memphis chewed her gum and shook her head.

  “Oh my God,” Kieran said, rolling her eyes.

  Memphis grinned. “Babe, if it doesn’t have to do with music, I don’t know anything about it.”

  Kieran shook her head. “Well, Joe Sinclair, who’s from London, and actually is from a really good family there, dated Jordan Tate at one point.”

  Memphis looked back at her. “Okay.”

  “And that’s Midnight Chevalier and her husband. You can’t tell me you don’t know who they are.”

  “Wanna bet,” Memphis said, with another grin.

  “Good lord! How can you not know who Midnight Chevalier is?” Kieran glanced over at Quinn. “You know who she is, right?”

  Quinn looked shocked. “Yeah—what, Memphis, you don’t?”

  Memphis shook her head.

  “Well, you should,” Kieran said. “She’s the Attorney General for the State of California, and likely California’s next governor.”

  “Not really into politics,” Memphis said, curling her lips.

  “Neither is Midnight,” Billy said from behind them. “She’s fuckin’ awesome.”

  “How does she know BJ?” Memphis asked.

  “Through Joe, I’m sure,” Billy said.

  As they watched, BJ started toward them. Midnight and company followed.

  “Midnight, and more specifically Kana,” BJ said, winking at Kana Sorbinno, “this is Remington LaRoché. Remi, Kana was dying to meet you.”

  Remington chuckled, inclining her head to Midnight as well as to Kana. “It’s a pleasure,” she said, her smile genuine. “I have the utmost respect for what you do, both of you.”

  Kana extended her hand to Remington. “It’s an honor to meet you. You are the best damn fighter I’ve seen since this one.” She nodded at Midnight.

  Remington looked at Midnight with surprise evident on her face. “You fight?”

  Midnight laughed, shaking her head. “The only fighting I do these days is with legislators, but I used to be a gang leader, so…”

  Remington’s mouth dropped open in shock.

  “AG Chevalier,” Quinn cut in, extending her hand to Midnight. “It is an honor, ma’am.”

  “Quinn,” Joe said, grinning at the Irishwoman. “How ya doin’?”

  Quinn nodded. “Better now,” she said, chuckling.

  “Uh,” Midnight muttered, looking up at Joe askance.

  “Night, Quinn is the one that Mackie and I thought we needed to rescue a while back, the badass that lifted a house off a kid.”

  “Oh.” Midnight nodded as recognition dawned. “The White Knight,” she said, grinning at Quinn.

  “Gawd, could we not get that one started again?” Quinn asked, laughing.

  Midnight laughed. “It’s indeed an honor, Quinn.” She looked at Remington. “And I saw that you are a handy person to have around
as well.”

  Remington smiled humbly. “Falling objects and all,” she said, winking at Wynter.

  “Ms. Kincade,” Midnight said, smiling at Wynter, “you have an amazing voice.”

  “Thank you,” Wynter said. “You have an amazing track record, especially for a politician.”

  “We keep her out of as much trouble as we can,” Rick Debenshire said. He grinned, his sapphire blue eyes sparkling as he looked over at his wife.

  “How’s that goin’?” Joe asked with a chuckle. He knew that two days prior they’d had to explain to an offended politician why Midnight blew off lunch with him in favor of a meeting with the Peace Officers Union.

  “Don’t make me kill ya, Joe, in front of all these witnesses.” Rick gave him a dirty look. “If you weren’t in LA so damned much, you could be around to do your job as her second.”

  “I gave you that job a long time ago,” Joe said, grinning.

  “Boys!” Midnight said, laughing as she saw everyone’s eyes going back and forth between the two men. “They’ve been best friends since they were kids. Our whole gang does this—it’s kind of disconcerting to outsiders.”

  “Gang?” Remington asked.

  Midnight chuckled. “Yeah, many years ago we all gave up our own gangs to become one big one.” She indicated Kana, Tiny, Joe, and Rick. “And there’s one of my girls now,” she said, as Catalina Roché walked up, moving to hug the AG.

  “How are you, Midnight?” Catalina asked, smiling.

  Midnight sighed. “Just trying to wrangle these two, as usual.” She didn’t sound too put out.

  “Boys.” Catalina nodded to Joe and Rick.

  “Bullshit, c’mere.” Rick reached out to take Catalina in his arms. “How are you, love?”

  “I’m good. Rick, you haven’t met my girlfriend, Jovina. Jovi, this is Rick Debenshire, and of course Midnight Chevalier.”

  “It’s really nice to meet you,” Jovina said, smiling.

  “You too,” Rick said, even as Midnight nodded agreement.

  Catalina had dated Rick’s niece, Elizabeth, for a couple of years during some very tumultuous times in their lives. It hadn’t worked out in the end, but Rick and Midnight still considered Catalina family regardless. They loved the woman. Catalina had seemed much happier lately, and they attributed that to Jovina, pleased that they’d finally gotten to meet her.

  “Midnight, Rick, Joe,” BJ cut in, gesturing to Memphis. “This is my sound engineer, Memphis McQueen.”

  Rick smiled. “You did the song for Remi’s fight.”

  Memphis pressed her lips together even as she nodded.

  “That was brilliant,” Joe said, nodding.

  “And I love that tattoo,” Midnight said. The tattoo on Memphis’ right arm was visible, since she had her hoodie off.

  Memphis chuckled. “Thank you.”

  “Can I?” Midnight asked, gesturing to Memphis’ arm.

  “Sure,” Memphis said, dazzled by the beautiful Attorney General. She held out her arm so Midnight could take a better look.

  “Jesus…” Midnight breathed as her fingers smoothed over the tattoo. “The detail work on that is incredible. Rick, look at this,” she said, glancing at her husband.

  Rick stepped closer and nodded. “That is pretty impressive.”

  “Do you have any?” Memphis asked them. They both shook their heads.

  “Joe does,” Midnight said, grinning.

  “What?” Joe said; he had been talking to Remington and Quinn.

  “Take your jacket off and show Memphis your tatt,” Rick said. “You gotta represent for us old people.” He winked at Memphis with a mischievous grin.

  Joe laughed. He took off his jacket and pulled up the sleeve of his T-shirt. His tattoo was an arm band, a deconstructed Union Jack flag.

  “Oh, that’s awesome,” Memphis said. “Kier, look at this.”

  Kieran leaned over. “Wow, that is really brilliant…”

  Joe caught Kieran’s accent. “You from London?”

  Kieran smiled. “Yes.”

  “Rick and me too,” Joe said.

  “Oh, I know. I read too many tabloids,” she said, her expression self-effacing. “Isn’t that the tattoo Jordan Tate designed for you?”

  Joe smiled, looking surprised. “It is, as a matter of fact. I was hoping no one remembered all of that,” he said, his grin impudent. “This is my wife, Randy, by the way.”

  “Always makin’ me feel special, babe,” Randy said, winking up at him, then looked at Memphis and Kieran. “It’s kind of crazy back here… but hi.”

  Memphis smiled at Randy. “I have to say, you have the most beautiful eyes.”

  Randy Sinclair’s eyes were a deep teal blue that, combined with her long honey-blond hair, made her a very beautiful woman. Memphis always appreciated beautiful women—single, married, straight, or gay, she didn’t care. Women always deserved to know they were beautiful.

  Randy smiled. “Well, thank you. Yours actually remind me of Joe’s. They’re so light, but beautiful.”

  Memphis grinned. “Thanks.”

  “You trying to make time with my girl?” Joe asked Memphis as he tuned in to the conversation.

  “Nope.” Memphis put her arm around Kieran. “Got my own, thanks.”

  Joe chuckled. “And a good choice.” He inclined his head to Kieran. “We Londoners need to stick together,” he said with a wink.

  Kieran laughed softly.

  “What’s going on over here?” Harley asked, as she, Shiloh, Cody, McKenna, Dakota, and Jazmine walked up to the group.

  “Harley!” Midnight said, moving to hug the girl. “It’s good to see you! Hi, Shiloh!” Midnight hugged her as well. “Are you taking good care of Ray’s asset?”

  “I’m trying,” Shiloh said, smiling at Harley, “but she’s still so deep in that last program request, I’m not sure we’re ever going to see daylight.”

  “I’m sure it’s out there somewhere,” Harley said, grinning.

  “Uh-huh,” Midnight murmured. “Are Devin and Skyler here?”

  “I think so.” Shiloh smiled, glad Midnight had taken her hint. “They were over by Jerith Michaels last time I saw them.”

  “I’m gonna go have a chat with Devin,” Midnight said, winking at Shiloh. “Thanks for the heads up.” Then she looked at Memphis. “It was good to meet you. The concert sounded fantastic—I assume that was you,” she said, smiling.

  “Well, the musicians did play the music,” Memphis said, rolling her eyes.

  Midnight laughed. “Take care,” she said as she moved away.

  “Pleasure,” Rick said to Memphis, smiling at her and Kieran.

  Harley looked at Shiloh then. “You did that on purpose,” she said with a grin.

  “Hell yes, I did!” Shiloh said. She smiled. “I’d like to see my girlfriend at some point.”

  Harley grinned mischievously. “Well, let’s get back to the room, and you can see me all night…”

  “Now how could I turn that down?”

  “I’m hoping you can’t,” Harley said, smiling. “Hey, you hear about tomorrow?” she said to Memphis.

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, BJ’s rented a race track; anyone who wants to come can drive a race car.”

  “Serious?” Memphis looked excited.

  Harley nodded. “Yep. Quinn and I are going to race too.”

  “But you won’t have your cars.”

  “No, but still, it’ll be something.”

  “Are we going, or are you talking cars?” Shiloh asked, her look pointed.

  “Oh, we’re goin’, babe,” Harley said. She waved to Memphis and Kieran. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Good lord, you’re going to drive a race car?” Kieran asked Memphis.

  “Yeah.” Memphis smiled. “You gonna come with me?”

  “I go where you go.”

  “I like that.” Memphis grinned as she chewed on her gum. “I also like Harley’s idea…” She trailed off suggestivel
y.

  “About going back to the room?”

  “If you’re done stargazing…”

  “As long as I get to spend all night with you, I’m in,” Kieran said, her cornflower-blue eyes shining.

  “Then let’s go.” Memphis reached over to pick up her gear bag and her jacket.

  “You two out?” Remington asked.

  “Yep.” Memphis nodded. “You going to this track thing tomorrow?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  “Cool, what time is it happening?”

  “Round noon is what I heard,” Quinn put in.

  “Got it. How are we getting there?”

  “I think we’re taking one of the buses,” Remington said.

  Memphis nodded. “We’ll be there.”

  “See you both tomorrow.” Quinn winked at them. “Have fun.”

  Memphis grinned, shaking her head as she looked down.

  Later in the room, after making love a few times, they lay together, trying to catch their breath.

  “Can I ask you a question?” Kieran said, looking up at Memphis.

  “Sure.” Memphis reached out to touch Kieran’s face, brushing her hair back tenderly.

  “Earlier, after BJ went back in the building, that song you sang—was that the one he’d wanted you to sing for him?”

  Memphis nodded.

  “You sang it, and you let Remi hear you… Why?”

  Memphis looked thoughtful for a moment. Finally, she shrugged. “I guess I feel like I can trust her.”

  Kieran nodded. “I think you’re probably right. She seems to really care about you.”

  Memphis nodded, her look reserved.

  “You’re not used to that, are you?” Kieran asked.

  “What? People caring about me? I try to avoid it.”

  Kieran looked perplexed. “You try to avoid people caring about you?”

  Memphis nodded again.

  “Why?” Kieran said, her voice concerned.

  “Because of that, right there.” Memphis pointed to Kieran. “Because of that look you just gave me, like it was hurting you.”

  “Memphis,” Kieran began, trying to make sense of what she was saying. “You don’t want people to care about you because you think them caring about you will hurt them?”

  “I know it will,” Memphis said, her expression grave.