Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3

by Michelle Mankin

  “I’m sorry, Marcus. I can’t do this,” Avery stated emphatically, her right leg working rhythmically like a convulsion. “Did you see all those people out there? Eddie Van Halen is in the first row! Eddie freakin’ Van Halen!” If she was looking for sympathy, she found only mirth sparkling in his blue eyes. The turd. He thought this was funny. “Don’t mock me, you cretin!” She kicked his steel-toed boot. “Ouch,” she grimaced as the pain shot straight up her calf.

  Marcus’ grin only got wider. He began to laugh.

  And just like that, in an instant, Avery’s fear was forgotten. His genuine smile and the sound of his easy laughter warmed her top to bottom. She crossed her arms over her flattened chest and peered up at him. Tapping her foot, pretending impatience, she raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to stop.

  Marcus wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and his expression turned serious. He reached out about to put his hands on Avery’s shoulders, the way he might have before, but pulled back at the last moment. “Sorry, Ace. I couldn’t help it. You had yourself really worked up there. And I’m not the least bit worried. I know you’re ready, and I know you’re not gonna let us down. BS needs you out there. You belong on that stage. You’re gonna slay ‘em. So let’s go.” He didn’t wait for a reply, as if he had no doubt Avery would follow.

  Just before going on stage, Marcus called everyone over for the group huddle. Glances were exchanged again from beneath clasped arms, Avery’s gaze lingering on Marcus long after he turned away. She had a hollow feeling in the pit of her recently emptied stomach and knew that this performance with him might very well be her last.

  The large theatre was quiet, just a low hum of voices awaiting the final act. A stage hand wielding an iPad walked over to them and gave them the word. “You’re up next.”

  They filed out and took their respective places on the darkened stage while the audience watching at home on their televisions saw only a commercial. Positioned forward toward the edge of the stage and wound as tightly as a coiled spring, Avery clutched her guitar neck and waited. When the blinding stage lights came up, all that tension was released, and she channeled all the energy into one of the best performances of her young life.

  The whole group pulled out all the stops. JR’s spinning sticks never touched the ground. Even Dwight hammed it up as he laid out his groove. But what really sparked the crowd was the chemistry that she and Marcus managed to capture, at least this one last time. Every cue he set down she picked up, every vocal phrase he left hanging she completed.

  As the band exited to a standing ovation, Avery was still feeling a little jittery from the nonstop adrenaline surge. She jumped when her agent pulled her aside. “What is it, Trevor?” she asked, noting the intense expression on his face.

  He pulled her in closer and leaned his head down so his voice wouldn’t carry. “Jeff called my office and wanted to know what to do with the money we wired him.”

  “What do you mean? Crap! He was supposed to pay off Campanella!” she exclaimed.

  “That might be a little difficult to do, kid.” He smiled letting her in on the joke. “Considering the fact that he was arrested today.”

  “Righteous,” Avery breathed, smiling free and easy for the first time since Campanella had burned her arm. Her days of worrying about mobsters lurking around every dark corner were finally over. Divine justice had been served. Maybe this was a sign that things wouldn’t go as badly as she feared when she told Marcus the truth tonight. She could certainly hope.

  Trevor crooked his arm around Avery as they rejoined the band.

  All the members of BS stayed together during the post-concert meet and greet with the VIP’s. Stephen kept the introductions coming, including a succession of movie executives and video game moguls who were interested in buying the rights to use BS’s songs.

  Avery tried several times to speak to Marcus alone. She wanted to tell him the truth and get it over with. Her stomach was in knots. Though the buffet tables were laden with all sorts of tantalizing food, she didn’t dare touch any of it.

  After an hour of small talk and smoozing, things finally began to wind down. She spotted Marcus alone over near one of the melting ice sculptures, talking on his cell. When he finished the call, she asked, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Sure, Ace. What’s up?” He pocketed his cell.

  “I really need to tell you something, but I can’t do it here. Can we go somewhere private to talk?”

  “I’m sorry, Avery. Can’t it wait until morning? That was Veronica on the phone. I told her I was on my way over to her party.”

  “Sure,” Avery replied dully. “That’s great. No problem.”

  Why not prolong the agony even further?

  “GOOD EVENING, MR. JONES,” the doorman greeted Justin warmly as he entered the Ritz Carlton at the street level.

  That was weird, Justin thought, wondering how in the world the guy knew his name. Guess he mistook me for someone else. Jones was a common enough last name after all.

  He went straight to the elevator, taking it up to the twenty-third floor lobby. Passing through the modern minimalistic inspired space, he’d almost reached the front desk when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Spinning around, he was surprised to find himself face to face with a vaguely familiar and exceptionally beautiful woman.

  “How’d you get here so fast, honey?” she slurred, wobbling unsteadily on stiletto heels, judging by the heavy alcohol fumes she was breathing he imagined he could get drunk just standing next to her.

  “You look really yummy tonight, baby.” She gave him a seductive look through her lashes.

  He suddenly realized who she was. Veronica Martinez. Miss V. Wow! “Especially now that you’ve changed outfits,” she continued. “I never been a big fan of the metro look.” She touched his arm suggestively. His jaw dropped. She was definitely coming on to him. “Come on upstairs with me. I’d love to have you help me kick off my after-party. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other better one on one before everyone arrives, if you know what I mean.” Her lips curved into a wanton smile. She leaned in closer pressing her boobs into him, blew into his ear, and then kissed his neck with her moistened lips.

  ‘Hot damn!’ Justin thought. Everything else could wait. He wasn’t about to turn down what she was offering. “Sure, baby,” he agreed, sliding his arm around her tiny waist as they got on the elevator together.

  Once she had guitarist inside her suite, V could not have been more pleased. Avery had seemed reluctant and timid before, but not anymore. The handsome red head was eager and bold now. He knew his way around a woman’s body that much was obvious. And he was definitely ready to find new uses for those talented hands.

  This was absolutely perfect. Just how she’d planned it. A love triangle with two musicians in the same band. She couldn’t ask for any better publicity than that. Hopefully, Marcus would show up soon.

  V cracked open her secret stash, the real good stuff, wanting to make sure the BS guitarist had another reason to stick around. They were both flying high and feeling invincible as the guests began to arrive for the party.

  MARCUS WAS REMEMBERING the look of disappointment on Avery’s face earlier. He’d actually changed his mind and gone back to hear him out, but he’d already left. Then he’d been held up by a broken escalator that required security to reroute all the VIP’s the long way around to the hotel. But he was finally at Veronica’s suite now.

  He paused inside the doorway, acknowledging V’s personal assistant, who manned his post looking sullen. He felt uneasy as he surveyed the dimly lit scene, frowning at the rampant drugs and debauchery that was so open and commonplace at these parties. He didn’t feel right being there, and he was just about to turn around and leave when he spotted something across the room that completely blew his mind.

  Avery and V in a clench, lips locked on each other. What the hell? He felt a sharp stab of betrayal. He unfortunately knew V’s ethics or lack thereo
f, but Avery’s underhandedness had him baffled and angry.

  He started to close the distance between them when V’s hulking bodyguard and her scrawny assistant blocked his path. “Out of my effing way!” he roared.

  V scurried over, laying her hand on his tensed arm as if that would soothe him. How could he have forgotten how much she loved her games? Her glazed gaze flicked to him. “Marcus, don’t be mad. It’s not what you think” she exclaimed dramatically loud. By this point nearly everyone in the room was staring at them. “I tried to stop him, Marcus. I really did. But he’s just like Keith was. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

  Marcus tried but couldn’t see his guitarist around the bodyguard. “I assume this is what you were trying to tell me, Ace,” he shouted over the bodyguard’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. She’s all yours.” He turned to focus on his ex, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “I don’t feel anything but relief. Avery’s naive, but he’ll figure you out soon enough. You’re the same self-centered bitch you’ve always been.”

  Turning on his heel, he spun around and exited the suite without a backward glance.

  DOWN SEVERAL LEVELS, Marcus was still feeling unsettled as he banged on Dwight’s door. “Let me in!” he demanded. “I need to talk to you.”

  Inside Dwight glanced at Avery. She had shed her disguise after the concert, and come to his room for moral support. He raised a questioning brow at her.

  “It’s time for him to know the truth,” she whispered.

  Dwight squeezed her hand and went to open the door.

  Marcus stormed into the room and then went completely still, every muscle in his body frozen in shock as Avery stood to face him.

  “Marcus,” she whispered, looking apologetic and nervous as she twisted her hands together. “I can explain.”

  He shook his head, his mind reeling as he stared at the unexpected softness and curves of the beautiful woman standing before him.

  There was no way this Avery had been that Avery...at the party…kissing V.

  So, who the hell had it been?

  Then the truth hit him.

  There was only one person it could be.

  Avery’s twin.

  Her not-so-dead twin brother.

  He hadn’t gotten a really good close look, but across the room the resemblance had been uncanny.

  But what the hell was her game? This was way more twisted and convoluted than any stunt V had ever pulled. He would’ve never believed it if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes.

  All those sleepless nights second guessing himself about his attraction to Avery. As it turned out his body had known what his brain had failed to reason out.

  But his temporary relief was swiftly swallowed by the rage that billowed up in its wake. The full magnitude of what Avery had done, the depth of her deception, hit him like a punch to the gut. All this time she had been a woman. A woman he’d been more open with than anyone he’d ever known.

  He’d have to give it to her, she was one talented little actress. Lies upon more lies, but why? Had anything she told him been the truth?

  His eyes slashed to his brother. “Dwight, get out,” he ordered before cutting his gaze back to Avery. “I want to talk to her alone.” His voice shook with the force of his anger.

  Dwight hesitated looking uncertain as he noted the dangerous look in Marcus’ eyes.

  “It’s ok, Dwight,” Avery told him. “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.”

  Dwight dipped his head in acknowledgement before easing to the door where he stopped and glanced back over his shoulder.

  Avery had returned to her seat. While he watched, she scooted back, straightened her spine, and clasped her hands together in her lap. She looked so vulnerable and young, like a little girl bracing for a reprimand. But though her big green eyes were shadowed with trepidation, her expression remained resolute.

  Dwight sighed. This was about to get ugly. He closed the door, hoping for the best.

  As soon as the latch clicked, the room descended into complete silence.

  Tension trickled down Avery’s spine as Marcus studied her, his gaze running over her body, top to bottom slowly and then back up.

  Marcus couldn’t help noting how well she filled out her jeans or how flatteringly her green v -necked t-shirt stretched over her breasts. Hello- where had those been the past few weeks?

  Stop, he told himself. It doesn’t really matter now. Get your eyes back to her face. He redirected his gaze with effort. Torn between his desire for her and the temptation to rail at her, a muscle began to twitch in his clenched jaw.

  “How long has Dwight known?” His voice cracked the air like a sharp whip.

  Avery jumped. She found it difficult to concentrate, watching him struggle for composure, his fists opening and closing. “Two days,” she whispered, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

  He gave an aggravated snort, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at her.

  “I was going to tell you at the farm…”

  “Oh, that soon, huh?” he interrupted, voice dripping with sarcastic ire.

  “Yes… I know I should’ve told you sooner. Marcus, please.” She reached out a hand to touch him, but he stepped back out of her reach.

  “Don’t you dare touch me.”

  His scorn made Avery flinch. She rushed to explain. “After the Besille thing, I knew I had to tell you right away, but I wanted to help you finish the album first, and I wanted to…” Her voice choked to a stop. She looked down, clamping her lips closed unable to continue.

  “What did you want?” Marcus pressed, his voice lethally soft as he leaned over her. “What, Avery?” He put both his hands on the armrests of her chair and shook it. When she looked up the pain in his blue eyes was difficult to stomach. “Tell me.”

  “I wanted to be near you,” Avery admitted, the words tumbling from her mouth.

  Marcus made a disgusted noise, pushing back from her chair and turning his back to her.

  Avery rose, staring at his tensed shoulders, heart in her throat. She reached out a shaking hand to him before coming to her senses and placing it back at her side instead. “I love you, Marcus,” she said so softly, she thought he wouldn’t hear.

  Marcus whirled around, the lines of his face drawn back in disdain.

  Avery took a frightened step back.

  “Oh please, Avery. What kind of idiot to you think I am? Give me a little effing credit.”

  Wham. There it was, the rejection she feared, like a door slamming shut somewhere deep inside. Up until then, she hadn’t realized how much she’d hoped telling him how she felt would make a difference. It hadn’t. This outcome had been inevitable from the very beginning. She only had herself to blame. She should have tried harder to find another way out of the mess with Campanella. But it was time to get out of Marcus’ life, make as graceful of an exit as she could before she made things worse by begging.

  “I don’t know what else you want me to say, Marcus.” Her voice sounded as dead and defeated as she felt inside. She blinked back the sting of tears. “I’m sorry. I made a huge mistake. There’s no excuse for what I did.”

  “Damn right! You messed with my band and my personal life. You had me so screwed up, getting back together with V was looking like a viable alternative. And that night with that blonde...” He trailed off making a dismissive motion with his hand. “Well, never mind. The farce ends here.” He moved to the door and yanked it open. He didn’t turn back around, but it was obvious he expected her to leave, and that he hated her so much he couldn’t even stand to look at her. “I hope you’re happy, Ace.” Marcus spat out her nickname like it was poison. “You’ve made a complete wreck of my life.” Her chest burned from his venomous words. “V was just a minor wound compared to this. After what you’ve done to me, I’m going to have to rebuild my soul.”

  SOMETIME LATER, THERE was a knock at Avery’s door. Blinking through her sheen of tears, she hesitantly opened it. JR took
one look at her and shook his head. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry.” He led her over to the bed, the mattress sinking when he took a seat beside her.

  “He hates me, JR,” she whispered her voice hoarse from crying. “If you had seen the look on his face...” She shuddered. “Did he say anything to you?”

  “No, but I saw Dwight out in the hall. He’s gone to try to talk some sense into him.” He tipped her chin back running calloused thumbs through the wetness on her cheeks. “What are we going to do with you, Avery?” His eyes were soft with concern as he studied her blotchy tear stained face.

  Unable to endure his scrutiny with her emotions still so raw, she lowered her head scooting closer, tucking her chin into his chest. She was grateful for the comfort he provided. She settled into his embrace.

  “Why couldn’t you have fallen for me?” he half teased after a while. “Not enough of a challenge, huh?”

  She looked up at him, managing a wan smile.

  “What I really don’t get is why you lied about your brother being dead.”

  “I didn’t.” Avery shook her head. “What are you talking about?”

  “Marcus told Dwight he saw Justin at the party with V.”

  That wasn’t possible, was it? Avery stood on wobbly legs. Marcus had to be mistaken, but she couldn’t take that chance. She squeezed JR’s arm. “Take me up there, JR. Please. I need to see for myself.”

  “Alright.” He looked skeptical.

  “Come on JR, hurry!” She tugged on his arm when he moved too slow for her.

  “Ok, Ok, Avery.” He followed her out into the hall, and onto the elevator. She gnawed on her lip, heart racing as it rose, willing it to go faster. She started to feel lightheaded.

  A crowd awaited them when they exited onto V’s floor. Seemed the party was winding down. Avery pushed past the few remaining people mingling in front of the doorway. Scanning the room, she saw Veronica first. As their eyes met, V’s jaw dropped and all the color drained from her face.