by Tessa Layne
Chey: HAVE YOU SEEN THIS??!!!??!?!?
Helene: I thought you said you were through singing… What are you playing at?
Chey: PICK UP!!!!! Everything okay???
Helene: Franco is talking to his lawyer. He’s through with having his chain yanked. You’re obligated to book through him.
What? That made no sense. Not to mention she’d fired him.
Chey: Kate??!!??
She scrolled through the remaining messages stomach lurching with each new text. What in the hell was going on? She scrolled up to the link Cheyenne had sent and clicked it. All the air squeezed out of her lungs as a video popped up on the Nashville Examiner Page with the title Kaycee Starr discovered hiding in Kansas. She clapped a hand over her mouth in horror as she recognized herself sitting on a hay bale in the barn on the ranch. The video ended with a voice screeching “Ohmygod you’re Kaycee Starr!”
Emma Sinclaire.
Kate’s stomach pitched. But Emma had promised. She’d signed a nondisclosure. How could she? Heat raced up her spine even as her hands turned cold.
“What is it?” Cash asked sharply, shooting her a concerned glance.
“It was Emma,” she spoke quietly, cold sinking to her stomach. “Emma sold me out.”
“Emma Sinclaire?”
Kate nodded, blinking furiously. “I’m sick. I don’t understand.”
“How do you know it was her?”
“This video.” She waved the phone. “I was on the phone with Cheyenne just before things got crazy and she was going on about a viral video. She must have meant this. It’s me singing in the barn. I didn’t know Emma was there and she recorded me. She promised to delete the video and signed an ND.”
“A non-disclosure doesn’t mean shit when twenty grand is on the line.”
“I don’t understand.”
“That’s how much the paper was offering for a picture of you. Probably more for video.” He sounded as disgusted as she felt.
“Well then, we can see her in court.” She scrolled through the contacts she’d transferred from her old phone, and hit the number for her lawyer. It went straight to voicemail, no surprise. She’d never texted him, but this was an emergency.
K: Brian – I need you to file a breach of contract suit against Emma Sinclaire and Royal Fountain Media, asap. She signed an ND and video she took of me is all over the internet.
A few minutes later her phone buzzed.
B: Would this have anything to do with the certified mail I received naming you in a breach of contract suit from Franco DiAngelo?
Her vision spotted and her hands went numb as the text sank in. “Noooooo. NoNoNO.” Kate had never believed in the expression “seeing red” until now, except she was so angry she couldn’t even see. She was ready to punch something.
“More bad news?”
“If you call my former agent trying to sue me for breach of contract, then yeah.” She typed furiously.
K: Franco is full of shit. I fired him in January. He can kiss my ass.”
Sometimes it paid to have a lawyer on retainer. A lawsuit wouldn’t fix her wider problem, but she could recoup whatever funds Emma had sold her video for, and then give the funds to the ranch for the trouble she’d caused. That justice would be enough. Her thoughts turned to Travis and Elaine. “What will this mean for the ranch?”
“Too early to tell. I’m sure Weston will send extra patrols. Don’t worry, Travis won’t let the paparazzi fuck with anyone.”
“I’ve ruined everything for them,” she whispered, chest burning. “Haven’t I?”
Cash reached out a reassuring hand, caressing her shoulder. “Nothing we can’t deal with sweetheart. Why don’t you shut your eyes? We have a long drive ahead of us.”
She flipped her wrist up and studied the temporary tattoo she’d reapplied a few days ago. I Am Brave.
She didn’t feel brave at the moment. She felt like a coward. What would brave Kate do? Face the press. Tell them to fuck off and leave her alone. So what was holding her back from that? The quickest way to a private life would be to go public with her vocal problems. But it would also kill any credibility she had. Wouldn’t it? The great Kaycee Starr turning to producing, song-writing, and talent scouting because she couldn’t hack it as a singer anymore?
That was the issue. She was only twenty-four. What was she supposed to do for the rest of her life?
“Wanna talk about it?” Cash asked quietly.
“I don’t think you’re going to like what I have to say.”
“We have a long drive to sort it out.”
“Why don’t we start by you telling me where we’re going?”
A frown drew down his mouth. “Chicago. I have an apartment there. Sometimes it’s been used as a safe house. No risk of the paparazzi spying on you there.”
“Chicago,” she stated flatly. “You’re taking me to Chicago.”
“It’s the safest place I know.”
“What if I told you I was ready to face the press?”
“I’d say you were crazy. The whole reason you came to Prairie was to get away from them.”
“And that was lovely. But let’s be honest. I was living in a bubble. And now I’ve jeopardized the ranch. At the very least, I’ve interrupted its operations because I was acting selfishly and was too afraid to live my life.”
Cash gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles went white. “But what if I fail you again? What if something happens?”
“I’m not going to live my life on the run. Or in hiding.”
“But I’m afraid for you, babe.” His voice rose.
Her heart melted at his words. Her sweet giant of a man, so tender. “You can’t keep me in glass, Cash. Locked away like a doll. What kind of a life would that be? For either of us?”
He shook his head, but didn’t speak.
“Do you have feelings for me Cash?”
His jaw went tight, the muscle below his ear twitching. “You know I do.”
“Do you trust me?”
He nodded curtly.
“Then you have to let me do this my way. It’s my life.”
He glanced over. The wild-eyed, frightened look she remembered from the night he tackled her had returned. “But I can’t let you get hurt,” he whispered hoarsely. “Or worse.”
She sighed heavily, pain for them both, at their impossible situation, twisting her stomach in knots. “I understand. I really do.” She reached out, giving his leg a comforting squeeze. “But I want a partner. Not a protector.”
The fight left his shoulders. “But that’s all I know how to be.”
CHAPTER 25
Cash stood contemplating the black expanse of Lake Michigan. Far below, the lights of Navy Pier blinked like a beacon. How many nights and days had he stood in this very spot contemplating his life and examining it like a Rubik’s Cube? Tonight was no different. Kate was going to go back to Nashville. He could feel it. The pain of it seared through him. And what killed him? Made the ache gunk up his throat so he couldn’t swallow? He wouldn’t try and stop her.
He couldn’t.
She wanted a partner, not a protector. She wanted cowboy Cash, not bodyguard Deuce. He wanted to be both. Needed to be both. He would always be a warrior. He might also be a lover, and a not-half-bad rancher, but he’d never stop trying to protect the people he loved. Including Kate. But if she didn’t want that? Then, she didn’t want him. And that hurt worse than the knife wound that scarred his side.
The security phone jarred him from his thoughts. “Yes,” he barked.
“A Sterling Walker is here? Said to tell you he’s been driving all night.”
Travis must have sent him. He and Weston were the only ones in Prairie who knew he owned this condo. “Send him up.”
Why in the hell would Sterling be here? Unless it was somehow twisted up with Emma? Suspicion got the better of him. Emma had told Sterling about Kaycee first. Had he been the one to sell out Kate in some kind of misguided atte
mpt to help fund the ranch?
The elevator bell rang, and he counted slowly to seven, then whipped open the door. Sure enough, Sterling Walker stood in front of him, hand raised to knock, looking utterly worn out. “If you knew about the video, I swear, I’ll break every bone in your body,” Cash ground out.
Sterling waved him off. “I know, I know. Can I please come in?”
Cash stepped aside and let Sterling pass, following him into the living room. Sterling walked right up to the glass and gave a low whistle. “Nice digs. This place yours?”
Cash nodded curtly as he joined him at the window. “Bought it when I got out. But it’s been used as a safe house before. Hard for people to spy on you from the water when you’re this high up.” He bent and tossed Sterling a blanket. “You’re sleeping on the couch. We’ll talk in the morning.” Cash spun and paced back to the bedroom leaving him at the window. No way was he waking Kate up at this late hour.
Cash slipped into the darkened room, stopping at the edge of the bed to study Kate as she slept. She lay on her side, hair spilling across the pillow in a silken halo. Even in sleep, her hand fisted defiantly as if to shout to the world she would be meeting it on her terms from here on out. Unease settled in his gut. He’d felt like this before, when he first worked with Samson. Exposed. Vulnerable. He extended a hand over the bed. At least he wasn’t shaking.
With a shuddering sigh, he lay down next to her, tucking her into his embrace. Sleep eluded him. If his time with Kate was coming to an end, he didn’t want to miss a second. He inhaled her sweet perfume, the essence of her that lingered on the sheets, imprinting her scent into his brain so that he’d never forget it.
Kate stirred as the early morning light stole across the floor. Gazing up at him with sleepy eyes, she smiled softly. “We should talk today.”
His heart clutched. He would be utterly lost, utterly alone without her. But he nodded. “I know.” He kissed her forehead. “Sterling showed up late last night. After you’d gone to bed.”
“Oh?”
He nodded again. “Yeah. I’ll go put on coffee.” As much as he hated to, he flipped the covers back and dragged himself to standing. How many nights did he have left? Too few. With a heavy heart, he threw on his jeans and padded to the kitchen. A few minutes later, sounds of Kate’s guitar wafted down the hall. He’d miss that sound in the mornings. The way the chords soothed him, started off his day with a peaceful beauty.
Cash pushed the start button and braced himself on the counter, waiting for the pot to fill. When the pot was close to done, he pulled out three mugs and began to pour. Sterling moved down the hall, his step quick and light, and Cash handed him a mug as he hesitated in the doorway. “I take it this isn’t a social call?”
“Nope.”
Cash stalked out of the kitchen, two mugs in hand. “Let’s get this over with then.” He returned to his favorite spot, and stood staring out the window, bracing for whatever came next. The whitecaps on Lake Michigan sparkled in the early morning sun. Behind him, Kate stopped strumming.
Sterling cleared his throat. “Emma didn’t post your video. She’d never do that. Not in a million years. The ranch means too much to her. Her devices got stolen the day of the baseball game. Whoever nabbed them hacked them.”
What?!?
Cash spun, giving Sterling a hard look. “Are you fucking with us? If you’re fucking with us, I will crush you.”
Sterling glared back. “I didn’t drive all night because I was fucking with you.”
Truth. Cash whipped out his phone. “Those sons of bitches picked the wrong people to fuck with,” he growled. He stalked down the long hallway to his office. It was a long shot, but since Kate was a former client, STORM might be willing to help. Hesitating only a moment, he dialed the number he still had for Bones.
“If you’re calling for a second chance, the answer is fuck no, and I told you so,” a deep voice answered drily.
“Nice to hear your voice, too,” Cash retorted. “I learned my lesson, and I’d like to think I’ve got most of it under control now.”
“The answer’s still no.”
“I am calling about Kaycee Starr.”
“Oh?”
Cash heard the thinly disguised interest in the man’s voice. “Seems like a video of her was hacked from a woman’s phone and put out online. I’m hoping you might help get to the bottom of it.” He could hear keys typing in the background. Knowing Bones, he was probably already digging.
“Yeah. We can do some mining. Do some reverse tracing related to the time stamp. I would like nothing more than to stick it to a few careless hackers,” Bones promised grimly.
“Thanks, man. I owe you.”
“We’ll come calling.”
Cash hung up and stopped by the kitchen to grab the coffee pot. They all could use a refill. “I’ve got people working on reverse tracing the IP addresses from the video,” he announced when he returned.
Sterling nodded grimly, then turned his attention to Kate. “I have an idea about how to fix everything, and I’m hoping you’ll hear me out?”
Kate nodded after a moment.
“First. I have a friend with a friend–”
Cash made a scoffing noise in his throat. How many times had she heard something like that? “Did Kate tell you that her agent is suing her for breach of contract even though she fired him?”
Sterling raised his cup, accepting a refill. “I’m not shitting you, Kate. On my honor. I have a friend who is connected to a shark of a lawyer in Hollywood. Represents movie stars in disputes. If your agent is wrongly suing you–”
“He is,” she answered sharply.
“If you feel your agent is wrongly suing you, she’ll help you as a favor to my friend.”
Kate made a doubtful noise. “I have my own lawyers.”
“I understand. But if you decide want another opinion, you can talk to my friend Jason. He’ll be returning to the ranch as part of the first program just before the concert, and I can assure you, he’s solid. He’d never recommend someone subpar.”
She still looked dubious.
“What else,” Cash growled.
“In return, I would ask that you drop your suit against Emma. Royal Fountain sacked her because of other videos that were hacked.”
Kate chewed on her lip.
“Look.” Sterling held up his phone. “Your video went viral. It’s had over four million views since it was posted yesterday. And read the comments. People love it. They want more.” He took a deep breath. “I know Emma asked you to sing at the concert. Is there any chance you’d reconsider?”
Worry pulled at her face. Cash hated seeing her tied up in knots like this. But he was committed to staying out of her way. Even if he had a few choice words for Sterling.
Sterling held up his hands. “Even just a few songs? As a gift to the donors supporting the ranch. Think of it as a no-pressure opportunity for you to get your feet back under you.” He waved the phone. “You already have proof people will love it.”
“But the security…” her voice trailed off uncertainly as she cast a fear-filled look his direction.
“I won’t let you out of my sight for a second,” he growled.
“I can work with Travis and Weston to manage the paparazzi,” Sterling offered. “Whatever it takes. I know it would mean a lot to the ranch if you would consider joining the concert. And to Emma too,” Sterling added after a pause. “And I’m sure if you give her the chance, Emma would help you with the media. Make a press release, or anything else you want.”
The knot in Cash’s shoulders tightened. Would she stay? Would she come back to the ranch, even for a little while? Even if it was only a few extra nights, he’d do whatever it took to keep her safe and content.
Kate’s gaze settled on him. Even from across the room, she had this way of looking straight into the heart of him. He did his best to keep his face neutral. To not give his position away. If she wanted to do this her way, then by God, he
wouldn’t interfere.
Kate looked between the two of them, and rolled back her shoulders, suddenly looking determined. “Can you get me a microphone and a laptop?”
Sterling nodded. “Anything.”
“I’ll do it. I’ll sing at the concert.”
CHAPTER 26
“Are you sure about this?” Cash asked from his favorite spot in front of the window as Kate flipped open the laptop that Sterling had delivered. “You don’t have to do this.”
Kate nodded, making some final tweaks to the digital sound board. Sterling had managed to secure everything on her wish list, and over the past couple of days, she’d familiarized herself with the ins and outs of her portable recording studio. A little thrill of excitement ran through her. “I know. But I want to. I want to try. I’ve had words humming around my head for days, and I’ve never been in charge of my own artistic process from start to finish. I want to see what it feels like. And if I suck at it, and the audience ends up hating me, then so be it. At least I’ll know.”
“They’ll never hate you, Kate. I’m sure of it.” He spoke sincerely, but at the same time, she got the feeling he was holding himself in check. Not saying whatever it was that he really wanted to say.
Kate hated the way everything between them had become so stilted. That every glance, every touch, was loaded with meaning. He was pulling away. She could feel it, and she didn’t know what to do about it. Now more than ever, she needed to face these hurdles and take her lumps like a grown-up.
“You want me to bug out?” Cash asked, still staring out the window. His shoulders knotted with tension.
In the past, she’d always insisted on no guests during a recording session. No one extraneous in the sound booth or in the recording space. But she was by herself now. It was all on her. Cash had heard her humming for weeks now, singing little snippets of lyrics when she felt brave enough to try something. Why not? Maybe she needed to throw caution to the wind. Do everything differently this time.
“You can stay if you like,” she hedged, wanting to give him the out if he was looking for one.
