“You are too trusting,” Braxton snarled, his beefy fists clenching in anger. “You need to be watched.”
“Oh, really?” she growled back.
“Yes, really,” I responded, taking some of her heat off of my drummer.
“It’s important that you stay with someone, Cora,” Braxton interrupted, standing from his seat at the table. The dude was bigger than myself, and even after all of the muscle I regained after the years of drug use, he still outweighed me by twenty or thirty pounds. Even I knew not to mess with him when he was angry. There was something about the man that made people nervous. His constant staring and watching Coraline should have bothered me, but it didn’t. He had his own demons he had to work through, and it wasn’t my story to tell. Maybe someday he’d find closure for his many years of hell, but until then, I was going to keep him on my good side. If he was concerned about Coraline’s safety, I wasn’t going to deny him, because she could get herself into loads of trouble without even looking. The little pixie was a handful, that’s for sure.
“I know this,” she huffed in defeat. “I’ve seen it happen before with Kane’s wife, Delilah. Her ex found her in New Orleans, but I just don’t think Doug has the means to follow me around the country, looking for revenge.”
“But he could, and that’s what worries us,” Ace added, giving all of us a look that said that no one was going to hurt my girl. She was family to this motley crew of misfit rockstars and we’d protect her if it came down to that asshole finding us.
“I don’t like being a burden,” she frowned, averting her eyes to stare at the table. “I’ve been doing things for myself for a very long time and it’s hard to let someone else rule my world.” I wasn’t sure if those words were meant for more than the current subject, but she didn’t have to say them for my benefit. I knew Coraline Maddox. She was strong, independent, and stubborn. More stubborn than anything else. The only person she’d let dictate anything in her life was her cousin Kane. He was the only true blood family she had that actually cared for her.
“Well, you’re family to us, and we will take care of what’s ours,” Cash pledged, gaining nods from everyone around the table.
“Okay,” she smiled, shakily. “Okay.”
Breakfast ended and we climbed aboard the bus once again. Our next stop was in North Carolina. After that, we’d be steadily performing what would seem like every night for the next two weeks. We’d have a three day break in Missouri before doing it all over again. This was our life; one we’d chosen to live. I was just thankful that I had my dream girl with me along for the ride.
Chapter 19
Coraline
The next week and a half was hectic. We were now in Nashville, and I’d just left them alone in the control room at the radio station so they could do their interview with the local rock station. Josh was with me this time, because the fans had come out in droves to catch a glimpse of the band as they entered the building.
I had to smile at the increased amount of people at each stop. Fatal Cross was gaining popularity and I couldn’t have been happier for them. They’d come a very long way in the last few years. Since they’d all gotten clean, their music had seen a huge turnaround. Ace’s vocals were at their best, and the comradery between the guys was strong.
“You doing okay, Cora?” Josh had walked over to the soda machine and gotten us both bottled waters, taking a seat next to me in the row of chairs in the reception area. The station’s broadcast was playing softly over the speakers throughout the building. I smiled when I heard the guys answering questions above my head, laughing and cutting up with the radio DJ’s.
“Yeah,” I smiled. “I’m great. Why?”
“You look tired,” he pointed out, raising a brow to dare me to deny it. He was right. I was tired, but I also didn’t want to take a break. Working was my life and all I knew how to do. I’d done nothing but take care of Kane’s band since I’d graduated high school. I made damn good money and didn’t need to go to college to get a degree. My cousin paid me way more than I was worth, and I was thankful for his generosity.
“I am,” I said, my shoulders slumping with my admission. “It’ll be okay. After this run, we will take a break and maybe, just maybe, I can sleep for two days straight.”
“Thank you for coming with us,” he beamed, bumping shoulders with me as he laughed. “They would’ve been completely lost without you. Hell, I’d be lost without you. I love working for them, but I couldn’t handle scheduling their interviews and getting them where they needed to be on time like you do.”
“Ah, thanks,” I blushed, scrunching my brow. “I guess it’s because I’ve done it for so long. It isn’t that hard of a job.”
“I beg to differ,” he laughed loudly. “You run circles around every other tour manager I’ve ever seen, and you’re very good at your job, Cora. I hope that you’ll stay on with us for future tours.” Ah, so there it was…the one thing I was trying to avoid.
“You know this is only temporary, right?” I looked at my friend, glancing away when I saw the sadness in his eyes. “I don’t belong here, Josh.”
“Yeah, you do,” he shot back. “We need you…Taylor needs you.” He said it. I’d thought it, but Josh said it.
“But I belong to Glory Days, Josh. How the hell can I split my time between both bands?” I finished my water, standing up to toss it in the trash can down the hall.
“That’s not all I’m talking about and you know it, Cora,” he sighed. “I can see it. Baby girl, he loves you. I’ve known that boy since he was a teenager. I’ve never seen him as happy as he is when you are near. I don’t know how you are going to do it after this tour, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I admitted. “I don’t want to leave him, but I have to do it. He lives so far away. How the hell are we going to make a relationship work when we live twelve hundred miles apart from each other?”
“You’ll figure out a way,” he shrugged. “It’s not impossible. My wife and I have been married for twenty-seven years and we’ve made it work. It’s hard, don’t get me wrong, but it can be done. It takes two strong people to have a bond. Even with Taylor’s issues, I’m sure you two will make it work.”
“It’s hard to see him upset,” I paused, rolling my head back so I could look at the tiles on the ceiling. “I’m afraid he may relapse.”
“There’s always a chance for that,” Josh agreed, patting my knee to get me to look at him. He waited a moment for an employee of the station to walk by. The older woman nodded politely as she passed and entered a door at the end of the hallway. “But he’s been strong for this long, Cora. You can’t get into the mindset that he will go get high if things don’t go his way. He has to fight that battle for himself. You can support him, but don’t become his only reason to stay off the drugs. He’s been doing so well, and I hope to hell he doesn’t relapse either. He has something to live clean for now.”
“I want to help him, but I know next to nothing about addiction. He’s talked about it a little,” I paused, wiping a stray tear I didn’t know I’d produced. The last thing I needed was to be crying when he came out of that interview.
“That’s good,” he smiled. “He’s lucky to have you, Cora. I’m sure you’ll learn as you go. That’s all you can do.”
“Thanks, Josh,” I said, taking a deep breath to stop my chin from quivering.
“Of course,” he winked. “If you and Taylor don’t work out, I have two sons that are single.”
“Uh, no,” I laughed, slapping his upper arm as he let out a deep laugh. “Eww, Josh. They are like brothers to me.”
We laughed for a few more minutes, teasing each other about his sons, whom he adored and bragged about constantly. He was a proud papa, and I was honored to call him friend.
We heard the interview coming to a close and Josh left, saying he’d bring the SUV around to be ready when the guys were done. I picked up the small box to my right and made
my way back to the studio door. As I looked through the window, my eyes locked with Taylor’s, and I had to smile at the way his eyes heated after only being apart for an hour. He motioned for me to come inside so I could give them the box of shirts and CDs they’d signed to leave at the station.
“Hey, Coraline,” the DJ smiled. “How the hell ya been, girl?”
“Hey, Charlie,” I grinned, accepting a tight hug. I didn’t miss the way Taylor’s nose flared at the guy touching me. Hell, I knew most of the radio people across the world, since I set up interviews for Kane’s band every tour. “I’m doing great. How’s the family?”
“We’ve been great. Michelle is pregnant…again,” he beamed, pride written all over his face. I had to force myself to smile widely at his announcement. It seems like everyone I knew was fucking knocked up. I glanced at Taylor and saw the sadness swamp his features. I gave him a reassuring smile, hoping that would put him at ease.
“That’s great! Congrats,” I remarked, patting his back as if to say what a great job he’d done knocking up his wife. What else was I to do?
“How the hell did you boys get Coraline Maddox on your crew?” he inquired, looking toward the guys.
“I can be very persuasive,” Taylor winked, causing me to laugh rather loudly.
“He’s holding me against my will,” I smirked.
“Well, however you got this girl,” he pointed at me, raising a brow at the band. “Do not let her go. She’s in high demand.”
“No, I’m not,” I rebuffed.
“Yes, you are,” he teased, wrapping an arm across my shoulders as we walked out of the room and down the hallway. “I’ve heard other bands talking about you at several shows here in town. You are just as famous as your cousin.”
“Well, I’m perfectly happy behind the scenes,” I stated, accepting one last hug from the DJ. “We’ll see you tonight?”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he replied, heading for the door leading out of the building.
“Alright, guys. Do you want to do autographs?” I asked, peering out the window that looked over the front of the building. There was a small crowd of about forty people. A few of the employees of the station had come out to give us an extra hand with crowd control, and I thanked them as they headed outside.
“Yes,” Cash nodded. “Do we have time?”
“Yes,” I replied. “You’ve got at least an hour before lunch.”
“Okay,” Taylor chimed in, throwing his arm around my shoulders. “Let’s do this, but you stay close.”
“Alright,” I relented, pulling four Sharpie markers out of my back pocket. I didn’t even comment on what he said about me staying close. I really hated being looked after. It made me feel incompetent. “It’s all yours.”
As we pushed the door open, the small crowd cheered for the guys. Ace stopped at the first girl in line, posing for a picture. Braxton opened up and actually smiled for his pictures. The closed off, reserved drummer worked the crowd as if he’d been doing it his entire life.
Taylor scowled at me when I laughed at the group of women who’d surrounded him, lust in their eyes. One girl, no more than twenty years old, stroked his muscular forearm, batting her baby blues at him. I’m sure she’d drop her clothes right there if he’d give the slightest hint of interest.
It took all of twenty minutes for the guys to finish with the fans and climb into the SUV. We headed back to the venue to get ready for another show.
Chapter 20
Taylor
Sweat poured down my neck as I sang the chorus to our current single, “As I was”. Ace looked over his shoulder and frowned at me. At first, I wasn’t sure what the hell he was upset about, but when I followed his line of vision, my heart thundered in my chest.
Doug was in the crowd. I’d know that motherfucker anywhere. The man was tall, like me, but his bulk was not muscular. The man was overweight; his clothes fit tight against his body. He eyed the stage, looking at no one in particular. His blonde hair had grown out since I’d last seen him in Phoenix. Speaking of Phoenix, why the fuck was he here in Nashville?
I backed away from the mic and turned toward the side of the stage, breathing a sigh of relief that Cora was standing there watching us. The song ended and I quickly stepped behind the curtain while Ace talked to the crowd, giving me time to give her a warning.
“What’s wrong, Taylor?” she asked, looking confused. I’d never come off the stage before during a show.
“Keep your ass right here,” I demanded. “Doug is in the building.”
“Fuck,” she swore, stepping closer to my side. Thankfully, we’d shown my band the asshole’s picture so they could help us keep an eye out for him.
“Call the police,” I said. “Do you have your restraining order paperwork with you?”
“Yeah,” she scowled. “I swear I’m going to kill that fucker!”
“The hell you will, Coraline,” I cursed. “Do what I tell you, and don’t you dare leave this fucking spot!” My time was up; I had to get back on stage.
I watched when she grabbed Josh as he made his way up to the side of the stage. She spoke frantically, using her hands to express her frustration. Josh looked over her head and when our eyes connected, he nodded, silently saying he would watch over my girl. Thank God, because it took all I had not to jump off this stage and go beat the fuck out of the man who’d beaten Coraline for walking in on him preparing drugs to sell.
The lights sped up as our song began. It took all of my control keep playing when I lost sight of him. The bastard had turned toward the front doors and slipped outside. It wasn’t but a few more minutes before the local police sauntered through the door, their eyes scanning the building for any trouble. Of course, they had no clue who this guy was or what type of damage he’d done to Coraline in Phoenix.
I saw Liam escorting them to the backstage area. Turning toward Coraline, I nodded for her to go on and talk to them. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. We were down to two songs left. Ten more minutes and this concert would be over. I had to make sure she was okay.
As soon as the lights went down, I was off the stage, turning for the door leading to where I knew she was. Kevin was there to take my guitar and to tell me they were in the green room for privacy.
I didn’t even knock when I reached the door, pushing it wide open. My eyes landed on Cora, who was sitting on a couch with her arms crossed low over her stomach. As soon as she saw me, her posture changed and she sat up straight…in control. That one action told me that the ever hardened Coraline Maddox was anything other than fine. She was scared, and that realization was like a punch to the gut, because Cora wasn’t afraid of anything.
Or so I thought…
“Ms. Maddox,” one officer said, standing up with a weary sigh. “We will keep an eye on the building until you are ready to leave town. We’ve spoken with the detective in Phoenix, and he’s determined to get this guy behind bars. My suggestion to you would be to stay with someone while you work, even inside the building. I would like for you to call me when you are leaving the city, just to keep us informed.” He handed her a card and shook her hand. The guy didn’t offer me any introductions, and that was fine with me. I just wanted to grab Cora and hide her until Doug was caught.
“Hey,” she whispered shyly. Her eyes tracked the officers as they left the room. I nodded to the guys, silently telling them we needed some privacy.
“You okay?” I asked, my voice a bit harsher than I’d intended.
“I’m fine,” she clipped, gritting her teeth. “I’m just fine, Taylor.”
“Cora,” I groaned. “What was that?”
“What?” she said, feigning confusion.
“You’re scared,” I said. It wasn’t meant as a question and she damn well knew it. I cupped her face, relaxing when she nuzzled her cheek into my palm. My other hand copied the first, and as I held her tenderly, I saw the fear in her eyes. “He’s not going to touch you.”
“I hate feeli
ng out of control,” she admitted. “I hate having restrictions put on me.”
“I know, baby,” I whispered, assuring her.
Pulling her to my chest, she didn’t complain about my sweaty clothes and let me hold her tightly. This was not the Coraline that everyone knew. This was the woman who let her cousin, and now me, take care of her. She’d fight me tooth and nail, but I was going to have to make her talk to me about what the hell was rolling around in her head concerning the man who’d hurt her. I had a feeling there was something she wasn’t telling me.
“I have to work,” she blurted, feeling me tense beneath her cheek.
“We need to talk about this,” I admonished, tilting her face so that I could capture her lips. The kiss wasn’t heated, just a soft press of lips. I nibbled her bottom lip and let her go, pushing her toward the door. “I’m going to shower. I’ll find you afterward.”
She left with nothing more than a nod, knowing that she couldn’t hide anything from me. I was just more attuned to her than she wanted to admit.
Chapter 21
Coraline
My hands shook as I hurriedly coiled up wires and placed them into cases. All of the guys were working around me while the band showered and prepared to load up the bus, but they all had at least one eye on me as I did my job. I fucking hated it!
I hated that they had to keep checking on me like some helpless nitwit! I prided myself on the fact that I didn’t need anyone’s help in my life. Yes, my cousin Kane liked to be there when I needed him, and he helped me though most of my adolescence, but since he’d begun traveling with his band, I’d pretty much fended for myself. When I started working for Glory Days at the age of eighteen, Kane and I were together constantly. That was why I took my time off on some private island…to get away from everyone. Being in L.A. was too damn close to my father and that was something I tried to avoid like the fucking plague.
Fatal Desires (Fatal Cross Live! Book 1) Page 12
