No, it was his. Justice took the pen and quickly signed. Once the paperwork was done, they went to the podium at the end of the room, where they stood together with Emily and Lynx behind them.
The officiant slid on her glasses and read from a form Beth had filled out. “We meet here today for the joyful purpose of joining in marriage Justice Cade and Liza Glasner. This is a moment of joy and excitement as you face a future together. But marriage is more than a legal contract, it is a solemn vow that requires thoughtful consideration of the deep obligations and responsibilities you will pledge this day.” She looked up and asked, “Justice and Liza, are you ready today to take this vow?”
“Yes,” Justice answered.
“I am,” Beth said.
She nodded. “Let us proceed. Turn and face each other to exchange your vows.”
Beth handed her flowers to Emily and turned to him.
“I’ll go first.” Justice faced Beth with both her hands in his and looked into her eyes. “Liza, my Beth, as your husband, I vow to be your friend, lover and partner for as long as we both live. I will put you first before all else. I want to be the one to laugh with you, to hold you when you’re sad or scared, to support your dreams, celebrate your triumphs and guard your sleep.” After taking the ring from Lynx, he slid it on her finger. “Our hearts are in these rings, and together we are a circle that cannot be broken. I love you, Beth, now and always.”
* * *
All her fears and frustrations calmed as the cool white-gold band settled into place. Even the hurt that Justice hadn’t arrived on time. When Liza had stood there, trying to get the officiant to wait a few more minutes, the pity in the woman’s eyes had made her squirm in shame.
Like the times her dad was supposed to come see Liza as a little girl and never showed up.
But now Justice’s words sank into her heart, and she couldn’t look away from his intensely striking blue eyes. Guard her sleep. Of all the things he could have said, that was the one that told her he knew her, understood her deepest fears.
“Liza, do you have your vows?” the officiant asked.
“Yes.” She took a second to clear the thickness from her throat and focused on the man she loved. “Justice, as your wife I vow to be your friend, lover and partner. I will love you with all that makes me who I am today and all that I will be tomorrow and every day after that. I vow to you that no matter how high you soar or hard you fall, I’ll be there to fly with you or catch you.” Pausing, she took the ring from Emily, a silver band with the infinity symbol etched in black. As she slid it on his finger, she said, “Our hearts are in these rings, and together we are a circle that cannot be broken. I love you, Justice, now and always.”
“By virtue of the authority vested in me as Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages, for the County of San Diego, I take pleasure in announcing that from this minute on you are husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Justice leaned down and settled his mouth over hers. His lips were warm and sweet until he wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her off her feet. He plunged into her mouth. She gripped his shoulders and kissed him back.
Her husband.
Heat warmed her skin, and ripples of desire danced.
Justice broke the kiss, grinned and puffed out his chest like a pleased rooster. “It’s official, you’re my wife. There’s no escape now.”
She beamed at his smug happiness. “When I met you, I never imagined this… I married a rock star.”
His eyes crinkled at the edges. “Hell yeah, you did. You’re mine. And FYI, husband trumps rock star.”
Emily grabbed the camera. “We need a couple pictures.”
“Here let me.” The officiant took the camera. “We have five minutes before closing.”
While they posed, Liza looked up at Justice. “I reserved the romance suite at the Opulence hotel tonight—and it comes with a candlelight dinner for two. And I packed your bag.” She couldn’t book the honeymoon suite for fear of word getting out that they were married.
His eyes lit up. “Mrs. Cade, are you trying to seduce me?”
“I love the sound of that.”
“Seducing me?”
She rolled her eyes, then remembered the camera and flashed another smile. “I meant Mrs. Cade. I wish I could change my name to that now.” She wanted Justice’s last name so they’d feel like a real family. It was such a little thing, really. But Liza had a different last name than her aunt, uncle and cousins when she lived with them. Just another way she was always on the outside. The whole keeping-their-marriage-secret thing made sense logically, but emotionally…
It stung. Like she was once again being kept on the outside.
“Beth, I’m going to announce to the whole world you’re my wife the second this tour is over. I swear it. But right now, with Jagged Sin breathing down our necks—” His jaw tensed as he scowled. “They’re doing better than expected, and tonight they’re—”
“Hello?” Emily said. “This is your wedding. Think you can focus on that, and not your career?”
Justice flicked his gaze to Em, then back to Liza. “She’s annoying, but right. You’re my bride, Mrs. Cade, and tonight is about us. And after the tour, we can do another, bigger ceremony.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “In April I’ll be nearly six months pregnant.”
“And still my sexy wife.”
“We really have to close now,” the older woman said, handing the camera to Emily.
“Thank you for accommodating us.” Liza started to walk out.
“Hold on, Mrs. Cade.” Justice caught her hand.
Confused, Liza stopped. “What?”
“This.” He swept her up into his arms.
She grabbed on to his neck, slightly dizzy. “What are you doing?”
“You’re my bride. I might have been late to our wedding, but I’m all in. I’m carrying you all the way to our suite, where I’m claiming you now and forever.” He walked out the door, turning down the hallway. The few stragglers left in the building smiled at them.
Emily trotted along, taking pictures. “Perfect!”
Liza laughed. Yeah, he’d been late, and they’d just had the fastest wedding and photos in history.
But the rushed ceremony didn’t make it any less real. Even if he was hiding their marriage and baby for the sake of his career.
Chapter 12
Liza sat in the dressing room of Club Nosh, savoring the quiet as she tried to settle her nerves and her stomach. Justice and the band were out doing a meet-and-greet, but she’d gotten overheated and queasy.
Watching the girls in too-tight tank tops touching him, giggling, flirting hadn’t helped. Damn, when did she get this possessive?
The door opened. “Hey, Liza, you okay?”
As she rose, it took a second to place the man. “Keith.” From Indie Rock Broadcast. She hadn’t seen him since Justice and the band had been on Court of Rock. The interview with Keith was the one that exposed her to Gene Hayes. But that wasn’t Keith’s fault, and he was here to cover the release concert and party, not Liza. She was staying under the radar as much as possible. “Good to see you. Justice said they were giving you backstage access.”
“I saw you sort of turn pale and rush off. You sick?”
She forced a smile. “Nerves, that’s all.” Which was probably true. She didn’t usually have morning sickness past noon.
He glanced around. “Nice, right?”
The dressing room at Club Nosh had gray walls, red sofas and black coffee tables on a black-and-white rug. Beth picked up two bottles of water from the ice bucket, handed him one and settled on the couch. “It’s a great night. Their new album is killer. You can put that on the record.” The venue was nearly sold out.
Keith dragged up a chair and opened his bottle. “Hey, listen. That day when we did that interview on the Court of Rock stage, I didn’t know who you were. I didn’t purposely expose you to Hayes.” He leaned back in his chair. “It’s re
ally bothered me, and you never returned my calls. I wanted you to know I’m sorry that happened.”
Liza lowered her water bottle, surprised. “I didn’t think you knew, Keith. It was just…I don’t talk about it.” Except with Justice, and lately she’d told Emily more too. “But I need to thank you.”
He widened his eyes. “For?”
“Hayes said on his video that he contacted you, offered you an exclusive.”
The man’s face twisted in disgust. “I told him if he came back to the states and wanted to fight the charges like a man, then I’d interview him. Or if he wanted to own up to his crimes.” Dropping his elbows on his thighs, he said, “Look, I’m not a rock crime fighter, you know? I’ve interviewed some repulsive characters and promoted music of bands whose members I wouldn’t allow near my dog. That’s my job. What I don’t do is give a voice to scumbags who prey on teenage girls.”
Liza liked a man who laid the truth out there. “Fair enough, and I’m still grateful. The Late Night with Alicia show is known for underhanded stunts. But you’re regarded as legitimate in the rock world. More people would believe Hayes if you’d presented that video.”
He grinned. “Yeah, I’m the all-powerful Oz. I need to get a T-shirt made up.”
“And modest.” She glanced at the clock. The guys had to wrap up the signing and get ready to go onstage. She pressed her hand to her belly. “Feels like an angry beehive in my stomach. I believe they can make it to the big time.” And yep, that scared her more than a little. “Do you think this album will get them there?”
“It’s kick ass debut.” He leaned forward. “Better than Jagged Sin’s release last week. Unfortunately, they’re getting some good publicity.”
Because all Hayes’s fans were flocking to Jagged Sin. The fact that Hayes was the producer gave them credibility and legitimacy. “Savaged Illusions will blow them out of the spotlight.” They had to.
Keith nodded. “What about you? Are you ready for being back in the spotlight?”
He was smooth. That easy transition almost made her think he was a friend, not media. “Is this an interview?”
“No.” He raised a pierced eyebrow. “Otherwise, I’d ask about those wedding rings. We have a Rock Wives segment on our TV show.”
Her stomach pitched, sloshing the water she’d drank. Damn, she hadn’t thought about her rings. Quickly, she tucked her fingers beneath her thigh. “I’ve seen the show. You’re doing really well, Keith.”
He smiled. “Relax, this is off the record. But if you ever want to get your story out there, whether it’s about wedding rings or your past, I’d be happy to interview you on IRB. Just putting it out there, I’m not pushing.”
For a second, she thought of the potential. If she went on Rock Wives, she’d be able to talk about her special project, SLAM Heroes. It was a temptation, but—
“No,” a sharp female voice said. “Absolutely not.”
Liza’s neck and shoulders tensed as she stood up. “Christine.” The band’s manager wore caged heels, slicked-on white pants, a draped silk shirt and a fierce expression.
The woman strode into the greenroom and flicked a look at Keith. “Shouldn’t you be with the band?”
“My videographer is getting footage of the signing.” Keith rose and added, “Liza and I are friends. Nothing she says to me in here is on the record.” He turned to her. “You ever need anything, you have my contact info. Later.” He headed out.
Christine shut the door and whipped around. “What are you doing? He’s the media.” She stalked across the floor. “Don’t give any interviews, Liza. You’re not the story. And don’t you dare let it slip that you’re married.”
Back when she’d first met Christine, she’d been intimated. The woman was sophisticated, powerful, older and much more experienced than Liza.
Yeah, she was over that shit. She worked for a man who took scary to a new level.
“If I wanted to be the story, I’d have made it happen. I’m good enough to do that, Christine, and you might want to remember it. Get your facts straight before you barrel in here and irritate me. I’m nervous enough for Justice and the band without you buzzing around.” And a little pissed that Christine had told Justice to hide their marriage and baby. But Justice agreed, so who are you really mad at?
Surprise flitted across her face. “Someone’s been growing a backbone.”
Liza went to the dressing table and perched her ass on the edge. No way would she sit down and allow herself to be smaller than Christine. “Is there something you need?”
“I don’t suppose I can talk you into skipping the afterparty and the Vegas shows tomorrow and Sunday? Just watch the show tonight then go home and stay out of the limelight?”
“You supposed correctly.” She hoped her morning sickness cooperated. Typically the first couple hours of the day sucked, then she was fine.
“I’m usually right. What I can’t decide is if you’re real or you got knocked up on purpose to get Justice to marry you before the album dropped.” Sitting on the edge of the couch, Christine went on, “He refused to have you sign a prenup.”
Huh. She hadn’t known he’d considered it. “He never mentioned one.”
The other woman checked her phone, tapping out a message. “Would you have signed it?”
Keeping her face blank, Liza said, “Guess we’ll never know now.” She’d have signed a reasonable prenup, but that was between her and Justice. It made her uneasy how much Christine knew that Liza didn’t. What else had Justice and his business manager talked about in relation to her?
“True.” Looking up from the phone, Christine let the prenup go. “Now, about tonight and this weekend. First you need to take off those rings.”
Instantly she formed a fist with her left hand. “My wedding rings?”
“Yes. We’ve kept the fact that you’re pregnant and Justice married you quiet. He’ll announce it after the tour. Until then, don’t let it leak.” She glanced at Liza’s hand. “The rings are a dead giveaway.”
That was clearly true since Keith had noticed them, but she didn’t like Christine telling her what to do. “What about Justice’s ring?”
Annoyance flashed across her features. “He moved it to his right hand. But yours are obvious wedding rings.”
Liza moved her rings to her right hand. “Have I ever shown you my mother’s wedding rings?”
Christine’s mouth tightened. “That will bring up the subject of your mother, which leads right to Gene Hayes.” Sighing, she said, “Look, I get it. You’re in love, you want the world to know. But you didn’t marry an average Joe, you married a rock star. I warned you months ago not to fall in love with him.”
That had been the night the band lost Court of Rock. Yeah, Christine had warned her, and more. She’d also told her she knew Hayes preyed on young girls but hadn’t done a thing to stop him.
“Justice’s career is going to come first. And if you want that big payday, and the fame and power that comes with being the wife of a mega rock star, you’ll do it. Now lose the rings, and don’t go near the pressroom. You stay in your seat or the VIP Lounge. Do what you’re told, then you and I will get along great.”
“Wrong.” It was time to establish her own boundaries. “Let’s get something clear, you and me. You’re Justice’s business manager, but I’m his wife. I sleep with him, I have his children, and, lady, I have his heart. You don’t come barreling in here, telling me who I can and can’t talk to, whether or not I can wear my rings, or anything else. I won’t be treated like a disposable groupie.”
Christine lowered her chin, a dangerous glint in her eyes.
Liza didn’t budge. Not her stance, her will or her gaze.
The business manager blinked first. “Fine. Would you consider removing your engagement ring and just wearing the band on your right hand when in public with Justice?”
Despite the frigid tone, Liza had won her point. “All right, that’s a decent compromise.” She switched the
band to her right hand and tucked her engagement ring into her purse, then smiled.
After regarding her for a solemn moment, Christine said, “I want him to succeed, Liza.”
She opened her mouth, but the door opened, and all the guys spilled in along with Keith and the video crew.
Justice rushed up to her. “You waited.”
“I had to wish you luck before I go to my seat.” She had seats in the VIP section, where Nikki, Emily and Ben waited with Sloane, Drake and a slew of other friends.
He leaned down, brushing his mouth over hers. “Damn, I’m hyped. And you are fucking hot in that dress. I can’t go onstage with a boner.” His eyes took on a wicked glint. “Let’s find a dark corner. A closet. Any space I can get those panties off you.”
She flicked her gaze over his shoulder, but everyone was talking…except Lynx, who’d put his headphones on, had his sticks in his hands and was trapping out some beat on the tabletop. No one could hear her and Justice. Shifting back to him, she whispered, “Who said I was wearing panties?”
A low, sensual groan slid from him. He brushed his hand over her hip. “Beth, fuck. You’re killing me.”
“Motivating you. Get out on that stage and do your job right, rock star, and you’ll get the prize.”
He arched a brow. “Money and fame?”
“Amateur stuff. I’m the real prize.”
His face softened. “Damn right.”
God she loved him. He made her feel this special when this was his moment. He was going on a stage where legends had performed. “Now go out there and rock the house, Rooster. You’ve got this. You were born to sing.”
And she was born to love him. She just hoped that his love for her matched his ambition for stardom.
* * *
Justice paced backstage, hands shaking and heart pounding. Christ, it’d suck if he had a stroke right now. The adrenaline rush was as powerful as any drug he’d ever done.
Simon stood against a wall, ripped arms bulging out of the muscle shirt he wore, his jaw set.
Gray gazed at a torn and bent three-by-two-inch photo he always had with him when he performed.
Savaged Vows: Savaged Illusions Trilogy Book 2 Page 15
