by L. V. Lewis
***
You sure you’re up for this?” Malik asks Brody. We’re all sitting together on the plane, finally headed for California. Alyssa and I sit together on one side while Brody and Malik sit together so they can strategize.
“Hell, yes,” Brody says. “I want this over and done with so we can all move on. It’s the only way Sky and I are going to ever have a life together.”
“I’m with him on that. The quicker we get him, the sooner we can breathe easier.”
Malik nods. “Good. I just wanted to make sure, because once the plan is in place, it’s go time. There’s no pulling back from it. My guys will be here to capture him and hand him over to the police.”
“Like Sky said, it’s the only way to get him to stop and possibly get the help he needs,” Brody says. “I don’t want him to try to hurt anyone else because of me. I don’t want to give him any more time to attack us in a way we don’t see coming.”
“Well, I have good news,” Malik says. “One of my buddies tracked him down. He’s in some rental place, probably holding up there until his next move.”
“Why can’t we just go get him now?” I ask.
“Right now, we have no proof. If we move in now, there’s a good chance he’ll get off the hook.”
“What do you mean we have no proof?” I looked between her and Brody. “You have the notes he left behind, pictures of his threats, and even my mother’s own admission.”
“We know that, but there’s no physical evidence we can use to take him to the police. He’s been careful with everything. No prints on the things he leaves behind, no DNA to trace, nothing really. It’s almost like he’s a ghost.”
“How’s that even possible?” I ask.
“Blame it on too much crime scene shows,” Alyssa says. “They practically teach viewers how to get away with crimes. Dude is probably streaming all episodes on repeat.”
“Not helping me calm down right now,” I tell her. I appreciate her sense of humor, but knowing he’s prepared to get away with anything he does will not ease my conscience.
“Sorry, hon,” she says. “I’m just as nervous as you.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t let anything happen to you,” Brody says.
“That’s a fucking promise,” Malik says. “Your safety is top priority.”
“Don’t scare off potential suitors,” Alyssa says. “I’m still gagging props to.”
“What about Dylan?” I ask. “Thought you had fun at the zoo.”
“I did, but I haven’t heard back from him since then.”
“That’s not like him,” Brody says. “Want me to give him a nudge.”
“No,” Alyssa says. “It either works out or it doesn’t.”
I can tell she hopes the prior holds true, but all of that can wait until we have this maniac with a thirst for revenge.
“It’s going to take all of us to play our parts,” Malik says. “We know your mother pulled strings to get Stephen backstage the first couple of times, and she told me who they were. They’ve all been fired.”
My eyes widen. “Which means someone else is sneaking him in now since he left that awful gift for Brody.”
Malik nods. “Exactly. Find that person, and we’ll get Stephen.”
“I like this plan,” Alyssa says.
“What do you want us to do?” I ask.
“It’s a little complicated, but it’s important. Without you two, we can’t pull this off.”
Alyssa and I stare at each other, silently agreeing.
“Tell us everything you need from us, and we’ll do it.”
Fourteen
San Diego, California
Qualcomm Stadium
BRODY
“I hate this more than I thought,” I tell Malik. “I don’t want to put the girls in any danger. It’ll be my fault if anything happens to them.”
“Man, you just got to let that guilt shit go. It will eat you up from the inside out if you let it.”
I glance over at him. “Sounds like you’re talking from experience.”
He nods his head solemnly. “When you’re a soldier, they break you down to build you back up. It’s not just to make you stronger, which it does. Doing that also makes you realize how much you need your team to survive.”
“Survival is a good thing, right?”
“Depends on how you see surviving. In war, you know you’ll lose comrades, but it doesn’t make it easier especially when they die next to you.”
“I can’t imagine it.”
“Don’t. It is sometimes best not to. The ones I want to help the most are the ones who bring the war back with them, either physically or mentally. Like I said, survival is all about how you look at it.”
“I’m glad we have men like you and your friends protecting us, both over there and here at home.”
“It’s my job, Brody. No need to kiss my ass, but thanks.” He looks over to where Sky and Alyssa huddle with their band and dancers. “Promise me when we get out of this, you’ll show that girl what it means to live, and I mean really live. I’ve seen her go through some insane shit while doing this job. I know she loves it, but sometimes people need to take a break from their passion, too.”
“I promise I’m going to do my damn best to try, but she is Skylar Samuelson. No one can tell her to do anything she doesn’t want to do.”
“That’s true. One of the only positive things she got from that crazy-ass mother of hers.”
“Didn’t she hire you as Sky’s bodyguard?”
“Yeah, years ago, but I work for Sky. My loyalties will always be with Sky. Best you don’t forget that.”
I hold my hands up. “Never will. I’m glad she has you looking out for her.”
“Yeah, you’re not as far gone as I’d thought you’d be either.”
“Thanks?” I ask. I think that’s a good thing, but I’m not sure.
“That’s the closest to a compliment you’ll ever get verbally from me, Brody. Take it or leave it.”
“I’ll take it.”
Malik nudges me in the side. “Do you see that?” he whispers to me.
At first, I don’t see anything but the group of people huddled together. On a closer look, I notice that one of the dancers is looking around sporadically, almost as if she’s waiting for someone to show up.
“I see it,” I whisper back. “You think it’s her?”
“Looks like it. Only one way to find out.”
The plan is a complicated one when put together, but everyone’s parts are simple ones. Still, it all requires patience to keep from backfiring on us. With only two shows left, it was a given Stephen would act out for one of them. It looks like Malik’s plan to use the mole as bait for Stephen is playing out like he thought.
Once this is over, I plan on locking Sky in a room and never letting her out, and it’ll be loads of fun trying to keep her there.
For now, we have to get through this first.
***
We need to make sure the girl we spotted is indeed the one who has been letting Stephen in backstage. That’s where Sky and Alyssa come in. The choreographer added one new dance scene where all dancers have to pair up.
Alyssa will ask everyone to do one more group huddle before they go back on stage. Since Sky doesn’t usually do this, we thought it was best coming from Alyssa to seem less suspicious. If the person who’s helping Stephen needs to let him in, it’ll be during a time when they can easily slip away, like the second group huddle they don’t expect. Whoever that person is paired up with will be missing a partner, thereby verifying who the traitor is. Malik and I have split up to take different sides of the stage and follow whoever leaves the area.
I realize right away that I’m the closest to the girl who sneaks away. No surprise that it is the girl who was looking around. I text Malik to let him know, and he texts back that one of the male dancer can’t find his partner named Mindy.
I guess Mindy has other plans. I follow from behind a keep
a good distance in the shadows. I keep my phone out to ready it and hit record. She creeps near a back exit that doesn’t have anyone manning it, something Malik did on purpose to give Stephen the opportunity to break in.
Mindy opens the door. “Hurry up!” she says to someone on the other side. “I have to get back.”
Stephen rushes in before she closes the door to lock it back in place.
He pulls her close to him, “You’re a treasure, doll. You know that.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Mandy says. “Whatever. Save that mushy stuff for later. Go plant you stuff for Sky’s boyfriend and then straight back out here before you get caught. This is the last time I’m doing this shit for you. You owe me big time.”
“I’ll pay in full after the show,” he says kissing her and grinding into her.
“I may prefer money over sex most of the time,” she replies.
“After this time, we’ll have more than enough money to swim in. I plan on making Brody Kent pay for what he’s done.”
I’m tempted to wipe that smirk of his face, but I can’t deviate from the plan. Malik was clear on that. The more footage we get, the easier it’ll be to put Stephen away. I sink deeper into the shadows of some large equipment covered by sheets.
The two walk fast, looking around for someone to spot them. When they get to the backstage area, they split off. The male dancer argues with Mindy, but I follow Stephen instead. He has no problem finding Sky’s room, which makes me believe he knows the layout of the arena. Although The Savages played here years ago, the inside has changed drastically in design and structure.
I stand outside and watch him as my recorder picks up every detail. It’s hard to hold back, knowing this guy can’t let the past go. Sky has been a wreck because of it, and I’ve been fending of Kim’s ghost, when she had nothing to do with this. I keep thinking how she’d be disappointed with what he’s doing, but even I’ve been guilty of that.
“You’re going to finally get what’s coming to you, Brody,” Stephen says, “and I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”
I sense Malik nearby before I see him. He nods to signal that’s enough video feed. I stop it and walk into to Sky’s room, making Stephen jerk back.
“Brody?” Stephen says. “What are you doing here?”
“You mean in my girlfriend’s dressing room? I think the question is what you’re doing here? Planting more drugs to knock me off track?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says.
“Save it,” Malik says, grabbing him by the collar. “The jig’s up.” Malik leans over and reads the new note Stephen planted. “So, looks like you’ve gone from drug dealer to bribery. Asking for only $500,000, too. Want us to bump it up to a cool million.”
“I just want what’s coming to me. I deserve to see that fucker suffer for what he did to Kim.”
“Money isn’t going to bring her back, Stephen. I’m sorry for what I did to her. Even more, I’m sorry what I did to her caused you and your parents to lose her.”
“Shut up! Shut the fuck up! You never loved her. Not really.”
“Maybe you’re right, but I never meant to hurt her. I would never want what happened to her happen anyone, but this isn’t the way to go about fixing things. You should have just come to me.”
“Easy words for a man who disappears for years with no trace. You couldn’t even face my family. You ran like a little bitch!”
I close my eyes at his words, because he’s right. I was a coward, but not anymore. It took me finding Sky to find my strength.
“I’ll say it again,” I say. “I’m sorry, Stephen. Sorry for everything. That doesn’t give you the right to hurt people I care about.”
“Police are waiting outside,” Malik says. “Time for you and your little dance fling to meet them.”
“This isn’t over,” Stephen says. “I still have copies of that video. It’ll ruin you, Savage.”
I look up at Malik and he nods his head. He had his old military friends raid Stephen’s house. They took all hard copies of the tapes and removed any evidence of me off his computer.
“Not happening today. I have something to live for, Stephen. For Kim’s memory, I hope you find something to live for, too.”
Malik takes him away, and I realize I’m not happy about it. I’m more saddened by all the hurt and damage that’s happened in her name. All I can do is move on and hope Kim would want that for all of us too.
Epilogue
Los Angeles, California
Rose Bowl
SKY
Tonight is a relief as I wait to go back on stage with Brody by my side. I love performing, but this tour has been a roller coaster that I am ready to get off for a while. Maybe take an actual vacation. Mother never believed in them, but now that Brody and I are free, I want to take a nice long trip with just the two of us and no one else. Alyssa and Malik need one too, separately, although they’ll both probably deny it.
With Stephen locked up, I feel like I can breathe again. News is out about what happened now, and people are being kinder to Brody. He’s told me that he wants to retire from singing altogether. From here on out, he wants to be my songwriter, manager, and boyfriend. Singing is something he loves, but he wants to put that part of himself in the past. He promises he’ll still sing for me though. I’m happy I get to share that intimate part with him.
I convince him to do one last song with me on stage to take his final bow. I thought he’d fight me on it, but he actually agreed to it right away.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to say goodbye to Savage Saban, than with you,” he tells me.
“Are you sure you want to say goodbye to him for good?” I ask.
“It’s time for a new chapter, and I can’t do that as Savage. You know something?”
“What?” I ask.
“I think I finally get the full meaning of Masquerade now. It’s not just about the façade you wear for others on the outside. It’s about unveiling your inner self to you, too.”
“Very profound,” I say. “Is this the kind of Brody I’m getting back after this is over?”
He grins with a wicked smile. “You’re getting all kinds of Brody when this is over. Some you’ll love and others will grow on you.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” I say.
We step out in the spotlight together as I announce him. “Thank you for being my last tour stop, Los Angeles. It’s been fun. To close out this amazing experience, I thought I’d bring my love on stage to join me. Is that okay with you?”
The audience screams their approvals. Brody is a hero in their eyes and in mine. I’m so happy to see his final stage moment as a positive one.
“In that case, here for the final time of his career is Savage Saban!”
I’m ready to sing Masquerade with him, but I realize the tune is different. I stare at Brody as he plays strings that float through the air and turns into a beautiful melody.
“If you notice the look on my beautiful Sky’s face, you see she doesn’t know this song. Can I ask you all to put your phone lights up, so I can ask her an important question?”
I can’t breathe as he stares into my eyes. It’s like there’s no one else but him and me. I don’t know how he does that when thousands of people are around us, but I don’t question it.
I’ve been through many things and many places.
It’s like a rolling whirlwind in a sea of many faces.
But one thing I’ll always take away and see
Is the love you’re forever giving back to me.
It gives me the courage through the rain
And erases all of my troubled pains.
There’s only one thing left for me to do,
So I’ll ask if I can spend my life with you.
Marry me and make me yours so I can say
That we belong to each other from this day.
Marry me and I’ll cherish all that you are.
The good and the bad d
on’t seem that far.
Marry me and I promise everything to you
And support all you are and all that you do.
Oh, marry me, my Sky. Oh, marry me.
Oh, marry me, my Sky. Oh, marry me.
We’ve come this far and can’t go back now
To the life before we took the desired bow.
Lights may be blinding to keep away the dark
But it’s your love for me that sets off my spark.
Don’t ever doubt that it’s you I’ll always want.
When you leave it’s still me your memory haunts.
So there’s only one question for me to ask,
Will you love me even after I unveil my mask?
Marry me and make me yours so I can say
That we belong to each other from this day.
Marry me and I’ll cherish all that you are.
The good and the bad don’t seem that far.
Marry me and I promise everything to you
And support all you are and all that you do.
Oh, marry me, my Sky. Oh, marry me.
Oh, marry me, my Sky. Oh, marry me.
He gets on one knee at the very end and pushes his guitar around, so it hangs at his back. That’s when I see the box. I can barely see him through the tears blurring up my vision, but that box is bright blue and hard to miss. When he opens it, the stage lights bounce off the sparkling ring and make it glow.
I know when he sings to me like this, it’s the deepest part of himself I could ever have, and now he’s not only asked me an important question, he has sung it to me.
“So Skylar Samuelson,” he says with a sexy smirk I’ll never grow tired of, “will you make me the happiest man in this stadium, in this entire universe, the happiest man possible? Will you marry me and be mine?”
I nod. “Yes, Brody. I’ll be yours. Have been since I met you.”
The crowd screams and stomps so loud that it becomes one combined sound.
