Giving Up the Ghost

by Stella Price

  Saffron was astonished when they hung up. She had heard tales in the New York scene that Xxieda was down to earth and cool, but she was bad news if you fucked with her. Surely insulting her boy toy should fall in the latter category, but it seemed that reports of her bitchery were greatly exaggerated.

  Hopeful, Saffron got up from her desk chair and proceeded to get her ass in gear. Meetings like this weren’t dropped in one’s lap every day, don’t ya know.

  ***

  Standing outside the address she was given, Saffron checked herself once more to make sure she was rock and roll presentable. It wasn’t like a normal job interview where she had to rock business casual.

  Knee high boots, baby blue tights, black miniskirt with belts crisscrossing it, combined with a well-worn baby blue t-shirt with her favorite band’s logo on it. Her hair, shoulder length with blue and blonde running through the midnight depths, was unbound but for a barrette holding her longer than needed bangs from her face.

  For this, it was better to show up as herself not the person her employer wanted her to be. She just hoped that at the end of this, they would be one and the same. She rang the bell above the listing for the record company, rather surprised that Xxieda lived where she worked.

  “Yeah!” She heard from the intercom and then a buzz as the door unlocked. She went through the portal and to the small elevator and made her way to the third floor. As she exited the lift, she noticed the door was open ahead of her and music was coming from therein.It died seconds later. She followed it and almost choked with what she saw.

  Xxieda Rolla, in all her diminutive stature was looking up at one sexy beast of a man, frowning. She wasn’t sure if it was because he was standing there in a towel or from the scorch marks on the iPod dock.

  “Did ya really have to do that?” The smaller woman shouted at the man who smirked and ran a finger down her cheek.

  “I told you I can’t stand that bitches’ caterwauling. I warned you X…”

  His voice was the same but the accent was thicker, huskier, could melt the panties off a girl. And standing there naked but for a towel wasn’t doing anything but adding to that fantasy. Xxieda has damn good taste in men, though how the hell the dock got scorch marks was beyond her.

  He leaned down and went to kiss her and Saffron cleared her throat. It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested in what was about to happen, shit she was sure any woman would be willing to witness it, jealously be damned, but it wasn’t the way to start a business relationship. “Sorry the door was open.” She said and gave them both a small smile. “I’m Saffron.”

  Xxieda looked at her and grinned. “Sorry about this…” she said and came around the man who now turned towards her. Holy hell was that a body. Saffron choked again and the apparent Dante arched a brow and quirked his mouth.

  Xxieda shook her head. “Yeah,” she said as she looked back at him. “He gets that response. Will you go and put some damn clothes on fool?” she said with love in her eyes. “Poor girl doesn’t need the full Monty, at least not at this point in the day.” She turned back to Saffron and winked.

  Dante smirked at the two of them, saluted Xxieda and nodded to Saffron and winked himself. “Pleasure Saffron,” he said as he walked out of the room, his strides long.Saffron’s eyes didn’t leave his retreating form till he was out of view.

  “Normally I get a little miffed when women openly ogle my boyfriend but after that display you got my permission to look all you want. Isn’t he scrumptious?”

  Saffron gave a slight woof. “And then some.”

  Xxieda looked at her and let her eyes go wide and then laughed. Saffron, realizing her guffaw once again went red and Xxieda just wrapped her arm around her shoulders and pulled her towards the loft proper.

  “Indeed. The man is hot.” She laughed at her own words and led Saffron into her kitchen and stopped in front of a butcher block countertop. “Tea?”

  Tea? Well she could rock tea. “Sure.”

  Xxieda busied herself with turning the kettle on and grabbing cups and spoons. “So, now that visions of an almost naked Dante aren’t swimming in your head, or at the very least have retreated back into your wank file, you’re probably wondering how the hell I contacted you and why. Right?”

  The woman before her was either completely insane, or prescribed to the same way of thinking of relationships as most women in the business. She was willing to believe that it was the latter. Women in the business were secure in their places and sexuality, and the men they were with were with them for a reason. Jealousy had no business in the lives of a musician or support staff, the life didn’t lend itself to that predisposition.

  “Its not like I’m a major player or anything…” she started with and Xxieda cut her off.

  “Which is why I contacted you. Your not in any way jaded or a liability.”

  Saffron frowned. “What does that mean?”

  Xxieda turned to look at her and leaned back against the counter, and crossed her arms over her chest. “I mean you’re not insane, have issues, and by all accounts don’t have a drug problem.”

  “All true. I don’t touch the sauce, though I do enjoy a nice glass of wine in the tub. I’m not attached to anyone because I know better, and insane, well, that’s debatable. I mean you have to be a little nuts to get into this business.”

  “And a level head on your shoulders. You see this business for what it is, not what you want it to be.”

  Saffron understood immediately. “Your right, I did my groupie partying years ago and grew out of it. Nothing permanent coming out of that kinda shit but possibly an STD. No thank you.”

  Xxieda nodded. “And word has it you handled that little venue snafu in Chicago in mere minutes, saving the bands and their companies a ton of grief.”

  That was true as well.

  “I did. So that’s why you contacted me? I really don’t understand. You mentioned Shades in the email, but I thought their tour already started.”

  “It did, but there were complications.” Xxieda said and turned back to the range as the water began to boil.

  “Meaning? And I gotta tell you, I would love this job, especially how generous your being, but I have never managed a band of this size let alone a hardcore band.”

  “Which is why you’re perfect for it. You’ll do it right, not how the band or the venue wants you to. Managers get complacent with places they know. Look, this is Shades’ first full US tour, and their biggest one yet. It has to go well and now with all this bullshit…”

  “Okay, what bullshit?”

  “She is dancing around the fact that her recent manager had an overdose.” Dante said from the other room. “Never thought that kid was a good idea.”

  Xxieda sighed and shook her head. “Yes I know, and I’m listening now aren’t I?”

  Dante walked in and went to her, pulling her close and kissed her sweetly. “Of course you are love. I’ll see you later?”

  Xxieda smiled. “Of course. Give my love to my dad wont ya?”

  Dante frowned. “I suppose.” He turned from her and smiled at Saffron. “Good to meet you Saffron, and take my advice, take the job, she will just hound you and browbeat you till you do.” He winked and walked out of the room, grabbing his jacket as he walked towards the door.

  Lord that accent was panty scorching. “Dante work with your dad?”

  Xxieda had turned back to the tea and was pouring the steaming water into the mugs. “You could say that.”

  “Dare I ask what they do?”

  Xxieda chuckled. “Daddy and Dante are both in the acquisitions game. Mostly rare spells and other mystical items.”

  Mystical items? “You’re kidding.”

  Xxieda shook her head. “There’s a lot of things in this world the population in general doesn’t know about. Honestly, you think men like Dante are just walking the earth? Not without some demonic intervention that’s for damn sure.”

  Saffron shook her head. “Excuse me, did you just sa
y he’s a demon?”

  “Half demon actually, a fire one.” She motioned to the iPod dock. “Shit like that doesn’t just happen.”

  She supposed not. “Okay so say you’re telling the truth…”

  “I am. Trust me, your going to have to accept this if you’re going to work for me.”

  “Fair enough, so what does this little trip to loony land have to do with working for Shades.”

  “Well let’s see, the biggest reason is that Rhys is a medium, as in talk to dead people.”

  Right.

  “Dead people? Like The sixth sense bullshit?”

  “Kinda. He’s got his issues but he’s just getting back into his powers after an alcohol induced hiatus. I only tell you because he sometimes looks like he’s talking to himself.”

  Saffron took the info in stride. Either Xxieda was having a laugh at her expense or she was telling the truth. She would have to wait and see. “Okay, and anything else?”

  “Well Winter, that scrumptious bassist of theirs, he’s a demon too, time if I’m not mistaken, but he doesn’t use it often.”

  “And did the previous tour manager know this?”

  Xxieda shrugged. “He was told, but that doesn’t mean he believed us. People tend to believe what works best for them, don’t you think?”

  “Okay then…” Saffron sighed. “So when do I start?”

  Xxieda grinned and handed her a cup of tea. “Three days, Las Vegas.”

  Chapter 3

  Bestlooking boys go all the way home. –The Promise Ring

  Sound check. It figured she would get there late. She figured a straight flight from JFK would have gotten her here on time, but a torrential storm and a 5 hour backed takeoff were the culprits. No matter, she was here now, and ready to work.

  Xxieda had told her to find Nyx, she would have all the info for her, so after she had made it up to her room, she came back down to the event space to search for her new band.

  She walked in to the drummer and guitarist playing a song, an instrumental. Nyx still nowhere to be found. She stood there, listening. Regardless of the style of music, these guys had talent. Loads of it.

  The drumming got softer and she saw Rhys walk out and scream out the beginning of the one song she knew. Holy shit. She blinked. Wow. Talk about a 180 from what she first heard. He wasn’t playing to the crowd, because there wasn’t one.

  He turned as the bridge started, but didn’t look out yet. She had a chance to look him over and sighed. Tall, emo sexy in the ‘I don’t work out but I’m cut as hell’ way, his ass and better things hugged perfectly in the jeans he wore, leaving nothing to the imagination. She had ten bucks that said he didn’t wear underwear. Perfect emo haircut, long in front, falling over a side of his face, shorter in the back, she suspected it didn’t have any product in it, but she was sure it was because he wasn’t pandering to the crowd. His skin was pale, in contrast to the bassist he was standing next to, who had the sexy caramel color of a guy used to being in the hot Louisiana sun. Clearly Rhys Bellamy wasn’t a huge fan of the sunshine.

  That was when he turned and started singing to the crowd, or more appropriately, her. His eyes locked on her and Saffron had chills. Holy Hell. Now she knew why girls got wild over him. That look was pure sex, so at odds with the screaming coming out of his mouth. His eyes flashed in the lights hitting him, giving him a more sinister air but it didn’t matter, that look had done its job, and Saffron tried not to fidget as he watched her.

  Once again the music changed up and he started singing, really singing. He was good. He sang a line and looked right at her and winked and then turned and the music changed again and he started screaming, the breakdown getting heavy. If she was in the pit right now and there were fans there, she knew she would be getting her ass kicked. Well she was sure if she was on the east coast she would. West coast hardcore kids, by all accounts, couldn’t hold a candle to their east coast counterparts. East coast kids were brutal.

  The song ended abruptly and they all looked at each other. Rhys turned towards the sound guy. “Perfect Jerry. Thanks.” He said and hopped down off the stage and strode, well, it was more like a swagger, towards her.

  “This is a closed sound check. How did you get in Cher?” he said as looked her over and licked his bottom lip. His voice, when he wasn’t singing, had a sexy Cajun lit to it, thick and smooth like a good bourbon.

  She cocked her head, getting a really good look at him. Hot damn, the Cajun was hot and the accent, she tried not to squirm under the scrutiny of his eyes. She was in trouble. His eyes were green, but with honey running through it. Most would call them hazel, but the green was just too vivid, like moss after a rainstorm. She could feel the cool around her. Damn.

  “I’m looking for Nyx.” She said with a clear, non lust drenched voice. She was quite proud of herself.

  “Nyx? Why would you look for her?” he asked and walked closer. The accent was thick, and sexy.

  “Is she around?” she asked and looked around him, trying to ignore the effect he was having on her. In all her years, men didn’t affect her as such. Why of all people would she would get the urge from a guy reported to be an even bigger slut than Madonna in her heyday?

  “She is. Backstage. I could take you back there.” He looked her over. “I don’t see a pass anywhere on that amazing outfit.”

  Saffron rolled her eyes. Okay so he was digging on her. That went with what she knew of him and his exploits. All signs pointed to the fact that he was quite the lothario and she was sure he was getting a semblance of his full come on.

  She smiled at him. “Nyx? It’s kinda important.”

  He pouted and shrugged, clearly not happy with her impervious nature. He probably relied on his charm and accent with women. It wasn’t that she didn’t like it, she did. More than she cared to admit. But this was work, not play, and while she would revisit that look he gave her later after she had gone to bed, right now was all about proving she could do this.

  She followed him behind the stage to a corridor and then through to a set up of rooms. He walked to one and rapt loudly on the door. “Nyx? Some hot chick is here to see you, and she is not fazed by my charm whatsoever.”

  Nyx opened the door and looked at Rhys, then at Saffron and smiled. “Oh thank god!” she said and went to Saffron and hugged her.

  Rhys leaned back against the wall and smirked. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. So who is she? Cousin? Sister? Nah you don’t hug family like that. Ooh Nyxie did you happen to start playing for the other team? Not a bad choice if I do say so myself. Can I watch?”

  Saffron almost choked. Nyx turned to Rhys and frowned. “Hardly, you oversexed bastard. This is Saffron, our new tour manager.”

  Saffron smiled at him and he just paled and shook his head. “Knew this was too good to be true…”

  “Why?” she asked and detangled from Nyx, surprised at how okay she was with the other woman’s affection. Normally, she didn’t get chummy with other women. It leads to catty bullshit.

  Rhys smirked and looked her up and down and pushed off the wall. “Forget I said that, I reserve the right to pass judgment until a later date.” He winked. “Welcome to the insanity Saff.” Then he turned and walked back towards the stage and the waiting band.

  Nyx sighed. “Well he just threw down the gauntlet. Good luck with that.”

  “Meaning?” Saffron said and cocked her head.

  “Oh you’ll figure it out soon enough. I haven’t seen that boy that determined in ages. Should prove interesting. Now you probably wanna be brought up to speed right? I’m so glad you’re here. No offense, but I do not wanna do your job. Three dates of it and I’m ready to kill myself.”

  Saffron, surprised at how quickly Nyx could change the subject, decided to let the Rhys comment lie and got down to brass tax. “No offense taken. It’s something I’m good at. You play keyboard for a living, I make sure bands are treated well. It is all-good. So show me what’s up and we will go from there.
How long till the show starts?”

  Nyx gave her a grateful look. “Another three hours. We got time.”

  “Indeed we do, so let’s get cracking.”

  ***

  Rhys was going to kill Xxieda. Sending a fine piece of tail like Saffron to work for them? Did she want him to slip up? Since they left Shadow Heights for the tour, things had been good for him, and his intake was down to pretty much nothing. Why? Because he had accepted who he was and what he could control.

  Women, women he could control. After all, it wasn’t like he was looking for Mrs. Right, just a Mrs. Right now. Saffron, however, set off his hot sweaty button and this was not good. He learned recently you didn’t sleep with people you worked with. Not you’re band members, not your bodyguard, and certainly not your tour manager. Leave the illicit liaisons for the chicks you meet on the road. Nameless, and ultimately faceless, to take the edge off. Sleeping with anyone seen on a daily basis was asking for trouble.

  So things had been good. He was building a relationship with Reemus again, which was good as he did miss the son of a bitch when he was in one of his hazes.The band wasn’t treating him like he was made of glass anymore either. What’s more, he was able to sing several songs he had written for Phaedra without becoming completely incapacitated and that was the biggest win of all.

  It wasn’t that he didn’t feel the same as he did, or that his self destructive bent was any less, but he knew he had a job to do, and had people depending on him. He could do this and wallow without blacking out, and he was proving it.

  That, and the fact that Dante had called him and threatened the shit outta him, had set him straight. It wasn’t that he was scared of the fire demon, but Dante had made a damn good point. Xxieda had put a lot on the line for Shades and Dante expected nothing more then the same output from Rhys and the band, to make sure she wasn’t left holding the bag. Well the band wasn’t a problem, and that was when Rhys realized he was. So things changed. Things changed so much he didn’t need a bodyguard anymore, and they weren’t hiding the booze from him. They were all proud of him, and he didn’t want that to change.