He remained silent for a moment and tried to figure out the best way to approach the subject. Did he want to tell her everything? Brandy had gotten into his heart, too. So deeply that he put in an application to adopt her. He’d had an extensive meeting with her social worker to go over the details. Her biggest concern was how he would care for her, since his job was so demanding and he didn’t have a spouse or a family.
“It’s just like what your parents did to you.” Leena’s words cut through his thoughts.
“I was older,” he reminded her.
“It doesn’t matter. They still left you to fight for your life all alone.” She stopped just a few feet in front of him. “Can you honestly say that you don’t have any hatred for them? That you’re fine with their decision? That what they did is okay?”
“Leena.” He rose from the chair and went to stand before her.
“You can’t because you know what they did was wrong.”
He took hold of her hand before she could move away from him again. “I won’t condone what they did because you are right. It was wrong. Maybe I can understand why they did it, though. They had no insurance, no money. What were they going to do? Maybe leaving me on my own saved my life. I can’t say for sure that I would’ve lived through it. I didn’t give up and when I thought I would die from loneliness you came into my life and brightened it up.”
“Then, just like everything else, I was yanked out of it.” Unable to meet his gaze, she looked down at their feet. “You were alone again because of me.”
No, because of your mother. “My sweet Leena, you never truly left me.” He brought her hand up to his chest and laid it over his heart. “You were always here.”
“I was in love with you,” she whispered. “And when I thought you wanted nothing to do with me any longer it broke something inside of me. I didn’t know how to repair it, so I focused on my music. I thought that would be enough but it’s not…”
“What do you want?”
“What every girl wants…a family. I want a husband and children. I love my career and I don’t think I want to give it up completely, but I need more than just getting up on stage every night.”
Children? His heart skipped a beat before he forced himself to focus on the rest of her statement. “Many people balance a career and family. You see it with musicians, too. So why can’t you?”
“Because I never opened myself up to anyone but you.” She looked back up at him and let their gazes meet. “All those years ago you stole my heart and I never wanted it back. I fell in love with you then and even after I thought you were gone from my life altogether, I never felt that way about anyone else.”
“Young love has a way of sticking with you. I loved you then and even as I watched you move up in your career, further and further out of reach, I never stopped loving you.” But now more than ever, he couldn’t allow himself to get involved with her. No matter what he felt for her, she deserved better. Fuck.
7
Chapter Seven
Declarations of love should have been something to celebrate. Instead, Leena stood in his office with her stomach in knots. Even as he told her that he loved her then, and still cared for her now, she watched as he closed himself off from her. He had thrown up walls that hadn’t been there before. What had changed? One second they were having a tender moment and the next he was pushing her away. Had he been lying?
Before the walls were erected she had wanted to tell him about her dreams. She wanted to tell him of her desire for a husband and a family. That as much as she loved her music career, it wasn’t enough. She needed more. She wasn’t sure she could have it with him, but she was open to exploring what had started between them years before. Is there someone else?
“Leena.”
She glanced back toward the door and noticed that Kendrick had stepped into the office and Turner was pushing the door shut. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve asked Kendrick to join us for a moment.”
“Why?” Her voice hitched as he came around the chairs to lean against the edge of his desk. His jeans stretched tight across his hips, while the top buttons of his dress shirt were undone showing off his tanned skin. The picture sparked her imagination and heated her body.
“I have a friend on the police force, Detective Mason Hazelwood—”
“I don’t think I like where this is going—” she cut him off.
“I doubt you will, but I did it because I’m concerned for your safety.” He clasped his hands in front of him. “I told him about your stalker.”
“You what?” Her eyes where wide as she swallowed his news. “They’ll cancel…”
“Doing the concert is dangerous not only for you but for this hospital.”
She squeezed the back of the chair, her rage burning within her. “The hospital…you betrayed me to protect the hospital.” Just like that she realized that she meant less to him than his job. He couldn’t even come to her before he threw everything she’d worked for down the drain in order to protect the hospital. Nora and Chelsea had put so much work into this event and were counting on the donations and ticket sales in order to bring joy to the patients. Now it was over before it could even start. “How could you?” It came out softer than she expected as her sorrow rushed forward.
“If you’d hear me out…”
“Screw you.” She grabbed the rental car keys that sat on the arm of the chair and stalked toward the door. “You made it clear where your loyalties are.”
He was around the chair and his hand wrapped around her bicep before she could open the door. “That must be why I’m risking my career, this hospital, and my license in order to keep this concert on schedule.”
She tugged her arm from his grasp before his words sank in. “What?”
“Maybe we should hear him out,” Kendrick suggested.
“You contacted the police.” If they knew about this, they’d have to alert hospital administration and it would be shut down.
“I did…and I didn’t.” He pushed a strand of her hair away from her face and looked at her. “I didn’t do anything to jeopardize the concert tomorrow, but I did speak with Mason. He’s a detective and a good enough friend that he’s willing to risk more than I should have asked him to risk. He’s going to meet us at my house tonight at five. We’re going to put together a plan to keep you safe and keep all of those attending safe.”
“We’re not cancelling the event?”
He shook his head. “Kendrick and Matt are good but they’re not enough.” He glanced at the guard. “Not enough for the crowd that’s expected. I’m a lawyer, not a cop or security guard, but I’ll do what I can. Even with the three of us, we’re not enough to keep you safe. Mason and a few of his men can pick up the slack. Nora and Chelsea already doubled the security and the Cedar Grove Police Department has every officer on duty for the event, but they are going to be missing key details, since you’re determined to keep this stalker a secret.”
“I have to,” she reminded him.
“And we have to keep you safe. I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”
“It’s not just you, Leena, who’s in danger.” Kendrick’s gaze traveled from Turner to her. “If something goes wrong, you’re putting everyone who came to see you at risk. The hospital would suffer as well but none of that compares to the guilt you’d feel. I’ve known you long enough to know that you’d take it personally if anything happened to one of your fans.”
She nodded because he was right. If anyone got hurt because of her it would be her fault. Her fans, the event staff, her own crew, any one of them would hurt her more than if the bastard came after her directly. She had never liked having security guards put themselves in danger because of her. Another downside of her career.
“An erotomania stalker normally only focuses on the target. Unless he believes someone is getting in his way, he’ll focus on her. Which will work in our benefit and will keep those in attendance safe.”
“Kendrick, could you excuse us?” She waited for her guard to step back into the hall and close the door before she turned back to Turner. “Don’t even think about it.”
“What?” He stepped back from her and went to the coffee maker.
“Turner.” She followed after him and stepped to the side of the buffet so she could look at his face. “You told me that if he believes I’m dating someone he could become violent. I won’t put you in danger.”
“What would give you that idea?” He tipped the jug of water he kept next to the coffee pot into the water reservoir and didn’t meet her gaze.
“Damn it, Turner.”
“There is an Italian restaurant downtown. It’s a small place, family owned, and the food is delicious. Will you join me for an early lunch?”
She wanted to scream. One minute he was building walls to keep her away and the next he was inviting her to lunch. The twists and turns he sent her on were becoming too much. “You want to be seen in public with me because you hope he’ll see it. Well, I’m playing no part in you putting yourself at risk. He’s interested in me and I’m not going to let anyone else put themselves at risk.”
“What would you rather do?” He slammed the jug down with such force that some of the water sloshed out. “Sit around and wait for him to come after you?”
“It’s what I’ve been doing and it’s better than putting you at risk.”
“Really? Because I’m not so sure.” His hands curled into fists. “When I showed up at the hotel to tell you I spoke with Mason, I found Kendrick coming out of your bus looking as if he was ready to flatten someone. The only thing I could think was the stalker managed to get to you in the middle of the night.”
“But he didn’t. I’m here and I’m fine.” She reached out to him but he stepped back.
“For how long? How long until this bastard catches up with you? Damn it, Leena, he warned you that he’d be here and you’re staying in the fucking tour bus alone. Well, no more.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” She let her anger in because it was better than seeing the fear in his eyes. “I’ve lived my life on my terms, and occasionally I’m willing to be flexible. Just as I’m being right now with having Kendrick and Matt follow my every move. But that’s the extent of it. I won’t have you or anyone else telling me what I can or can’t do. That tour bus is my home away from Nashville. Hell, I even feel more at home in it than my house. I’m not going to stay in some hotel room because some asshole has decided that I’m to be his.”
“Do you not realize how much danger you’re in?”
“This isn’t the first asshole who’s tried to come at me, and if I stay in the business he won’t be the last.” If…am I really considering giving it up? It was too much. She had to get out of there. Without another word, she marched toward the door and pulled it open. “Kendrick, let’s go.”
“Leena…”
Turner called after her but she couldn’t stop. She needed to think. Music had been her life and now it didn’t seem worth it anymore. She wanted something more, but first she had to deal with this stalker. Come after me, you asshole!
“Well, that could have gone better,” Turner bitched to himself as he heard Leena make her way down the hall. What he thought was the right thing had managed to piss her off royally. She didn’t want him protecting her and he wasn’t about to step out of the way now. If she wanted to walk away from him when this was over, that would be fine, but she wouldn’t push him away until this bastard was in custody. He wouldn’t see her hurt because he failed to do everything in his power to protect her.
Their time together might have passed, and he knew for certain he couldn’t give her what she wanted, but he wouldn’t stand by and do nothing. One last thing to prove my love to you, my sweet Leena.
He went to his desk and picked up his office phone to call Chelsea. It was time to request another favor, and hopefully this one would give him the opportunity he needed. He had to be seen in public with her. One photograph might be all it took for the stalker to catch a glimpse of them together and for him to change his direction. You might hate me for it, Leena, but I want that bastard to come after me.
8
Chapter Eight
The day stretched on and on until Leena thought she’d scream. Every minute felt like hours, and if she had to hear her assistant Trina go on one more time about the plans for after the concert, she would fire her. Trina had been heaven-sent when it came to keeping Leena on track with everything, but if her assistant had one downfall it was charity events. She didn’t see the point in them, especially not when it meant visiting sick people.
“If you could finish up the rounds at the hospital within an hour we could be on the road when the band leaves.”
“Enough, Trina,” Leena snapped. “We’re here through the following week. The band is getting a few days off before we hit the studio to start recording again.”
“I suggest revising our travel arrangements. We could all do with a few days off. Maybe I could book you into your favorite spa? Or we could take a trip to the mountains? You always enjoy a few days in the mountains.”
“No. We’ve gone over this.” She set her glass of tea aside and lifted her gaze to Trina. “I’m going to stay here for a few days, and if you plan to keep your job you will too.”
“Maybe a trip to see your parents. You haven’t been home in so long.”
“Enough.” She pushed off the sofa and headed for the door, thankful they’d held the meeting in Trina’s suite instead of on the bus. “I’m going to the bus for a bit. When I get back, if you say another word about leaving here…you’re fired. Don’t push me on this, Trina. I’m serious.”
She stepped into the hall and Kendrick fell into stride next to her. “Where’s Matt?”
“Down by the bus. Chelsea stopped by with something for you. It’s on the bus.”
“I know that tone.” She let out a deep sigh. “Kendrick, please don’t start. I’ve had enough of this shit from Trina.”
“I didn’t think she cared about your stalker.” He stepped into the stairwell and checked it before giving her the okay.
“Not the stalker, she wants to leave Cedar Grove as soon as the concert is complete. I’m getting tired of everyone trying to control everything. When we left Nashville, everyone knew the plan and now everyone wants to change it. Well, I’m tired and I’m in no mood to fight with anyone.” She jogged down the steps and for a moment she wished she was back at her house so she could burn off some of her pent-up energy in the pool.
“You can stay in town as long as you want. I only wish you’d move into the hotel or let us find you a house to rent in town for the week. Staying out in that bus is just asking for problems. Everyone knows it’s your bus. Your damn name is on the side of it.”
They stepped out into the sunlight and she could see Matt standing next to the bus. He seemed uneasy, like there was something going on that he wasn’t sure how she’d react to. As she came closer, she squinted at him. “Everything okay?”
“Fine.” He pushed open the door to the bus without meeting her gaze.
Not having the energy to work out whatever was bothering him, she stepped inside. Soft music drifted toward her as she climbed the steps. What the hell? Turner stood there, holding roses and grinning at her.
“I’m sorry.”
“If you’ve come to fight, you’d best leave. I’m in no mood—”
He stepped in front of her, his free hand cupping the side of her face. “You’re beautiful when you’re angry.”
Before she could respond, he brought his head closer and claimed her mouth. His lips brushed against hers softly at first before pressing down harder. His tongue slipped between her lips, devouring her as if he was dying of thirst and she was the last drink of water. She wrapped her arms around him, drawing him closer as her own need rose within her.
Breathless, she leaned back in his embrace to look up at him. “That was unexpected.”
“If this is a way around me…” It’s somewhat working.
“Always the cynic.” He teased his hands in her hair. “If it was, then I’d be doing this outside where one of the media circuit could catch a glimpse of us. Instead, I snuck into your bus hoping we could talk.”
“About what?” She let her head rest against his chest and enjoyed the feeling of his embrace. It had grown better over the years or maybe she’d just missed it that much.
“You’re right. I do want that bastard to come after me but not just for the reason you believe.” He held onto her as she tried to pull back from him. “I want it over with. I want him in police custody so that you’ll be safe but also because I…fuck, Leena, I want you. I can list reasons why I should step away and let you get on with your life but I can’t stop myself from wanting you.”
“The timing is wrong.”
“And when is there ever a right time?” He brought his finger under her chin and lifted her head up so she had to look at him. “You came into my life when I thought I was dying and you were my saving grace. You gave me a reason to fight and even when you left, I continued to fight, hoping that one day I’d see you again. You were beautiful then and you’re even more so now.”
“Oh, Turner.” Her eyes burned with unshed tears.
“I fell in love with you then and I’m still in love with you.” He let his hands fall away from her and stepped back. “When you stormed out of my office I called Chelsea and asked for her help. She met me here and told your guards that I had something to discuss with you that was important, that they shouldn’t tell you I was here and just bring you down instead.”
“Why did you need Chelsea’s help?”
“Because I planned on getting caught with you by the media,” he admitted.
Leena’s Dream Page 5
