“Jesus baby! Fuck!” Diego felt as if a huge block of concrete had been dropped on his chest, he had trouble breathing but he had to endure for Jade.
Diego kissed her softly as she sniffed the tears back then continued. “It took Tag showing me the footage to get me to agree to talk to Val. What I had seen had freaked me out to such an extent that even though he was innocent of any wrongdoing I wanted nothing to do with him. I loved him Diego but seeing that slut laid out like that on our bed and losing our child killed something in me. I didn’t know if I could ever trust him again even though he never did anything to break that trust. It took three months to convince me to marry him and when I did he looked so relieved, so happy and contented that I knew then that he would never ever do anything to hurt me. We had one day and night of total happiness before it all ended. The rest you know as you’ve been there for it all.”
Diego dropped his head onto Jade’s chest and lay there deep breathing as he fought his rage. He didn’t want her to see it in his eyes therefore he only lifted his head when he had control over his emotions.
“This is why you hate her so much, she cost you your child and she almost ruined what you and Val had together. Fuck baby I’m sorry! I never knew anything about this. I’m disgusted with myself that I ever touched her. Why didn’t Val or Tag tell me what happened? I was fucking with her at the time all of this happened!. Why did no one tell me?” Diego felt dirty and disgusting as he tried to lever himself away from Jade but she just held on tighter.
“Val was worried about you, he said you had come back from Afghanistan missing something and if fucking the slut helped you to get over it then we could deal with it. He made us promise we wouldn’t tell you until the time was right. When he died we decided to let it go with him, no one was going to win by exposing her as the manipulating bitch that was indirectly responsible for the death of your brother’s child. Tag was sure you would move on to someone else soon enough and he was right, you did, several someone's in fact.” She frowned as he snarled and ripped himself out of her arms, sitting up on the bed.
“Seven years baby! Seven years that I should have known about this shit. I put my dick in that dirty, disgusting snatch! How can I ever touch you after I’ve been with that piece of shit? God, I feel as if I should go stand under a boiling hot shower to try and get her scrubbed off my skin. She’s been an easy fuck for years. Fuckin’ years! The only bright spot in all of this is that I have only fucked her four times in the last two years and the last time was more than ten months ago.” Diego rubbed his hands over his face as he shuddered with disgust.
Jade went on her knees behind him wrapped her arms around his shoulders and laid her cheek against his back. “You’re not dirty babe, there’s no way her dirt could ever rub off and stick to you.”
Diego put his hands over hers and squeezed. “I want to end her baby, I want to use everything we have to throw her to the wolves but if I do that then we throw you out there as well and I just can’t do that to you. So we are going to have to find another way to stop this shit she’s been pulling.”
With a sigh Jade slid around Diego and into his lap curling her arms around his neck. “I think I’ve hidden away long enough Diego. I’ve talked to Luis and we’re going to go public with who I am. I’m tired of hiding behind Jay Gallado, tired of hiding the fact that I was married to Val Delgado and that I am now in a relationship with his brother Diego Delgado. I’m older and wiser now and I can handle the media as long as I have you beside me.” Diego groaned as she hugged him and shoved her face into his neck.
“I want nothing more than to be able to stand beside you and say that you’re my girl baby. Whether we do it with you known as Jay Gallado, Jade Galloway or Jade Galloway Delgado is your decision, I’ll be happy with what ever you decide.” Diego kissed his way along her neck and then bit her softly, making her shudder with reaction.
Lifting her head Jade looked him in the eyes and nodded as if she had reached a decision. “It’s decided then, we are going out with all our guns blazing. I want that bitch to back off and stay out of my life forever, and if it takes putting that video of her out there and telling my story to force her out then I’ll do it. I just want to tell the band first before we go public with who I am because they’ve had enough bad publicity with all the shit Richie pulled.”
Diego cupped her face in his big hands and kissed her softly. “If that’s what you want baby then that’s what we will do. We’ll call a meeting with the band and you can tell them who you are before we lay all of the shit the slut’s causing out for them. Between those two fans of yours and Clint we’ll find more shit on her and have her ass sewn up so tight she won’t be able to wriggle out of it.”
“What fans?” Jade frowned.
“Shit I forgot! This morning two of your fans tried to get into my room, which they mistakenly thought was yours, and told me that they had hacked the guy who has been posting all that shit about you online. They passed what they had found onto Clint and he assured me that sometime today they would have the fucker and they would sit on him until he gave up his source. All the kids want in exchange is a chance to meet you and spend a little time with you. They’re pretty damned clever little buggers.” Diego grinned.
Jade gave him a quick kiss. “Of course I’ll meet with them. They saved us from that asshole posting more shit and causing more problems. If the day wasn’t so full of shit we have to do I would have invited them to spend the day with me.”
“And talking about the shit you have to do baby, you need to shower and get ready for the radio spot you guys have in about an hour’s time. We’ll make time to meet with the band before you go on stage tonight and sort the rest of this shit out. Tonight after the gig you are mine, with no fuckin’ interruptions.”
With that Diego pulled her up with him and stood her in front of him. Jade ran a hand over his cheek and into his hair, pulling his head down to her and kissing him softly on the lips.
“Okay babe. You go do what you have to do and I’ll get ready.”
Jade watched him as he walked to the door smiling as he turned in the open door and winked at her before he pulled it shut behind him. She grinned and danced around the room like a mad thing.
Diego Delgado loved her!
CHAPTER NINE
Luis was pacing up and down in front of the silently watching band, Diego and Tag as he tried to order his thoughts. On the one hand he was overjoyed on the other he was seething with anger. Damned Marcella Vincent! Why could she not take a hint and fade out of the Delgado family’s lives? She had caused enough heartache to last a damned lifetime. Taking a deep breath he stopped pacing sat down and looked over at what he now considered to be his kids. So much talent and potential in one room. They had three hours before they had to be at the stadium so he had better get to it.
“First things first. The label is very happy with the way the tour is going. They wanted to add more dates to the last week but I shut them down on that one. I could however not get them to cut the appearances you have scheduled while preparing for the European leg of the tour. They are insisting on the four appearances on the talk shows, sorry guys. They want Richie out there showing that he’s completely recovered and ready to play.”
“Did you talk to Richie about it?” Trace sounded torn between anger and concern as he spoke.
“Yeah, I had a meeting with Richie and Jen, who have patched up their differences and are back together. Which is great news for Richie. He’s in therapy and is doing really well, he looks good. He’s picked up some weight and is relaxed. He says he’s taking it one day at a time and that he still has days that he has to fight the need to drug but he’s getting better all the time.”
“Shit that’s good news!” Givens gave RJ a high five with a wide grin.
“Yes it is, so we’ll leave him to recover fully and put no pressure on him at all. The ban on calling and talking to him has been lifted so he’s waiting to hear from you lot. I got the label t
o agree to back off him as some of those damned suits have no idea how to talk to people. Then the other thing they want from you, they want the band to put together a tour album. They want a live album of the best nights of the tour, both here and in Europe. We’ve been planning something along the same lines so it’s not a deal breaker at this time except Jay has to give her okay.”
“I’m okay with it if it’s what the band wants.” Jay nodded at Trace as he grinned at her.
“That’s great, thanks Jay.” RJ grinned as she pulled a face at him.
Luis smiled at them as he relaxed back in his chair. “That’s all from me but Diego has a few things he wants to talk to you about.”
He waved Diego forward but he stayed where he was, leant over the side of his chair and dragged Jade’s closer to him making her squeak in outrage. Male sniggers filled the room as she frowned at Diego.
“I’d like you all to be the first to know that Jay and I are together now. We sorted our shit and I’m sure you’ll be glad all the stomping and snarling is over. She’s promised to be good.” Diego and the guys laughed as she gasped in outrage and tried to hit him.
“You’re an ass Delgado.”
“Baby you love it so don’t pretend you don’t.” He smirked as she huffed but said nothing.
“We all knew there was something going on with the two of you, great to see you got your heads out of your asses.” Trace smirked
Diego just shook his head with a small smile.
“That was the good news now onto the fucked up news.”
“Diego language!” Luis snapped.
Diego shrugged and grinned at his father before taking Jade’s hand in his, sliding his fingers through hers and putting their clasped hands on his thigh.
“Okay, the not so good news.” He raised an eyebrow to his dad. “You all know we’ve been trying to find the bastard who’s been flooding the internet with all the shit about Jay. This morning we had a breakthrough. Two of Jay’s fans hacked the asshole’s site and brought us a huge lot of info on him. A friend and colleague of mine and his team have been busy all day unravelling his shit. This guy has been stalking Jay for years and he has something big planned which we’re going to stop. As far as we can make out this guy isn’t working alone, someone is helping him and unfortunately someone here, we don’t know who, is passing our schedules on to him. So as of today there won’t be any schedules issued. The only ones who’ll know where we’re going to be and when we’re going to be there will be the people in this room. It’s going to cause some shit but we’ll be able to handle it. Any questions?”
“If this fucker has been stalking Jay for years why hasn’t he been caught before now?” RJ frowned at Diego.
“By law we can't do anything if he isn’t a threat to her safety. He’s been very careful not to cross that line, until now. Now the other totally crap news. It concerns Marcella Vincent and her crew of sluts.” Jade’s hand jerked in his and he squeezed it reassuringly.
“I found out this morning that she has posted that I am marrying her the day after the tour finishes all over social media. It’s a load of crap. She’s never been more than a, sorry Dad, easy fuck. Now she’s nothing, less than nothing. She’s hurt my woman for the last time and she’s going down right along with her crew and the bastard stalking Jay.” Diego leant over and kissed Jay softly.
“You’re whipped D-man!” Jimmy crowed and everyone laughed as Diego just grinned at him and said nothing.
“Baby do you want to say something tonight or wait?” Diego watched Jay intently as he asked then smiled as she squeezed his hand and looked around at the guys. God his woman was amazing.
“I have something to tell you guys and I hope you won’t be pissed at me.” She took a deep breath then huffed it out before she continued.
“Firstly I want you all to understand that it was necessary to keep what I’m going to tell you a secret at the time it happened but I’m done with living with it hanging over me any longer.” Her eyes flew around the guys watching her with confused frowns.
“My real name is Jade Moira Galloway. My father is Michael Francis Galloway, I’m sure you all know who he is.” She didn’t give anyone a chance to say anything but carried right on speaking. “I started playing music with my Mum when I was only a little girl but it was my Uncle Patrick who introduced me to the drums, to my father’s eternal disgust. When I was nineteen I met a man who pursued me relentlessly until I agreed to a date. I married him about eighteen months later. We weren’t married long when he was killed in a car accident. His name was Val Delgado.” Jay paused as shocked gasps filled the room.
“After he died I was broken for a long time until Tag lost his temper and forced me to start playing again. As a family we decided to continue hiding my identity and that was how Jay Gallado came to be. Papa Luis became my manager and I became a session musician, playing for who ever needed me. I’ve played with many musicians over the years but it wasn’t until I played with Cat and Sweet Sacrifice that I realised I missed playing live. I missed the energy, the high, the feeling of absolute bliss when you get it right and the fans roar their appreciation. That’s why I agreed to come to the audition and take a step outside my self-imposed cage.” Jay rubbed her free hand over their clasped hands as she looked at Diego.
“Diego and I discussed my options and we decided that you guys deserved to know the truth before some asshole splatters it all over the tabloids. The band is going through enough shit right now and I really don’t want to add to it.” She sagged back in her chair and looked around at the shocked faces.
“So you’re saying you’re actually Jade Delgado and Luis is your father-in-law as well as your manager and you’re dating your brother-in-law. Man you sure do like to keep it in the family.” Jimmy said with a shit eating grin.
“Jimmy!” Trace growled. “Stop being an ass for one minute in your life.”
Jimmy shrugged while still grinning. The others seemed stunned by what they had just heard and just sat there staring at her then RJ moved forward in his chair.
“So if this asshole that’s been stalking her gets hold of this information he can spin it anyway he wants which means that she has to get it out there before he does. Am I right in thinking that?” RJ addressed his question to Luis.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Luis said softly.
RJ looked around at the rest of the band. “What do you guys think?”
“What will the label do if this hits?” Givens wanted to know.
“Fuck the label.” Trace snarled. “They get enough out of us so they can just deal. If everyone is in agreement I think we should call Molly Rutherford and give her the story. She’s been around us the longest and she never used any of the bad shit about Richie in her program, she kept it clean. That way Jay would still have some control over the way the story is presented to the public.”
Luis nodded slowly as he weighed their options. “That would actually be the best way to do it. Trace is right, Molly has been good to the band and her reporting has always been well balanced. I will handle the label so don’t any of you worry about that.”
“So when would we do it?” Jade asked softly.
“Baby we need to move on this before this bastard beats us to it. Molly is on the list of reporters getting face time with the band tonight but I don’t want to pull her aside with other reporters watching. You could maybe call her and arrange the interview for after the show Dad.” Diego knew Jade was afraid and nervous and his thumb stroked over the back of her hand soothingly.
Jay looked around the room and swallowed nervously. “Could you all be there when I talk to her please? She’s going to want the band’s reaction anyway.”
“No problem sweet thing, we’ll all be there with you. You’re a part of Storm Front and we stick together, always.” Trace said in his growly voice.
“Yeah sweet thing, you’re ours now.” Jimmy teased with a naughty grin.
“You’re such an ass Jimmy. We’ll
be there Jay we’ve got your back.” Givens reached across and gave her a fist pump.
“So while we’re all here I’ve got something I want to discuss.” RJ said as he slanted a look over at Jade. “We all had great fun in the pub last night but it was more than fun, it was fuckin’ amazing. I want to do one of Jay’s songs, not tonight but soon. We can slot it into the playlist easily enough. What do you guys think? It’s an opportunity to get the fans’ reaction first hand.”
“Hell yeah! It could be like a test run before we do the album I’ve got planned. I want to do more than just one song though.” Trace grinned at all of them. “I’ve spent my time today scoring what we have so far and I have to tell you guys it’s going to fuckin’ blow everyone away.”
“We can decide on what we’re going to play later. I just want to know that we’re all in agreement.” RJ said.
“Yeah! We’re with you all the way.” Givens said and Jimmy nodded as he spoke.
“Great! We’re all in agreement then.”
RJ smirked as Jade snorted a laugh and shook her head but she let their unilateral decision go as Diego lifted her hand and kissed it.
“You’re whipped D-man, totally whipped.” Jimmy teased with a laugh.
“I have no problem with it Jimmy my man. My woman is a steaming hot rock star with the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard, so yeah man, I’m happy with where I am.” Diego smiled at Jade before looking around the room at each of them. “We appreciate your acceptance guys.”
Luis took over the meeting by clearing his throat. “We have tonight’s gig and then two travelling days to Seattle, we’ll use those two days to iron out your playlist. I’ll call Molly and set up the meeting here in my suite. I’ll let everyone know the time once it’s been set. We’re almost done with this leg of the tour and I want to thank all of you for making it easy despite the scare with Richie. Let’s get out there and give the fans what they have paid for, a damned great show.”
Hard Rock Unrehearsed Page 9
