by Chloe Lang
“I got it. Just relax.” Kyle placed the dishes in the sink. He grabbed the pot. “Let me warm up your coffee.”
Emptying the last drop in the pot, Kyle filled Gya’s and his cups.
“Might as well.” Aaron looked at the time on the microwave. 2:29 a.m. “I won’t be going back to bed tonight.” As soon as the sun came up, he planned on checking in with Sam back at SCSS and with the sheriff here. Hopefully there would be intel they could use to identify and locate Gya’s stalker.
“Should we start another pot?” Gya asked. “You didn’t get a refill, Kyle.”
“I’ve had plenty. Two cups at Maude’s and a cup here.”
“I wondered where you had gone tonight.” He hadn’t asked earlier, knowing his brother had needed time to digest the news he’d given him about his cancer. He should’ve known Kyle would’ve headed straight to the Strong’s home.
“While I was there, Maude gave me this folder.” Kyle looked back and forth from him to Gya. “Aaron, I want you to look it over.”
He took the folder and opened it. The very first page had the name of his cancer in large black letters.
Hodgkin’s disease.
He pushed the folder to the center of the table, his gut tightening.
Gya grabbed the folder.
“Sorry, Aaron. I guess I should’ve waited.”
Gya looked up from the pages. “This is exactly what I was going to look for on your computer, Aaron. There’s a ton in here about the treatment of your disease.”
Kyle’s eyes widened. “She knows about your cancer?”
“Yes. I told her.” He took her hand and squeezed. “Honey, don’t waste your time on this.” He turned to his brother. “I don’t want to put you through this again, Kyle.”
“I’m just asking you to read the damn thing. Maude spent a lot of time on it.”
“But we both know how hard this can be, chasing hope.”
“Hope?” Gya shook her head. “Absolutely this is about hope, Aaron Strait. My whole life, all that kept me putting one foot in front of the other was hope.”
“You lived on hope?” He could see the scars of her past in her eyes. “What do you mean, sweetheart?”
“I never knew my biological parents. All I know about them is my mother was only fourteen and my father was fifteen when I was conceived. Obviously, they were too young to raise a child. So, I ended up in foster care.”
“Oh my God, Gya. I had no idea.” He’d read her press bio, which didn’t have much about her childhood in it.
“By the time I graduated from high school, I’d been in ten different homes. Some of my foster parents were okay, decent even. But there were some who were abusive.”
Now he understood why her walls had been up the day he and Kyle had met her in Houston.
“The only thing I ever had going for me was my music, my voice. I held on to hope, Aaron, that one day things would change for me. That’s how I got through those years. When I was eighteen, I was on my own and I left for California, determined to make a career of my singing. That’s when I met Stephanie and her husband.”
“She’s married?” Kyle asked.
“Was married. Not anymore. They were a team, both agents, representing several acts in Los Angeles. I was singing at a little dive one night and they walked in. They signed me on the spot. It was a dream come true, as I had no money, no place to stay, nothing. Stephanie, being Stephanie, realized my situation even though I never told her. She opened up her home to me, saying it was only temporary until I could get back on my feet. What she didn’t know was I’d never been on my feet before.”
Even though he and Kyle had lost their dads early on, they had grown up with a loving mother who made sure they had wonderful childhoods. He put his arm around Gya and pulled her in tight.
“It seemed like overnight my career took off. I was on top of the world. I let my walls down for the first time in my life. I expected the best instead of the worst. But the worst was just around the corner. Actually, he was in the other bedroom. One night Stephanie’s husband crept into my room, stale whiskey on his breath, and tried to rape me. My survival skills kicked back in and I clawed his face, blinding him in one eye.”
Under his breath Aaron uttered one word. “Fuck.” He would kill anyone who ever tried to harm her.
“I screamed. Stephanie came in with a gun, screaming at him to get off of me. He cursed, keeping me pinned to the bed. ‘You won’t do it, Steph. I’m your husband.’ Stephanie shot a bullet into the ceiling. ‘Next one is between your eyes, Calvin.’ The monster jumped up, claiming the booze was to blame. She told him to shut the fuck up. ‘Take your clothes and get out. I don’t want to ever see you again.’ He fled.” Gya took a deep breath. “I survived. Stephanie has had my back ever since. She’s the mother I never had. She brought you two into my life because she loves me. She trusts you. I’ve learned to trust you, too. You both mean so much to me.”
Kyle touched her cheek. “Damn, Gya. I can’t believe what you had to go through.”
Aaron agreed. “No wonder you’re so strong.”
She looked him straight in the eyes. “Not strong. I just did what had to be done. I held on to hope that things would change for the better. They do, you know. I believed one day I would meet someone who would sweep me off my feet. That was my hope. Always. Little did I know I would get two someones.” She grinned. “Hope, Aaron, is the fuel to get through the hard times. I know. I’ve lived it. That’s what I always do.” She pushed the file back in front of him. “Now it’s time for you to start hoping.”
She’d been to hell and back. As he’d suspected all along after meeting her for the first time, Gya was tough. Now, knowing she was a survivor made him want her all the more.
“Say something, bro.” Kyle’s eyes were filled with concern. “What do you say? Won’t you give it a look?”
What can I say? He looked at the two people sitting with him at his mother’s kitchen table. They were meant for each other. He knew that for certain. In his heart, he wanted her, too—wanted to share her with his brother, to build a life together, a future. But that would never be.
He still doubted anything would change the inevitability of his outcome. He was a realist. But after hearing her story and seeing the suffering in his brother’s eyes, how could he refuse them? He simply couldn’t.
“Hand me Maude’s folder, baby. We’ll all take a look together.”
Chapter Eleven
After sleeping most of the day away, Gya stepped out on the back porch with Aaron and Kyle, gazing at the mountains off in the distance. “What a pretty sunset.”
“They’re all spectacular here, baby.” Aaron held her hand. He seemed more optimistic than before.
They’d all read every word in Maude’s file. His situation wasn’t as grim as any of them had feared. With treatment, he would live a full life.
A long wooden swing was positioned perfectly to enjoy the view. She learned from them that their dads had built the swing as an anniversary gift for their mother. Thankfully, the trio had gotten to enjoy some sunsets together before the two men had been shipped out, never to return. “Where do you want me, guys?”
Kyle motioned to the center of the swing. “Right between us, sweetheart. That’s where you belong.”
She took a seat, looking at her two bodyguards. She smiled at how different they looked now than how they’d looked back in Houston. Shorts and T-shirts only. Well, that and their guns holstered to their sides. “Did you hear back from Sam yet, Aaron?”
“This morning while you were sleeping. Nothing new to report, unfortunately, baby. You’re going to have to stay put for a little longer.”
She leaned into him and pressed her lips to his. “I’m perfectly fine with that, Mr. Strait.” She turned and kissed Kyle as well. “I love it here.”
“I’m glad you do,” Kyle said.
She held both their hands. “Where else besides Wilde do doctors make house visits? I really li
ked Dr. Champion.”
“Alex is a good man.” Kyle turned to Aaron. “What do you think about the Denver option he told us about? Sounds like that might be the best place to start your treatments.”
Dr. Champion knew the doctor in Denver and had told them he was one of the best in the field. His successes exceeded the national average. But Aaron still hadn’t said whether he was willing to start the treatments or not. She couldn’t imagine how difficult it was for him. It was a lot to take in.
She turned to Aaron, hoping with all her heart he would finally agree.
But before he could answer, his cell rang. “It’s Sam. Let me put it on speaker. Hey, guy. What news do you have for us?”
“Boss, you’re going to love what I have to tell you. It’s all good news. Vincent Scarpelli is dead.”
“How?”
“The Feds made their move. They had enough on the creep’s money laundering business to bring him in. Scarpelli and two of his men started firing on the good guys. The scumbags were killed. Only one agent took a bullet in the leg, but I heard he’s doing well.”
“That is good news.”
“I just sent you and Kyle the photos the Feds shared with me that they took at Scarpelli’s home. He’d built a fucking shrine to our client. Every wall was covered in pictures of her. Looks like the heat is off of Miss Gaynor.”
Kyle held up his phone for her and Aaron to see. The image was so disturbing. Sam wasn’t exaggerating.
“There must be at least fifty pictures of me.”
“More like a couple of hundred. Scarpelli’s men have been photographing you for months,” Sam said. “Turns out he did have guys on the ground in Dallas during your concert, too. And I’m betting he also sent someone to your home in Malibu. No proof yet, but I’ll dig into all the evidence the Feds have and find the connection. Looks like his obsession finally turned deadly.”
“I’ll need all you’ve got on this,” Aaron said. “I want to share it with Sheriff Champion and Austin.”
“Sure thing, boss. My contact told me there is a ton of documents they got out of Scarpelli’s house that might be helpful in locating the sheriff and Austin’s guy, Delgado. I’m sure glad that bastard Scarpelli is gone.”
She breathed a giant sigh of relief. “So am I, Sam. Thank you.”
“All in a day’s work, Miss Gaynor.”
“Good job,” Aaron said.
“Thanks, boss. I’ll get back to you if there’s anything new to report.”
Aaron gave a few more instructions to Sam and then ended the call.
“Let’s celebrate.” She grinned.
Kyle nodded, placing his arm around her shoulder. “Absolutely, baby. What would you like to do?”
“Let’s go to the diner and get some King Cakes.”
They all laughed.
Aaron squeezed her hand. “You can’t be serious, sweetheart.”
“I’m very serious. I’m going to have to call Stephanie and let her know I’m safe. I’m going to ask her to bring me some clothes. She’s all about eating healthy. Once she’s here it’ll be back to salads, lean proteins, and vitamin rich juices and shakes.”
“So you’re not going to go back on tour?” Aaron smiled.
“No.”
“You’re planning to stay?”
“Well, I was hoping I could.” She smiled. “You two wouldn’t put me out on the streets, would you? I’m homeless, you know.”
“Listen to this little manipulator, bro.” Kyle kissed her on the cheek. “Only one room got some damage in your Malibu mansion, but if you want to stay in our three-bedroom ranch house it’s fine by me. What do you think, Aaron?”
He grinned. “I’m sure it smells really bad until they get rid of the smoke damage. I suppose we can let her stay for a little while. It might be nice to have a woman in the house.”
“You took good care of me and now it’s my turn to take care of you.” She stood. “Come on, guys. I’m dying for some King Cakes.”
Kyle shook his head. “I wonder what Stephanie is going to think of us when she learns all you’ve eaten since you got here were pancakes.”
She held up both her fists. “Don’t you dare sell me out, guys.”
Aaron stood and took her hands. “We’ve got your back, baby. Always.”
He kissed her, making her toes curl.
Kyle came up behind her, pressing her between his and Aaron’s muscled bodies. “Maybe we should work up a good appetite before we go.”
Aaron smiled. “What do you say, baby?”
She looked into his blue eyes. “Can’t think of a better way to burn calories, can you?”
* * * *
Gya entered Norma’s Diner on the arms of Aaron and Kyle.
A waitress with short black hair and hazel eyes, standing by the long counter, welcomed them. “Have a seat anywhere you like, Miss Gaynor.” The woman grabbed three menus and then dropped them to the floor. Her eyes went wide. “Miss Gaynor? Oh my God. Is that really you?” The woman ran to them. “It is you. I’m Anna.” She began jumping up and down. “I’m your biggest fan. Can I touch you? I just want to make sure this is real. It is real, right? Oh my God. I just love you.”
Everyone in the room turned around, which was something Gya had grown accustomed to a few years ago. Making a commotion in public places, she’d learned, was something that came with fame.
“Nice to meet you, Anna.” She held out her hand, but Anna didn’t take it.
Instead, the sweet waitress gave her a big hug. Normally not a fan of embraces from strangers, Gya actually didn’t mind at all. Anna seemed so genuine.
“This is the biggest thing that has happened in Wilde since Elvis, and I wasn’t even born yet.” A pretty blonde teenager said. “Mom, do you think Gya would give me an autograph?”
“Janie, what did you say?” her mother answered in a firm tone.
“I mean Miss Gaynor. Do you think she would mind?”
Gya smiled. “I don’t mind at all, Janie.”
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” Janie leapt from her table, grabbing a napkin.
“Would you mind giving me an autograph, Miss Gaynor?” One sweet elderly woman asked. “We just love you here in Wilde. Everybody plays your music.”
“Thank you so much. I would be glad to sign anything anyone brings me.”
Several other customers started grabbing napkins, too.
Aaron leaned in. “You just let the dogs off their leashes, baby.”
“I love this place and these people. Your neighbors are sweet.”
He sighed. “I haven’t lived here in many years, but you’re right. There’s no place like Wilde.”
Anna sat her at a table in the middle of the diner. A line formed. She saw several people on their cell phones, which made her smile, though her stomach growled. It would be a little while before she got a chance to eat. Aaron and Kyle stood behind her, assuming their bodyguard stations, though they seemed fairly relaxed by all of this.
“You devils,” another woman addressed them. “I heard you were back in town but I had no idea you had a celebrity with you.” She smiled. “You should be ashamed of yourselves. Keeping secrets from your neighbors.”
After forty-five minutes, Aaron put his foot down. “Folks, Miss Gaynor has enjoyed meeting you. It’s time for us to sit down and get her some food.”
“Has she tried the King Cakes yet?” someone in the back yelled out. “We’ve heard singers really like them.”
“I have,” she said, remembering Aaron and Kyle telling her that Elvis had tipped two hundred dollars to the waitress after eating them. “But I can’t wait to have them again.”
The crowd cheered.
She turned to Aaron and Kyle. “Given how much time must’ve passed since the King came to Wilde, I’m going to have to tip at least four hundred due to inflation.”
“Anna will be very pleased. You might even get the name changed.” Kyle grinned. “Gaynor Cakes. It kind of rolls off the to
ngue.”
She laughed. “I doubt that.”
Anna came up, still visibly vibrating with excitement. “I can’t believe you are really here, but here you are. Oh my God.”
“Anna, where would you like us to sit?” Aaron’s voice was calm, but still had that take-charge quality that made Gya tingle inside.
“How about the big round booth by the window? It’s the best seat in the house.”
“That will be fine.”
As they were taking their seats, Gya heard the jukebox come on with one of her hits. “Oh my God, they weren’t kidding. I do have fans here.”
Kyle grinned. “I told you so.”
A middle-aged woman came through the front door.
Aaron leaned in. “Gya, that’s Maude.”
“Where is Gya Gaynor? I want to see her.” Before anyone answered, Maude turned their direction. “There you are.” The woman beelined her way to them.
Gya stood up to greet her.
“I’m so happy to finally get to meet you, young lady.” Maude gave her a big hug, and like with Anna, Gya didn’t feel her usual discomfort. What was it about the people in this town that was having such an effect on her? She looked at Aaron and Kyle, the two citizens having the biggest impact on her.
“I am, too. I’ve heard so much about you from these guys.”
The woman smiled broadly. “I love them very much. Just like my own sons.”
“She has six of them.” Kyle laughed. “That would make Aaron and I numbers seven and eight.”
“So? I have a heart big enough for all my boys.”
“How did you hear Gya was at the diner?” Aaron asked.
“The whole town knows, young man. The second you walked through those doors, my phone started ringing. I was at the ranch instead of the hotel. My husbands wanted to show me a new foal that was born early this morning.”
“How are Uncle Greg and Uncle Grant?” Aaron asked.
Gya realized the Wilde way of things, the poly way, included Maude’s family.
“They’re both ornery as heck. You better go see them while you’re in town. But we can talk about that later.” Maude took Gya’s hands and squeezed them. “We have a special guest in our town. Gya, I came as fast as I could. Hey, my guys want me to name the foal. I’m going to name her Sunny after my favorite song of yours.” Maude began singing Gya’s very first hit song. “You’re sunny, even in the dark times. You make me smile—” She stopped suddenly, realizing the whole diner was listening. “Well, you know it better than I do, don’t you.”
