“You choose.”
“Okay. Let’s see. How about I sing the song you helped with? You can join in if you like or not.” He looked intently at her.
“Okay.”
“Okay,” he repeated. He brushed past Mia, singing softly.
His voice and the words he sang washed through her, clearing away most of the horrible feelings of being violated in her own house.
“Where should I put the clothes?” he said.
“There’s a hamper in my walk-in closet.” She pointed toward her closet, not knowing whether he was looking at her or not since her back still faced him.
The hollow swirling sound of water draining from the tub caught her attention. Then, Keys eased past her, holding her clothes, and trekked to the closet, sliding the door open.
When he emerged, he said, “Can I do anything else? Start the shower or something? I can wash you if you need me to.”
“No, thank you. I think I’ll be okay. You can go back to bed if you like,” she said.
“Are you sure?” he said, still standing in all his glorious nakedness.
“I’m sure,” she said, hoping she sounded bolder than she felt.
“Okay. Holler if you need anything.”
“I will,” she said.
Keys headed for the bed, and she marched toward the shower.
After she’d finished her shower, dressed and styled her hair, she felt like a civilized person again. She slipped down the hall to prepare breakfast as Keys snoozed. When the French toast had browned to perfection and coffee burbled into the pot, Keys padded down the hall fully dressed in last night’s clothes.
“Smells good,” he said. “What are your plans today?”
“I have to go to work. Zander depends on me,” she said, sliding the spatula under a slice of French toast and lifting it onto a hand-painted plate she’d bought in Italy. She glanced out the window above her kitchen sink, noting a blue sky for a change. Maybe this stupid snow season has finally come to an end.
Keys’ lips pressed flat as he headed toward the coffee pot to pour himself some java. He grabbed one of two mugs she’d set out and filled it with the hot brew. “I’ll accompany you to work. Then, I’ll head over to my place, grab a shower, and pick up some clothes to bring over. Unless you’d like to stay at my house. Either way, I’m not letting you stay alone.”
“That’s not necessary,” she said, stepping toward the table. She set the plate of French toast on one of her pearl pink placemats at the kitchen table. Then, she crossed the room to retrieve butter and syrup from the fridge.
“It’s absolutely necessary. I insist.”
“Keys, look,” she said, setting the syrup and butter on the hand-painted lazy susan in the center of the small, wood table. “We don’t even know what we are to one another. You know, where we stand with one another. I can’t suddenly be okay with you staying with me just because my evil ex broke in.”
Keys jaw clenched as he poured the syrup on his French toast. “I like you. I’m attracted to you. Can’t we leave it at that?” He speared a piece of French toast and jammed it in his mouth. “And, I’m committed to your safety,” he mumbled through his mouthful of food.
“If I need someone ‘committed to my safety,’” she said, adding air quotes, “I’ll get a German shepherd. Last night you kept telling Darion you were my boyfriend. Is that true or not?”
Keys’ shoulders hunched around his ears. He stabbed another piece of French toast and popped it in his mouth, chewing it as if it needed to be punished. “A lot of shit has gone down in the last twenty-four. I’m barely awake and can’t even process it.”
“Fine.” Mia threw up her hands. “You’re barely awake, but I’m the one who almost got raped or killed or whatever my psycho ex-boyfriend had in mind. All I’m doing is trying to figure ‘us’ out so I can decide whether or not to let you inconvenience your life to move in with me for a few days.”
“It’s not an inconvenience,” Keys said, exploding from his seat. He punched the air. “Fuck, Mia. I’m confused, all right? I got so scared last night, seeing that sick fuck with his hands all over you. I wanted to destroy him. But, I don’t know what we are to one another. I don’t think I’m ready for a relationship, but I don’t want this to end, okay?”
“Okay,” she said, holding her palms out. “I didn’t mean to push you.”
“I’m sorry I erupted. Let me…” Keys sat back down in his chair. “Let me take care of you while your asshole ex is lurking somewhere in this city. Let me make sure you’re safe. Let me figure out who you are to me and how much I can deal with…” He looked up at her with plaintive eyes. “Please…”
“Okay,” she repeated. “Thank you for looking out for me,” she said woodenly. She busied herself with cleaning up the egg bowl and rinsing out the pan while Keys finished his meal.
Several minutes later, Keys’ chair scraped against the floor. He came to stand behind her, reaching around her to set the plate in the sink. Then, he placed his warm hands on her upper arms. “I care about you, Mia.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, swirling the sponge around the plate Keys had placed in the sink.
“I like hanging out with you,” he said, kissing her neck.
“Okay,” she said, her movements quickening as the sponge went round and round. “I like hanging out with you, too.”
“Can that be enough for now?” he said as his mouth traced a trail of kisses up her neck.
“Sure. That can be enough.” Not really, but… Her stomach tightened into a knot. She lifted the water spigot and rinsed the plate. Then, she shook the water droplets off and placed it in the stainless steel dish rack next to the sink. “I need to get going,” she said. “Are you ready?”
“Sure. And, thanks for breakfast. It tasted great.” He kissed her cheek.
His warm lips and tender kisses afforded her some comfort. She reached up to caress his beard covered cheek. “You’ll find a set of spare keys on the table next to the front door—the table with all the inlays. And, thank you for caring.” The phrase sounded stiff and odd to her own ears, but he was right—they didn’t know who they were to one another, and it was far too soon for any declarations of love. So, she let a blanket of formality envelop her all the way to EXcape where they said lighthearted good-byes, and Keys told her he’d see her at the end of the day when he’d accompany her home.
She’d been busy at her desk for about an hour when Keys texted her.
Did u tell Zander?
Her face flushed. Not yet, she typed. She kept the next thought to herself. Zander doesn’t need to know.
Five minutes later, Zander exploded from his office, rushing to stand before her, his face a furious shade of red. “Why didn’t you tell me you were assaulted last night? I would have come straight away? Are you okay?”
She huffed out a sigh. “Did Keys just call you?”
“Yes. He told me he stopped by to drop off a coat you left somewhere. Thank God he arrived when he did. Why did I have to hear this from Keys?”
“Because maybe I didn’t want to tell you,” she said, leaning forward in her ergonomic desk chair. “Maybe it’s my business, not yours.”
“Are you kidding me?” Zander’s jaw slackened like he couldn’t believe what he just heard from her lips. “We’re family around here. You know that.”
The word family carved a slice of guilt in Mia’s belly. And, I’m planning on leaving, maybe sooner than later now that Darion’s back.
“Did the police come? Did they catch the intruder?” Zander said.
“Yes, the police came, and no, they didn’t catch the intruder,” Mia said, staring at her monitor screen.
“Great. Just great,” Zander said, placing his hands on his hips. “Where do our taxpayer dollars go?”
Alicia strode down the hall, heading toward Mia’s desk.
Mia cringed. Oh, great. Turn around, Alicia. Go away, Zander.
“What’s going on?” Alicia said with a brig
ht smile spreading across her face. Her high ponytail swung back and forth as she bopped down the hall.
“Mia was assaulted last night. In her own home,” Zander said, his hands on his hips.
Alicia’s smile faltered. “Mia! Are you okay?” She rushed around the counter to put her arms around Mia.
Mia stiffened at the show of affection. She patted Alicia’s arm. “I’m fine, really, I am.”
Alicia relinquished her grip on Mia and studied her. “You don’t look fine. Does she look fine to you, Zander?”
“No, she looks pale. Maybe you should go home early, Mia.” Zander had his mobile phone in his hand. He turned his attention toward his screen.
“Mr. King,” she said, slipping into her old habit of formality with him. “I’ll feel better if I stay here and focus on work.”
“Nonsense. You’ve earned enough vacation time in the last few weeks to take six months off. I’m calling Scout Security to add around the clock detail to your building.” He tapped his screen. Then, he began speaking.
Mia wanted to slide under the desk and turn into a dust mote. She hated all this attention.
“I can’t believe you were assaulted, and you’re sitting here at your desk like nothing happened,” Alicia said. “You need to rest. Want me to come over after work? I’ll be glad to keep you company.”
“No, thank you. I’ll have someone to keep me company,” Mia said, waving her hand in front of her face.
“Is it that rock star? Oh, girl, he is to die for,” Alicia gushed, clasping her hands beneath her chin.
“He’s something,” Mia said. Go away, go away, go away.
Zander finished his phone call and said, “Okay. A Scout guard is coming to pick you up and take you home. You’ll have twenty-four-seven security in your apartment. I’ve contacted Cory Jackman to be on the alert. Did you already give him a description?”
Mia’s stomach tightened. “No, I didn’t give him a description.” I didn’t want to make a fuss.
“Well, tell me, tell the guard when he gets here, and he’ll alert all parties. I don’t want anything to happen to you, Mia.” Zander’s piercing eyes filled with tenderness as he regarded her, making Mia squirm inside. “So. What did the perp look like?”
Mia dutifully gave a description. Then, she said, “You know, all of this extra work isn’t necessary.”
“What?” Zander said, glancing at his phone. “Of course, it is. You’re important, Mia.”
“We’d all die if anything happens to you, Mia,” Alicia said.
“So, that’s settled then,” Zander said. “You’re going to go home and get some rest. You’ll have guards outside your door, in the lobby. You can get some much-needed rest knowing you’re safe.”
But, that’s the thing…I’ll never be safe with Darion out there. Her face a frozen mask; she nodded. “Thank you,” she croaked.
The elevator doors dinged, and a tall, beefy guy emerged from the lift, wearing a charcoal business suit that didn’t hide his huge muscles. “Miss Song?” he said, striding toward the desk.
“That’s me,” she said, sounding weak.
“I’m to accompany you home. I’m Mike Fallon.” His face barely moved as he spoke.
Zander stuck out his high tech hand. “Zander King. Thank you for arriving so promptly and for taking good care of Mia.”
Mike shook Zander’s hand, then shrugged. “It’s what we do. It’s my pleasure. You’re lucky I was in the neighborhood when my boss called me. Otherwise, it might have been a half-hour or more before I could get here.” He turned to Mia. “Are you ready?”
“I guess so.” Mia rose to her feet. “I have to go get my coat and purse from the break room. Be right back.”
As she glumly shuffled down the hall, her mind churned out a plan. Maybe this will work to my advantage. I have to leave town. I’ve got to run again. Keys is coming at five to pick me up. I’ll head home, pack my things, find a way to get past Mr. Muscle, and then I can escape. I can never set foot in New York again. Not if Darion is alive.
Her shoulders straightened. At least she had a plan. Her heart squeezed to the size of a lemon at leaving Zander, leaving her friends and especially for leaving Keys. But, she knew it was for the best.
Keys
The jagged edges of the last twenty-four hours jostled Keys’ brain at band practice. He barely tracked the notes he was supposed to play, as his fingers struggled across his keyboard. Surrounded by his bandmates in the soundproof studio at Dante’s penthouse apartment, working on some new material—all Dante’s, of course—he simply couldn’t focus.
Some jackass broke into Mia’s apartment. She’s probably a train wreck inside. And our fight this morning didn’t help things either. Why can’t I just admit how I feel and make Mia my girlfriend? I should be able to get over what happened with Sarah and move on, right?
His fingers flubbed the next set of chords, and the rest of the band groaned.
Gia threw her drumsticks across the room. They skittered across the black vinyl flooring and clattered to a stop against the studio foam covered wall.
Trevor strummed a loud, discordant riff on his bass.
Dante dropped the microphone, resulting in a loud screech. His hands curled into clubs. “Fuck, Keys, would you just play the fucking song?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Keys said. “My mind was elsewhere. I’ll get it right this time.”
“You said that an hour ago,” Dante said. “I’m so tired of your shit. Why don’t you tell us what’s going on? Are you making plans behind our back?”
The words moved in a slow-motion arc in Keys’ direction. He blinked as if a grenade had been tossed in his direction. When the words landed in his chest, he freaked out. What do they know? How could they know? “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why would you say such a thing?” he said, his defensiveness on the rise.
“Well, you’re lying about something,” Gia said, rising from her drum kit seat.
“Who says?” Keys said.
“I say, that’s who. We all practically live together. Think we can’t tell when one of us is lying?” Gia stalked over to the counter against the wall, which held half-full and empty beer bottles, a joint, and a couple of bottles of water. She snagged a water bottle, wrenched off the cap, and tipped back her head and glugged.
“I have to agree with her,” Trevor said.
“Yeah, well fuck you,” Keys said, hotly.
“No, fuck you,” Trevor said, resting his bass in its stand. His eyes burned with anger.
“Fuck all of you. Practice is over. I’m done with all this bullshit,” Dante declared. He reached down to retrieve the microphone and put it in the mic stand. “Get it together, Johnson.”
“Or what?” Keys said, bolting to his feet.
“Or I don’t know. Just fucking get it together.” Dante stalked toward Keys and seized the front of his shirt.
“Get your fucking hands off of me,” Keys yelled, shoving Dante backward.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Gia said, sliding into the role of the peacemaker. She forced her way between them. “Cool it, you guys. Let’s just call it a day and reconvene tomorrow.”
Dante threw up his hands. “Fine. Fucking fine. Will that work for you, Keys?”
“I said, I’m sorry,” Keys said, his belly in a twist. He hated letting the band down, but what could he do? His soul was screaming to play new music. He wanted out.
“Yeah, well, sorry doesn’t cut it this time,” Dante said. He stormed out of the studio.
“Dante, wait. Don’t be mad,” Gia called as she raced after him.
“I guess that leaves you and me,” Trevor said. He looked at Keys with this pathetic pound dog expression that made Keys want to puke.
“I’ve got to go pick up Mia,” Keys said, sliding his mobile phone out of his pocket. It’s three o’clock. I’ll head home and pick up some clothes, then head to her house to drop them off before I skedaddle to her office to see her home.
“Mia.” Trevor spat out the word like a poison seed.
“Yes, Mia. What’s it to you?” Keys’ regret at fucking up band practice turned into anger.
“Let’s go out and look for some chicks to bang instead. What do you say?” Trevor sidled toward Keys like a cloying girl.
Keys’ lip pulled back in a sneer. “Nope. You’re on your own. I said I’ve got to go pick up Mia. She’s expecting me.”
“What is it with that bitch?” Trevor said.
“First of all, she’s not a bitch. Don’t you ever call her that again, capeesh?” Keys snagged his coat from the black padded chair in the corner where he’d thrown it when he arrived.
“Why the hell shouldn’t I?” Trevor said. “You’re doing it again, Keys. It’s like I said. You’re letting a chick come between us.”
Keys shook his head. “Mia was assaulted last night. She was assaulted,” he said again, enunciating each syllable. “In her own home.” He thought sharing that with Trevor would make him back down.
“So, pay for a security detail to watch her. I need to get laid. I haven’t been getting any since the last time we went out weeks ago. Are you in a good mood when you’re not getting laid, huh? Wait, how would you know? You’ve got a little sidepiece to play with. While I’ve got nothing.” Trevor poked Keys’ chest with his strong forefinger.
“Shit, man, that hurts,” Keys said, shoving Trevor’s hand away. “And it’s not my problem.” He stared at Trevor with slack-jawed disbelief. “Are you telling me you’re more interested in getting some than the fact that a friend of ours got assaulted last night and nearly raped?”
“You don’t get it.” Trevor threw back his head.
“What don’t I get?” Keys said, shrugging into his bomber jacket.
“I’m losing my best friend to some chick, the same way I lost you to Sarah.”
“Leave Sarah out of this,” Keys said, pushing past Trevor to get to the door.
Trevor seized the back of Keys’ jacket, whirling him around. “I’m sick of being left out. You just cut me out of your life like I’m nothing. I thought we were best friends.”
The Key to Love: A Rock Star Romance (Adrenaline Book 4) Page 19
