RUINED - The Price of Play: Everhide Rockstar Romance Series Book 2

by Tania Joyce

  “Kate.” Hunter leaned back on his haunches, clutching onto Kara’s hand in her lap. “We banned Gerard from our press conferences. How did he get here? How the hell did he find out Kara was with us?”

  “I don’t know. He’s not on our registered guest list.” She scrolled through her tablet. “He must have used a fake ID. Bribed someone. Who knows?”

  Gemma and Kyle came to Kara’s side.

  Kyle sighed and crossed his arms. “Welcome to the world of crazy, Kar.”

  “More like insane,” Kara voice still shook.

  Gemma rubbed Kara’s shoulder, her eyes flooded with concern. “The press can be such assholes. Gerard tops our list. I’m just glad you’re all right, Kar.”

  “Thanks Gem.” Kara patted Gemma’s hand.

  “We need to get you out of here.” Hunter said to Kara. Her lashes were wet with tears. “Back to your room. I need to make sure you’re safe.”

  “Hunt, I’m fine.” She touched his cheek. “It was only a fright. This is on par with when the press found out I was . . . pregnant.” That last word seemed to snag in her throat. Hunter raised back to his knees, cupped her neck, and pressed his forehead to hers. She wrapped her arms around him and sobbed. “Why did they have to ask about Ryan?”

  His whole body ached with loss. She was the only thing that made it bearable. “Shh. It’s over.”

  Being confronted about Ryan hurt too much. It was as if the wound in his heart had torn open.

  He’d thought he had his shit together. Thought he had enough experience with the media to handle any curveball questions. That obviously wasn’t the case. This was why he wanted Kara here. She gave him a different kind of strength compared to Kyle and Gemma. “Thank you for being here,” he whispered to her. “Makes this shit easier to deal with.”

  She clung to him tight, like she never wanted to let go. His heart lurched. Because soon, she would have to. Once tour was over and they got back to New York, they had to move on. Their work would consume them, and their separate social circles would ensure they wouldn’t see each other often. He’d miss having her around, but he had to remember they could only ever be friends. Their differences and interests were too great. Like heavy metal and opera, they’d never tune together.

  Sitting back on his heels, he glanced up at Kyle and Gemma. Kyle draped his arm around Gemma’s shoulders. Their eyes ping-ponged between him and Kara. Little smirks curled their lips.

  “What?” he asked.

  Kyle’s gaze shot to the ceiling. “Nothing.”

  But he wasn’t giving off a “nothing” type of vibe.

  “Not a thing going on here,” Gemma said, with an oh-my-gosh look on her face.

  Hunter went to question her, but her expression erased to blank.

  Kara wiped her eyes on the tissue Sophie handed her from the sideboard. “Guys, go and finish your press conference. I’ll wait here until it’s over.”

  “No need,” Kate cut in, looking up from her cell phone. “Conference is over. They had us for thirty minutes instead of an hour. It’s no big deal. These reporters know the lines of conduct. It’s assholes like Gerard who ruin it for everyone. But the whole city will know you’re here now, Kara, so you’ll be followed.”

  Kara hugged her arms around herself and shuddered. Even with all the plans and security in place, Hunter had failed her. He hadn’t been able to protect her.

  “Let’s get everyone out of here,” Sophie said. “I’ll get security to clear the reporters. We’ll have lunch in my suite, then rest and have an early dinner.” She snapped her fingers. “Time to move, people. Because tomorrow is show day.”

  Hunter got to his feet and helped Kara to stand. Clutching onto his arms, she swayed.

  Gemma stepped forward and placed her hand on Kara’s back. “You got this, Kar?”

  “Yeah.” She nodded. “I didn’t mean to ruin your press meet. Or get upset. But Ryan moments are tough.”

  Ryan moments.

  Warmth spread throughout Hunter’s system. That was the perfect way to summarize what had happened. The times when he broke, when she broke—he’d always call them Ryan moments.

  One crisis was over. There would be more, but after everything they’d been through in the last few months, he thought no other drama would come close.

  Hunter was burned out. He was tired of being upset over Ryan, worrying about Kara, and being stressed. It was time to put all those emotions to bed. As he clutched onto Kara’s hand, his pulse eased. Thank God, she was all right.

  He’d panicked when he saw the reporters go after Kara. Bec had assured him it was unnecessary. Had the long flight, the lack of sleep, and his security concerns messed with his head? Caused him to not think straight? Most likely. A good night’s rest would put an end to his worries. Clear his foggy head. He had twelve shows and several promotional shoots to get through. Easy as a blues backbeat. Maybe he’d overreacted, but he cared for Kara. Maybe too much. He had to draw new lines. From now on, he wouldn’t let anything rattle him. Surely nothing could.

  Not even Kara.

  Chapter 23

  The colorful cramped city of Rio De Janeiro, surrounded by towering mountains and beautiful beaches, begged Kara to venture outside. She buckled up her sandals and glanced out the full-length window over the long stretch of private golden beach. Crystal blue waters rolled onto the shore and crashed against a few large rocks that stood in the water. The doctor had just given her the six-week all-clear after her in-room checkup, and she craved fresh air. While her friends were at a photoshoot with one of their tour sponsors, she jumped at the opportunity to take a walk along the secluded stretch of sand. With no paparazzi in sight, she had the whole day to herself and her first chance to clear her mind.

  It had been one week since that fateful press conference in Buenos Aires. The unrelenting harassment from the media had frightened her, and left her paranoid and unnerved. She jumped at every knock on her hotel room door, glanced over her shoulder every time she walked through the lobby, and panicked every time she saw a large camera. The only thing that made her feel safe and secure was Hunter being by her side.

  Hunter was tougher, stronger, not as emotional. He’d taken on a new resilience. It was hard for her to comprehend. He seemed to be coping. Better than she was. He didn’t tear up when she needed to cry on his shoulder, when losing Ryan consumed her. With the weight in her chest not so tight and her mind not so bleak, maybe she, too, was coming to terms with their loss. Just not as fast.

  What troubled her now was how close she and Hunter had become. It was all the little things that had her asking questions. Had they become more than friends? When they ate together, his leg would rest against hers. His smile seemed genuine when he looked at her. The warm kiss he left on her cheek before he headed onstage seemed to linger.

  What was happening? Did she want a relationship with him? She saw through his ego, and was touched by his heart of gold and protective nature. He was ambitious, passionate, and cared for her. These were more important to her than any prestigious family background. She wondered if being with him was possible. Could extreme opposites be together? Did he feel the same way? Or was she heading for more heartache and trouble? Hunter continually messed with her head.

  She picked up her cell phone to call Giles, but it vibrated in her hand before she could hit his number.

  She swiped the screen. “Hey, Gem. What’s up?”

  “Need a favor. Can you come to my room?”

  “Um . . . I was about to head out. But sure.”

  Grabbing her tote, big floppy hat, and sunglasses, she headed down the hall to Gemma’s suite. She knocked and Bec opened the door. Kara hesitated at the sight of the stress drawn on Bec’s pale face. She hurried past her into a room of gloomy faces.

  Kara scanned everyone present. “What’s up?”

  Gemma sat at the desk getting her hair and makeup done by Carla. The boys sat on the sofa strumming on their guitars. Da-da-da-da-da-da da da dada da.
Sophie and Kate hovered by the table near the kitchenette, working tablets, cell phones, and laptops.

  “Margo’s sick.” Gemma grimaced as Carla pulled and curled Gemma’s hair with a flatiron. “She’s had to go to the hospital again. The doctors don’t know what’s wrong with her.”

  Kara dumped her tote and hat on the coffee table. “That’s not good. I hope she’s okay.”

  Hunter strummed loud chords on his guitar. “So do we.”

  Wearing blue jeans and a white shirt, with black Ray-Bans perched on top of his head, he looked every inch the hot rock star with the bad boy attitude. She’d love to straddle his lap and do bad girl things to him. Everything about him that used to turn her off, now turned her on. Damn! She was in trouble.

  Gemma flicked a curl off her face. “We’re in a jam again. I was . . . or, we were wondering if you’d be up to helping out in wardrobe for the shoot today? No pressure.”

  Kara’s pulse spiked remembering the video shoot in LA. The exhilaration of calling Adrian and sourcing clothes, dressing her friends in the trailer, and being on set watching the filming. Then she glanced at Hunter and her heart took on an erratic beat. Looking at him was like staring at a pinboard of memories. The shoot. His teasing. His flirtation. His body. His muscles. Him half-naked.

  Could she do another shoot? With her changing feelings for Hunter, would she be able to remain professional? Keep her feelings under wraps?

  Of course she could.

  She ran her hand over her belly and brushed across her cesarean section scar. With her Cutifilm covering and stitches gone, her tummy was no longer sore or as swollen as it had been. She was stronger and more mobile. Sitting around all day while Everhide were off doing their rock star thing was getting boring. She needed something to do. Going to the beach would be nice, but she could do that tomorrow.

  Another shoot sounded perfect. “If I take it easy, I’ll be fine. As long as I don’t have to lift anything heavy and can sit down when needed.”

  “Excellent. You’re hired.” Kyle swung his hand around in a circle and pointed to Bec. “Bec has all the details.”

  “You three wouldn’t survive without me.” Bec grabbed her tablet. She skimmed through several screens before reading out loud. “Bierveza are bringing the clothing. I’ve been trying to get in touch with their rep, but she’s not returning my calls. We’re supposed to meet them downstairs in the Martini Ice Bar for the shoot at eleven o’clock.”

  “That’s in . . . ten minutes.” Kara’s mind ticked as fast as her watch. She had to change. Dressed in a tank top and shorts, she was ready to head to the beach, not work. She needed to do her hair. Makeup. She couldn’t go to a shoot as their stylist looking like they’d dragged her off the street.

  “You can do a lot in ten minutes, Kar.” Hunter’s wink sent warmth to her cheeks. “Want me to come and help you change?”

  “If you helped, I’d need half an hour.”

  The smile that charged across his face made her breath hitch.

  “You only need one outfit change, not three.” Hunter ran his thumb across his lower lip. He eyed her up and down with a look in his eyes that hinted at mischief. At this rate, she’d have to change her panties too. But what had her heart aching was that she knew he was joking. She didn’t want to joke anymore. If she was to survive this trip, she needed him to stop with the flirtations. Because every moment she spent with him, she was falling deeper and deeper.

  Bec handed Kara her tablet. “Here. This is the briefing for the shoot.”

  Reining in her thoughts, Kara skimmed the document. She covered her mouth to stifle her laugh. “This is a photoshoot for a beer company?” Her gaze jumped from Gemma to Kyle before settling back on Hunter. “Won’t you upset Jack Daniels?”

  “Nah. JD will always be number one. But we have to keep the sponsors happy,” Hunter said, resting his arm across the back of the sofa.

  Kara passed the tablet back to Bec. “If you don’t want to be late for the shoot, I’ll go change into something more respectable.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need a hand?” Hunter asked again, humor shining in his eyes.

  She sighed and picked up her tote. How was she going to make it through the day with him? Did he not realize that the comments he made without a second thought affected her? “I’m more than capable of dressing myself.”

  “Kar?” Gemma peeked around Carla who was applying Gemma’s eye makeup. “Thanks for this. I owe you. You name it. Anything. It’s yours.”

  Kara headed toward the door, a smile quivered across her lips. “I might hold you to that one day, Gem.”

  Opening the door, Kara glanced back over her shoulder toward Hunter who was goofing around on his guitar and talking to Kyle. Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. She may need to call on Gemma’s offer, to save herself from Hunter, and it may be sooner rather than later.

  ***

  Twenty minutes later, stepping into the Martini Ice Bar with Everhide and their entourage, Kara’s nose wrinkled at the foul stench of stale alcohol and cigarette smoke. Slick chrome lined the countertop and island in the center of the room. Large globes dangled on chains of alternate length from the ceiling. Mirrors lined the wall behind the serving counter, and glass shelves were stacked with rows and rows of neatly aligned liquor bottles. The trendy layout would rival that of any high-end bar in Manhattan.

  Film crew scuttled around prepping lighting, mounting cameras, and angling reflectors. The hum of activity looked like semi-coordinated chaos. Kara wiped her hands on her dress pants, ready to help her friends. There was no way she’d let Hunter affect her like he had in LA.

  Kate and Sophie rushed off to find the representative from the beer company while Kara stayed huddled with her friends and Bec off to one side of the bar. Kara’s mouth gaped when she caught sight of the far side of the room. Sitting on stools, in front of temporary mirrors, were a dozen models in skimpy dresses and stiletto shoes, with glittery makeup adorning their faces.

  Great. I’ll never look that gorgeous. I’m too . . . average.

  Hunter’s eyes lit up at the sight of the girls, and he rubbed his hands together. “Some days, our job can be tough.”

  Kara’s heart lurched. The grin covering Hunter’s entire face didn’t make her feel any better. While Kyle took a quick glimpse at the models and then turned away, Hunter remained fixed on the ladies. Kara didn’t exist.

  Gemma strained her neck, standing on her tippy-toes to see. “Hang on. If they’re for you, where are my guys?”

  “Over there.” Kyle wrapped his arm around Gemma’s shoulder and pointed toward the far wall where a few hot young men stood dressed in open button-down shirts and jeans.

  Gemma pumped her fist. “All right.”

  None of the male models appealed to Kara. She had different tastes in men. She glanced sideways at Hunter. Yep . . . her tastes, list of qualities and requirements in a man had changed.

  Sophie and Kate led a tall woman who was the spitting image of Penelope Cruz over to greet them. “You’re here. Exzellent.” Her accent was strong and sultry. “I’m Marlena, the marketing manager at Bierveza. We’re nearly all zet. I’ll run through the agenda and zen I’ll show you to the clothez.”

  After introductions and running through the requirements for the photoshoot, Marlena led them around the corner of the room and over to a bright red modesty panel and a large rack of clothes.

  “Margo emailed me everyone’s sizes, zo I hope everything fits.” Marlena flipped the coat hangers along the rack. “This section is for Gemma, this one for Kyle, and these are for Hunter. Choose whatever you like. Please get them changed and let me know when you’re ready.”

  “Sure,” Kara nodded and eyed the clothes.

  Marlena dipped her head and dashed back toward the film crew.

  Kara stretched her neck from side to side and jumped into work mode. She sifted through the guys’ clothes first. Leather pants, torn jeans, classic-cut suits and stripy, paisley,
silky, and sparkly shirts were all at her fingertips.

  She glanced at Hunter standing a few feet away from her. The models still mesmerized him. Were they clothed how he liked his women to dress? Her head swirled. She shouldn’t be feeling like this—jealous, envious, possessive. It was wrong, and she knew it.

  She skimmed through Gemma’s section of clothing. It was jam-packed with short skirts, skimpy tops, bralettes, mesh, sequins, and even smaller, tighter dresses than the ones the models were wearing. Kara could never wear anything like this. They were so different from the conservative fashions she wore and designed.

  “Gem, you wouldn’t want to wear something like this, would you?” Kara winced and held up an electric blue mini-dress that was no longer than a tank top.

  Gemma stepped in beside her. “Ah . . . that would be a no. I know I’m small, but I don’t think even I’d fit into that.”

  “It’s stretchy though. Look at this.” Kara stretched it like an elastic band and flicked it at Gemma.

  “Ow!” Gemma gave her an I-can’t-believe-you-just-did-that laugh. She jostled over to Kara, wrapped one arm around Kara’s waist and hugged her. “Love having you here.”

  “Yeah. It’s awesome.”

  Being on tour and hanging out, they had grown closer. Their friendship was something Kara cherished.

  “Now . . . what are you going to dress me in?” Gemma pulled a pair of pink hot pants off the rack. “These are a definite no.”

  Kara analyzed what the models were wearing, the several pairs of shoes that lay on the floor underneath the rack, and then looked back to the clothing. She needed to make Gemma stand out against the girls. They were all in bright colors, so Gemma needed to be plain. She chose a black sequined miniskirt and backless mesh top and handed them to Gemma, who went to change without question.

  Off Kyle’s section of the rack she grabbed navy jeans and a red button-down shirt. He too went to change.

  Then she moved to Hunter’s clothes. Running her hand across the trousers, denim jeans, suits, and bright-colored shirts and tops, her fingers quivered. Hunter would look hot as hell in this gear. He looked good in anything, but when he wore a suit, a button-down shirt and his hair out, it really got her blood pumping. Hmm . . . she better dress him in something more causal.