by JN Welsh
Leona swallowed her anger. Paul’s rumors had spread like wildfire, but she wasn’t going to let it stop her. “I need a favor, Ramelda. I have an event tonight for a hot EDM DJ who is blowing up the scene. Do you think you could spread the word?”
“Darling, I’d love to, but—”
“Ramelda, we’re old friends, aren’t we?” Leona regarded the city through the cab window as it whizzed across town.
“Of course, darling, however—”
“Old friends help one another, don’t they? Like giving access to exclusive bachelorette parties or the many times you got page six information before it leaked.”
Ramelda sighed. “Okay, I’ll see what I can do. When is the event?”
“It’s at eleven, the artist goes on at midnight.” Leona held her breath.
“Tonight?” The woman’s incredulous tone had even Leona clutching her pearls.
“Yes.”
“Darling, that’s an aggressive deadline. I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll try to help you out.”
It was all Leona could ask for. “Thank you so much. I’m sending you the information right now.”
“Get yourself back together, darling. We miss you. I can do more for you when you come back with some recent success and that fire I love.”
“I will.” Leona almost sighed the words. “I really appreciate it.”
They hung up and Leona recalled a time when an event was the place to be, as long as her artists were attached. But things had changed.
“So?” Abe scanned the screen of his phone and used his thumb to scroll down a page.
“She’ll see what she can do.”
“And the press?”
Leona plucked her earlobe. “Can you reach out? I’m sure they’ll be there to cover it and we need them. I just...let me focus on this.”
Abe side-eyed her.
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
Abe put his hands on hers. “Just do what you do best and you’ll come out on top.”
In the past, she could double the figures she gave to Tommy, even under such a tight deadline. She had talked a good game but any success tonight would take some begging and potentially buying VIP bottle service herself.
Leona forwarded the event details to Tommy, including the autograph and photo op giveaways after Luke’s performance. Her role, past getting more people and media to the club, was unclear since Luke hadn’t yet signed with Wallace Entertainment. She just hoped Tommy would inform the owners and security of the accommodations needed to manage the additional backstage traffic.
When they arrived at the office, Leona was on several calls at once, redeeming favors, bargaining with promoters, and creating a last-minute frenzy for Luke’s performance. In between calls, Abe leaned against the edge of her desk. He looked uncomfortable and not as strong as he normally was in these situations.
“I know you’re thinking about bailing after tonight, but I want you to manage him.”
“A foot in the door. Get the contract signed. That’s what you said. Now you want me to manage an artist that doesn’t even want me?” Leona reached for the phone to make another call, but Abe stayed her hand.
“You’re going to deliver tonight, even if it’s less than what you quoted. He’s going to want you because of what you will be able to accomplish in so little time. This will be big for us if he signs. We’ll be associated with a DJ that is going to explode this year under the right management—our management.”
Here we go. “What happened, Abe? How did the company get to this point where we have to rely on one difficult client as our savior?”
Abe hesitated to deliver the news, yet looked relieved at the opportunity to share the information. “A perfect storm, really. When Paul changed management, he was vocal about you and the company. The publicity hit us hard. You’ve been out for over a year and I tried to keep us afloat and work with the other managers and agents. Some stayed and others fled for greener pastures. Sure, that cut down overhead but taxed our agents, and rent in the Big City ain’t cheap. We just couldn’t acquire new talent or keep up with the demands of our current clients. The entertainment landscape has changed. We weren’t able to pull in the kind of revenue we needed.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Why didn’t you tell me, Abe? I would’ve done whatever you asked.”
He massaged his eyebrows. “That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you. I wanted you to come back when you were ready and after you faced all your demons.”
“Only one demon,” Leona returned. “You still should have told me.”
“I’m telling you now.” Abe shoved his hands into his pockets.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “This is my fault. I’m sorry I let you down.” The tightness in her neck from the overwhelming guilt constricted her words. She blinked back tears that rimmed her lower lids as the sting of grief over her breakup with Paul surfaced. Her private lovers’ quarrel with her ex became a public circus. Her effort to separate what happened then from what was happening now failed. Leona had kept the comments about their relationship diplomatic and tasteful, but Paul’s determination to destroy her reputation, both on a personal and professional level, pushed her into seclusion. She was ashamed that she’d chosen going into hiding over protecting the company.
“No, darlin’. Things happen. Sometimes they don’t work out, but we have an opportunity with Luke. If his tour is successful, the revenue we’ll recoup will get us out of the red and we can start recovering. He needs us as much as we need him. I wouldn’t trust this with anyone but you.”
Leona wiped her eyes and with it the remorse that threatened to swell out of containment. “Which part of that horrific scene did you not witness? You’re getting old, Abe, but...”
“Watch it, young lady,” Abe warned with a grin.
“I’m kidding but not really.” Leona swiveled around in her chair. “Did you see how he flipped when I mentioned managing Paul? He either hates women, just me, or the rumors got to him.”
“He couldn’t stop staring at you. No man who does that hates women. I don’t know what his angle is, but what I saw was chemistry. You both did what you’re good at.”
Leona smirked at his vague delivery. “Which is?”
“You were managing and he was being a challenging artist.”
“Optimistic. But don’t you mean difficult artist?”
“No, challenging.” Abe patted her shoulder. “Rise to the challenge.”
She sighed.
“His agent likes you. That’ll help.”
“Hmmm.” Leona wasn’t too convinced that factor would be helpful at all.
“Will you do it, Leo?”
Abe had given her a start at Wallace Entertainment and over the years had mentored her and supported her career. Now she’d help him and the company they both loved. She could be Luke’s personal manager and work closely with Tommy on deals while Luke toured, and communicate with the tour manager she’d eventually assign to make him successful. Their interactions would be limited.
That’s fine by me. “Yes.” She stood up and moved closer to him. “I won’t let you down, Abe.”
“You never have.” He hugged her and then held her by the shoulders. “First order of business is to go and see The Musical Prophet perform tonight at Aurora Nightclub. Tommy put you on the guest list.”
“You’re not coming with me? Gee, Abe, just throw me under the bus. You saw him with me earlier and you’re going to send me into the lion’s den solo? With friends like you, who needs enemies?”
“Take your outrageous British friend with you,” he suggested. “She’ll help you lick your wounds. Just get him to agree to sign with us.”
“Okay.”
Abe grabbed his leather case by the carry handle and headed toward the door. “Oh, and, Leo?”
“Yeah?”
“Welcome back.”
“Go fly a kite, Abe.” Leona returned to her contact list. “Now where was I? Ah yes. R.”
Chapter Four
The line outside Aurora Nightclub in the Meatpacking District trailed around the block. Club-goers ranging from hipsters and ravers to yuppies and indie rockers awaited approval by the bouncer. The pounding of the bass, from the music inside, reverberated against the brick building.
Leona glanced at her phone. The time read half past eleven. The clock was ticking. Tiny goose bumps formed on her skin from the cool night air and the implications of tonight’s potential success.
“This is mad, Leo,” Isabelle Fisher said, in a heavy English accent. Though she could be heard at normal volume, she shouted in excitement and surveyed the line.
Izzy was stunning in her fitted, off-the-shoulder, mid-thigh-length, steel gray dress and red five-inch pumps. Her sandy brown hair with blond highlights flowed down her back intermittently covering a hummingbird tattoo they both shared on their shoulders.
“Excellent work, girl.” Izzy beamed, her smooth, fair skin sun-kissed from her recent vacation to South Beach.
Leona had picked her best friend up in a cab from her apartment, so she could give her the details behind tonight’s activities. “Thanks, but this might not be enough.” There seemed to be an extra boost in patronage, but it wasn’t what Leona expected, was used to delivering or what she had promised.
“I’m sure it’s fine.” Izzy adjusted her hair. “I’m glad you’re back at it.”
Leona wasn’t quite ready to be back at it, but Abe had pulled her in, dropped the bomb on her about the company, and then split. “We should go in.”
As they strutted toward the entrance, they received catcalls and low whistles from some of the men and women in line. One inebriated man grabbed Izzy’s arm. Beautiful though she was, Izzy grew up as a scrappy West Londoner who, unfortunately for this poor fellow, happened to be a little wild. Leona almost felt bad for him when Izzy all but tackled him, punishing him for his aggressive gesture.
“Why are you touching me?” Her hair flew around her before it settled back into perfect place.
Leona muffled a laugh and dragged Izzy away by the arm. “Drop it, Izzy.”
Once her friend was back on track, Leona checked her phone. There was still no word from Tommy on Luke’s residency. She needed to get inside and get an update.
She and Izzy approached the VIP guest entrance where red velvet theater rope cordoned off the area. Leona acknowledged anyone she knew from her social connections but didn’t linger long.
When it was their turn for evaluation, Izzy did the honors by flicking her hair at the tall bouncer. His bald head complemented his large frame, and muscles bulged through his black suit.
“Hello, love. We’re on the guest list.”
The bouncer gave Izzy a quick once-over then returned to the roster he carted in his hand. “Name?”
“Leo Sable,” came Leona’s official “I’m all about business” delivery as opposed to the “I’m VIP” one Izzy supplied.
The man perused his list. “You have an additional guest, Miss Sable. Will you be waiting for anyone else?”
“No. It’s just us tonight.” Leona searched his suit for a name tag. “What’s your name, by the way?”
“They call me Diesel.”
“Cool.” Leona smiled. “Thanks, Diesel.”
“She’ll never forget your name, love,” Izzy called back to him.
Diesel nodded and continued with his gatekeeper duties.
Fitted with their VIP wristbands, they entered the club, cover charge–free, and headed through a dimly lit corridor. The music grew louder, enticing them further into the club. Hues of pink, orange, and purple moved in dreamy swirls against the black walls, and gave the illusion of being in the center of an aurora.
Leona spun around as she wandered through the colorful, foggy path. “If inside is this impressive, then I’ve found my new favorite place.”
“This is hot.” Izzy sauntered through, taking careful steps in her heels.
The hall opened up into a main ballroom with chandeliers. On the black walls hung huge vintage framed images of the atmospheric phenomena against starlit skies. The two women were immediately hit by the music as it filled every inch of the club and swallowed them into an alternate reality.
The stage at the far end showcased a DJ who played popular music to warm up the crowd for Luke. A large dance floor covered most of the space and the bar circled the perimeter. Bottle service areas were roped off and decorated with velvet ottomans in dark colors, and illuminated glass tables glowed in interchanging shades of neon pink, blue, and yellow—also mimicking an aurora.
“We’ve stepped into Wonderland,” Izzy said. “I’m surprised that neither one of us has been here before.”
“It opened last year when I was off the grid. It’s amazing.”
Izzy hugged her as she jumped up and down, elated by the club. “This is going to be bloody awesome.”
“Your feet are going to kill you.” Leona knew Izzy would be bellyaching later about the price of pain for beauty.
“I took ibuprofen earlier. I should be good.” Izzy headed toward the bar. “Drinks?”
“Yes, please.” Leona agreed, her head bopped to the music pumping through the speakers.
“Oh my gosh. If I were high or tripping, I’d be in heaven. The energy in here is sick.” Izzy rested her midsection against the bar.
Leona would keep this place in mind for any future club events. She noticed the chilled temperature. Even though the place was filling up, not enough bodies yet packed the space. She prayed the clubbers awaiting entry would help her make good on her promises.
Izzy batted her eyelashes at the bartender. She flipped her hair to reveal the smooth round cap of her shoulder as she ordered rum and cola for herself and then turned to Leona. “What do you want?”
Leona also rested her torso against the bar. “A white wine spritzer,” she yelled to the bartender who nodded.
“Boring, Leo. Are you serious?” Izzy’s sophisticated pose collapsed into an unrefined lean against the bar.
“I’m wearing white, plus I have to be on point for whatever this guy throws at me tonight.”
The bartender quickly made their drinks and placed them on the bar. Leona handed him her credit card. “I got it.”
“On the house.” He bit his lip and pointed at Izzy.
Izzy’s flirtatious currency strikes again. “Of course it is.” Leona picked up her drink.
Izzy puckered and gave the bartender a contactless kiss. “Thanks.” She then turned to Leona. “What time does DJ Luke come on?”
“He should be on after this guy.” Leona sipped her drink. “Hey, let me go find out what’s happening with the contract. Do you want to hang out here or go sit down in VIP?”
“I’ll hang out here. Do your thing.” Izzy batted her eyes at the young and cute bartender. “I have company.”
“Easy, tigress,” Leo chided.
Izzy teased the bartender with her bare shoulder. “I’m just having a little fun.”
“I’ll be back.” Leona searched for her would-be client and his agent.
As she took the small jaunt toward the stage via the perimeter, she checked off the items on her mental checklist of promises made to Luke and Tommy. The fans were excited to see The Musical Prophet, but she couldn’t get a good feel as to whether or not Aurora was sold out. There weren’t any vacant tables in the VIP section, and servers were bringing bottle after bottle of alcohol, which was a good sign.
The closer Leona got to the stage, the more buff men in black uniforms materialized to secure the artist. One stopped her from entering backstage.
“Leona Sable for Boombox.”
What
a difference a year made. It had been a long time since she’d been stopped from entering all access. She stood by one of the speakers and waited for Tommy.
“Leo.” Tommy grabbed her arm through the sea of security guards. “Let her through.”
Tommy ushered her backstage and gave Leona an all access pass to wear around her neck. Luke was nowhere in sight.
The space was draped in black faux velvet curtains to partition the different areas and to keep out the peering eyes of the crowd.
“So?” Leona asked.
“First, thank you for all of this. It’s pretty crowded out there,” Tommy began, and an implied but hung in the air. “The show didn’t sell out. There’s still about a hundred tickets unsold, but the good news is that the VIPs came out and there’s definitely increased media coverage. In my opinion you over-delivered given the tight deadline.”
Leona chewed the inside of her lip. “How about his residency?”
Tommy’s face brightened. “The lawyers agreed to the terms I negotiated and the contract is signed. Luke hasn’t even hit the stage yet. He’s now the resident DJ for Aurora Nightclub. We’ll make the announcement tomorrow morning.”
Leona didn’t quite exhale. “Nice. Congratulations.” She dreaded the answer to her question. “And Luke? What has he decided?”
Luke had to agree to sign with Wallace Entertainment. Or else all she had tried to do for him tonight would be for nothing. On the inside, she was fidgety and nervous, yet she showed poise and held her breath as she awaited Tommy’s answer.
“I’ve spoken with him and he’s changed his mind. He wants Wallace Entertainment to take over all management responsibilities. He wants you, Leo. With some conditions, of course.”
Leona exhaled. Wait. Conditions? She raised her eyebrows at Tommy. “What conditions, exactly?”
“We can discuss them when we meet with everyone.”
