Page 10 of Knockin' on Heaven’s Noir

“Rosie and I saw what you and Phoebe were up to in the hallway. I covered Rosie’s eyes, but we saw more than I ever wanted to before we turned around. What are your intentions with Phoebe?”

“My intentions? Have we traveled to the past and you are taking the role of family patriarch?”

“Absolutely.” Alex grins, but something is menacing about it. “Rosie and I’ve been together for over two years. From almost the beginning Phoebe and Maggie became my little sisters. There were a few bumpy patches at the start of our relationship, and they helped us through them. I love those girls.”

“I’m glad they have you,” I say, and mean it.

“If I had known the truth about that Trent asshole I would have ruined him— financially, socially, and physically. No one messed with my family. I never would have agreed to let him photograph one of the most important days of my life.”

“I want to hunt the bastard down and make him pay. Some of the things that Maggie said and the way I heard him talk to Phoebe make me see red.” I admit. “He hurt her so deeply that she doesn’t think she’s worth sticking around. The most amazing, kind, beautiful woman doubts herself because of that asshole.”

“That’s why I asked your intentions.” He sighs. “I dropped the ball when I came to Trent. I can’t let that happen again. I need to protect her, especially when she’s fragile. I can tell that she means something to you, but are you just wanting to sleep with a pop star for a weekend?”

“Fuck you,” slips from my lips before I can get myself in check.

Alex laughs. “That tells me everything I need to know.”

I let out a sigh of relief. I couldn’t care less about messing up this booking for the winery, but upsetting Alex would have had consequences in my pursuit of Phoebe. Would it have stopped me? No, but it would have made things harder.

My phone buzzes and I read the series of texts from my manager. The caterer has arrived and is setting up. Everything is going as planned there. The minister is ten minutes out.

There’s also a text from Sherry telling me she’s on her way with a kiss emoji. I hope this doesn’t become an issue. I’m going to be firm when she gets here and tell her I’m involved with someone, so she’ll leave me alone and stop with the flirting. I should probably warn Phoebe about her too, but I don’t want to upset her.

“The minister is almost here. Do you want to meet him and I’ll have staff show you to his room?” I ask Alex.

“Yes.” He looks at his watch. “There’re a few hours until the rehearsal. I’m sure the girls are going to hang out together for most of that. I’m going to take a nap and then get ready. If you need my help for anything, send me a text.”

“Thanks, Alex and thank you for watching out for my girl.” I shake his hand.

“She’s special, they all three are, and I will take you out if you hurt her.”

He says it with a smile and walks off, but I don’t think there was an ounce of humor in his statement. He would absolutely kill for those three women. I feel that way about my sisters and I’m happy that the Stone sisters have him in their lives. They will have me too once I convince Phoebe I’m not going anywhere.

I’m getting paperwork ready in my office when I hear a knock on the door. I look up to find Sherry standing there wearing a ridiculously low-cut shirt and tight jeans. She’s leaning against my doorframe in a way to enhance her breasts and I’m sure some men would find her very sexy. Hell, I might if I wasn’t half in love with Phoebe.

“Hey there,” she says in a husky voice. A voice she didn’t have before.

“Hi, Sherry. I have your paperwork here. If you’ll have a seat, we can go over it and then I can introduce you to your client.”

“Why so businessy?” she asks as she takes her seat. “We have time to chat first.”

“I don’t. I need to make sure everything is on schedule. That includes making sure the client and photographer are on the same page. First, here is the NDA. It’s pretty standard. Then we will go over their expectations.”

She quickly reads over the form and signs it. “So who are these people who need this much fanfare.” There’s a bite to her voice that doesn’t sit well with me.

“Did you read the penalty clause carefully? You will be in serious trouble if you violate the terms.”

“I know how an NDA works.” She rolls her eyes.

“Okay, Gibson Winery is hosting the wedding of Rosie Stone and Alex Young this weekend. The photographs will be used in a magazine that has already been negotiated to raise money for a charity. You will be paid for your services, of course, but you cannot sell the photos.”

“Is that that pop singer?” Sherry looks less than impressed by the idea of Rosie, so maybe she doesn’t realize just how popular the band has become in the last few years. Most magazines would shell out a lot of money to publish these photos first.

“Yes, Rosie and her sisters are The Pandemonium Pixies. It’s a small, intimate wedding of only twenty or so guests. The rehearsal tonight is only for the wedding party and so is the dinner. We need pictures tonight of the rehearsal and the dinner. In the morning pictures of the bride and her sisters before the wedding, the wedding itself, pictures of the whole wedding party after, and the reception. Rosie and Alex will retain all rights to the photos.”

“Um, okay. I can’t use them at all? Even in my portfolio?” Sherry asks, finally realizing just what the job entails.

“They may permit you, but that’s something you’ll have to work out with them. Of course, you will get credit for the photos in the magazine spread and any time the photos are printed.”

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