Page 19 of Backstage with a Billionaire Rockstar

“Can you hear me?”

I nod, but I’m too shaken to speak.

She frowns but is content with my response and carefully pulls me toward the waiting car. When we slide inside, it’s only the two of us, and I’m more than grateful for that. The plan was to get into the waiting car, drive around for a bit, then come back here and get onto the tour bus. Nothing sounds worse than stepping onto it and seeing everyone’s pitying stares.

Mia rattles off an address quickly, then leans forward to look into my eyes. “Evan, I need you to talk to me. Let me know that you’re okay.”

“I-I’m… okay,” I say between ragged breaths, then I run my hands through my hair. “What the hell…was that?”

“You need to take deep breaths, Evan. Watch me,” Mia says, her hand falling onto my thigh as she mimics the deep breaths she’s asking for.

All I can focus on is her touch on me, though, which seems to do the job all on its own.

“Good,” she says softly, throwing me a small smile.

“Who was that, Mia?”

Mia sighs heavily. “If I had to guess, someone your stalker – that’s what I’m classifying them as at this point – hired to get to you.”

“This is crazy,” I mutter. “What the hell am I supposed to do?”

“We’ll up the security at the concerts, and I’ll get in touch with my agency and see if they can send extra people to help me out.” She squeezes my thigh, something I’m not sure she should be doing in the first place, and adds, “You’re safe with me, Evan. Do you trust that?”

If she hadn’t just saved me from that man, I’d tell her no way in hell, but I nod in response and lean back into the leather seats.

“We’re going to get situated in a hotel, away from everyone for the night, then first thing in the morning, we need to head back to the tour bus so I can talk to Carmen. Does that sound okay?”

I nod, grateful for her quick thinking. The thought of facing the concerned looks from the band and crew right now makes my stomach churn. Plus, if someone's targeting me, staying somewhere unexpected could throw them off. "Smart move," I murmur. "But won't the others worry?"

Mia pulls out her phone. "I'll send Carmen a secure message. Just enough info to keep them from panicking, not enough to compromise our location."

My shoulders relax, relief flooding through me that I won’t have to deal with anyone but Mia for the night, and I nod. “That’s exactly what I need.”

Just as we finish our discussion, the car comes to a stop outside a sleazy hotel that doesn’t look anything like the type of place I’d stay in.

As if catching my nose scrunch at the sight, Mia chuckles and nudges my shoulder. “If you don’t want people to find you, you gotta go where they won’t look.”

She just keeps getting better.

I throw my hood up, blocking everyone’s view from my face, and follow her through the front doors. It only takes a few moments before Mia is checking us in and leading me down a long hallway where the elevators are located.

When we finally get outside what’s supposed to be my room, I pull the door open and wave a hand inside the doorway.

Mia shakes her head, chewing on the inside of her cheek nervously, and says, “I’m going to stand watch outside the door, you just go inside and get some rest. I’m sure you need it.”

“You’re the best, darlin’. I’m not opposed to you cuddling up with me, though,” I say with a wink.

She throws her head back and groans. “You’re unbelievable.”

After an air kiss in her direction, I quickly push through the room and shut the door behind me. If I’m being honest… the last thing I want is to be alone right now, and I wish I could wrap my arms around Mia’s small frame as I doze off.

I've never felt safer with anyone. As exhaustion is finally taking over, I realize that my trust in her goes beyond her role as my bodyguard.

This situation just got a hell of a lot harder.

8

Mia

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