Page 42 of Backstage with a Billionaire Rockstar

Every eye will be on him tonight, no doubt.

Having Donny back feels right, like a missing puzzle piece slotting into place. We're not the same band Donny left. We've grown and changed. Can we find our rhythm again, on and off stage? Only time will tell.

For now, I focus on the music, on the energy Donny brings. It's good to have him back, complications and all.

As I start my part of the song, there’s a noise that echoes above me that has my eyebrows pulling down, but since I don’t hear it again, I shake it away and continue strumming. Brent brings the mic up, ready to belt the lyrics, but I’m being knocked onto the ground before he can start.

I’m about to ask what the hell is happening until one of the beams above us crashes right into the space I was once occupying. When I glance over, Mia’s got her entire body wrapped around mine, and she’s breathing heavily against me.

She just saved my life.

The crowd gasps, eyes wide with fear at what just happened, and Brent jogs over to me on the floor with the color drained from his face. Before I know it, Carmen’s rushing onto the stage and snatching the mic from Brent’s hand with a smile.

“I apologize, but unfortunately, we’re going to have to cancel the show tonight. Everyone will be refunded for their tickets, and we’ll be sure to let you know when there will be another one.”

Everyone groans, but they start filing out of the stadium without a single complaint.

Mia pushes herself off me, then holds a hand out to help me from the ground, and she looks me up and down rapidly. “Are you hurt?”

She roams her hands over me. Worry is evident in her features, then bends down to make sure my legs aren't injured before rising from the ground and straightening in front of me. Her eyes cast below the stage, where Rory is currently standing, with his eyes narrowed on the scene beside me, and she beckons him over to us.

As soon as Rory gets in front of her, she nods her head toward the space where the beam should be and says, “Get someone to look at that, see if it was an accident or foul play.”

Rory nods, then hurries backstage to gather whoever is necessary to look at everything.

Mia looks between me and the guys, then sighs heavily. “You guys head to the dressing rooms.”

She places her gaze on Carmen, and then she looks at me. “Carmen, take Evan to his and keep an out for anything weird. I’m going to stay here, just to make sure the guys check everything out okay.”

Carmen nods, her posture drastically changing with the job she’s been asked to do, and I let her lead me from the stage and in the direction of the rooms. Brent wraps an arm around me, giving me a quick hug, while everyone else nods and hurries into their rooms.

I could’ve been killed.

Mia saved me, and I have no clue how I’ll ever be able to repay her for that. It only cements my feelings further — I’m falling for her. I could see how scared she was for me, the emotions swimming in her eyes as she looked me over, and my heart warms at the thought.

I should be terrified right now. Don’t get me wrong—I’m scared, but knowing that Mia is the one watching my back gives me a level of bravery that wouldn’t have been there if she wasn’t. She makes me feel stronger than I’ve ever felt before.

I’m just getting a new shirt pulled over my head, a cotton sweater that I snatched from my closet earlier before heading out, when there’s a rapid knock on my door. Mia bursts through the door without my okay, which doesn’t bother me, and she shuts it immediately before rushing over to me.

She lets me lift her into the air, her arms tightening around me, and I set her gently back onto the floor.

“This is done,” she says. “The tour is getting postponed, whether you like it or not. I’m not going to keep watching this psychopath do this to you.”

A tear slides down her cheek, and I carefully swipe it away while nodding. “You’re right. It’s the best thing to do.”

“They checked over everything,” she says quietly, leaning into my touch while still staring into my eyes.

“Okay, what’s the verdict?”

Her eyes close slowly, another tear rolling in response, and she sucks in a breath before saying, “The screws were loosened, Evan…someone is really trying to hurt you.”

I’d already gathered that, but I was hoping it could’ve been a mistake by the stadium, and they hadn’t had anyone look over things in a while — it’s rare, but it happens, and it would’ve been better than finding out someone is trying having me squashed right on stage.

Mia shakes in front of me, and I immediately pull her into my chest, then press a kiss to the top of her head. “Hey, I’m okay, darlin’.” Her shoulders shake with sobs, my heart cracking at the sound, and I run my fingers through her hair.

I’ve never seen her so worked up before. Sure, I’ve watched her get angry and protective, but crying uncontrollably? Never.

In her line of work, I imagine emotions are something she tries her hardest to hide.

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