Page 114 of Tortured Tones

Between my legs throbbed. My pulse quickened. Oh no. Focus. I sneered at him. “Keep dreaming. Now move your ass and get into the hotel...Mr. Tanner.”

Cole growled, low and sexy. “I love it when you call me that.” His eyes flashed with too much sexiness as he stopped for photos with fans.

“I’d love you to behave.” I mumbled as I waited for him.

He leaned toward me. “You make it difficult, Ms. Matthews.”

Ergh! I didn’t need my challenging relationship with Cole to get even more complicated. Beckett was supposed to be covering Cole—not me. I clutched Cole’s shoulder and nudged him forward. “Move.”

As we headed down the street, the crowd got pushy, closing in around the guys. Cell phones and banners waved before us. My team tightened our circle surrounding the band, shielding them from the onslaught of fans.

“Move back.” Wyatt held out his arm, holding some teenage girl at bay.

Cameras flashed. Screams and hollers grew louder. Hands and arms reached around us to touch the guys. Some college-aged chick grabbed my shoulder and tried to yank me out of the way to get to Cole. She had no chance. I flung my arm up and used my shoulder to break her hold. With a gentle shove, I eased her back into the crowd where Beckett stepped in to block any further advances.

Once the band was inside the hotel, a huge grin lit Slip’s face as he hooked his arms around my shoulders. He waggled his finger between Beckett and me. “So this bodyguard swap thing didn’t happen.”

I stepped out of his hold and lifted my chin. “We just responded to the crowd and the situation.” I’d been doing my job. Quick thinking and action were necessary. No one had been hurt. That was the key.

Slip shook his head, chuckled. “Well...any time you want to swap is fine by me.” He ruffled Cole’s hair. “Right, Cole?”

Cole threw Slip a mischievous grin. “I’d be happy, too, but Ava’s rules. So don’t fuck with them.”

Slip held up his hands. “Okay. Just saying. . .”

Too much humor shimmered in Beckett’s eyes too.

Ergh! I needed a break. The sooner the weekend came, the better.

Everyone gathered at the side of the foyer while April and Blake checked the group in at reception, then handed out the room keys. We’d have a few hours of rest before we’d head to sound check at three this afternoon.

After we’d escorted the guys to their suites, Ramona and I fell into our room and collapsed onto our twin beds.

“Oh my God. This bed is heaven,” Ramona moaned. “I’m never getting up. I swear.”

Fluffy quilts. Big pillows. A big bed all to myself. Bliss. “I’m with you. I’m seriously gonna catch a couple hours’ sleep before we have to take the guys to the venue.”

“Me too.” Ramona covered her eyes with her arm.

I eased off my jacket, holster, belt, and radio, and dumped them on the desk. After setting my alarm, I tossed my cell phone on the nightstand, kicked off my boots, and sank my head into the pillows. As I closed my eyes, wooziness swayed through my head, like I was still traveling on the bus. The hum of the wheels continued to buzz in my ears. But oh, this was a gazillion times more comfortable.

Slowly, sleep pulled me under.

But my vibrating cell phone startled me awake. I grabbed it, not wanting to wake Ramona. Shit. I’d had forty-five minutes rest. That was better than none. The caller ID blazed with Wilson, my lawyer’s name. My stomach cinched and swayed. When Wilson called, I never knew whether to be hopeful or terrified...usually the latter if it involved my ex.

I swiped the screen. “Hey,” I whispered and dashed into the en suite, shutting the door behind me. “How are you?”

“Hi, Ava. I’m good. How’s the tour?”

“Long and tiring. And it’s only week six.”

“You’re not going to like this.” His nasal voice vibrated through the speaker. “Luther’s lawyers have sent a formal request to postpone the date of your hearing for two weeks, pushing it into the first week of March. He has to travel overseas for awards season.”

“What?” Fire burned through my veins. He’d have to take Josh with him. I’d miss my days with my son. “Change our court date? Oh, hell no. And that’s a hard no, Wilson.” Ice set in my heart. Our hearing was set for February twentieth, a few days after the US leg of the tour ended. There was no way I’d push it back. “I’m not going one day longer without getting more custody of Josh.”

“It’s only two weeks.”

“That’s a lifetime. He’s just trying to delay the inevitable. Our date is set. If he doesn’t show, tough shit. The judge will rule in my favor, and he knows that. I’ll get Josh.” I was over bending to Luther’s requests and being terrified of his bullying tactics and threats to keep Josh away from me. I wasn’t afraid anymore. During this assignment, being with the band, my team...and Cole...I’d learned how strong I was. How determined I was. Luther had nothing to hold over me anymore. “Do your job, Wilson. This request is denied.”

---