Page 51 of Tortured Tones

Beckett cocked his eyebrow and gave me a sly sideways glance. “What if he wasn’t your client?”

I sucked in a deep breath and tucked my hands into my back pockets. Cole pounded out another beat. Something drew me to him; there was a fine line between wanting to slap sense some into him and tearing his clothes off. If he wasn’t my client...I’d fuck him in a heartbeat. Crap. I couldn’t go there. “He is my client, so there is nothing to discuss.”

“You’d fuck him.” Beckett chuckled. “You can play hardball with me all you like, but you have this energy around him that is hard to miss.”

Panic skipped through my veins. Too much was at stake to consider anything but a professional relationship with Cole. “He’s just like my ex, full of smooth talk and suave attitude. I won’t jeopardize my job or compromise my team over some good-looking rock star. Getting Josh back is my priority.” I needed a clean report from Wells for the court. I wasn’t going to tarnish my chances in anyway.

“I know.” Concern softened Beckett’s tone as we tracked three road crew members realigning a speaker. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. “But do you want to swap guys? I’ll take Cole. You take Slip.”

Maybe I should, but if I did, would that be an admission I was attracted to Cole? I couldn’t have that. I was strong—everything would be fine. “No. There’s no vibe to worry about—not a good one anyway. We don’t exactly get along. I promise I’ll let you know if anything changes. But I’ve got this. I can keep my pants on.”

Cole tossed a stick into the air, caught it, then pointed it at me before slamming out another song. Shit! My clothes may have stayed on, but fuck, that didn’t stop my panties from getting wet.

A small groove formed in Beckett’s brow. “It’s been a while since anyone has been in your trousers.”

“Yeah, well. My last hookup was a turn-off.” I’d only been on a few dates since my divorce. Every one had just been for the soul intention of getting laid. I wasn’t sure I ever wanted a relationship again. I couldn’t even contemplate the notion until the mess with Luther was behind me.

“Was that the guy with the crooked red dick?”

I pursed my lips to stifle my giggle. That was a memory I wished I could erase. “Yes. But I’m not interested in seeing anyone. Not until I get Josh. Even then it may not happen. I just want to spend time with my son.”

He dipped his chin. “I know. I’ve got your back always. No matter what.”

“Thanks, Becks.”

The guys finished their session. As they wiped the sweat from their bodies on towels and had their meeting with the production team, Beckett and I joined our team on the floor.

April paced in front of the row of chairs with her cell phone to her ear. Four weeks out from the tour, permanent stress lines had etched into her face.

“So you can’t accommodate us? Is that what you’re saying?” She’d been on her cell phone most of the day, trying to find an alternative hotel in Portland that suited our needs and requirements. Falcon, the tour manager, had been onto his team as well. The place they’d booked had been gutted by a fire and had to be closed.

She hung up and tapped her cell phone against her forehead. “Fucking. Useless. Imbeciles.” She spun to Blake. “Portland is a problem. No one can fit us in at such short notice. I can’t have everyone staying in different locations. We might be staying on the buses for two nights.”

“The guys won’t like that.” Blake groaned. His Texan drawl seemed to drone more than usual. “Neither will I.”

“I’ll find somewhere.” She spun on her high heels. “Just give me another day or two.”

Her stress levels worried me. Maybe I could help alleviate them. I’d managed large, last-minute team lodgings before. “Excuse me, April.” I stepped over to her. “You need somewhere in Portland?”

“Yes.” Exasperation burned in the tone. “Can you perform a miracle?”

“Maybe. It might not be five-star accommodation but it’s secure.” I scanned my cell phone for my contact. “If it’s a viable option, I can call Kelsey at NorthWest Star Academy. He manages security training facilities. He should be able to get the crew into dorm-style rooms at one of his complexes and the guys and the main entourage into a nearby hotel or the manager lodgings at the grounds.”

New life blazed in her blue eyes. “Oh my God, yes! At this stage I don’t care if everyone camps in tents—I need a place booked. Falcon and I are beside ourselves trying to find somewhere. This is his job—not mine. Damn holiday season does my head in. We have a backup plan for everywhere, but Portland has fallen through. This would be a godsend.”

I held up my phone. “Well, shall we call Kelsey?”

“Yes. If you pull this off, you are my bestie for life.”

“I’m just happy to help.”

With Falcon in tow, we headed over to the end of the stage and made the call. Twenty minutes later, accommodation was booked for the Portland dates—the crew were allocated to one of the training facilities closest to the venue, and the band and entourage and security team at a Comfort Inn on the outskirts of the city.

April gave me a big hug. “Thank you. You’re a life saver.”

“You’re welcome.” I nodded.

We rejoined the group as they were ending their meeting. Wells and my team were getting ready to escort the guys home.

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