Page 23 of Forbidden Billionaire Rockstar

8

Jace

Watching Mallory pace islike witnessing a storm contained in human form.

The backstage area is a maze of thick cables snaking across the floor, disappearing behind heavy black curtains that muffle the roar of the crowd beyond. The air is thick with the metallic tang of equipment and the unmistakable musk of pre-show nerves. In this pressure cooker of emotions and expectations, Mallory's distress is a discordant note, impossible to ignore.

Each frantic step, each frustrated call, sends a jolt of concern through me. Her hair, usually so carefully styled, falls in wild waves around her face - a physical manifestation of her unraveling composure. It takes every ounce of self-control not to go to her, to offer comfort I have no right to give.

Brent is standing off to the side, lost in conversation with Donny, and I saunter up to them with a frown. “Hey,” I say, nudging Brent with my shoulder. “What’s up with Mallory?”

He looks over his shoulder at her, then sighs. “She was supposed to have a radio show interview set up for when Sweet Surrender finished their set, but I guess she fell asleep earlier before confirming it.”

“So, no one is showing up?”

“Looks like it.”

I hum in response, then spend a few minutes acting like I’m involved with the conversation before calmly walking away and going in search of Carmen. It doesn’t take long to find her. She’s leaning closely toward a pregnant Mia and looking over the clipboard in her hand.

“Carmen.”

She snaps her attention up to me, straightening her spine, and leaves Mia to worry about whatever security issues there might be. “Jace, what’s up?”

I glance back at Mallory, who looks like she’s already preparing herself for the worst, and I run a hand through my hair. “Can you get in touch with one of the radio shows around here?”

“Uh, yeah, but is there a reason why?”

“Tell them they’ll be meeting with Raising Havoc, get them here, then explain there’s been a change of plans, and they’ll be interviewing our opening act instead.”

“Oookay,” she says slowly before arching a brow. “This has something to do with Mallory?”

I roll my eyes. “Not at all. Brent is in the middle of talking to Donny, and he wanted me to talk to you about it before it got too late.”

Carmen’s eyes narrow, her gaze flickering between me and Mallory. I can almost see the gears turning in her head, piecing together a puzzle I’d rather keep scattered.

Carmen blows out a rough breath, checking the time, and she shakes her head. “It’s cutting it pretty close, but I think I can manage to get someone over here. Let me work my magic.”

Mallory storms past me as soon as our conversation ends and I frown, but with Brent being so close, I force myself not to follow her. She has a brother who can check up on her. Just because I kissed her last night doesn’t mean I have the right to make sure she’s okay. I did my part; even if no one will ever have the knowledge, it was me.

I hate turning away from her, but I make my way back toward the rest of the guys as Sweet Surrender starts their set. It’s only a few songs into their show that Carmen comes barreling through the room. Her eyes locked on me, and she nods to show that everything went as planned.

Someone will be here for Mallory.

“All is prepared,” she murmurs softly, stopping beside me.

“They think they’re interviewing us?”

She nods curtly. “For now, yes. When I lead them into the back room, I’m going to break it to them that they’ll interview Sweet Surrender instead.”

“You’ve got the extra money to make sure they stay?”

“Already burning a hole in my pocket,” she mutters, then glances around the room before leaning closer to me. “You sure this was Brent’s idea? When I made him aware I got it situated, he didn’t look like he had a single clue what I was talking about.”

I scoff. “He’s just trying to act like he’s not looking out for his sister.”

Carmen nods but doesn’t look convinced with my answer. “Right.”

“Do me a favor,” I say, nodding toward Mallory’s form on the far side of the room, where she’s leaning against the wall with a distant look in her eyes. “Call Mallory’s phone, act like you’re an assistant for the radio show, and let her know you’re available for an interview.”

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