Page 12 of Final Serenade

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, it does. Video will get us more hits.” He was obsessed with numbers. Numbers brought us revenue. No numbers meant no money. The face of Hall Affinity’s front man would bring lots of traffic.

“You need to slow down with the energy drinks.” I tried a joke to release the tension.

Corey returned with two stickers with our names on them. “Frankie likes to know whom he’s talking to.”

Oh boy!

Levi and I exchanged silent glares. This was a first. We’d never had to wear name tags before.

“We’ll go with the video,” the manager said, collecting the signed paperwork. “No LEDs,” he added. “You get ten minutes to set up and ten minutes with Frankie. You’re welcome to stay for the show. Your passes are good.”

Music pounded somewhere below. My heart sang inside my chest. Levi could barely keep from grinning. We were marching through a long hallway filled with enough security to form a baseball team when I saw Dante. He was heading toward us, his entourage consisting of two very young—probably barely legal—blonds, a bodyguard, and his manager, Javier, whom I’d met a few times before whenRewiredwas covering Dante’s solo album.

Our groups melded, and brief words were exchanged.

Dante wore his usual black silk shirt that wasn’t tucked in all the way, faded designer jeans, a leather cowboy hat, and boots. He looked as if he’d just gotten out of bed and thrown together whatever outfit he’d had on before engaging in a nightlong orgy. His flashy style matched his status and his personality. He was a rock star with a capitalR. Sex, drugs, rock ’n’ roll, and then some.

I wasn’t sure he’d recognize me, but none of the vices Dante had fooled around with for almost two decades seemed to dull his memory.

His mind was sharp as a razor when he was sober. And he definitely was, because I’d seen a number of videos of him drunk. He was the tabloids' favorite. They probably made as much money on him as he’d made playing lead guitar for one of the best-selling rock bands in the world.

He approached me. “Am I seeing you later?” he asked, ignoring Levi. His smile dazzled like a freshly cut diamond, the white tip of a lollipop stick showing from the corner of his mouth. Last I heard, he was trying to quit smoking.

“Not today.” I shook my head.

“Say what?” His voice jumped and heads turned, including Corey’s. “You cheating on me, Cassy?” He pouted, plucking the candy from between his lips. A glint of amusement flickered in his eyes.

Dante was the kind of man who liked to touch people. I credited this particular trait to his Hispanic heritage. His free hand slid up my shoulder and he gave me an air kiss. The blonds observed me and snickered.

Dismissing their stares, I returned his smile. They’d be yesterday’s news tomorrow morning. “Maybe next time.”

“Next time it is, darlin’.” Dante topped off his game with a wink.

We disengaged. I buzzed from the collision with his larger than life personality and his aura.

“This little lady is da bomb,” he said, jerking his chin at Corey before sticking the lollipop in his mouth again.

A chill raced up my spine.

There was no time for a thank you. Our groups went their separate ways. Levi shook his head and barely bit back hisI-told-you-to-use-your-hookupsgrin.

The room Corey took us to was small and intimate. The music disappeared completely when the door behind us slammed shut. There were two security guards outside and an older man with a head full of gray hair sitting inside on a small couch in the corner. He wore a light brown vest, loose jeans, and boots. Faded swirls of ink crept from under the sleeves of his Woodstock-themed shirt.

Billy, I thought to myself. Frankie’s father. He wasn’t hard to recognize.

The old man gave us a half-smile and a nod.

“You’ll have twenty-four hours to send me raw footage and a final cut for approval,” Corey said.

There were refreshments set up on a table and I desperately wanted to get a bottle of water for my dry throat, but we didn’t have much time. Levi was setting up his tripod and I needed to test both mics.

We worked fast and in tense silence. I wrestled off my jacket and double-checked the batteries. Sweat coated the back of my neck and my hair began sticking to my skin.

I’d interviewed some of the biggest and nastiest names in the business. Anxiety was no longer an option. If the person sensed my hesitation, it always caused a shutdown. Establishing a relationship with a complete stranger in under thirty seconds was a gift.My gift. The one that fed me and paid my bills. Why my mind was suddenly blanking with terror was a brain twister to me.

When we were all set, Levi indulged himself with a free energy drink and I grabbed a water.

---