Page 91 of Undeniable Temptation

“I’ve got a stack of people trying to get backstage. Did you organize some sort of pre-show event I don’t know about?”

“No.” She continued down the hall. “It’s the same as usual. The last thing we need is more people back here.”

“Some are adamant.”

“I don’t care. If they don’t have a pass, they don’t get backstage.”

“Roger that.”

She stopped outside the Reckless dressing room and tapped her knuckles against the wood before letting herself in. They were immersed in laughter as she entered, all their faces alight, the flashes of teeth, dimples and smirks unwavering as they turned their attention to her.

“Evenin’, Cruella.” Mason stood beside the refreshment table, a bottle of water in his hand.

The rest of them were lounging in different positions. Mitch was seated on a backward wooden chair. Sean was laying on the sofa. Blake had a hip cocked against the armrest. And Ryan… He was in the far corner of the room, leaning against the dressing table counter.

She didn’t meet his gaze. Couldn’t. Not tonight.

“Are you all ready?” They stared at her and smiled from an unknown high she hoped wasn’t drug related. “Why do you all look overly excited?”

“’Cause it’s an exciting kind of night,” Mitch drawled.

Sean sat up and pulled a pair of drumsticks from his back pocket to twirl in his fingers. “You look nervous.”

Good. Exuding nervousness was better than the heartbreak she was trying to hide. “Once tonight is over, I’ll be fine.”

“Thank fuck for that,” Blake muttered.

Mitch snorted.

She made a mental note to retaliate in the near future. “Do you all remember the drill for tonight?”

“Yep.” Mason took a gulp from a water bottle and nodded. “Do whatever it takes to encourage downloads. Exchange sales for posters. Offer to sing more songs. Sell off sexual favors.”

“I think you can hold off on the sex.” Sean continued to twirl his sticks. “We don’t want people demanding their money back.”

“For once, can we please take this seriously?” She sighed. “We’ve got a lot riding on the success of tonight’s show.”

“Don’t fret.” Mason smirked. “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to ensure Slicker’s spot on a chart.”

“A few tricks?” His involvement in the business side of things was never good. The arrogance he expelled always burned bridges she had to mend. More work. More unease. “What have you done?”

“A magician never reveals his secrets.”

“For fuck’s sake, Mason.” She was living on exacerbated hormones, little sleep, and a lack of sustenance because stress continued to make her nauseated. And he thought taunting her was a good idea? “If you don’t quit increasing my anxiety,thismagician is going to pull your lungs out of your ass, and I’m more than happy to reveal how I plan to do it.”

Mitch snickered.

Sean chuckled.

Ryan cleared his throat.

“Point taken.” Mason took two steps and slumped into a seat, a grin fighting to break free from the corner of his lips.

Why were they all sporting jovial moods? Usually they were in the zone before a show. Focused and stoic. They had to be up to something. Or on something.

A shout of “five minutes” came from the hall and the men began to move. Sean stood. Mason made for the bathroom. Mitch and Blake headed for the refreshment table and grabbed bottles of water. The only one who didn’t budge was Ryan. He remained in her periphery. A solid rock in a flowing stream.

“Can I talk to you?”

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