Page 71 of The Bombshell and the Bodyguard
The Safest Place
Jessica
Indio, California, where the Coachella Valley Music Festival was held, washot,even in April.
It was near Palm Springs, surrounded by desert. Which meant there was a considerable amount of dust in the air. Wilder and I both wore dust masks as we made our way around the polo fields that served as the concert venue.
Not only was it smart to protect my soon-to-be used vocal cords, the mask also provided some anonymity. I liked that more than I’d anticipated.
Being on the island away from the constant pressure of fan interaction had been good for me—healthy and refreshing in a way I didn’t even know I’d needed. It wasn’t easy to return to it in such an abrupt total immersion fashion.
Wilder kept a protective arm around me as we walked, using his considerable wingspan and the power of his other arm to keep the other festival goers from colliding with me.
“You okay?” he asked, ducking his head to speak close to my ear.
I nodded. “I’m great.”
It was true. Tucked up against Wilder’s solid ribcage, I’d never felt so safe in my life. Too bad hecouldn’treally go with me everywhere I went. But he had a business to run, and it wasn’t like he was just going to drop everything else in his life to be with me.
As for my career, I couldn’t even entertain the idea of stepping away from public life and staying home in Eastport Bay. I still owed my record label another album, which would have to be supported by tour dates and promotional stops.
The same issues that had prevented me from having any real, lasting relationships before still existed. Hopefully my newly forged connection with Wilder would be strong enough to withstand them all.
Once I’d safely reached the backstage area, I removed my mask. I was filled with the same nervous energy that always invaded my body before a performance. Tapping into it allowed me to transform myself from Jessica to Jade and give audiences the high energy shows they’d come to expect from me.
Smiling up at Wilder, I said, “Wish me luck?”
He dipped his head, matching my smile with a bone melting one of his own. “You don’t need luck. You’re amazing.”
And then he kissed me. Long and oh-so-sweet, the kiss made me eager to get the performance over with and get back to him.
Opening my eyes, I took a breath and walked out of his arms onto the main stage.
It was my first time performing at the music festival, and the Coachella crowd lived up to the hype. I hoped they were having as good a time as I was. The desert sunset during my set was something I’d never forget.
It was dark by the time I sang my final number, a ballad calledLet Down Your Hair.I’d written it for Sullivan Reece’s wedding, and it had become one of my biggest hits.
After the final notes, as the crowd cheered, I walked offstage to the left, the opposite side from where Wilder stood watching and clapping. I was planning to give it about a minute before returning to the stage for an encore—a high energy song that would hopefully leave the audience pumped.
Several members of the concert security staff complimented my performance while my wardrobe assistant Lila made an adjustment to my costume. I was about to step out from behind the large screen wall to take the stage again when one of the security guards leaned close to my ear.
“Ma’am there’s been an accident. Please come with me.”
“What do you mean? What happened?”
“It’s your bodyguard. He fell from the stage while trying to take a photo of your performance.”
My feet were already moving as I accompanied the man through the dark backstage area toward the stairs. “Is he okay? Did someone call an ambulance? How far did he fall?”
“I don’t know ma’am. I was just sent to get you. I think he’s still alive.”
Oh no. The fact that was even in question flooded my mind with mind-scrambling fear.Please don’t let him be seriously hurt.
Serious stage-falls weren’t uncommon. I’d seen several over the years. They could result in broken bones, concussions, even death.
“Where are you going?” Lila called as I rushed past her.
“It’s Wilder. He’s hurt.”
