Page 90 of Blackstone's Heart
"Makes since. Were you wanting to do it before your speech or was that how you were going to kick off the speech?" Stacey asked.
"Pretty much. After you introduce me, I'll make the announcement and remove my wig. I won't be wearing the contacts or prosthetics. As I'm making the reveal Blackout, the Feds, Austin PD and a few members of the Austin fire department will be watching the crowd closely. I will be watching too from the stage."
"If we see anyone that's acting suspicious we'll tag Ethan and start moving in on him." Cain spoke up.
Stacey lifted a brow. "Um, I think everyone will be reacting funny to THAT kind of announcement."
Jimmy chuckled. "Oh I bet. What we'll be looking for is someone who looks or acts angry. He already knows who she really is, but none of us think he's going to like the fact that she will reveal herself to the public."
"Jimmy's right. This guy thinks it makes him special because he knows that Krista Jameson and Kris James are one in the same, yet her fans and even her own publisher don't know that. So tomorrow you will need to act surprised at this." Cain added
"I can do that." Stacey nodded.
Gage spoke next. "We're hoping he will reveal himself in this moment. Then again, he's a slippery little fucker, and he may be disciplined enough to not give himself away with that many witnesses."
"He's becoming unpredictable Stace. While we were coming back from Jerry's funeral he broke into my house then set it on fire. A few days after that he went to Blackout and started shooting at us. He caught Tony in the arm, but I fired back and clipped him. We got the rifle and it's looking like it's the same one he used the day he mailed me Jerry's heart." Krista said.
Stacey let out a low whistle. "Sounds like you've had an exciting last few weeks. Where are you staying now? With your folks? Or, judging by that hot as hell kiss from Mr. Blackstone here, you're shacking up with a big bad former Marine."
Krista just rolled her eyes. "You're just a jealous bitch aren't you?"
"Oh don't I know it. Why the hell can't I find men like this in New York." Stacey snorted, making everyone laugh.
***
Ethan and Gage stood near the doors as Krista went over her speech with Stacey interjecting here and there. He found it fascinating watching her prep for tomorrow. This was her world, her element. Just like the Marines and now Blackout were his. He just hoped their two worlds could blend together. He loved her so much and wanted to see her happy. To see the smile that he was seeing now as she spoke to an empty room that by this time tomorrow would be filled with her fans.
"She looks so calm up there." Gage said.
"Yeah she does. I bet tomorrow she'll look even more calm with her fans here. She told me yesterday that her fans mean everything to her and she loves to show her appreciation for them. Hell, I hated having to address you guys before a mission. I would hate it even more standing in front of a room of partial strangers talking to them." Ethan replied.
Gage smirked. "I remember the first morning report you gave us when you became the big honcho. You looked a little sick I thought you were gonna puke."
"Asshole." Ethan grumbled elbowing his friend in the ribs. "I wasn't gonna puke, I just hate talking to large groups. Why the hell do you think I make Tony do the meetings at Blackout?"
"Tony does love the sound of his own voice don't he?" Gage laughed.
Ethan laughed as well. As Krista ended her speech and was now talking to Stacey, Ethan sighed. "I just want this shit over with tomorrow. Yet, I got a feeling..."
Gage frowned. "You're “Spidey” sense again?"
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. "I started feeling it in New York after Jerry's funeral. When we got back and found out he torched her house I thought that was why. But it hasn't gone away. It's only gotten stronger."
"Have you told Krista this?"
"I told her the morning we came back, but haven't told her I'm still feeling it."
"What? Why the fuck not? Dammit Ethan, that's your fiancée, the woman you love. You don't keep shit like this from her. You better tell her."
"I know that. Christ, I just don't want her worried. She's got enough to worry about tomorrow without me adding my dark and moody thoughts to the mix."
Gage moved to stand in front of his friend and boss. "Ethan, one thing my old man always told me about making a relationship work was to be honest with each other. No matter how dark or how small it may seem. He used to say, 'Gage, when you meet your other half always be honest. There's nothing too big, too small, or too stupid to share. If you have honesty and love, the rest will fall into place.' He's right too. He and my mom have been together going on thirty-five years this November and they've always been honest with each other about everything."
Ethan looked away as Krista walked toward them. He knew Gage was right. Even when they were kids he and Krista had always been one hundred percent honest with each other. He would tell her when they got home. He looked back at Tony and nodded.
"You ladies all done?" Gage asked turning to Krista and Stacey.
"Yep, all done." Krista answered as Ethan draped his arm around her shoulders.
