bickering, “Isaac, I think you should be stationed right here at the front corner of the stage. You can watch the VIP access points, keep an eye on the performance, and monitor our blubbery friends there. Sound good?”
“Peachy.” Isaac settled back, leaning against the side of the stage.
“Colin, how do you feel about the sound booth?”
Colin’s looked up at Judd. “Indifferent. Why?”
“I like it as a base of ops for you.” It was on the other side of the stage, slightly back. It was mostly shielded from audience view, but in good position to keep an eye on those things Isaac couldn’t monitor, both backstage and high up towards the entrance.
Of course, Judd also wanted Colin there because he’d be protected from the crowd and safely away from any action. He decided to admit to that, so Colin didn’t feel like he was being purposefully put to the side. “I’d feel better if you were away from our selkie friends.”
“Bullshit.” Kevin’s grin was huge. “You want him away from the eyes and hands of all these shifters drooling over his ass.”
Judd didn’t deny it. He just glared at his fellow enforcer.
“Sound booth is fine.” Colin went pink with what Judd hoped was pleasure.
“You did notice the sound guy is, in fact, a militant, tattooed Goth girl, right? She actually sneered at Mother during mic checks. I might be in love.” Kevin gave Colin a smug look. “So of course Judd wants you there.”
Judd snorted, but didn’t deny he had an ulterior motive. He’d noticed Colin introducing himself to said Goth earlier. He’d also noticed that Colin seemed comfortable with her.
Colin confirmed this. “Paris. Yeah. She’s nice. She hates country and is only here for the money. Totally your type, Kev. Way too good for you.”
Kevin dipped his chin. “I know, right? Hot.”
“Poor thing,” said Isaac, shaking his head.
Judd wasn’t sure if he meant Kevin or Paris, or possibly both.
Judd gave Colin a list of tasks to complete – cross checks and threat assessments, expected attendance numbers to weigh against security personal distribution. “Identify any holes, kid. Let Kettil know.”
“Will do, old man,” was his mate’s cheeky response. Scuttling away before Judd could reply.
Judd watched Colin’s gorgeous ass climb up onto the stage and trot over to the sound booth. Paris tucked him into a corner in a motherly manner and then continued her own work.
“Some brothers get all the luck,” grumbled Kevin.
“True,” replied Judd. “His ass is much nicer than yours.”
“Dude!” respond Kevin.
14
She Wore Gold Spangles
Judd found the concert, frankly, anti-climactic. Of course, it was bold and spectacular – a sensory overload. He admired its sheer brazenness. The opening band was decent – a local rockabilly sensation called the Squirrel Butt Kickers. They had too many flaming saxophones and an overabundance of beard glitter, but at least the tunes didn’t grate on Judd’s ears.
Judd caught Kevin bopping his head about while standing sentry outside of Blanc’s dressing room.
“Seriously?” Judd gave him a look.
“They’re not bad.”
“Not good either.”
“It’s not like I’m actually dancing.”
“Thank heaven for small mercies.”
Isaac and Colin reported in every ten minutes or so. But nothing happened during the opening act.
Then Lexi Blanc took the stage in a blaze of swinging searchlights and a shower of glitter. She wore the amazing beaded gold jacket, a corset, a fringed scarf-skirt thing that barely covered her ass, and gold cowboy boots.
Judd would never admit that she had stage presence − but she had serious stage presence. She gyrated and wiggled all over the damn place, singing with all her heart. Not that she had much of a heart, but what little she had, she used up performing.
The crowd was wild for her.
There ain’t nothing that I’d rather do,
Than dance under moonlight, shiftin’ for you!
She moved seamlessly from one hit to the next. No banter, no pause, no crowd work. She was there to give them a show. They were there to see her sing. She didn’t even nod in the direction of the VIPs. If anything, she seemed to regard her roaring fans with an indifferent superiority mixed with mild contempt.
They lapped it up.
My baby gots paws,
Ain’t no stopping this wild sea-saw!
When we get together, we don’t howl,
We goes yee-haw!
Judd: “Status, boys?”
Isaac: “No change with the blubber bozos. They’re actually trying to dance. It’s not pretty. I demand eyeball replacement surgery.”
Kevin: “Dudes, I may never recover from this experience. That’s my mother’s ass out there. Like, her whole ass. I regret all life choices that have led me to this moment.”