Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,54
with junior. These love gifts are for you.”
“Don’t call them that. I’m taken and my girl doesn’t mess around. She’ll fuck up me, Paunch, the delivery guy, and the person who picked up on my love of scotch but somehow missed that I’ve got a girlfriend.”
“If you don’t want them, pass them here.” Bianca plucked it out of my hand. “Scotch toothpicks. What will they think of next?”
“What will you think of next, boss? What do you got for me?”
“Hmm.” She blinked at me like she forgot what I was here for. “Oh, yes. Pack a bag, junior. You’re going to New Orleans.”
“Um... what?”
“You heard me. The international music festival kicks off in two days. Their headliner fell through and they asked for Beyond Berlin specifically. The band is home right now packing their bags. I suggest you do the same.”
“Holy shit. Why me?” I asked. “Gwen’s been trying to get herself on a tour bus for months. She should go.”
“It’s you because your first thought was to pass the opportunity on to someone else. I like that about you, Jaxson. You don’t make this job about you and what you’ll get out of it. You’re about getting the work done. Which is why you won’t get starstruck or weak-kneed about a trip to the big city. Your priority will be keeping the band focused.”
She nodded. “They need that. Those kids got talent leaking from their pores but they’re still kids for all that they’re older than you. Your first big festival can go to your head quick. Watch out for them. Get them on that stage and back on the bus in one piece.”
“I can do that,” I said. “How will the bus arrangements work?”
“Kitchen, bathroom, six bunks, and a bedroom for the only lady, Serena. It’s a two-day drive, but you’ll be comfortable. Beyond Berlin’s new manager is tagging along, so it won’t all be on your shoulders.”
“Sweet. How many days will we be gone?”
“A week.”
I rose from my seat. “I’ll start packing.”
“Damn. If I had five of you, I’d get more sleep. Thanks for the gift.”
“You can have them all,” I tossed over my shoulder.
I hooked a right out of her office and headed for mine. My first tour. Sure it was only to one festival and I’d be sleeping in a rolling coffin, but this was exactly what I signed up for.
Now to get my girl on board.
“SOMEONE BUSTED THE fucking windows!?”
“Mmm hmm.” Valentina was sitting on my lap, stopping me from jumping up and flipping the table.
I came home to find everyone tense as fuck. Ezra told me what happened with fists clenched to put a hole in the nearest wall.
I got Val out of Ryder’s bed and carried her to mine, sitting us both out on the balcony, and soaking in the warm, quiet night as her description of the day struck me cold.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here, baby.”
“No, Jaxson. It’s not your fault. I didn’t call you because I didn’t want you to rush back here. I was shaken up but now I’m okay. This isn’t the first sicko to come after me and do something wicked and hateful.”
I squeezed her tighter. “Ezra said we’re thinking it’s the person who ran you off the road.”
“Maybe. I didn’t want to mention this to Ryder, but is it possible it’s Logan’s cousin or one of the guys who attacked me coming back for revenge?”
“No,” I replied without having to think about it. “Those guys wouldn’t dare come near you again, Val. I can promise you that.”
“Okay.” Val’s trust in us was unshakable. “If it’s not them, and I don’t believe it’s Leighton or Aiden, that leaves the only other enemy I have out there.”
“They’re out there and we don’t know who or where they’re hiding. I can’t go away with this going on, Val. Bianca will understand.”
“Go away?” She sat up. “Did I miss part of the conversation?”
“Beyond Berlin was invited to headline a music festival in New Orleans. I’d be gone a week.”
“A week,” she repeated. “Stuck in a cramped bus with Serena Blackwood?”
“I don’t have to go.”
She looked away, lips pressed tight. I studied each emotion as it crossed her face.
“Yes, you do,” she finally said. “This is your job and you love it. More than that, you’re working to show your father that you can handle every aspect of this business. Dropping everything for me doesn’t send that message.”