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  He laid back on the couch with the phone secure in his hands. He increased the volume and allowed himself to imagine what that moment would be like when Brione said yes.

  * * *

  “Kid?”

  Marques pulled a pod out his ear and looked into the eyes of his oldest brother Cameron.

  “Let me holler at you for a second.”

  Marques pushed up from the couch and stretched. “I’ll catch you later.”

  Bruce nodded.

  “Text me if Sandi goes into labor.”

  “No doubt.”

  They hugged and Marques followed Cameron through the studio and into the corporate wing. “When did you get into town?”

  “Last night, I came in with Eliana," Cameron said. “We need to meet about your release. Have a seat.”

  Cameron Carter was all business on a Saturday afternoon. The man didn’t quit. He was the best man to lead their nonconventional team to the top.

  “Do you want some water? Coffee?” A muscle quivered in his jaw.

  “No, what’s up?” The intensity in his eyes said it wasn’t good.

  “We’re not getting the airplay and video views we’d hoped for with your single.”

  Marques dropped his head, not what he wanted to hear.

  “It’s still early and we have more tricks up our sleeves but I need you to help us out with this one.” He stood up and came around the desk, he sat on the edge in front of Marques. “Kid, you have to keep your eyes on the prize.”

  “I am.”

  Cameron nodded. “We need Top 10 on the Billboard with this LP. That means no bad press. No wild parties, no Twitter rants, no questionable Instagram posts, no loose women, no drinking.” The last part was a blatant reminder of the incident. Would he always have to outlive that one mistake?

  “I need you rested, eating right, body chiseled. I want every woman believing that Marques could be her man. And I want every man playing your music to get the baddest chick in the club.”

  Marques had no intention of failing at this. They had sacrificed too much. He’d be whoever he had to be to make it happen.

  “You need to be the media’s poster child and make the industry take notice. You have the talent. Now it’s time to prove it.” His voice dropped.

  “What do I need to do to turn this around?” Marques asked.

  “I’m already working on it. I have Eliana in town and I need you active with your fans to get them excited about the album. We can’t lose the battle and expect to win the war. So pump up the EP but our focus is on the LP.”

  The EP was a short collection of five songs they cut from the LP—the album—to prime the market. He was a hit in the Atlanta underground scene but this was his debut as an artist on RSE. Fifteen tracks he and Bruce had slaved over for two years. It was his best work.

  It had to be. Everything was riding on it.

  “We’re sending out press kits to bloggers and social influencers. We’re also reaching out to podcasts, internet radio shows, radio stations, and magazines. Everyone will know about this album.”

  Cameron’s confidence meant the world to him. “How can I help besides social media?”

  “Bruce is handling the music. You should start working with the choreographer since you’re here. I called Imani this morning, she’s ready when you are. Then I think we should consider a tour to support your release.”

  “What about a listening party slash concert while I’m here? I can do it by live stream using YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.”

  “That’s brilliant. Just a second.” Cameron walked back around the desk and pressed the phone. “Eliana, can you come in here for a second?”

  They talked about the logistics of making an impromptu concert happen. A knock came from the door.

  “Come in.”

  Eliana popped her head in.

  “Have a seat?”

  “Hey, Marques.” She leaned over and hugged him. “What’s up boss?”

  “We are thinking about having a small concert.” Cameron turned to Marques, “Would you sing just the EP songs?”

  “No, I think I’ll add in a few teasers from the album as transitions. I’ll talk with Bruce about creating a setlist.”

  “When?” Eliana turned facing him.

  “Yesterday," Cameron said.

  “No problem. I think we could ask Sandra to host it at Coffee Confessions, its intimate and you’ve hosted concerts there before.” She tapped her finger against her lips in thought. “How do you want to handle tickets?”

  “I think we should do a lottery on the website. What about a drawing from album pre-orders too?” His brain was bursting with ideas.

  “I like your thinking kid. Eliana, will you need anything from me?”

  “No. I have an amazing event coordinator in town that I’ve already reached out to, so I’ll use her. She could handle the event and I’ll focus on the equipment necessary to make it happen. I’ll keep you posted.”

  “When can you bring her in?” Marques asked. He was eager to get it rolling and announced on social media.

  “I’ll call her and follow up with you this evening.”

  “Brilliant. You two work it out. Call me if you need me. I’ll work on getting more airtime, views, and downloads.”

  Eliana stood to leave.

  “Eliana also find a photographer. Marques needs to take some pictures around the city to get the fans pumped about the show.”

  “I’m on it.” She typed on her cellphone heading out the door.

  “Thanks, Eliana.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll talk to you later.” She threw a wave over her shoulder and disappeared down the hallway.

  Marques knew the concert was his golden ticket. His music was best experienced in person. He jotted a few ideas in his phone. He pulled himself up from the chair and Cameron came around and met him at the door.

  “Kid, you got this!” He gripped the back of his neck bringing their foreheads together.

  “We got this.”

  Cameron smiled. “Get out of here, I got work to do.” He patted his back with a sturdy thump.

  Marques headed back to the studio hoping Bruce was still around.

  As he walked the halls of Rockstar Entertainment the pressure of performing weighed on his broad shoulders. His brother left his corporate job to start the record company in support of Marques’ music. After being dropped by a major label, Marques thought his singing career was over then Cameron and Bruce stepped up and created an entire label around him. He owed them everything.

  An image of Brione fluttered to mind, no women allowed, he reminded himself. He could imagine Cameron adding “No Brione” to his long list of potential distractions. Now to get the setlist worked out and figure out how to keep her sweet smile and inquisitive eyes from his mind.

  Chapter Five

  Tears slowly found their way down her cheek. Stewart let himself out and Brione sat frozen for hours. The ringing of her phone broke through the cloud of defeat crushing her soul. This was her fault. She imagined he saw her coming a mile away seeking the attention of anyone willing to give her the time of day. But she wasn’t that woman anymore.

  The phone rang and rang and rang. Brione finally walked over and picked it up.

  “Brione what’s going on?” The concern in her voice broke the dam.

  “Eliana…” she said in a choked voice.

  “I’m on my way.”

  Brione chided herself for giving into his words. She walked over to the table and sat at her computer. She moved the mouse around to wake up her laptop and the images of Torres del Paine National Park mocked her. How quickly she forgot the pain a handsome man could inflict? She closed the browser and opened a new one. If only she could wipe away the memories of Andrew as easily.

  She typed in her bank’s website and logged into her account. She had saved over forty thousand dollars.

  Ding dong.

  Brione snapped her laptop closed and glared at the d
oor. Did he come back?

  “Peanut Butter.”

  Brione ran to the door. She swung it open and found herself folded in Eliana’s arms.

  “Peanut why are you shaking?” She pushed Brione back and held her face in her warm hands.

  “Stewart just left.”

  “Tell me everything.”

  She closed the door. “Do you want tea?”

  “Stop stalling.”

  Brione fiddled with the hem of her shirt telling Eliana everything.

  “What does that man have over you? And Bri don’t lie. He’s showing up at your house. Threatening you. You can’t sit by and let him do this.”

  “Honey this is his house. Well, his parents' house.”

  “What?”

  Brione cleared her throat. How much should she tell? Would Stewart go after Eliana too? “Just know that I’m better.” She planted a stiff smile on her face. She dragged enough people into her mess.

  “Have you forgotten I can see through your lies?”

  “Trust me.” She pled with Eliana, embarrassment stirred through her. One day she’d tell Eliana the full story. She knew about Kayla but not the threats Stewart made concerning her father.

  “I will but,” she held up a warning finger, “if he threatens you again I will be forced to kick his ass or call the cops.”

  “Duly noted.”

  “Or I could do both?” Her eyes had a sheen of purpose.

  Brione could imagine the five foot two Eliana pouncing on Stewart and bringing down her Goliath. “Girl you’re a mess.”

  “Please believe it.” She hugged her. “Now to some great news. I got you the gig job with RSE. When is school out?”

  “Next week, but I take my last final Monday.”

  “So I got you from Tuesday on?”

  “If you need me, my internship doesn’t start until the second half of the summer.”

  “Perfect.”

  * * *

  Brione closed the door behind Eliana with a glimmer of her hope restored, she expected a call shortly with the finalized fee they’d negotiated.

  Brione walked back to the table and grabbed a notebook and pen. She dropped to the floor in front of her coffee table determined to devise a plan. This would require wine, lots and lots of wine. She retraced her steps to the kitchen and poured a glass of wine. She popped in the top-secret CD left by Eliana of Marques’ EP for her to use as inspiration.

  Holding the goblet in her left hand she flipped the case over, assessing the cover. Her breath caught in the back of her throat and heat flooded her face. The sexual innuendo of the picture was explicit. His bare chest and sculpted abs faded into a sexy V pointing to the forbidden gem in his denim jeans, unbuttoned with the zipper down and flaps opened.

  She took a drink of wine seeking a little relief from the spark ignited. She pinched her lower lip between her teeth to hold her hormones in check. Unlike the unexpected moan she let slip after Andrew’s touch at the cafe, she was not, by nature, a sexually expressive person. Her limited experience and excessive baggage made it impossible for her to give herself to another man. But something about the heat in Andrew’s eyes had turned on a switch and she had to figure out how to turn it back off.

  She dropped the jeweled case and rubbed her hand on her pants. No more touching that hot man’s stuff. Not stuff but packaging. Not packaging…ugh.

  “Keep your eyes on the prize.”

  She slapped her forehead, even that sounded sexual. That uber sexy man was her new boss and if his face was half as hot as his body she was in trouble. How would she look in his eyes and not remember his V line? Her tongue involuntarily ran across her lips as the red wine dulled her senses.

  She pressed play on the remote and sat back on the floor. Reaching for the pen, she took another sip of the wine and reached to place the glass on a coaster as his voice filled her living room. Frozen in time, she stared mesmerized, as the instruments in the background went inaudible. Her ears only heard him.

  Words of loving, tasting, clothes left at the door took her vivid fantasy up a notch as her hand lowered the goblet, the slight shake in her body caused the contents to swish around in the glass.

  Her body throbbed steadily as her heart raced. She took a deep breath afraid her heart would give out as his cooing tone and the hard beat of the drums enticed and pushed all thoughts aside leaving images of Andrew. Her eyes slid closed and a lusty warmth stole over her.

  Almost against her will, images of his lean form floated before her and she infused Andrew’s handsome face with the caramel complexion from the CD cover, the feel of strong hands delicately tracing a sensuous path down her body. Her entire body tingled. Exploring her curves, brushing across her nipples through her shirt, searching lower nearing the ache and she moaned his name. The feathered heat of his breath against her ear beckoning her to his bed, promising to keep their secret. She reached for him but he pulled away as the room spun.

  Desire was thick on her tongue and she didn’t recognize her voice as she begged him to come to her. The rich timbre of his voice echoed her longing as he cupped her breast, his mouth curving into a sensual smile, he knew exactly what he was doing to her body.

  “May I?” His voice dropping in volume, she nodded not trusting herself to speak.

  The sensation dipped between her legs arousing her body and her core vibrated, her head fell back. Words of rocking beds, tangled in the sheets, and loving her for eternity was her undoing, before she could stop it, heat streaked through her.

  “Andrew,” escaped in a hoarse groan as the music faded.

  Brione blinked back to life prone on the couch with a hand nestled between her legs and another clutching her breast. She stared at the ceiling utterly satisfied and totally confused.

  The ring of her phone was a welcomed distraction. Glancing at the display, she answered on the second ring.

  “Hey.” Her voice was heavy, literally aching for him.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Sure. Huh great.” She pushed the wine to the other side of the table, no more wine and Marques music for her. They were a lethal combination.

  “How about you sound slightly enthused to hear about the deal I negotiated for you?”

  “I am. Just a little distracted, it’s been a long day.” Pushing thoughts of Andrew from her mind wasn’t as easy.

  “That’s why I called you back tonight. I got them to agree to twice your asking price. Boom.”

  “Twice?” She gasped. “Twice…my…asking price?” A squeal escaped from the pit of her being and she flopped back on the couch doing her best impression of a dying cockroach, as her legs and arms wiggled erratically in the air. “Twice! Oh my God!”

  Her phone hit the floor. She popped up on the couch and looked back and forth to see where it landed. She snatched up the phone.

  “Honey.”

  “Peanut Butter.” Eliana laughed.

  “Do you know what this means?” Her glee turned into silent tears. It meant she had a real shot to get her baby back. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Get ready. You will earn every cent. I need you to meet with Marques as soon as possible. How about you come to the private fan concert Tuesday night? You’ll get a feel for the music and his fans and we’ll meet the man afterward. This is a test run for his album release near the end of the summer.”

  “Okay.” Her pulse quickened at the mention of his name. How was she going to talk to the man knowing the thoughts and feelings he invoked? She’d have to remember he could also help her banish her greatest enemy, Stewart Bradley.

  “Let’s meet at the cafe around eight or so.”

  “I’ll be there at 7:45.”

  Chapter Six

  Marques stared at the setlist. He and Bruce created a forty-five-minute concert for his fans. Eliana worked her magic and they pulled from social media contests, his email list, and mainstream media. They printed one hundred golden foiled tickets and the video invite went viral. He was t
agged in over seventy videos of screaming fans as they received their golden ticket by courier like the Publishers Clearinghouse commercials.

  “Kid, you are a genius!” Cameron entered the studio, his features animated. “I could kiss you right now.”

  “Please don’t.” Marques held up a hand blocking his brother from landing one of his air kisses. “Dude, back off me.”

  “Don’t act you’ve never kissed me before,” Cameron teased. The loud smacking noises were the worst.

  “You keep on and I’m calling Ma,” Marques retorted with his infamous last line. He knew how to use it when necessary.

  “You always were a tattletale.” They laughed and sat on the couch.

  “You’re just mad because I’m the favorite.”

  “In your dreams.” Cameron locked an arm around his neck and landed a kiss on his head. “Mu-ah!”

  “Gross!” He slapped at his forehead rubbing off his brother’s kiss. His reaction only seemed to further amuse Cameron.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, here’s the setlist.” He passed it to Cameron. He rubbed off the kiss but he loved his brother. He’d do anything for him and he knew Cameron would do the same. He’d already showed it with every sound decision he made with RSE.

  “I like it. Your social media campaign was amazing.”

  “How are the numbers looking?” He held his breath.

  “EP streams are in the Top 10 across all platforms. You really turned it around.” He smiled and leaned back into the couch placing his feet on the coffee table. “I estimate pre-orders are over one hundred thousand.”

  “What?” He fell back in shock. “That’s unheard of.”

  “No my brotha, it’s only the beginning. I think we could double those numbers after this private concert.”

  The thought of hitting the Top 10 on the Billboard charts seemed attainable, within his reach. Now to deliver a concert worthy of their hard work.

  “From this point forward, don’t get cocky and don’t lose sight of our goal. I think if we clear three hundred thousand sales we’ll land in the top three on the charts. Our numbers now will place us in the top one hundred easily.”