Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
She bites her lip, eyes darkening. "Prove it later. After the show."
"Count on it." I pull her robe closed, fingers lingering. "But first, focus. Stay sharp."
Enzo rushes over, clipboard flapping. "Indigo, darling! One more thing—the finale pyro cue. We added a confetti burst at the end. Harmless, but timed to your pose. Mack, security's cleared it?"
I nod, though my gut twists at "confetti." After the bouquet, anything explosive sets me on edge. "Cleared. But I'll be right here if it goes sideways."
"Good man," Enzo says, patting my arm like I'm part of the team. "Heartline's got the perimeter locked. No creeps getting in tonight."
He scurries off, leaving us in a pocket of relative quiet amid the chaos. Indigo turns to me, her expression softening. "You okay? You look... intense."
I run a hand through my hair. "Just doing my job. But yeah, something feels off. Like the calm before a storm."
She squeezes my hand. "Hey, we've got this. You, me, your team. And after? You head off to that family mission. Your brothers are waiting."
The reminder hits like a punch. Nash's lead on Dad—after this, I'm out. But leaving her? The thought gnaws at me. "Yeah. About that..."
Before I can say more—tell her I want her to come with, or at least wait—her phone buzzes. She glances at it. "Vi. She's in her seat. Wired her the money earlier. Thanks for not freaking out too much about her showing up."
"Family's family," I say, but unease lingers. Viola's arrival was too random, too unvetted. I step away, pulling out my secure phone. "Gonna check in with Cass. Stay in sight."
She rolls her eyes but smiles. "Yes, sir."
I dial Cass as I move to a quieter corner backstage, eyes never leaving Indigo. She chats with a fellow model, laughing, but glances my way every few seconds.
Cass answers on the first ring. "Hawthorne. Showtime soon? Everything locked?"
"Rehearsals smooth. Last checks good—pyros vetted, perimeter secure. But Indigo's sister showed up unannounced today. Viola Lyric. Run a background?"
Cass types rapidly—I hear the keys. "On it. Give me a sec... Okay, pulling records. Twenty-five, no priors. Some minor stuff—traffic tickets, a disorderly from a bar fight three years back, but nothing red-flag. Lives nomadic, band life. Finances shaky, but clean. No ties to Derek Voss or Lila. Why the flag?"
"Gut feeling. She asked for money—band van broke down. Timing's off with the threats." I watch Indigo slip behind a screen to change, her silhouette teasing me. Falling for her means protecting everything around her. "Check her band members too. Names: She's with a group called Echo Riot. Drummer's Jay something, guitarist Lena Torres, bassist Rico Hale. Run them all."
Cass whistles low. "Thorough as ever. Alright, I'll dig. Could take a bit—deep dives on associates. Anything pops, I'll text you mid-show if needed. But Mack... you sound invested. More than the job."
I pause, glancing at the stage where techs test lights. "She's... different. Gets under my skin."
"Ha. Cupid City strikes again. Just don't let it cloud your judgment. Stalker's still out there—Derek's motel room was empty this morning. Lila's phone pinged near the venue an hour ago. We're closing in."
"Copy. Keep me posted." I hang up, pocketing the phone as Indigo emerges in her opening look—a sheer black bodysuit with heart motifs. She spots me, and waves me over.
"Everything good with Boss Man?" she asks, adjusting a strap.
"Yeah. Just updates." I don't mention Viola—don't want to worry her before the show. Instead, I pull her close, away from prying eyes. "You ready?"
"Born ready." She tilts her chin up, eyes locking on mine. "But... kiss for luck?"
I shouldn't—not here, not now. But resistance crumbles. I cup her face, kissing her soft at first, then deeper, tasting her gloss and the fire beneath. She melts into me, hands on my chest.
"Wow," she breathes when we break. "That's... motivating."
"Knock 'em dead," I say, voice husky.
The house lights dim as the audience filters in—buzzing chatter, flashes from phones. I take position stage right, Chase Corbett, another Heartline guy, at left, two more in the crowd. VIPs mingle: celebs, influencers, the works. Viola's out there somewhere, front row per Indigo's comp. Clean or not, I'll watch.
Enzo's voice crackles over comms: "Places! Opening in five!"
Indigo squeezes my hand one last time. "See you after."
"Count on it." As she lines up with the other models, my phone vibrates—Cass. Text: Band prelims clean. Jay has a weed bust from '22, nothing else. Digging deeper on Rico—shady ex. Update soon.
Good. But that "something big" feeling? It's intensifying. Like the air before a raid. I scan the crowd again, heart pounding not just from the op, but from her. Indigo. Mine? Maybe. If I can keep her safe.
The music swells, lights blaze. The show starts. She steps out first, owning the runway. Pride surges at the sight of my girl. But my eyes stay sharp. If any shadow moves wrong, I'm there.