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“Copy. Incoming in two,” Ben replied.
I finished my crawl as Jackson strode to the stairwell, blocking the downwards set, though I’d barely seen another hotel resident this evening. Footsteps thudded, the crew and our protected family descending.
Ben appeared first followed by Gordain, then a huddle of the Bankses, and Raphael at the back. Viola clutched her bairn to her chest, Leo with an arm around her waist and the other keeping his older son near.
Finn broke away from his da and ran to me. Seized my hand. “Ye have to protect him. Ye promised.”
He meant his father. My heart ached.
“We will. Nothing bad is going to happen. We’re just moving away from the noise and fuss until it’s under control. This is what we do, and we’re good at our jobs. Do ye trust me?”
His rounded eyes held desperation, his hold on my hand not letting up. But finally, Finn nodded.
“Then let’s get out of here.”
At the bridge, Ben and I exchanged a few words then he crawled across first, beckoning the small group to follow. Viola next, Gordain taking Torran from her arms so she could move more easily, quickly following after her.
Thank fuck, the bairn didn’t cry out.
Down below us, the crowd shifted, easily doubled now and so packed together that people fell. Screamed.
I held back, watching from the corner of the window. A cop car was parked at the end of the alley, lights flashing, but the occupants made no attempt yet to move on the mob. Probably waiting for further cars to arrive, not that it did us any good.
If any fan raised their gaze and spotted the figures creeping over the dark bridge, our refuge could quickly become a trap.
Steady as a rock, I guided Finn to the doorway. We had Ben, Viola, Gordain, and Torran on one side, Leo, Finn, Jackson, Raphael, and me on the other.
“You’re next. Ready?” I said to Finn.
“If Da comes.”
“Right behind you,” Leo promised.
Finn switched his serious gaze to me, and I put my hand on his father’s shoulder. With a shuddering breath, the lad dropped down and scuttled over, hugging onto his ma the second he was clear.
Leo swallowed then stooped to all fours. Started to crawl.
“Banks, Banks!” a cry went up.
The rock star froze.
I snapped my focus to the mob, but their energy was concentrated on the reception still, two men wrenching at the door, trying to force their way inside. They hadn’t seen him. Instead, they were smacking the shite out of the hotel.
“Keep going, Luke,” I whispered.
But he’d stalled out, something like shock in his profile. I could only guess his thoughts. In our prep sessions, we’d talked him through the security arrangements and he’d listened in detail, contributing to every single arrangement and plan. He openly discussed his ongoing battle of needing his family safe while still living for performing.
This was the result of his fame.
Threats, vile messages, and now a baying mob, out for any piece of him they could get. His family trampled on their way. Fuck.
“Da!” Finn called out, panicked.
He struggled away from Viola to the edge of the bridge. If he stepped out, he’d be seen.
“Stop, Fletch,” I ordered, using his code name. Then I ducked down and belly-crawled until I was alongside Leo. “Let’s go,” I urged him. “Your family’s waiting. Come on, man.”
He blinked, tearing his gaze from the writhing mass below. “This is all my fault.”
