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She had to find Ryan in the crowd. Had to know he was okay. She itched to go to the nearest security person, but not if she put Ryan in danger. She’d die first. Marco had men and influence everywhere. Now more so than ever.
Goddammit.
She didn’t want to bring this to them. Her darkness and shame didn’t deserve to be part of their special night.
Voices caught her attention.
“If you’d stand here, Mr. Moreau will be along momentarily.” The security guy left to help with The Grunge, who were being interviewed by Music Life.
Denver pivoted on her heel and found a blond woman with a diaphanous gown with sheer panels showing off her long legs. She glittered and smiled as Denver walked up to her.
No one was around and she had to take her chance now. She needed to get on that stage. “I’m really sorry.”
The woman frowned. “What?”
Denver pulled back and let her fist fly at exactly the correct angle to take someone out, thanks to a few lessons by roadies in her time.
The woman went down in a pile of gold. Denver squeaked as she caught her before the woman’s head hit the floor. She looked around before dragging her toward the dark curtains and settling her against the folding door hidden behind the miles of fabric.
She turned to find Luc Moreau staring down at her. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
He rushed forward and crouched beside them both. “It looks like you just knocked out Lindsey York.”
“Crap. Okay, so some of it is what it looks like. Damn, I thought she looked familiar.” Denver glanced over her shoulder but the coast was still clear. “I didn’t hurt her. Well, not a lot. She’ll just be really pissed at me and maybe have a bruise along her jawline. Other than that, nothing really bad.” She grabbed Luc’s arm—a very muscular one—as he turned. “Wait! You have to help me. Please.”
Luc pulled away. “Okay, psycho. We’ll get you some help.”
“I’m not a—ugh! There’s no way to sum this up.” She hooked her arm through his and pushed him forward a step. He was freakishly large, but she’d managed to get him going enough that he had to keep on moving out onto the stage. The spotlight blinded her. She pasted a smile onto her face and patted his arm. “I swear this isn’t what you think.”
“Hope you like handcuffs,” he said out of the side of his mouth.
She did, but that didn’t matter at this particular moment.
Her heart raced and the lights left her off-balance. How the hell did Ryan deal with the lights in his face for everything?
The announcer stumbled, as she obviously wasn’t Lindsey York next to Luc. Instead, the voice introduced Luc and left her unnamed.
The crowd murmured and voices blended. She couldn’t see a damn thing. When they got to the podium, Luc smiled. “I’d like to thank the Alternative, Rock, and Crossover Awards for putting on such a great shindig.”
Denver glanced at the teleprompter. Definitely not the words that were scrolling by. Then again, everything about tonight had gone off-book. She cleared her throat. “The Best New Artist category has a history of amazing performers. Such as bands like The Grunge, who won it last year.” The prompter told her to smile at Luc. She was so terrified she did it without even thinking.
Luc’s brows were down and a fake smile split his face. Not good.
She swallowed and went on. “To Oblivion, and even my—” She stumbled. She wasn’t Lindsey. “To Brooklyn Dawn, and so many other artists who have gone on to amazing heights of success.”
“It’s an honor for us to present this award tonight. And the nominees are…”
Denver tuned out as her eyes finally adjusted. From the sidelines, she caught a man pushing past tables and skirting around people who were standing to get a better look.
Ryan.
Oh, thank God.
She quickly scanned the tables and edges of the room, but still no sign of Marco.
She had to believe this was far too public for him. That she was safe until she could talk to someone in security.
All that mattered was Ryan’s safety right now.
