AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Van nodded. “Just be patient with me. I may be older, but as far as this goes, you’re the wiser one.”
“Said no one, ever.” I chuckled, trying to ease the tension.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to spoil the mood.”
“You didn’t. And we have to talk about this. You’re being honest, and I love that about you. I don’t ever want you to hold anything back.”
Van leaned over and took my lips in a slow kiss.
“You ready to get back to work?”
“I’m ready to write a hit song.”
“Let’s do it.”
We’d just started brainstorming the lyrics when Dawson appeared at the door.
I waved him in.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted you to know that there’s a van parked near the gate, and it’s been sitting there for an hour. It’s a pap. I spotted a professional camera with a telephoto lens. I don’t know how the fuck they found us. I called Regan. She’s sending more team members up here, just in case.”
“Jesus Christ, can I go, like, a week without having to deal with the press following me? I get that I signed up for this life, but come on. I just want a month off.”
Dawson sat down beside me. “I’m sorry, Brodie. We were careful. No one followed us from the airport, and it was a private flight. I don’t know how they found us.”
“It’s not your fault, Daws, and I’m not blaming you.” I sighed. “What about my family? My parents and my sister are nearby. I don’t want them being harassed.”
“We’ll place one team member each with your parents and your sister, respectively, if need be.”
Van grabbed his phone. “I’m going to make a phone call. I’ll be right back.”
* * *
VAN
I stood on the patio as the sea mist sprayed my face and thanked God for that. I needed something to cool my temper down.
My good mood from earlier had all but vanished.
What started out as the perfect day—mind-blowing morning sex with Brodie followed by a songwriting session—was now marred by concerns that our privacy was about to be breached.
I tapped my phone and waited.
“What’s up, Van?” Greg answered.
“Someone leaked word to the press that Brodie and I are in Rhode Island, and I want to know who. We’ve got a pap camped just outside his gate. Now Regan has to send more team members up here for us and for Brodie’s family.”
“That’s unfortunate, but these things happen,” Greg replied.
“That’s all you have to say? Are you serious?” I yelled.
I should’ve been more careful about how I spoke to my boss, but I was fuming.
“This is the business we’re in, remember? It’s nothing new, so calm the fuck down,” Greg snapped back. “They probably followed you from the airport.”
He was completely ignoring my suggestion that our location was leaked, and my gut began to churn.
“There was someone in Nashville taking pictures when we left. We took a private charter. And no one followed us when we arrived here.”
