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Slowly, Avalynn raised her head. “This isn’t how I pictured my career ending. I always thought I’d be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in my golden years and then quietly retire someplace warm surrounded by the love of a good husband and a big family who got to live well on my legacy. Now I’m looking at fleeing the public eye for the rest of my days, changing my hair color and pretending that isn’t me singing that song on the radio!”
Heidi rested a hand on her arm, but Avalynn didn’t want comfort. She was mad.
Angry, even. And she wasneverangry.
Actually, “pissed off” was the term she’d use, and she didn’t cuss.
She shifted her gaze to Julius. He stood with his legs braced apart and his arms folded over his broad chest. His thick arms threatened to pop the threads of his shirt sleeves, but the blazing anger in his eyes was what she needed right now.
An avenging angel—or bodyguard, in this case. Someone to stand with her and fight. Or at the very least, fight against her PR team’s decision to end the tour or post comments that would only spur more attacks.
Avalynn pressed her hand over her mouth and listened to the group who cared about her career trying to salvage what was left of it.
“Avalynn, what doyouwant to do?” Julius seemed to be the only voice of reason in this dark grave she’d fallen into.
She shook her head. “My reputation is wholesome. Everyone wants their daughter to grow up to be the girl next door—my persona.”
He gave her a single nod. “Go with no comment. No more discussion on the matter.”
“I’m on it!” Lana’s thumbs flew over her phone screen as she made the social post that the world would either read firsthand or hear about from anybody who did.
After a minute, Lana lowered her phone, a triumphant smile on her face. “There. This will buy us time.”
Damon slumped lower in his seat. Freddy crossed the room to fix himself some coffee. He probably needed to calm his nerves. Heidi and Lana spoke quietly, putting their heads together about what the next move would be.
And Julius and Avalynn locked gazes for a long moment. The connection severed only when his phone buzzed.
“Turn on the TV,” he read aloud. “Goddammit.”
Her stomach plummeted as he stalked across the room and grabbed the remote. After flipping through a few channels, he landed on one and cranked the volume.
A pretty redhead in a power suit stood at a podium, addressing a group of reporters. Camera flashes lit her pale complexion so constantly that Avalynn had to wonder just how big the crowd was.
“Damn, it’s Lark.” Julius stared at the screen. He spoke quietly, but he stood close enough to Avalynn that she heard it.
The woman on TV spoke with confidence. “What happened to Avalynn Ray is a federal crime. The FBI can’t reveal too much, but we can tell you that there is an ongoing investigation involving a similar matter that we believe to be related. The person responsible will be facing charges and when they’re found, will be prosecuted under the stiffest penalties of federal law.”
Avalynn was so busy staring at the TV that at first she didn’t realize that Julius had crouched in front of her. His eyes were on the same plane as hers.
“Avalynn. That list of men you’ve dated that you gave us previously…is there any chance at all that you forgot someone?”
She shook her head.
“Now that you’ve seen that guy on the tape, is anything at all familiar?”
“No.”
“There were only seven guys on that list.”
She sank into the safe cocoon of his warm brown gaze. “I don’t date a lot. My body count is even lower. I just don’t sleep around.”
His stare pinned her to the sofa for an endless heartbeat. Then he finally nodded and pushed to his feet. “We’re going to get this guy. I swear it to you.”
What her bodyguard didn’t say but she heard loud and clear: “This is personal.”
ChapterThree
“Check. Check.” Avalynn’s sweet voice carried across the venue.
