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The only time—only time—she wasn’t looking over her shoulder was when she was on stage. She was able to relax at Cerberus, only because she knew the people who worked there would protect her, but then they’d know her secret. She didn’t want that. It was only at Cerberus and the Majestic that she felt as if maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to reclaim her life and be happy again. Happy? She’d be happy if she managed to get to a place of normalcy and at peace. A life without fear—was that too much to ask for?
Alicia could see the moment Brock took charge. Of course, he would take charge—he was a Dom.
“Bobby, you need to get back to the band and keep the show going. Scarlett, can you get Sonata a glass of water and maybe a little snack?” Bobby and Scarlett scurried away to do his bidding. “Dewey, make sure the bouncers know to keep a sharp eye out…”
“Why?” asked Dewey. “Who are you, and what do you know?”
Dewey was trying to take over; he didn’t have a prayer. Alicia had seen the way other men gave way to Brock’s leadership.
“Brock Wickersham, Cerberus. What I know,” Brock said, lowering his voice, “is some guy out in the audience knows Sonata’s real name. I’m worried he may be some kind of obsessed fan.”
Dewey paled and then nodded. “Sorry. I didn’t recognize you.”
Brock smiled and extended his hand. “No need for you to know. I’m the only one here and I may need you and your team’s assistance. Can I count on you, Dewey?”
Alicia knew that the Cerberus team was respected and admired, not just in Chicago or the United Kingdom, but worldwide. They were known for their tenacity and ability to get the job done.
Dewey took Brock’s hand and shook it. “You bet you can. My guys and I are at your service.”
“Any chance you have security footage that records who comes and goes?”
“We offer our patrons anonymity…”
“We do the same, although we call it confidentiality, but we record when they enter or leave our premises. That’s standard security measures, and what your clients don’t know won’t hurt them.”
Alicia would have bet money Brock wouldn’t be any good at ‘wink-wink-Bob’s your uncle,’ but she’d have been wrong.
“I’ll get you what I can,” Dewey assured him.
“Good man.” Dewey hurried off; Brock crossed his muscular arms across his chest and scowled. “Let’s try again. I think you and I need to have a little talk, but for now, let me assure you, the man who called to you has left the building. I watched him go. Talk to me, Alicia. You can’t possibly think we wouldn’t protect you. Whatever it is, Cerberus can handle it. You’ve seen the debriefing reports. You know what we’re capable of.”
Alicia did know, and a part of her relaxed, but only fractionally before her entire being tensed again. She wanted to cry but wasn’t sure if it was from fear or outrage. She had done nothing to deserve this bullshit and now after starting to find her footing again and create a life, she was going to have to leave—not just the Majestic, not just Chicago, but Cerberus and Brock.
“I’m fine, Brock,” she protested weakly as she tried to swing her legs over the side of the fainting couch they kept in the back. She could feel herself swaying; Brock’s arms took hold of hers and steadied her.
“I don’t think so, little girl,” he rumbled in a voice she’d heard him use on subs to great effect.
“No, really. I don’t want to bother you.”
“It’s not a bother.”
“You should finish watching the show.”
“I didn’t come for the show, Alicia, and you know it. Since you’ve convinced your friends you haven’t eaten, and I know for a fact you didn’t have dinner…”
“You don’t know that. I could have had something back here.”
He folded his arms again. She wondered if he had any idea how that made her insides squirm, especially her nether regions. To say she found Brock ridiculously sexy was the understatement of the century. He arched his eyebrow and she gulped.
“Okay, so maybe I didn’t.” Alicia knew she needed to give Brock some reason for her behavior that would make sense to him, but allow her to slip back to her apartment, grab her go bag, and leave. “Look, Brock, the guy in the audience is a guy I used to know before I came to Chicago. He saw me do a routine in St. Louis, and now he’s a little obsessed. When I found out Cerberus was looking for someone, I applied, got hired, and moved. I thought the problem was solved. I’ll give him a call. If it’s an issue, I’ll let Seth know.”
It wasn’t the truth, but it was the best she could think of on the spur of the moment. It was also close enough to the truth that she figured while Brock and the others might ask a few questions, they’d let it go.
“You’re lying, or at least not telling me the whole truth, but you will before it’s over. As I said, since you didn’t have dinner, I’m going to take you to a nice little diner. They have great food, and it is absolutely one-hundred percent safe. Dewey?”
“Sir?” answered Dewey as he scrambled backstage.
“I’m taking Sonata out of here. We’re going to go have dinner. Cerberus is putting her under our protection. I hope I can rely on you for any assistance we might need from the Majestic.”
