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I run my hand over the back of my neck, knowing he’s right. If I get out of this role, I’m going back in with my own company. It's the only way I can work around Booker Townsend and Clifford Heart. I’ll have to leave Ocean until her contract ends on her eighteenth birthday. It might kill me to walk away, but I’ll pull some strings to help her along the way. Once she’s an adult, she can sign with me, and I’ll have her under my control again and in my life.
“Ezra?”
I glance up and find Ocean watching me, her brow raised. Beth is also looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. I never zone out or get lost in my thoughts around her. Ocean’s safety is always a priority. My brain quickly scrambles to remember what they had been talking about.
“Your uncle will get in tonight, late. He’ll be at both shows this weekend. After Sunday’s show we had planned to leave right away, but I think one more night to rest would be good. I’ll debrief everyone during tomorrow’s planning meeting.”
Ocean smiles at me so I must have answered something right. Theo is the only one who I catch some side eye from, but I shrug him off. I just need to get to the hotel, figure out how I’m going to set this plan into motion, and how the hell I’m going to tell Ocean.
Chapter Eight
Ocean
The vibe is wrong tonight. I can feel it, and no matter how much I’m trying to not let it affect my performance, Ezra keeps shooting me looks of concern. I want to slap him with his concern. He’s the reason I’m feeling this way. Ever since Uncle Cliff joined us for the weekend shows, it’s been tense between him and Ezra. Both are being amicable toward each other, but I can sense that something is brewing under the surface.
For the first time since I can remember, I’m actually looking forward to my show ending, so I can get out of here. I need to make Ezra talk to me. I need him to make me feel better about whatever it is that happened. I’m so caught up in my mind, I miss a step but manage to recover before anyone realizes. Or so I thought. Ezra is standing so close to the stage, I collide with him, right as I run back there. His hands land on my waist, keeping me from toppling over. I quickly reach to my back and unplug my mic and battery pack.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his green eyes gleaming emerald as they sweep over me from head to toe. A flush works its way over my exposed skin. I can feel the heat from his hands against my skin and it makes my knees weak. I fight the urge to press my thighs together. Why does he have to be so devastatingly handsome?
All I can do is nod my head, and when I stand straighter, he lets go of the grip he has on my waist. I hate it the minute his hands aren’t on me anymore. It’s not right, and I’m probably sick in the head for wanting him, but I can’t help it. If I had to pick out my dream guy, it would be Ezra. Anytime I’m asked about my dating life, I want to answer that regular guys my age don’t cut it for me. I want my broody, overbearing, protective, dangerous, too old for me handler. Somehow I think that would get me plastered all over the tabloids again and not in a good way. The one thing Ezra has been protecting me from is bad publicity, but I’m willing to invite it in if it means I could have him.
“What happened tonight? You missed a few beats and almost exited the stage wrong before the acapella sequence.” He talks close enough so only I can hear him while ushering me down the hallway to my dressing room.
“You’re what happened,” I snap at him, another first. His face switches from shock to anger to another look that I swear I would say is smoldering, except that there is no way he would look at me that way. Frustrated with my own thoughts and feelings, I keep lashing out. “Despite how smart you think you are, I can tell there’s something wrong. The whole day hasn’t felt right and it’s all I can think about.”
His eyes narrow, and he spins me to face him, right outside my door. My back hits the door with a soft thump and a thrill shoots through my core. Ezra towers over me, his stanceprotective. He uses his two fingers to lift my chin, so I’m forced to meet his stare.
“I’m not trying to make this difficult for you. I do have something to tell you later, but it’s fine. There isn’t anything to worry about.”
My shoulders relax and curve in. I wrap my arms around my waist. “You promise?”
“Have I ever lied to you?” His head cocks to the side. I get lost in his eyes and the truth shining in them. No, he’s never lied to me or let me down. I shake my head.
“Okay. Now that we have that cleared up. Go get dressed, then we need to leave for the hotel.” His hand slips behind me and my dressing room door opens.
“Got it, boss.” I smirk at him before ducking into the dressing room. Once the door shuts behind me, I have a chance to kick myself. Of course Ezra wouldn’t miss any of my changes in moods. I will die of embarrassment though if he finds out how I feel about him. That I think about him all the time. That I love him.
I quickly change into my leggings and baggy t-shirt before pulling my black sweatshirt over the top. I wipe my makeup off the best I can for now and wrap my hair up in a ponytail. I can’t wait to get to my hotel room and shower and sleep.
Ezra is still in the hallway when I’m done, only now Kyle has joined us. Everything is on track as they lead me out of the back tunnel and into the underground parking space. Beth is waiting by the SUV and we all get in. The car is silent, and again, I have this sinking feeling in my stomach.
“Cliff made it to the hotel.” Kyle looks up from his phone, speaking to Ezra. Ezra’s emotions cool and his eyes flash. I glance between the two men, but they avoid my gaze.
When we pull up to the hotel, the first thing I notice is the flashing red and blue lights on a cop car.
“What the fuck?” Ezra growls, sitting up further in his seat. “Go and park around back,” he instructs, and we keep moving.
Kyle keeps scrolling on his phone and shows Ezra. “He didn’t mention anything about this.”
Ezra takes the phone and reads through Kyle’s conversation with my uncle. “Let's be alert when we go in.” He looks at all of us and we nod, complete silence surrounds us.
I get out of the vehicle and am automatically surrounded. Ezra and Kyle at my front and Beth at my back. Without any issues, we make it to the elevators and on our way up to the private penthouse floor. The minute the door opens, the first thing I see is a flash in my face. I drop my head and brace myself as Ezra and Kyle manage to move us through to the door. My hotel door is propped open and uniformed officers are stationed outside and inside of it.
“Who the hell let reporters up here? Get them off this floor!” Ezra commands and his security jumps away from the officers talking to them. They start herding people toward the elevators.
Ezra and Kyle are pulled in by an officer in plain clothes with a clipboard. Whatever has happened has caused Ezra’s face to turn to stone. Anger flares in his eyes and is directed at every person in the room.
Beth is standing next to me when my uncle walks over. His pale face looks sweaty and his hands are shoved deep in his pockets.
