AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ocean
“Are you hanging in there?” Beth leans in close, so I can hear her over the roar of the crowd. Since we left the West Coast, things have been a blur. A very calculated blur. I’ve never felt so secure in my performance or in my securities’ ability to keep me safe. I’ve been diligent in following every order and every plan that Ezra hands me. My staff has felt the difference too, which only proves my theory that Uncle Cliff has no idea what he is doing. If I had continued blindly following him, I can’t imagine what would have happened. Or how I would have ended up being more than just a client to BNE. Any violations and they pretty much own me as a repercussion. Something I didn’t want to believe but was starting to think was what Booker Townsend wanted.
“I’m great,” I tell Beth, taking a quick gulp of water, while people wrap around me, fixing my costume change.
I know I have four songs left and then I’ll be exiting stage right with Theo, and after that, I need to be to Ezra in twenty seconds. The end is near and as much as I love this crowdtonight, I am looking forward to a week off until the next performance. Beth waves me to go and stands next to me until I get to my platform. I’m raised to the stage above and the show continues.
Right as I hit my last notes for the night, the crowd is deafening. They’ve been singing along with me all night. I hope Ezra thinks this show was as successful as it feels. I wave toward the side stage and that's when I notice a commotion in the wings near my exit. One of my dancers glances at me and I see the way her eyes round. My heart races and I fight to keep the smile on my face. My eyes scan the area for Ezra, while I keep waving and smiling at the crowd. The lights are dimming and that is my cue to move, but I can’t find Ezra. I don’t know if something is wrong or not. He’d want me to keep to his plan though; I feel that in my core he would stress not deviating from his plans.
With a final wave to the crowd, I half skip and half run off the side stage and come face to face with a nightmare I wasn’t expecting. It is absolute chaos. Somewhere the security broke and the area is crowded with fans and paparazzi. Flashes from the cameras practically blind me and I almost stumble toward the only available person there which is not Theo. Someone grabs my arm to usher me through the space. Hands grab at my skirt, my body, my hair while the screaming and yelling of my name goes on. The security guard at my front comes to a standstill in the middle of the crowd, trying to defend me while also getting me to where I am supposed to be. I can feel my time ticking down in my head. He has to be here soon, right? He has to know what is happening? All the air in the room feels like it's being sucked out and I’m fighting to keep a smile on my face when all I really want to do is break down and cry, but I refuse for that to be posted on any gossip sites again.
Suddenly, the crowd starts to disperse. I peer around my guard and notice a crew of Ezra’s private security has arrivedand they’re pushing the crowd back, so I can get through to him. Because Ezra is here. He finds me through the chaos and the flashing lights. The intensity in his eyes is enough to buckle my knees in relief. I keep my gaze on him while he barks orders at his security guards on how to gain control of the crowd. I’m amazed by his calmness and the authoritative way he handles the situation.
He reaches for my hand the minute my guard has me within reach and I go to him willingly, my hand sliding into his. He holds on tight and maneuvers me into his side as we walk down the crowded hallway. Usually the hallway isn’t this crowded, but I’m assuming he’s taking extra precautions.
“Beth,” he calls her name, and she quickly throws on my warm up jacket and pulls it up around her head. She sets off in another direction with guards, hoping to make people believe it’s me.
Ezra shoves open a different room than my previous dressing space and follows me in. Only one guard steps in with us. He stands at the door, arms crossed in front of his body. For the first time in minutes, I feel like I can breathe again. This is what Ezra does for me. He makes it so I can thrive.
He sweeps his hands through his hair; the longer locks look messy. I notice now that the top buttons on his collar shirt are undone and gone is his usual vest or suit jacket. This is the least put together I’ve seen him since we started this tour. He takes a few deep breaths while I sit and try to stop my hands from shaking.
“Are you okay?” He finally speaks. I raise my head and find him watching me intently. I manage to nod my head yes. “Someone came to Theo and told him I said to go meet with your uncle.”
His voice is hushed; his words send shivers down my spine. “Who?”
He shakes his head, his hair falling down over his brow. “It was one of my guys, but he said he got a phone call from BNE. The shift in security allowed the formation to break. I’m sorry, Ocean.”
“You couldn’t have foreseen that,” I rush to reassure him, my head shaking in denial. “The plan was flawless. We need to find out who made that call and I want them fired.”
Ezra’s steely eyes jump to mine. He stands straighter in front of me. A spark of the respect that has been growing between us flares to life. “It's my first priority once we get you out of here safely.”
I get to my feet and manage to stand before him without swaying on my shaky legs. “I trust you, Ezra. You came for me. You saved me before it got worse.”
His throat bobs and he looks to the guard quickly before looking back at me. “What do you think? Of course I would get to you.”
A smile cracks on my lips and a small giggle escapes. “Of course.”
He sighs and his hand reaches out for mine. He tugs me into his arms, catching me lightly about the waist. I feel his chin rest on top of my head and realize we’re hugging.
“Are we friends now?” I ask him, my voice caught between joking but also being serious.
He sighs and his grip on me tightens before pulling away. “Allies. Friends. I’ll always protect you.”
“I know,” I tell him, this time letting the sincerity in my tone push through.
“Boss, they’re in position,” the guard in the room announces. Ezra’s arms fall away from me and with them his warmth. The room feels chilled once again and I realize how badly I just want to get to my hotel. I want to take a bubble bath then sleep for twelve hours straight.
I take the extra jacket that is handed to me and follow Ezra to the door. The guard opens it, glancing left to right before motioning us out. The hallway is completely empty now. Ezra leads me in the opposite direction we came from to a different exit door. Once we get out of the dimly lit tunnel, more of his security files in around us; yet, he never drops his arm from around my back. I keep my face void of emotion and remind myself to appear relaxed. On the off chance any cameras are hidden, I do not want the paparazzi to know how badly they flustered me. I don’t want whoever orchestrated this to see how on edge I am or how unsafe I felt before Ezra found me.
We make it to the car and I gulp in air. Arms reach out, wrapping around my shoulders, and Beth’s familiar scent and material of her jacket engulf me. “I’m so sorry, Ocean. I have no idea what happened. Theo is beside himself.”
“Where is he?” I ask, looking to the front of the car where he is usually stationed, but I only recognize Ezra and his driver.
“He’s being questioned at the hotel,” Ezra answers, his words stiff. Tension leaks into the small space of the car cab.
“You said he was told to change the plan.”
Ezra doesn’t move. Beth’s frame goes still and her face looks pained. “He shouldn’t have moved if the alert didn’t come from Mr. Hamilton.”
