Manhandled: A Rockstar Romantic Comedy (Hammered Book 2) (19 page)

T
he next few
weeks were a whirlwind. We toured up the east coast and there wasn’t a peep out of my would-be stalker. The podcast was a success. I’d tapped every source I had in Ripper Records.

Jazz Duffy had spent the last week with me doing a nightly hangout online. We broke the internet twice. Our podcast was lighting up YouTube and iTunes. We even added it to our band site as a new feature.

It was honestly the only thing that kept me from going insane. I tried to get Quinn to take me out to a few shows on our days off—anything to kill the monotony, but he was holding firm.

He didn’t want to take any chances. The warden was definitely in full effect. He was constantly on the computer or his phone. His eyes were tired, and his mood was mercurial at best.

Every time I caught him talking to Lucy, I knew it was going to be one of the nights I left him alone. Their hacker wonder girl was getting just as frustrated as Quinn. She couldn’t find a digital footprint anywhere for the packages. And I hadn’t gotten one yet for the end of September. We were already into the first week of October.

Each night we came together in a clash of sweat and soul bleeding passion. The more impatient and frustrated he was, the more times he looked for me in the night. I had a feeling tonight would leave me in an exhausted heap by morning.

I couldn’t say I minded it, but I couldn’t get him to talk anything through. He said it was because he didn’t have news to share, but I had a feeling it was more than that.

I rolled across the bed, flicking through my phone to find anything to entertain me tonight. Another night trapped in the hotel room, waiting for Quinn to finally close his computer.

Owen and Zach had escaped to an amusement park since we were outside of New Jersey. We had two days in the refurbished Giants stadium. The only problem was we had a night off in between.

Everyone was gone, doing something fun and I was under hotel arrest. I rolled onto my stomach and flipped open my laptop. I tabbed through our YouTube comments and answered a few questions, ignored the trolls, and created a poll on our Facebook page.

The watery clunk of a Skype call notification made me perk up. I hit the accept button and grinned as Devon’s face filled the screen. “What’s up, slut?”

“Hi, Dev.” I smiled automatically at her greeting, then glanced up at the time stamp. Even by Pacific time standards it was way past her bedtime. “What are you doing up so late?” Devon was one of those freaks that actually liked the daytime.

“Let me ask you a question.”

“Okay. Shoot.”

“First of all—does Quinn’s boss grow these bodyguard dudes especially fine or something?”

I laughed. “Not that I’m aware of.”

“Well, you know I’m kinda the way station for these guys. Like they cut their teeth on little ole me.”

A prick of guilt settled between my shoulders. “I know you’ve had a lot of different guys in the house. I’m sorry about that.’

She shook her head. “Oh, no—it’s awesome. As I said, the eyecandy is obscene. Like the guy that’s staying with me this week? Holy Thor. The dude is huge and built like a god.”

“Did you get him to sit for a sketch?”

“No. But good plan.” Her green eyes sparkled. “I like it.”

I snickered.

“Okay, so then I kinda forgot to get the mail this week. I was hip deep in this huge triptych painting of the Cliffs of Moor.”

“Can I see?”

“When it’s done.”

“Meh. You suck.”

“No, I believe it’s you that sucks. Are you bored or something? Figure you’re going to drive me crazy with catalogues. You’re killing a lot of trees.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I swung my feet up as I rolled onto my stomach.”

Devon reached off camera. “What the hell is this?” She fanned out a dozen catalogues in front of the lens. She peeked around the thick electronics catalogue with a quirked eyebrow. “Since when did you even know what to do with a motherboard, let alone how to build one from scratch.” She flipped through them. “And man, do you really need toys like this?” She held up a leather bondage magazine.

“I did not order those.” I leaned forward. “Is this a gimp mask?”

“Yeah. It’s scary. There’s stuff in this magazine that actually makes me want to burn it. Like bonfire on the deck burn it.”

“I swear I didn’t do that.” I tickle of unease grew in my stomach. “Did you get anything else from Frances the Fan?”

“Actually, no. Which is weird since it’s already the third.”

“One sec.” I rolled off the bed and padded to the door. “Warden?”

He looked over his shoulder. “I’m in the middle—” He stood up. “What happened.”

I nibbled on my lower lip. “It might be nothing.”

“Trust your instincts.”

I went back into our bedroom and came back with my laptop. I set it on his desk. “Dev? Is your Roth guy there?”

“Yeah.” Her eyes went from playful to hesitant. “Well, crap.” She propped her head on her hand.

I gave Quinn a quick recap, with a few extra embellishments from Devon, and his jaw tightened with every word. “Devon, can you—”

“Already on it.” She disappeared from the screen.

“How many days has this been happening?”

I shrugged. “Devon got in artist mode, but since it’s the third, I’d bet money they started right around the end of the month.”

He picked up his phone and I lost him to Aidan, Lucy, and some other tech person that was forever mining my sites for some elusive data that I didn’t understand.

The rest of the night was lost to hacker talk and speculation. They were checking the labels on the magazines to figure out if they were requested online or by some other service.

It seemed to be a mix of different ways. Some right in store—like the scary dominatrix stuff—and some through regular mailing list signups on websites. It caused a flurry of actions for the next few days.

I focused on the shows and tried to keep a lid on the hope that something was actually happening to end this friggin’ nightmare. But as with everything else it seemed to be a dead end.

We had ten dates left on the tour and the first blast of cool night air was putting a damper on the lawn tickets for the Saratoga New York show. But New Yorkers seemed to be a hearty bunch.

Personally, I was ready for a parka. I rubbed my hands together and held them over the radiator in our room. Quinn was checking the rear of the hotel. We’d decided to stay in downtown Saratoga in one of the older mansions that had been converted.

He was being really weird tonight. Distracted, and on his phone even more than usual. Usually he didn’t care when I listened in about what was going on with the stalker, but he kept shooing me away.

I was ready to kick his ass.

I peeked out the window at the busy main street. People were walking around in hoodies and lightweight jackets. There was so much greenery around even in October. Huge oak trees that weren’t quite changed over, dogs on leashes everywhere, and shop owners even had water stations out for them. The town actually looked like a postcard.

I turned to the knock on the door.

“Keys?”

I crossed to open the door. Owen stood in the doorway, decked out in denim, leather, and his bling. “What are you doing here? I thought you were going to the Racino for some concert.”

“Aye. Fuckin’ Gin Blossoms. I didn’t even know they were still together.”

I grinned. “That’ll probably be fun.”

“Right? I wish you were coming. I miss my concert buddy.”

I let him in. “I know. Believe me, I’m jonesing so hard.”

“Quinn sent me up to get you. We’re having dinner in the dining hall. They put together some spread for us.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Evidently this is kind of their off season. Horse racing or some shit.”

I frowned. “Yeah. Quinn mentioned something about that. I think his folks might live around here.”

“Huh. That’s why he seemed to know everything about the area. I never know if it’s just because he’s playing super-bodyguard or if he actually has been to these places.”

I crossed my arms and tucked my cold fingers into the warm pockets I’d made. “Tell me about it.”

“Are you wearing that?”

I looked down at my jeans and Supernatural sweatshirt. “Is dinner formal?”

“Everyone’s all fancy.” He shot his French cuffs. “See? Fancy.”

I rolled my eyes. “Give me five.”

I ducked into the bathroom and put on some quick makeup, exchanged my sweatshirt for an Aerosmith T-shirt, red flannel, and my heavy leather jacket. I swapped out my Chucks for a pair of black knee-high boots with a wedge.

“Better?”

“Damn, girl. I wish all women got ready like you did. Especially with those results.” He whistled.

I punched him in the arm. “Behave.”

He draped his arm over my shoulder. “Where’s the fun in that?”

I was so tired of being safe. And even more tired of not having fun. Maybe the band getting together for dinner would put me in a better mood.

We met Wyatt and Hunter in the hall. “Guess it must be some spread tonight if we even got you to stick around, Wyatt.”

“I’m escaping to the speedway, actually. I didn’t realize they had one near here.” He swapped out his suit for dark jeans and a thermal shirt and heavy flannel.

“Guess we’re all going to be busy tonight,” I said. I left out the “except me” so no one would feel sorry for me.

We walked down the staircase to what used to be a grand ballroom. The floors gleamed, and sconces were lit. There was a banquet table set up and the rest of the crew and band were settled in. I looked around for Quinn, but didn’t see him.

I raided the plate of rolls and dished up a bowl of stew from the huge iron pot. I wandered over to the table and picked at it as everyone laughed and talked around me. The hostess of the hotel was bustling around completely charmed by my guys.

I knew they were hoping for special treatment and food—con artists all of them.

“Faith.”

I turned, a crusty wedge of bread halfway to my mouth. I dropped it into the gravy. Whoa. I put down my bowl and picked up my napkin. Wasn’t sure if I’d need it for the food or drool.

Quinn stood at the edge of the dining room in heavy cargos with a wide belt with a chain wallet. He wore thick motorcycle boots and a heavy leather jacket that made his wide shoulders look even more massive. He wore a gray thermal shirt under the jacket with a silver chain winking from his neck.

Yeah, it was probably drool.

I stood up. “Wow.”

He held up his hand, a black helmet outstretched to me. “Want to go for a ride?”

“Holy crap, yes.” I crossed the room and snatched the helmet from him. “Is this what I think it is.”

“Thought I’d show you around. You’ve been cooped up for weeks.”

I grabbed him by the heavily zippered lapels of his jacket and dragged him down to kiss him. “We’re going out.”

He nodded. “We’re going out.”

I looked over my shoulder and saw the thumbs up from Owen. I grinned at him and did a little dance around in a circle.

I
clasped
her hand in mine, and drew her out the back. My nerves were quadrupling in my chest. Taking her to my folks’ farm, and then to a concert seemed like a huge gamble. I’d had her on complete lockdown for weeks. Nothing. Not even anything to go on with the crazy array of catalogues that had started coming to her house.

They made me uneasy, but I didn’t know if they were something to truly worry about. I couldn’t figure out this woman’s game. I was convinced it was the same woman that had tried to take Faith at Hunter’s wedding. I had shit for proof, but it just seemed way too coincidental.

But tonight, I just needed to let us be us.

I didn’t know what was going to happen after the tour. I wouldn’t leave her side, but I couldn’t keep up this double life crap either. She was far too important to me for that.

Important enough that I was going to show her where I came from.

Her mouth dropped open when she saw my bike. “Are you kidding me?”

“I had one of the hands drive it in from my folks place.”

“You keep this at your parent’s farm?”

I shrugged. “Not really something I can take with me when I’m living on the estates of my clients. Nor do I really have time to ride.” I pulled her in front of me and took the helmet. “But I think we need some fun. I don’t know if meeting my parents is fun or not, but if you wa—”

“Yes.” I set it on her head and pushed down. Her blue eyes were huge. “All the way yes. I gotta see where you come from.”

“It’s not that impressive.” I cinched her chin-strap.

“Don’t care.”

I flipped her visor down. “Here we go.” I got on the bike and kicked up the stand. I put on my helmet and groaned when she slid on behind me. “Been on a bike before?”

“Oh, yeah. Plenty.” She hugged my middle tightly. “Fast. Go very fast.”

I pulled onto the main drag and went north. The lanes narrowed to two, and the wind pulled at me. I hit the throttle and we tore down the winding roads.

She screeched behind me and held on. I heard her laugh and it was one of the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard. She laughed so easily that it was very apparent when she wasn’t happy. And I knew the last few weeks had been hard to bear.

The sun slipped behind the hills as we came upon my parents’ farm. The horses were being led in before dark, but I’d timed it so she could at least see them from afar.

Her nails dug into my belly as we slowed and puttered to a stop at the main barn.

She tore off her helmet and her huge blue eyes were dazzled. “What was that about not impressive?”

I took her helmet with a laugh. “By Saratoga standards, we’re small potatoes.” I waved to the hands corralling the quarter horses.

“This is awesome.” She turned around, her gaze eating up everything.

I took her hand. “We don’t have much time to stay.”

“Aww, why?” Her eyebrows lowered. “We don’t have to be back right away. This is probably the safest place ever.”

“You’re right. So I should kill the surprise.”

“This isn’t my surprise?”

“Nope.”

Her grin spread. “Now, I’m even more intrigued.”

I followed the path to the main house and up the stairs. I’d only given my mother a few hours’ head start. When I opened the door, I took in a deep breath. “Bless her. I figured she’d cook my favorite if I mentioned I was coming in.”

She tipped her head sniffing the air. “Are those peaches?”

“My mom makes the best peach cobbler ever.”

“Quinn?”

I took a deep breath and brought Faith through the kitchen door. “Hi, Ma.”

“Oh, it’s been so long.” She rushed over to me and folded me into her arms. She smelled like the outdoors and violets, just like always. “You did not warn me there was company.” She looked around the house. “I could murder you.”

I grinned. “I didn’t want you to go to any trouble.”

“You don’t bring girls home.”

Faith wound her arm into mine. “Yeah well, he didn’t give me any warning that I was going to meet his mom.” She held her hand out. “We’re even. I’m Faith Keystone.”

“What a pretty name. Ellis!” She called over her shoulder. Then turned back to Faith. “I’m Maggie Alexander.”

“Cripes, Maggz. I’m in the living room, not the barn.” My dad came into the room. “Q Ball.”

Faith looked up at me. “Q Ball?”

I gave my dad a look. “Thanks, Dad.”

He shrugged and hauled me in for a hug. “I can’t help it if you decided it was a good idea to play pool shark with the guys.” My dad looked down at Faith. “He swindled all of them. They came to the farm and held him down, shaved his head. It was dead of winter and he was white as hell.”

Her lips quirked up. “Q Ball indeed.”

“Now that we got the embarrassing stories out of the way. Faith this is my dad, Ellis.”

“Pleased to meet a pretty girl.” My dad took her hand and settled her at the table. “Now, we need to know all about you.”

I tried not to sink into the floorboards as my parents threw me under the bus left and right. At least my sister was overseas or she’d be doing it far worse. At least I got peach cobbler out of the deal.

While my father was telling her more embarrassing stories I cleared the table and went into the kitchen to help clean up. My mother was elbows deep in suds when I came in with another stack.

“She’s amazing, Quinn.”

“Yeah. She really is.”

She scrubbed a plate and spared me a glance. “Is she the girl you’ve been protecting?”

I slipped the pile of dishes into the sink and lightly pushed my mom to the side. “You can dry.”

“I’ll take it. I always have to dishes,” she said with a smile and picked up a towel.

“She’s Noah’s friend.”

My mom frowned. “What kind of friend?”

“Ma. I’m not dumb enough to go there.”

“Not again?”

“You know it wasn’t like that with Lissa.”

“But it is with this girl?”

“I’m friggin’ terrified.”

She tipped her head back and laughed. “Oh, took you long enough.”

“This isn’t good. Being involved with a client is bad enough, but…”
Being in love with her was far, far worse.

“It was bound to happen sometime. You don’t get to see anyone else but clients.”

“Yeah, well, it’s very ill advised. Aidan’s going to skin me alive. And Noah? Christ—pardon, mom.”

She inclined her head. “It’s all right.”

“This girl is family to Noah. I can’t let anything happen to her. Not like last time.”

“That wasn’t your fault, and you know it.”

I fished around for another plate and scrubbed it until it squeaked. “I know. I just can’t get clear of it.” I gripped the side of the sink. I woke every night in a cold sweat, reaching for her. I had to be inside her and around her just to remind myself she was safe and there with me.

The end of the tour was barreling at us like a runaway train, and I was no closer to an answer about anything. How I was going to protect her, how I was going to figure out who this girl was, and how the hell I was going to tell Faith how I felt.

My mom gripped my arm. “It’s scary to love someone even when it’s just a normal relationship. I was the same with your father. I didn’t know if I wanted to spend my life on a horse farm in the middle of nowhere. The first year we got married we had the worst winter in the northeast. We lost three of our horses, and almost lost the whole damn place.”

I looked down at her. “I didn’t know that.”

“Of course not. It was our problem to deal with long before you and your sister came along. The important part of that story is that we all have tough times. Maybe this is yours.”

“She’s pretty headstrong.”

“Good. You won’t roll over her like a freaking bulldozer.”

“Gee thanks.”

“You’re a very forthright young man.”

“Is that the nice way of saying pigheaded and stubborn?”

“Don’t forget blunt.”

I laughed and kissed her temple. “Thanks, Ma. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to figure this out, but I’m glad I stopped in to talk.”

“Me too.” She set a plate into the cabinet. “You’ll make me very pretty grand babies.”

“Oh, God.” I didn’t really want to go there. I couldn’t go there.

“Can I help?”

I spun around to find Faith in the doorway. How long had she been there? I cleared my throat and took the last plate out of the suds and rinsed it. “All done. Besides, we have to get going to the concert.”

“Concert?”

“My bad, didn’t I mention we were going to a show tonight?”

Her eyes lit up. “Are we going with guys to Gin Blossoms?”

“No.”

“Oh. Who are we going to see?” She came further into the room. “Who?” She dug into my ribs and I couldn’t defend myself.

“Hey!”

My mother laughed as she dragged me away from the sink and shook me. “Tell me!”

“It’s a surprise.”

She glanced at my mom. “Your son is a masochist.”

“You got him to willingly go to a concert. That’s more than his sister could do.”

“My sister likes terrible music. At least Faith has eclectic taste.” I usually liked every third band, but she didn’t need to know that.

Faith squinted at me. “When are we leaving?”

I laughed. “I guess we’re going now.”

“I mean…” Faith turned to my mother. “I’m having a great time. We could totally skip the concert.”

If I didn’t love her before, I would have after that statement. I hooked my arm around her neck and dragged her into my chest. “We’ll come back and see them again.”

Faith beamed up at me. “Yes, we will.”