Front & Center (Book 2 of the Back-Up Series) (20 page)

Leila nods thoughtfully. “What do you think he really wants?”

I sigh from her question.
I don’t want to scare her, but she needs to know what he is capable of. “I texted him yesterday. I basically asked him that exact question.”

“Did he
respond?”

“Not yet. Knowing Danny,
he’s watching our success carefully. After we fired him, news spread through the bar scene. I know he hasn’t hooked up with another band since then. He got involved with a scary crowd. Last I heard, before this mess, he was using and dealing. That’s probably how he makes his money.”

“Can’t we use that to get him arrested or something?”

“He’d have to be caught in the act, or carrying. Does Ace know any cops who could trail him around the city?”

“Not sure. But I’ll definitely tell him he is involved in that.”

“It wouldn’t hurt.” I take her hand in mine, kissing it gently. “What do you want to do now?”

She raises her eyebrows and looks towards the bed.
“You.”

“
I was hoping you would say that.”



It took a while, but it finally came. Just after our rehearsal in San Francisco, I received a response from Danny.

paranoid
?

I forwarded the text to Oscar, and
he advised not to respond. Coincidentally, Jessa called me an hour later. She was feeling me out, testing the waters. She called to tell me I was having a son. I remained silent on the phone. She asked if I was excited about that. I pretended to be stunned and confused, repeating over and over, “It’s a boy?”

She comforted me. She said she h
opes our son looks just like me and has my musical talent. Truthfully, that part stung. If it truly is my child, I haven’t allowed myself to delve into the reality of having a son. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that Leila would love him as if he were her own. A flash of her holding my son filled my thoughts. But I’m still wracked with thoughts of not wanting this child.

Jessa’s last question had me reeling. “Jack, do you mind if I come out to Vegas to see you?”

“
I really don’t want to see you.”

“I would like to talk to you about the future. Specifically, our child’s future. I don’t want to do it over the phone.”

“Should you be flying?”

“Yes, I’m still allowed to fly.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Jack, there are things we need to hash out. Soon I won’t be able to fly. This is the least you can do for me.”

I shook my head at her audacity. “Least I can do for you? Help me understand why I should do anything for you?”

“Jack, we can do this in a civilized manner, or
not. I need to talk to you, face to face.”

“Fine.”

“I’ll text you the details. How long will you be there?”

“I can meet you the morning of the Eleventh.
That’s your only option.”

“
Ok. Let me know where you’ll be staying.”

“
Nope. I’ll let you know where we can meet. Public place and only on my terms.”

She paused for a second and
then she said, “Whatever.”

I hung up and
emailed Oscar details of my conversation.

Oscar
responded immediately:

I’ll fill Ace in once we get to LA
tomorrow. He did some research on Danny’s financial situation. He’s broke. Not a penny to his name. Your ex isn’t much better. She is carrying a huge amount of debt. Stay tuned.

Oscar and Ace have been introduced via phone conference and are working as a team on investigating Jessa and Danny. Oscar’s boss, Mike Casiano, at *Orion Securities, has been very accommodating in helping to figure out what Danny’s deal is.

If Jessa is
indeed broke, it’s clear why she didn’t argue or refuse my offer to financially support her and the baby. It’s funny how she gave me guilt that the money wasn’t what she wanted or wasn’t enough, though.

But why would she care if Danny
were broke? How does this help him?

Since we left San Francisco, I also
emailed Evan. I sent him a long, heartfelt letter containing an apology and a request to please talk to Anthony. I asked him to fill Anthony in on the details of our situation. I asked Evan to let Anthony know I would be contacting him myself, as soon as I was able to get some privacy. I informed him of plans I’ve made for Vegas, which include he and Lizzy. I ended with a request to Evan that he please not tell Leila about the email, or the details in it.

Evan responded wi
th a short, to the point email. He’s not happy about the secrecy, but he would honor my request. He made it clear he’s only doing it for Leila. I hate keeping things from her, but this time it’s necessary.

We arrived in LA early this morning. After cleaning up and getting dressed, I make my way out to the bus. Oscar
is missing, since he alternates between our bus and Leila’s. Dylan, Will and the roadies are all hanging around having breakfast.

“You guys are so fucking loud
.” I say grumpily, as I make myself a cup of coffee. Sitting at the table, I stare into space for a few minutes. Facing Dylan, I say, “Arrange a rehearsal at one.”

Dylan looks confused. “Why so early?”

Giving him a blank look, I respond, “Isn’t she recording her song with Malcolm today? I want to rehearse without her.”

“Jack
, do you think that’s a good idea?”

“Just do it
, Dylan.” Grabbing my coffee, I head towards the back of the bus. I have an errand to run, and I can’t waste any time just sitting around. A few minutes later, I exit the bus. But not before saying, “I’m going to check out the women in LA.”

“Get up. I’m going to miss my flight.”

“Fuck off. What do you want from me?”

“Do you know what you need to do?”

“Yes. You’ve told me a hundred times.”

“You can’t be high while I’m gone. You can’t screw this up, Danny. I mean it. Make sure you send the picture that’s not blurry.”

“Just leave already.”

“One more thing, when he sees it, he’s going to flip out. Do not respond. He’ll panic when he sees you’ve been following Lizzy. He’ll be putty in my hands. We may not be able to get to his precious girlfriend, but his sister is the next best thing.”

“This better work. I’m fucking sick of all your little schemes. You convinced me to sit back and let you handle it. If I don’t get what I need, I’ll kill you and him.”

“It’ll work.”

Malcolm arranged a cab to pick me up at the arena. While sitting in the back seat, I receive a call from Jack.

“
Hi, babe…good luck.”

“Thank you. I’m nervous about this.”

“Don’t be. You’ll be great. I can’t wait to hear the song. Don’t forget to ask Malcolm for the mp3 downloaded onto your phone.”

“I won’t. I’ll text you when I’m done. Where are you?”

“I have a quick errand to run.”

“
Alone?”

“
I’ll be fine.”

“Jack, please be careful.”

“I will.”

I wish he were here with me. He’d be soothing my stress, calming my nerves, and most likely making out with me in the back of this cab. I barely see a thing as LA whizzes by. I have too much on my mind. I’ve always wanted to see LA, but now isn’t the time to get hung up on being a tourist wannabe. Jack will just have to bring me back here one day.

I’ve listened to the mu
sic and memorized the lyrics Malcolm gave me. It is a good song. It’s upbeat and fun, but it’s also not too pop and more rock and roll. He’s right. It’s perfect for me.

As the cab pulls up to the recording studio, I quic
kly check myself in the mirror, nerves taking hold. I’m torn between doing this for the wrong reasons and wanting this song to succeed at the same time. Malcolm was right. I am also a firm believer in things happening for a reason, so who knows?

“Leila
, you’re right on time.” Malcolm greets me at the front door of the studio. He shakes my hand, smiling warmly. When he isn’t in predator mode, he really is a nice looking man. With his dark curly hair, tall muscular physique and vivid blue eyes, he is downright handsome.

“
Ok, let’s get this over with,” I respond impatiently.

He chuckles at my attitude.
“Once this hits top ten, you will feel differently. Trust me.”

“Malcolm, that’s
the only reason I’m here.”

“Come, let’s get started.” He takes my hand and leads me towards the back of the studio.
“Can I get you anything before we begin?”

“No, I’m fine.” I subtly remove my hand from his, just as w
e enter a small room. Small is actually a generous word. It’s miniscule, barely big enough for the both of us. A large, black mesh disc attached to a single microphone sits in the center of the room. Facing the microphone is a plate glass window separating us from the control booth. Two men sit at the control panel, waiting for Malcolm’s instructions.

“Gentlemen, this is Leila Marino. She will
be recording the demo today.” Both men wave and smile, as I wave back. “Are we ready?”

“
So that’s it. I just start singing?”

He places a set of large, bulky headphones over my ears. “You’ll hear the music through these. Let’s start at the beginning and see where it takes us.
I’ll be in the control booth with Pete and Glen. We’ll let you know if we need you to stop for any reason.”

Nodding, I position myself dead center, waiting for my instructions. A few seconds later, I hear Malcolm’s voice in my ears. “Ok
, Leila, on three. One, two, three…”

The music filters through my headphones.
The song is called
Constant Torment
and has haunting lyrics set to an upbeat rock tempo. It’s good, and it’s perfect for me. I close my eyes and sing the lyrics in time to the music. I keep expecting Malcolm’s voice to stop me at some point during the song. But he never does. Once done, he turns towards the guys and says something. The only sound I hear is my own breathing.

“Leila, that was just about perfect. Can we try it with you singing the chorus a touch lower?”

“Sure.”

We run through the song two more times with different suggestions. After the third time, Malcolm joins me in the studio. “The guys said they’ve never had a recording session go as smoothly as this one did.”

“I guess that’s a compliment?”

“Absolutely. This song is practically ready for release. We’re done here.
I’ll let you know once it’s been mastered and edited.

“So what’s next?”

“Once the label listens to it, we’ll decide on a course of action. Most likely we’ll sample it with some key radio stations coast to coast, a sort of exclusive demo. Make them feel they’ve stumbled on you. It will make them loyal.”

I
t’s clear why he is so successful. He’s a rat, but he’s good at what he does.

“Hey, can the guys download the mp3 onto my phone. I’d like to listen to it myself.”

“Absolutely. We’ll also give you a CD. Come.”

Malcolm leads me into the control room. Fifteen mi
nutes later, I’m in a cab with my download and my CD.

hey baby…
i’m done. on my way back. i think it went well. sending you the link. love you. xx

He texts back immediately.

can’t wait to hear it. love you 2. one more thing. come to the arena and follow my lead.

k. xx
x

As the cab pulls up to the arena,
I can hear their music from the parking lot. It’s a bit unsettling to hear our songs and not be on the performing end. I’m curious why the band is rehearsing and can only guess it has to do with our façade.

Walking closer to the stage, Jack’s eyes settle on me as he sings the lyrics to
one of my favorite songs. He abruptly stops and it takes a few seconds for the guys to realize it and stop playing.

“Back so soon?”

“Why are you rehearsing?”

“Just gettin
g some practice in without our back-up singer.”

“Would you like me to skip our show tonight?”

He laughs bitterly. “I would love you to skip our show tonight, but it’s not my choice.”

Without a word, I turn and head for my dressing room.
His angry act is really turning me on. On my way down the hall, one of the roadies follows. “Leila?”

I turn
to see Kyle walking quickly towards me. “Hey, I just want to say I think it sucks what’s happening with you and Jack.”

“
Thanks, Kyle. It hasn’t been easy.”

“Will you be finishing the tour?”

“I don’t have a choice. I can’t break my contract. I would love to pack my bags right now and get the hell out of here.”

“That really sucks. You are so talented. So is the band. You guys are all a great fit together.”

I turn away and nod quietly. “Yeah, thanks.” As I start walking away from him, he says one last thing.

“Leila,
don’t worry. Everything will work out.”

Turning
back, I nod again and smile shyly. “Thanks, Kyle.”



“We just want to ask you a few questions.”

“Am I in trouble?”

Oscar takes a seat across the table from Kyle. Jack, Hunter, Scott, Trey, Dylan, Will and I are all around the table. Oscar smiles at Kyle. “Why would you be in trouble?”

“This looks serious.”

“Kyle, we are just trying to figure out how some specific details have ended up online. We will be asking the same questions to all the roadies. Has anyone contacted you recently regarding the tour?”

Kyle turns all shades of red. He looks from Oscar to Jack. “What do you mean?”

“You know, gossip magazines or reporters? We believe someone on this tour is releasing information.”

“Um…
I…no. No one has contacted me.”

“Have you heard anything or seen anything strange with the other guys?”

“No.”

“The I
nternet was buzzing today with details of Leila’s recording session in LA. Except for us, no one knew Leila was recording a song. We can’t understand how some of our fans got wind of it.”

“Sorry, I really don’t know.”

“There was also a post that claimed Jack kicked Leila out of the band during rehearsals.”

Kyle shrugs. “Don’t know.”

“Ok, thanks for your time. If someone contacts you who isn’t affiliated with the band, please let us know as soon as possible.”

“Will do. Anything else?”

“Nope. Thanks, Kyle.”  Kyle gives a nervous glance around and exits the room. Once the door is shut, Oscar says, “I’m not convinced he is our guy. But he does know something. He may be covering for someone else. We still need to talk to Brian and Rich. Will, can you grab one of them and bring them in?”

Will leaves the room to find one of the last two roadies to question. With Will gone, Jack turns to Oscar. “This is getting out of hand. They even knew what time she was at the studio. Oscar
, I want you spending more time on the other bus.”

Oscar nods. “
I agree.”

Will enters the room with
Rich. Looking totally unfazed, he takes a seat and looks around. “What’s going on?”

Oscar gives the same
speech he gave Kyle. Rich responds with an arrogant, “So?”

“Have you been contacted by anyone recently regarding the tour?”

“Yeah. Some chick called me. She said she was from Rock MY World. Wanted to know how their breakup was affecting the tour.”

“Why haven’t you said anything?”

Rich shrugs, “Didn’t know I needed to. You said to let you know about crazy fans, not the media.”

“
True. Did you talk to the reporter from Rock MY World?”

“Nope. I told her I didn’t know anything.”
Rich leans back in his chair and folds his arms, watching Oscar with a look of total boredom.

“Do you have her
number?”

He pulls out his phone, searching for a number. “Nope, I deleted it.”

“Can you please let us know if she contacts you again?” Oscar asks, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Sure, n
o problem.”

“Thanks.
Anything else you’d like to let us know?”

Rich
shakes his head slowly. “No.”

“Ok. Please t
ell Brian we ran out of time and we’ll touch base with him after the show.”

Rich
leaves the room, leaving the door open when he does. Oscar turns to the guys, “Do you mind if I chat with Jack and Leila for a few minutes?”

“No,
the less we hear the better.” Hunter says, as he leaves the room. Trey and Scott start to follow. Trey stops and says, “Rich is hiding something.”

“How do you know?” Jack asks.

“He never looked at anyone but Oscar. Kyle’s reaction was normal.”

“Thanks
, man.”

Trey nods and walks out the door.
Dylan stands to close the door.

“Well? That really got us nowhere.”
Dylan says, as he sits again.

“I disagree. They know we are suspicious. That will make them nervous. Screw
ups occur when someone gets nervous.”

“Now what?” Jack asks impatiently.

“You’ll meet with Jessa in Vegas. I predict she’ll go the pity route and try to negotiate financial support. Take it all in and tell her you’ll get back to her once you speak to your attorney. Also, ask her if your name will be listed on the birth certificate as the father.”

“Why would I ask that?”

“Because if it is, and she falsified the test, she can be charged with a felony.”

Oscar watches our reaction and
then continues. “Basically, if it’s money she wants, she’d have to confirm you are the father. By doing that, she is digging her own grave if it’s not true.”

“She is one piece of work.” Jack says.
“What the hell is she trying to get out of me?”

“
My guess is you and money. Ace and I feel it may be necessary for you to wear a wire, just in case she pulls out her cards.” Oscar replies.

“I don’t like this one bit.” Leila says out loud.

“You need to trust us.”

“I trust you completely. It’s her I don’t trust. What if Danny comes with her and tries to pull something?”

“I’ll be there with Jack. Ace will warn us if Danny is joining her and we’ll be prepared.”

“Danny must hav
e something on her, this has his name written all over it.” Jack says, shaking his head. “Unbelievable…huh?”

“Jack, people will go to great lengths for money.” Oscar admits.

“Thank you for filling us in.”

“Mr. Morrow has been a huge help. Thank Leila for calling him once this started.”

Jack looks over and winks at me. “She knows how thankful I am. Let’s discuss the getting back together part. When?”

Oscar chuckles
. “Not yet. There is nothing to prevent her from accusing you of sexual assault. If that were to get out, it really would be lethal to your reputation. Even if it’s not true, there really isn’t proof otherwise and people will always speculate.”