Her Wilde Bodyguards (4 page)

“Sky said the fire department got it out before it spread to the rest of the house,” Stephanie said. “Looks like it started in the living room.”

“Sam saw evidence that someone had thrown a Molotov cocktail through your front window.” Aaron stepped out of the limo, offering his hand to Gya.

She took it and exited. He and Stephanie followed behind as Gya’s promoter walked over to them.

“I need to get home now,” Gya said.

“Not a good idea.” Aaron was right about that. Too dangerous.

“What’s going on?” The promoter wore a white mini dress, red stilettos, and way too much makeup. She held a slim cigar, which she puffed on incessantly.

Kyle had a bad feeling about the woman. “You must be Sharon Thompson.” He held out his hand, trying to get a better read on the promoter.

She took his hand and squeezed it. In a flirty tone, she said, “And you must be one of the new bodyguards. Pleasure, Mr. Strait.”

“Please put that stinky thing out, Sharon.” Gya backed up. “You could at least smoke a regular cigarette instead of a smelly cigar.”

Even though Kyle had enjoyed a few good cigars in his life, he had to agree with Gya. Whatever cheap brand of cigar Sharon had chosen, it definitely did have a terrible odor.

“You know I don’t want that smell on my clothes.” Gya leaned against the limo.

“Of course.” The woman stepped back and turned around.

Out of the corner of his vision, Kyle saw Sharon roll her eyes. Clearly, the woman didn’t like Gya’s manner, though she seemed to be putting on a front that she did.

Sharon tossed her half-smoked cigar away, and once again faced her meal ticket. “Sorry about that, Gya. I forgot.”

“That’s okay. Let’s get on the plane. I need to get home as fast as possible.”

“Why? What happened?” Sharon repeated her question.

“There was a fire at my house in Malibu. Looks to be arson.”

“What? Oh my God. That’s terrible news.” Sharon put her arm around Gya’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of everything. I’ll book some additional days at the hotel at our next stop on the tour.”

“No,” Gya said firmly. “I need to go home. We might even have to cancel a couple of days until I get everything worked out.”

“Not a couple of days,” Aaron said. “The entire tour is officially canceled.”

Sharon’s face darkened. “That’s not your call, Mr. Strait. You are Mr. Strait, aren’t you?”

Aaron, like always, was cool as ice. “I am.”

“Your job is to protect the talent.” She placed her finger in the middle of Aaron’s chest. “That’s all. The tour is my job. Understand?”

Kyle watched him grab her wrist, pulling her hand away from his chest.

“Ms. Thompson, I want you to understand this. I will do whatever is necessary to keep Gya safe. She’s received numerous death threats. She was shot at in Dallas. Someone tried to burn her house to the ground. I’m the best in my field. I know what must be done to make sure not a single hair on Gya’s head is harmed. Until I get whoever is responsible for this behind bars or buried six feet under she will not be performing on any stage anywhere. Am I making myself clear?”

Another roll of the eyes, though this time Sharon didn’t try to hide it. “Gya, you’re the one writing the checks. There are other companies we can hire for you that will be able to let you continue the tour. Do you agree with this dime-store security guard?”

Kyle turned to Gya.

She shrugged. “He’s the boss, Sharon. I believe if anyone can keep me safe, it is SCSS.”

“I see. Damn it.” The promoter turned to Stephanie. “Can’t you talk some sense into her? There’s a ton of money on the line.”

“And it’s Gya’s money, Sharon. I agree with Aaron. The tour is over. I’ll get a press release out today. The fans will understand after learning about the shooting and the fire.”

Sharon sighed. “Okay. I get it. We don’t want anything happening to Gya. I’ll take care of things on my end. Once this mess is cleared up we can get the tour up and running again.”

“Thanks, Sharon.” Gya turned to him and Aaron. “Guys, I really want to get on the plane so I can get to Malibu and see what has happened to my house with my own eyes.”

“Not a good idea. Way too dangerous.” Kyle turned to Aaron. “We need to get her somewhere safe and off the grid.”

“Now you’re talking like an owner, bro.”

“I’ve got a place that would be perfect for Gya.” Sharon smiled. “It’s got the creature comforts she’s used to. It’s a nice retreat close to Santa Barbara but away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.”

“No,” Aaron said flatly.

Sharon’s face tightened. “I’ve known Gya a very long time. I know what she likes and doesn’t like.”

“I’m sure you do, but that doesn’t change a thing. Kyle and I will take care of Gya.”

“Fine. I need to know where you are taking her.”

“We’ll let you know when we decide.”

“Excuse me.” Gya shook her head. “You’re all talking about me like I’m not here. I am here. My house burned. Can’t you understand why I need to go there and check it out for myself?”

Aaron stepped in front of her, and in an unusual soft tone said, “Of course I understand, Gya. But it isn’t safe.”

Kyle could see through the cracks in his brother’s steely manner. Aaron was attracted to Gya as much as he was.

“Sweetheart, I’ll go to Malibu.” Stephanie was obviously on the same page about keeping her away. “I’ll handle everything. I’ll take pictures and send them to your e-mail.”

“Okay. I give up. I guess it is for the best, but I don’t have to be happy about it.”

Stephanie laughed. “No you don’t have to be happy, but you know you can trust me.”

Gya nodded. “Yes, I can.”

“This is crazy,” the promoter said in a huff.

Aaron turned to her. “Ms. Thompson, we have it from here. I’m sure you have a bunch of things you have to do to cancel Gya’s tour dates.”

“You can say that again.”

“Don’t let us keep you from it.”

Kyle almost grinned at his brother’s arrogance. Aaron had never been accused of beating around the bush. Always straight to the point.
It’s good to see him back to normal, at least his normal.
Aaron had been acting so strangely the last couple of days, but now he seemed focused on the task at hand.

“Don’t keep me in the dark, ladies,” Sharon said to Gya and Stephanie. “I’ll do my best at damage control. We can reschedule most of the dates for next year.”

“Thank you, Sharon.” Gya’s diva-like attitude had nearly vanished, and in its place was a soft, genuine demeanor he couldn’t get enough of.

Her walls were down likely because of the shock of learning her house had burned and her lack of sleep. He would enjoy seeing more of this side of her. This was closer to the real person that lived underneath her façade. Was it because of her fame she’d built the walls? Or was it something else from her past?

As Sharon drove off, leaving the four of them standing on the tarmac, Kyle turned to Aaron. “Any ideas where you’d like to take Gya?”

“Let’s take her home to Wilde.”

Aaron sat behind the steering wheel of the car he’d rented in Sam’s name in order to keep Gya’s whereabouts completely concealed from the world. Kyle was in back, watching the road behind them in case they were followed.

Gya was asleep in the passenger’s seat next to him. He’d never seen anyone with such fire before.

I sure wouldn’t mind taming her.

She’d put up quite the fight to keep her laptop and cell phone, but had eventually given in after he told her the risks. Until they were certain no one had put a tap on the devices, she would have to be without them. Stephanie had taken the plane back to California, carrying Gya’s cell and computer. He liked the woman. She was one of the good ones in this world full of darkness. It was obvious that Stephanie cared deeply for Gya.
Like a mother.

He thought about his own mother. She’d had to raise him and Kyle as a single parent after their two dads had been killed in action during Operation Just Cause, the invasion of Panama in 1989. They were heroes.

Her mom had played home movies of them for Kyle and him to keep their memories alive. Kyle had only been four when their fathers had died, and he’d been six.

Her death eleven years ago from cancer had devastated Kyle and him. He’d returned to Wilde from college to be Kyle’s legal guardian and to make sure his brother graduated from high school. He never regretted a second of his decision.

“Where are we?” Gya yawned, stretching her arms over her head.

He glanced over at her, grinning because her blonde locks were so messy.
God, she is so beautiful.
“We’re just coming into Albuquerque.”

“What time is it?”

“Almost ten.”

“Oh my God. We’ve been on the road over twelve hours. You guys must be beat. How much longer until we get to Wilde?”

Kyle leaned forward. “Albuquerque is the halfway mark. Twelve more hours to go, at least.”

“You aren’t planning on driving straight through, are you? I know you two are superheroes, but even they need rest. You said so yourself, Kyle.”

“We’re going to stop for the night.” Aaron liked seeing Gya’s softer side. She seemed genuinely concerned for him and Kyle. “Tomorrow we’ll get up early and finish the trip.”

“I saw a billboard for a hotel up the road about a mile. It also has a diner that claims to have the best steak in New Mexico.” Kyle sighed. “I’m starving. How about you two?”

“Since the tour is canceled, worrying about keeping my weight in check is no longer an issue. And with Stephanie in California, I don’t have to deal with her trying to get me to eat only healthy meals. I am going to eat a giant stack of pancakes.”

Aaron saw the neon sign up ahead for the Springwater Hotel. “So you like pancakes?”

“Love pancakes.”

“Wait until you try them in Wilde. There’s none better, though they are called King Cakes there.”

“King Cakes? I’ve heard of them. Aren’t they actually real cakes and made only in Louisiana during Mardi Gras?”

“Not the same kind. Our King Cakes are in Wilde only. Hot cakes. Flapjacks. Pancakes. Whatever you want to call them, they are delicious.”

“You’re making my mouth water.”

Kyle laughed. “You got her, bro. Hook, line, and sinker.”

“Got me how? What’s so funny?”

“You’re not the only famous person who has been to Kyle’s and my hometown. Elvis Presley made a stop there. He ordered the pancakes and left a two hundred dollar tip. Ever since, pancakes at the diner are called King Cakes.”

She giggled, which thrilled him. “So if I have these amazing pancakes and leave a bigger tip than the King, do you think they would consider changing the name to Gaynor Cakes?”

“I doubt that, but I’m sure you could put your stamp on something in our town,” Kyle said. “You’re a big deal you know.”

“Not happening, bro.” Aaron knew what had to be done. “We have to keep her off the grid completely. She can’t be seen around town. If word got out, it could leak to the press and then we’d be right where we started—having to find a new place to take her.”

“I’m used to avoiding the public. Wait until you see my disguises. You won’t know who I am.”

He pulled into the front of the hotel. “You can’t be seen here either. I’ll go check us in. Kyle, you know what to do.”

“On it, bro.”

She winked. “Me too, boss.”

He turned and headed to the door quickly, hoping she hadn’t seen him smile. As the glass doors opened to the tiny hotel, he began scanning the area. There was only one elevator. Behind the reception desk was a young man in a white shirt and tie.

“Good evening, sir. Checking in?”

“Yes.” It only took a few minutes to get the key card to a room on the second floor. He would’ve preferred the top floor, though there were only three floors total at this hotel, but it didn’t have any vacancies. “Does the card work on the exit at the end of the hall, too?”

“It does.”

Good, that’s how we can bring Gya in. Hopefully without anyone seeing her.

“Would you like some help with your luggage, Mr. Abbott?”

Mr. Abbott was one of the aliases he used when transporting clients. Remaining incognito was just part of the job. With Gya, it was one of the biggest parts. “No thank you. What about the diner? Do they deliver to the room?”

“No they don’t, but you can order carry out.”

“Appreciate the info.” Aaron went out the front door and ran into a middle-aged, brunette woman carrying a baby. “Excuse me, ma’am.”

She mumbled something and moved aside, keeping her head down and her eyes on her child.

He took a step to the car and saw Kyle leaning against it with their bags at his feet, grinning broadly. “Is Gya inside the car?”

The woman behind him tapped him on the shoulder. “No. She’s right here.”

He spun around and looked into her eyes. How had he missed that she’d been in disguise right in front of him? The baby was one of those lifelike dolls. “I’m impressed.”