“Just my cousin’s wife freaking out about entertainment for Nina’s party.”
He laughed. “Let me guess. You’re going to ask our resident superstar if she’ll consider attending the party. Nina does adore her.”
“You know me too well.”
“How tight do you want security with or without a special guest?”
“Tight. We have guests coming, people I don’t know.”
“Don’t worry. They’ll be vetted.”
I gave him a look, chuckling as we walked. “Don’t make my house look like a police state.”
He threw up his hands. “Yes, sir.”
“Make sure we don’t have any incidents out here in the hallway. I can tell the reporters are itching for yet another story.” I headed into my office.
Once inside, I took a deep breath and headed to the window. The last few months had been exhausting, but extremely profitable.
A few minutes later, I checked my emails and waited until the commotion died down before leaving the office. At this point she was decompressing in her dressing room, most reporters scampering away to provide their soundbites for the late evening news.
As I headed down the hall, I buttoned my suit jacket. Stopping short, I noticed a man who’d been thrown out of the concert venue before, fighting with Jaxon.
“Let me go. I need to see Lainey!”
Oh, for fuck’s sake. While it wasn’t unusual for a groupie to try to avoid our security measures, I had to admit that my patience had vanished. The slight scuffle ensuing was it. I’d had enough.
Jaxon had him by the arm and with two long strides, I was in front of the man’s face, barely two inches away. Given my height and bulk, I used my size as a deterrent. At this point, he was lucky my anger hadn’t kicked in. I took another step and his eyes opened wide.
The guest slammed his back against the wall out of fear, darting his eyes to Jaxon then back to me. Thankfully, the man was nervous instead of engaging in some level of arrogance. That would bode well for him walking out without a broken arm or nose. The stench of whiskey assaulted my senses. The man was intoxicated. Another reason I couldn’t express the full extent of my anger.
“Now, I’m going to tell you this once. I’m going to have Jaxon escort you out and ensure you get to your destination safely. However, given my act of kindness, you’re going to promise me you will never set foot in this establishment again. Yes?”
He acted as if he wasn’t going to honor my request, so I inched closer. The odor was suffocating. I cocked my head, remaining silent. If looks could kill, the guy would be engulfed in quicksand.
At least he still had enough faculties he didn’t try to argue with me.
“Sure. Whatever you say. I was just going to give her a gift.”
“Not tonight.” I stood over him for a few seconds before moving away. Jaxon was grinning. He knew I had a short fuse.
“I’ll take care of him, boss.” Jaxon jerked the man down the hall and I stood watching until they were out of sight.
There were days I felt like a bouncer in a wild club. Back to business.
Lainey’s security team smiled as soon as I approached.
“I like your method of doing business,” Bernie complimented, his grin almost as wide as his face.
“Sometimes finesse works perfectly fine, the act of intimidation all that’s necessary.”
“And other times?”
I liked the guy. He genuinely cared about Lainey. “Other times something more… substantial is needed. Never hesitate. Bullies will always try and take advantage.”
“I’ll remember that,” he said, smirking. “Full house again tonight.”
“She has that effect on people.”
