“You too,” shepanted.
“Let’s get youhydrated and out of those wet clothes.”
Arriving at herdressing room, I walked in before her, doing a sweep as she closed the door. Wewere alone, so she stripped out of her sexy dress, pulling on a pair of yogapants and a T-shirt, as I checked every corner of the room.
“You’re clear,”I said.
“Thanks, honey.”
My phone buzzedand I pulled it out of my pocket, frowning to see Doom’s text. “Doom’s waitin’at the door. Security won’t let him backstage.”
She frowned.“What do you mean, they won’t let him in? His wife just sang with me on thatstage.”
“I know.” Igrabbed my walkie. “I’ll get Chip to handle it.”
“No. You go,honey, I’ll be good here for a few,” Melody said. “I need to shower anyway.I’ll lock the door.”
“Do not letanyone in,” I ordered. “And do not leave unless I’m here.”
“I won’t,” shepromised.
I nodded, givingher a quick kiss, then stepping out of the room. I heard the click of thedeadbolt and headed the short distance down to the security area where I met upwith Doom.
“Hey, brother,”I said, shaking his hand, then pulling Lyric in for a hug before turning to thevenue’s security. “Have you had your head under a fuckin’ rock for the lasttwenty years? This is Melody’s sister, numb nuts. Next time, pull your headoutta your ass and call your supervisor rather than giving the star’s familyshit. Got it?”
“Ah, yes, sir.Sorry, sir.”
“Come on back,”I said as Lyric apologized to the man now sweating through his badly fittingsecurity jacket.
“Baby, don’tapologize to him,” Doom said. “Train’s right.”
“Jesus, youtwo,” she breathed out, following us down the hall.
Once I got toMelody’s dressing room, I knocked on the door, but she didn’t answer, so Irapped louder. “Melody. It’s me. Open the door.”
Still no answer.
I had been givena key by the venue, so I slid it in the lock, noting that the deadbolt was nolonger bolted. “I’m coming in.”
Pushing open thedoor, I stepped inside, Doom at my back, his gun at his side.
“Melody?” Icalled.
I checked thebathroom, closet, every corner, every inch, there was no sign of her. I pulledmy phone out and dialed her phone, but it went straight to voicemail.
“Fuck me,” Ibreathed out. “Where the hell is she?”
That’s when Inoticed her wardrobe case was missing.
* * *
Melody
I awoke in thedark with one hell of a headache. I tried to move but I couldn’t, and it tookme a second to realize my body wasn’t in a very natural position.
Am I moving?
“Hey!” Iscreamed. “Help!”
