CHAPTER NINE
Nash found himself in the pub’s kitchen surrounded by three men, none of whom appeared happy to see him. Okay, he’d blown his cover in a big way—R.J. would kill him if the PR firm didn’t get to Nash first. But after Ivy had sung that song to him, he’d been compelled to sing one with her. To share the magic of their duets with the audience. To stand next to her.
He knew there would be consequences, but he hadn’t cared. The only thing that mattered had been Ivy. Which was why kissing her seemed the perfect coda to the song.
If these people—he was guessing they might be her brothers or cousins—had an issue with the singing or kiss, that was their problem.
Not his.
Ivy stepped between Nash and the three men. “There’s no reason for anyone to be upset.”
“Are you kidding me?” the man, who Nash had seen the previous two times he’d been at the pub, practically growled out the words. “If this is who I think it is—”
“Calm down, Ryder.” Ivy’s voice was low and steady. “Customers will hear you.”
“He has some nerve.” A fit, salt-of-the-earth-looking man balled his fists.
Nash was tempted to sayhewas right here, but thought better. These three were riled enough.
Ivy sighed. “Let’s take it down a notch, Carter.”
“Nice song,” a third man said, being the lone voice of reason among the crowd. “But you have no right to kiss our baby sister like that in front of an audience.”
Ivy’s jaw clenched. “It was nothing more than a peck, David.”
Nash would beg to differ. He leaned forward, his gaze lingering on her lips and wanting another taste. “That was more than a peck, darlin’. But we can discuss that later. In private.”
She blushed. The charming pink looked good on her and made the three men appear apoplectic. “These are my brothers. Ryder, who co-owns the pub with my sister, Maggie, who is the bartender. Carter who has an organic farm. And David who runs a restaurant supply business.”
The three guys struck poses as if trying to intimidate Nash. He wasn’t alarmed. Not after the A&R reps, label execs, and diva performers he’d dealt with for over a decade.
Nash removed his sunglasses. He didn’t extend his hand because he was in enemy territory. “Nice to meet some of Ivy’s family. I’m Nash Bennett.”
One brother bared his teeth as if he were a guard dog.
Another, maybe Carter the farmer, pinned Ivy with a hard gaze. “Explain what he’s doing here.”
Oh, this should be good.Nash crossed his arms over his chest.
She opened her mouth to speak.
Maggie, her face flushed, stormed into the kitchen. When she met his gaze, anger flared in her eyes. “No one out there is certain if you’re Nash Bennett or not. Including me. If you are, I want to punch you. But that will have to wait because enough buzz and rumors are flying you might not be safe here.”
The brothers grumbled.
“Not now,” Ivy snapped.
“Later then,” Carter mumbled.
“We have to get you out of here,” Maggie said, her words rushed.
Ivy glanced around. “How?”
“It won’t be the first time.” Nash wanted to ease Ivy’s concerns. “Though this is a smaller venue with fewer exits.”
“He can put on a chef’s jacket and hat.” Ryder grabbed the items from a small room off the kitchen. “Will sometimes runs out for an ingredient if we run low or when he’s on a break.”
Nash had no idea who Will was, but the idea was solid. “Thanks.”
