None of us moves an inch. We’re spellbound by her presence. I’m even more shocked at the striking realization that she’salive.
The spot over my heartburns, and I unknowingly lift a hand to the ink that resides under my Army Greens. It’s my biggest kept secret, and one that will forever mark my past.
Where I once considered Rosalie a phantom, she’s now a siren—enchanting and unattainable.
Something fragile that isn’t meant for the likes of my hands—tainting and unworthy.
She’ll forever remain a ghost of my past, and the constant reminder of what I’ve done until the day I fucking die. Because Ihaveto walk away. I can’t stand this suffocating bar anymore. I feel like the walls are closing in on me, and as Kairo threatens to take a hesitant step forward, I grab his shoulder.
“No,” I command, pulling him back.
His head whips around to me, his eyes wide with fury. “She’s rightthere!”
Maddox asks a server for her notepad, scribbles something, and hands it back to her. “Can you give this to Rosalie?”
The server tucks it back into her apron. “Sure, but I’m sure her set is almost up if you wanted to stick around—”
“We’re leaving. Don’t tell her we were here.” I dismiss as I turn and stalk out of the bar.
Chapter Seventeen
Rosalie
“I LOVE YOU, ROSE!” A woman in the front of the crowd shrieks as her hands reach past the stage. She startles me, and I take a step back before security swoops in and forces her back onto the main floor of the dining room.
I swallow past the lump in my throat, thankful for her enthusiasm but alsoterrifiedof being touched by someone I don't know. Charlie is one thing, and it isn't anything against the people who come out to my shows, but this is one fear I think will take time and effort to overcome.
To ease the woman’s desperation to claw her way past the security guard, I make a heart with my hands before blowing her a kiss. She screams louder, bouncing on her heels as she shakes her friend beside her in excitement. They wave to me animatedly, and I smile as I wave back.
“Thank you all for coming out tonight!” I say into the mic before shuffling off the stage.
Charlie intercepts me right away, two security guards trailing behind her as they bring me to the back office. My best friend has a gleam in her eyes as she instructs me to sit behind Damion’s desk.
“What’s going on?” My eyes bounce around to the three people in the office with me.
Charlie makes a fanning motion with her hands, overflowing with the urge to tell me somethingbig. “Dad finally got a top dog producer out to your show. He was in the audience tonight, and he wants to talk to you.”
My mouth falls open as my heart slams. “No way…”
“Yes way!” Charlie claps her hands.
I swallow, tucking into myself slightly. “What if he didn't like it? Maybe I wasn't my best tonight—”
Marvin, one of the guards, chuckles. “Are you kidding me? With a crowd like that,” he throws a thumb to the office door, “he would be an idiot not to pick you up, kid.”
Nerves circle my gut as we wait. Charlie is practically radiating positive vibes and excitement, and meanwhile, I feel like I could sink into the damned ground.
When the office door finally opens, I bolt upright in my chair as my mouth fills with saliva and I have to give myself a mental pep talk tonotvomit on the music producer. Mr. Marcus walks in, a dazzling smile on his face as he’s followed closely by another man in his early forties. This newcomer carries himself with a quiet authority, his scrutinizing dark eyes scanning the room until they land on me.
My stomach flips at the look in his gaze, like he's seen so many trends come and go that he's seasoned beyond belief. He gives off the aura of someone who doesn't fall for quick trends or fads. He’s the real deal in every sense, and it makes my skin prickle with the sense of somethingmajoron the horizon.
“Rosalie Beckett, I presume?” The man asks, his voice hard and unforgiving.
I stand from the desk, tucking my hands together in front of me. “Yes, sir.”
He frowns, causing his thick brows to draw close near his bald head. “You’re far too docile, but that's easily fixed. I’m Baxter Crest with Starlight Records. Marcus here told me about you, and I had to see for myself. I’m impressed with your stage presence and vocals, Ms. Beckett. Have you ever considered signing a record deal?”
I shift subtly, a little uncomfortable with his comment on me being ‘docile.’ “I’ve considered it…”
