Again, nothing happened. Holy shit? What now? Just when he’d made his mind up to continue solo, Seb’s powerful tenor replied:
“Dove sei?”
A hand gripped Henri’s, and he pulled Sebastian into the spotlight. “Ladies and gentlemen, Sebastian Unger!” Hooting and catcalling followed, but whether it was because the crowd recognized Seb or merely acknowledged him as special to Henri was anyone’s guess.
The band kept the beat going while Henri and security helped Sebastian onstage. Henri picked up on the second line, stepping close to Sebastian to hand him a mic:
“All my life spent lonely.”
“Tutta la mia vita in solitudine.” Damn, but Sebastian sang like an angel. The crowd agreed with their screaming and clapping.
“I know you’re out there.”
“Lo so che sei là fuori da qualche parte.”
Henri’s words were no longer a song. They came straight from the heart. Music and sweat poured out of him in equal measure.
“The one I’ve waited for.”
No lover’s caress ever thrilled like Seb’s “La persona che aspettavo.”
Henri altered the next line, changing “I know I’ll find you” to “and now I found you.”
The words blended with Seb’s “Lo so che ti troverò.”
Henri’s “It’s just a matter of when” and Sebastian’s “E’ solo una questione di tempo” mixed with perfect accord. The music blended into the background, and Henri sang his love song to Sebastian. Sebastian might not return that love, might never return the love. Henri loved enough for two.
After the song Henri hugged Sebastian tight and helped him off the stage. No way in hell could the next act compete with what they’d delivered. No matter what the critics said tomorrow, tonight Mismatched Delusions rocked. From what he could see of the audience, not a single spectator remained seated.
At last the set ended and Henri took his bow, then turned to bow to each of his bandmates in turn. They joined him at the stage edge. Even Michael appeared in the flesh. They clasped hands and bowed as one.
Henri dashed off stage. Moments like this called for Sebastian to share the glory.
A veritable sea of reporters and cameras lay in wait. Henri surged on, counting on Lucas to field the questions. What a clusterfuck. Where was Seb? He glimpsed russet curls down the hall and picked up the pace.
Holy shit. Seb stood backed up to the wall while Charles sneered. Nose to nose with Henri’s lover. “Oh hell the fuck no!” Henri charged.
“Henri! No!” Tessa shrieked.
Arms wrapped around him from behind. Jake rumbled, “Don’t ruin your moment. We got security for this.”
Henri twisted in Jake’s grasp, searching out his bodyguard. “Arnulfo? That man shouldn’t be backstage. Get him the fuck out of here.” How the hell had Charles gotten in anyway? Was he following Seb?
“Go to the dressing room. We got this.” Michael headed off down the hall with Sylvia in hand.
Time slowed down. Sebastian’s hands against Charles’s chest, pushing, his scream of “Never again!” Holy fuck! He fought back. He finally fought back! Hallelujah!
Henri weighed the odds. No, he didn’t need the bad press of taking out Charles in front of witnesses. Sebastian didn’t need any bullshit either. He breathed a sigh of relief when Arnulfo inserted himself between Seb and the dick of a former patron.
With his band clustered around, forming a human shield about Sebastian, Henri spun on his heel and charged for his dressing room. If Seb wasn’t there in five minutes, he’d go find the man.
Hey! Why so dark in here?
