“Same way we do on the main stage. Through lifts.”
I turned to face the guys. “Yep, that’s what’s happening. Sorry if you wanted to fly, but we’re sliding instead.”
“I’m good with that,” Slade said, and Jagger nodded along.
Viper and Killian looked at each other for a beat, and then Viper said, “Anything you want, Angel.”
“Good.” I felt some relief at not having to hang from wires above the crowd. Maybe one day, once I got this first tour under my belt. But not the first time out. No way.
“You guys have a set list yet?” one of the designers asked.
“Not yet,” Killian said. “That’s next on the agenda.”
“Shoot it our way when you’ve got it and we’ll mock it up for you,” he said, shutting down the boards and computers. As he and the other designers grabbed their things, he said, “Same time next week?”
“Perfect. This looks phenomenal, thank you.” Killian stepped forward to shake their hands, the rest of us waving a goodbye. After the door shut, leaving the five of us alone, Killian walked over to the whiteboard and uncapped a marker. “All right. Set list. What do you guys think about starting with ‘Dark Angel’?”
“Definitely. Something hot to get them going,” Jagger said.
We ran through the album, puzzle-piecing the tour together. If it was strange to the others not to include anything from the TBD era, they never said so. It had never been a discussion to use only Fallen Angel material for the Corruption tour, but I had a feeling that after the one show we performed together, when I’d first taken over for Trent, none of the guys were keen to do another TBD song for a while. Not to mention, choosing to focus on our one album meant that Fallen Angel would be getting a fresh start. This would be my show, our show, not Trent Knox’s, and hopefully that would mean anyone coming to see us wouldn’t have preconceived notions. At least, I hoped.
“Damn, that was easy,” Killian said, capping the marker and then taking a photo of the set list on the whiteboard. “I’ll send this off to the designers, and when we come back next week, we can watch the run-through before we start rehearsals.”
Holy shit, it was all really coming together. The album was hitting next week, tickets for the tour would go on sale soon, then rehearsals… It was insane—and I couldn’t wait.
Viper rested his chin on my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind me. “You still going out with Imogen?”
“Yes. And before you ask, yes, I called a car, and yes, I’ll keep my mouth shut to the reporters asking where you are.” I turned around to face him and grinned. “I’ll come by your place later tonight, if you want?”
“I always want.” Viper took my chin between his thumb and forefinger and brushed a light kiss across my lips. “I’m gonna head out with Kill. Call if you need me.”
My smile grew as I kissed him again. “I always need,” I said against his lips.
Fifteen
Viper
“DO YOU WANT a drink? Whiskey? Vodka?” Killian called out as he tossed his keys and jacket on the entry table and headed for the kitchen. I followed after him, taking a seat on one of the barstools, and as he opened the freezer and looked back at me, I shook my head.
“Nah. How about a coffee?”
Killian cocked his head to the side. “I’m sorry. Did you just ask for a coffee? All right, who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
I shot him the finger as he closed the freezer and then moved down the counter to the coffee machine. “I’m trying to cut back a little on the day drinking, that’s all.”
“That’s all, huh?” Killian opened one of the cabinets and pulled out a couple of mugs. “Wouldn’t have anything to do with wanting to impress a certain blond we both know, would it? Next you’ll be telling me you quit smoking.”
“Let’s not get crazy,” I said, though the thought had crossed my mind. Ever since I’d been spending more and more time with the angel, I found myself cutting back on a lot of my old habits and focusing on some new ones. But I knew myself well enough to know that cutting down on one vice at a time was the smartest way to go here. Otherwise I’d turn into a grumpy motherfucker. Well, grumpier than usual.
“You mean crazier than you in a monogamous relationship and not swallowing a bottle of whiskey every few days?”
I scoffed, ignoring his smartass comment, as Killian went back to making the coffee and I unzipped my bag, which I’d put on the stool beside me. “I’m just trying to get my ass in better shape before the tour, that’s all.”