Eli:Luis is going with you
Billie:I mean go with meas my date??not as my bodyguard
Eli:I would love to, but Mason would object since I’ll be working the event. But maybe you could come back to my place afterwards?
Billie:If I stay overnight, I might need to borrow your clothes again??
Eli:what’s mine is yours but I don’t think you’ll be needing them??could we meet up tomorrow for lunch? I miss you
Billie:I miss you 2. Pick me up at noon?
Eli:I’ll talk to Luis??
I miss you?God, Billie was turning into a lovesick sap. He swore to himself he wouldn’t get hearts in his eyes again over any man and yet, here he was. He should’ve been scared out of his mind, and yet his instinct told him that Eli was different.
His phone pinged with a new message from Frankie, and Billie turned his thoughts back to work. He was on his way to the final fitting with Wayward Lane and thank God! One more month of this and he was done. Once the tour kick-off party was over, Billie could relax back into his normal routine. Maybe take a vacation. Any minor adjustments the band would need to their stage wardrobe while on the road could be handled by their tour stylist.
They arrived at the studio on time, and as they drove up to the entrance gates, he noted the group of reporters huddled nearby. Once safely inside the lot, Billie and Luis parked and made their way to the conference room.
Ivan greeted them as usual as the band members slowly trickled into the room. “Any issues today? The reporters arestarting to ramp up the pressure now that the tour is only a month away.”
“They were camped outside my apartment building. And your studio just now. Apparently, they think I’m dating Brodie.” Billie rolled his eyes.
“You wanna give them something to write about, Billie?” Brodie asked as he sauntered up to Billie and placed his arm around his shoulder. Billie laughed and shrugged off the arm but not before he noticed Ivan’s icy expression.
“Hey, where’s Eli?” Holloway asked.
“He’s on another job,” Luis answered and held out his hand. “I’m Luis Guzman. I’ll be traveling on your tour detail. Nice to meet you.”
Holloway shook his hand and slowly perused the six-foot-five Luis with his shaved head and neck tattoos. “Holloway. Very nice to meet you, Luis.”
Brodie gave Luis a once-over also. “Van, I don’t know how you found this security company but good job.”
“Focus on the task at hand, guys. Luis is on the clock.” Billie nudged Brodie with his elbow. “Your outfits are over there. Please get changed.”
“Come on, Billie, let us have some fun. I’m stressed out, and I need a bit of flirting to make me feel better,” Brodie whined.
“We’re on a deadline! Move your ass and get changed, Brodie,” Ivan barked out. Not one to just roll over and do what he was told, Brodie toed off his shoes and started to take off his shirt.
“In the other room!” Ivan shook his head and stalked off.
“That man needs a vacation,” Billie murmured.
“That man needs to get laid,” Brodie piped up and everyone chuckled.
Billie spent the next hour assessing the garments thateach member modeled. A minor adjustment on a few items, but overall, it was done. Once he was finished, the band members went back to rehearsal.
“Billie, a word in private please,” Ivan asked.
“What’s up?”
“I have to inform you that we received a disturbing e-mail about an hour ago. A threat against you and Brodie, and I’ve forwarded it to Mason Naylor. The rumor that you’re dating Brodie has spread like wildfire, and now social media is feeding off the tabloid trash. We all know there are some obsessive fans out there—and hopefully the e-mail about you two is just talk—but the tone and content are concerning. You need to stay vigilant and listen to your security detail.”
Billie’s body began to shake, and he jumped when his phone buzzed. “That’s probably Mason trying to get hold of me. Thanks for the heads-up. Does Brodie know?”
Ivan’s eyes swirled with fear. “I have to talk to him now. I’ll see you at the launch party. Until then, lay low.”
“I will. Take care of Brodie.”