A roar went up from the heaving festival crowd. Centre stage, Leo beckoned, and Elise jogged out to join him. The brave lass had grabbed a makeup kit and a mirror then covered up the red marks on her neck. They would be bruises soon.
I needed to break something.
She’d given a fast report to Gordain and another security person from the festival. Then, the consummate performer, Elise set her fear aside and stuck with her plan.
Meanwhile, I couldn’t shake my rage.
Anger at how some fucker had dared touch her consumed me. I clenched my fists tight to my side, unable to smile as she laughed and joked with Leo.
Gordain palmed my shoulder. “Take a deep breath.”
“I wasn’t there to protect her. Anything could have happened.”
My uncle grunted, whether in agreement or otherwise, I didn’t know. I wasn’t taking my eyes off her from now on. Not for as long as she wanted me around.
Which left a problem. “You’re leaving tomorrow,” I said.
“We’re leaving tonight. I take it from the fact ye removed yourself from that statement that you’re not coming with us,” Gordain replied. “Have ye agreed to stay with the lass?”
“We’ve agreed nothing. She hasnae asked.”
I wasn’t sure of Elise’s plans, but I guessed she’d investigate her suspect list. It felt dangerous. Someone was targeting her. If she wanted me, I’d be there for her.
I’d protect her.
“Are ye two involved?” Gordain asked softly.
Now I risked a short glance at him, finding his expression a mix of professional and paternal. Onstage, Elise strummed her guitar and Leo made a joke about how she was a better musician than him. The crowd laughed. I still couldn’t smile.
“No. Yes.”
“Then is this on the books, the time you’re spending with her?” Gordain asked.
Onstage, the performance unfolded. Leo and Elise launched into Thief, one of Leo’s greatest hits.
“I’ll stay with her as a friend. See her home. Whatever she needs—”
My words cut off as Elise started singing.
She’d changed the lyrics. I listened hard, trying to make sense of it. Likewise, the audience clued in on the altered song, and the hollering simmered.
But her voice was a rasp. A few lines in and her struggle was plain. The attack had damaged her throat.
Elise swung a panicked look at Leo, and he gave her a slight nod. Then he picked up the adjusted lyrics with a growl.
While Elise took a breather, Leo sang about the world hurting him. One person starting it, someone who should have loved him, but a multitude of others all taking a piece.
Exposed, strip by strip removed.
Elise glanced my way. On instinct, I grabbed a bottle of water, opened it, and held it out to her. She stepped over and took it with a grateful smile then danced back to centre stage. While Leo moved through the verse, she drank a short sip, set the bottle down, then joined in for the song’s chorus.
Her second attempt was stronger, and Leo fell silent, the festival park doing likewise, the fans dumbfounded as they listened hard.
My brave lass took over the lyrics alone. Pain played out in her words. While Leo had sung the part about the impact of the photo, she gave up the abuse she’d suffered before.
How, by far, the worst damage had been caused by that initial person. Holding her down, forcing her, breaking her.
It took no genius to work out that this was a personal attack.
My anger dimmed, and pure hurt on her behalf took over. I’d long forgiven her explosive reaction to the photo, to the belief that it was me who’d betrayed her. I couldn’t blame her for seeing everything as a threat. She’d confided about her state of anxiety. Small wonder after what had happened to her.
She’d been assaulted by the one person who should’ve loved her. Derren. Swiftly followed by the photograph exposing her while the world of consumers looked on and laughed. And yet here she was onstage, unpicking that, making the narrative hers.
And with me, giving that trust back.
Aye, for a short while, I’d be whatever she needed. She deserved that from at least one person who cared about her.
Elise and Leo repeated the chorus together, and a huge roar went up from the crowd, singing back the words.
Gordain grumbled at my side. I’d forgotten we were mid-conversation.
“Leo said Elise would be making a controversial statement. Ye know after this she’ll be hunted by the press.”
We exchanged a glance.
He continued. “Leo received a threat earlier, an anonymous letter left outside his fucking trailer of all places. Right under our noses. It warned him off from associating with Elise. It threatened to expose them as having an affair.”
I recoiled, and my mind raced. “Whoever wrote that was trying to stop this, aye?”
“I think so. Leo gets threats all the time, but this was too close to home. Separating the two parties from now on will fulfil the goal of protecting our family, from my perspective. If ye intend to stay with the lass, grand. She might need it. It’s possible I’m wrong, but after what happened backstage, I’m sure she’s the target, naw Leo.”
“I’ll take her home. We’ll stay off the radar.”
“Aye, good, lay low. Whatever ye are to one another, for the time you’re together, keep this on the books. If ye have to smack someone in the chops for getting too close then you’re protected by my service. If ye don’t…”
The song ended, and Leo and Elise set aside their guitars, and he drew her to the front of the stage and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. No further speech came, no demands of the crowd. Just a simple standing by her. Applause resounded.
Elise hauled in a breath then turned and bounced off the stage.
She reached me with her eyes wide. “Freaking out here. Did I really just do that?”
I badly wanted to hug her, but I was all too aware of the public gaze, even just backstage. “Ye did. You’re the bravest person I know.”
She gave a strained laugh. “You’re the best person I know.”
Gordain’s crew surrounded us, creating a protective curtain. Viola appeared next and stole Elise for a hug, speaking fast but too quietly for me to hear. Elise nodded rapidly and wiped her eyes.
“I’m sorry we’re going home tonight,” Viola added louder. “Well, not all of us. Da says Cameron’s staying to guard ye.”
Elise’s gaze shot to mine. “I’m driving to my dad’s tomorrow. I should get back to work but I’m pretty sure the shit’s going to hit the fan. I’m taking a day or two to myself.” She swallowed. “Or maybe I won’t be by myself now.”
Viola smiled, and the two women made plans to keep in touch. And, just like that, Elise and I had found more time together, even if I was only helping her home.
