17. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
T he band was ready and security was tight, which didn’t leave Vanessa with much to do until they hit the stage. She considered checking on North again, maybe talk him into finding something better to do with his time than covertly follow Tate around looking like a kicked dog, but Kace had returned and was pretty good at lifting the lead singer’s spirits.
Her lips curved as the men’s laughter filled the hall leading to the greenroom. She shook her head when North wrapped his arm around Kace’s waist and whispered something in his ear. She couldn’t figure out their relationship. They weren’t quite platonic, but North almost seemed to use Kace as a security blanket, keeping a careful balance that made her doubt they were lovers. He didn’t look at Kace the way he looked at Tate. Or even the way he looked at Annette. There was history there—he was happy for her, that much was obvious. But…
Maybe she was looking too deep, but she couldn’t help see some envy in North’s eyes when Connor held Annette. Or Balthazar got all protective. Not as though he wished he could have her, but like he’d recently begun considering that kind of love.
As though he felt it and had no outlet because of whatever was going on between him and Tate. It wasn’t her job to protect him from that, but she did worry. The lead singer was impulsive. Hard to read. Likely to do something rash when he was emotionally charged and she needed to find a way to predict when that might be.
And yes, she was absolutely focusing on North’s love life because she refused to reflect on her own. His could be considered part of her job. He wasn’t safe when he disappeared without telling anyone and pre-empting those instances was essential.
Her confusion over Oakley? Not important. She’d said what she’d needed to say. Yes, she was attracted to him. More than was smart considering the man clearly didn’t have the first clue what he wanted and working together could make exploring that awkward. But she didn’t regret being honest with him. She liked him. She enjoyed being around him.
Better to get any complications out of the way early. She wouldn’t chase him, she’d grown out of the thrill of seducing lovers. Her goal had never been to find a long term partner, but the more time she spent with Oakley, the more her thoughts slipped to the ‘What if?’
What if this nice rhythm they had going day-to-day, which had become so comfortable already, could lead to more? What if she could do an actual relationship? What if she had someone to wake up to every morning, even once the tour was over?
It was too soon to know for sure, but she had a harder time seeing Oakley as someone to fuck and ditch now. She wanted him—and not like she usually wanted people she was attracted to. Making him smile had become her favorite pastime. Spending a few quiet moments with him didn’t leave her feeling restless, needing to move, to do something . She liked being near him. How she felt around him.
All right, maybe her confusion over him was important after all. She couldn’t let it distract her, but she was curious to see what he’d do next.
The walkie-talkie going off was the perfect diversion from thoughts she couldn’t give her full attention now. She frowned as Balthazar asked her to meet him outside. Cut across the hall as quickly as possible without risking any of the band members seeing her and assuming there was a problem.
Though she had a feeling there was one.
Outside, near Winter’s Wrath’s large van, Balthazar waved her over. His expression was hard as he stepped up to the back of the van.
“I wanted to speak to your first, but we are going to have to rethink our approach.” He jutted his chin at the back of the van. “What do you see?”
This wasn’t a test just for the hell of it. Balthazar had noticed something and needed her to see the same before he continued. She studied the back door of the van, sucking her teeth when she saw it was too fucking obvious.
“The door isn’t locked. Or properly closed.” She looked over at Balthazar. “We always check all the vehicles. Whoever got in there intended for us to see this.”
“Yes.” Balthazar nodded when she reached for the door. “Go ahead, but don’t touch anything. The police are on their way.”
A glance inside and she knew why. Much like Annette’s shared bed had been, the blankets and sheets were covered in blood around a small animal she couldn’t even make out, it was so mangled.
And there was another note. This one addressed to Shiori.
‘Did you think she was the only one? Watch out, bitch. We’re getting closer.’
“This note is different, the wording, the ‘we’. But it’s the same handwriting.” Could it be a mistake? Fuck, Vanessa hoped so. If whoever was after the women in the bands was slipping up, they’d be easier to catch. “So we know Annette and Shiori are being targeted. What about Danica?”
Balthazar nodded slowly. “I just heard from her manager. Between the runways, and the magazine shoots, and touring with the band when her schedule allows, Danica has a much different routine. It’s been even more hectic with new opportunities, but a hotel she stayed at in New York got in touch with Sophie about a suspicious package that was left for her. Her grandfather called about another one yesterday. She hasn’t been told yet.”
“Annette’s easier to access than Shiori—and definitely Danica. Whoever this is might have been trying all along.”
“This and what they left on the bus was their way of showing how close they can get to the girls.” Balthazar eased the back door of the van almost shut. “I don’t like it. I think we should cancel the tour.”
Vanessa agreed, but she didn’t think the band would go for it. Like it or not, both she and Balthazar worked for them. They were here for this very reason.
“I won’t argue with you, but since we’ll have to come up with one, what’s the alternative?”
Balthazar rubbed a hand over his face and shook his head. “We replace the van and make sure there’s always someone with the vehicles. We should’ve done that already, but I assumed the on-premise security would be enough.”
Turning, Vanessa looked over the private parking area where the bands had left the vans and buses. There were cameras everywhere. This should have been safe.
“This venue has good security, it was the appeal when Oakley booked it. Someone was watching the cameras. How could they have missed this?”
It was about time for XIV Hours to be on stage, but Vanessa would have to trust the other Winter’s Wrath, and the venue’s, security with them for now. Whoever had done this had some kind of advantage they’d overlooked.
Annette had been tracked over social media. The stalker had a harder time accessing the other women, but had likely found them the same way…
“This might sound out there, but do we know if the cameras can be accessed online?”
Balthazar’s eyes widened. “Fuck, they might be. Most of this has been done by someone with at least basic technical knowledge, but what if they were proficient?”
“If there’s more than one of them, that’s very likely.” Vanessa’s brow furrowed as she thought back on the notes she’d seen, both in the files, and more recently. “Actually, the note might be a slip. What if whoever’s leaving them isn’t that skilled? They could be taking directions. Say from an online forum?”
“That would make sense. I’ll mention that to the detective.” For the first time, Balthazar’s tired eyes held some hope. “Until then, we know someone with those very skills who might come in handy.”
“Yes we do.” Vanessa grinned, which was highly inappropriate, but fuck it. They might finally have a way to nail these bastards. A way that would show Oakley how important he was to the band. Because he was. “I’ll talk to Oakley and see what he needs to start digging into the potential lead. We’ll keep the bands on lockdown at the hotel until we have to head to the next venue. If all goes well this could be over by morning.”
That made Balthazar laugh. He sobered as a police cruiser pulled up. “I doubt it will be that easy, but I appreciate your optimism. Go update the rest of the crew. I’ll join you when I’m done here and let the bands know they’ll be missing the afterparty.”
“And why?”
He hesitated. Then shook his head. “Not yet. If you’re right, we can tell them everything once we have some fucking good news to share. Either way, I’m having the van removed and replaced so Shiori doesn’t have to see this.”
Omitting information didn’t sit well with Vanessa, but she understood the need. Other than Oakley, there was nothing any of them could do and stressing out the bands, and scaring Shiori more than she already was…
Tomorrow would be soon enough. Tonight, they’d be safe. High on the energy from a successful show. Her job was to protect them all and she was learning from Balthazar how to pull it off.
He said they didn’t need to know yet?
Then they didn’t.