Chapter Three
Ice
P ULLING INTO THE venue , I take in all of the organized chaos going on.
People are rushing from one location to the next in preparation for the concerts taking place the upcoming weekend.
I never really realized how much it took to put on a normal concert.
This isn’t like that though. We’re going to be at a festival with three stages, it all takes place outside, and there are multiple bands, singers, and other musicians.
I’m not sure what to expect or where we’ll be located, but each of us will be assigned to either Wicked Angels or Ruby.
I’ve been with Wicked Angels before so I kind of hope that’s where I’ll end up.
I’m not really picky though, so I’ll do whatever job I’m given to the best of my ability.
Lock and I park in line with the rest of the guys while Tristan parks the van we brought with us.
All of our bags and everything we think we’ll need for the rest of the week are in there and wouldn’t fit on our bikes.
“You ready for this shit?” Lock asks as I remove my bandana from around my face and turn to face him.
“I’m ready. Greyson knows to call me if anythin’ happens at the strip club.
A few of the guys who stayed behind will stop in to check on things while we’re gone.
I’m not worried. Plus, I get away from the damn drama happenin’ there,” I answer him as we head over to where the rest of the guys are waiting for Jagger to meet us. “You ready for it?”
“Hell yeah! I love music so this is a perfect weekend for me,” he responds as I laugh at him. Music is very big to both of us even if our tastes are a little different.
I see Jagger walking our way at a fast clip. He’s got a smile on his face but I can tell he’s anxious about something. All of us can as we stand more alert than a moment ago and wait for what he has to tell us.
“Thanks for comin’ out, guys. I don’t have a lot of time.
Ruby is doin’ a meet and greet right now.
She’s there with her security team and it’s been pure chaos.
We’ve had to close the line twice already because the fans are crazy.
She’s got about a half hour left,” Jagger informs us as I try to figure out where the meet and greet is being held, but I really can’t tell because there’s multiple lines across the field already.
“Here’s the list of who’s on what security team.
If you have any questions, my number is at the bottom of the sheet.
I’ve gotta get back over to her before anythin’ else happens. ”
Jagger disappears as quickly as he showed up. We all crowd around Sabotage who has the list.
“Okay. Ice, Lock, Tristan, Zach, Death, and Boxer will be with Ruby. The rest of us will be with Wicked Angels. It looks like Ruby will have a slightly bigger security detail than the band. That’s not surprisin’ because she’s gained a ton of popularity the last few months.
We’ll head over to the buses to see where we’re bein’ put up.
I know at least three men will be up around the clock on each bus.
One of you will be inside while the other two remain outside.
Don’t push to be on the bus if that’s not what the band or Ruby want.
Every decision is theirs to make. Those of you who have been on a tour before know this.
Let’s head out. Tristan and Zach, you can grab our bags once we know where we’re stayin’,” Sabotage says as we all make our way to the lot where the buses are parked for the week.
Lock and I follow everyone and I take in everything around me so I know if there’s any obstacles we’ll have to overcome.
Right now, we’re behind the stages and I can see how crazy things will be if they allow fans back here for any reason.
Hell, if they let journalists back here, things might get a little dicey.
The area isn’t large and I can see a bottleneck happening in a few spots.
I can tell Lock is seeing the same thing I am while we walk to the parking lot.
“Here’s the buses we’ll be security for,” Sabotage says as we come to two identical vehicles parked in a shady location at the very edge of the parking lot.
I can hear some people in one of them while the other remains silent.
It must be Ruby’s bus. “This is Jack, he’s the head of security for both Wicked Angels and Ruby.
If he tells you somethin’, you listen to him.
This is his only job and he’s been with them for almost five years now.
Don’t disregard any information he gives you. ”
“It’s nice to meet you guys. Who is here for Ruby?
” Jack asks us and those of us with her step forward.
“She’s at a meet and greet right now. Step over here for a minute and I’ll hand out your passes and the detailed information for her events this week.
She has a few things to do before the concerts take place. ”
We all step over to his side while he talks to the rest of them about what the Wicked Angels will be doing. Jack hands out the passes to each of us and we slide them over our heads like we’re supposed to before he leaves half of us behind and the rest of us follow him to Ruby’s bus.
“Okay, Ruby is the only one on this bus. Normally, one of you would be on the bus with her while at least two remain outside. Things have taken place recently and she’s not comfortable with anyone bein’ on the bus with her.
We’re gonna respect that. All three of you will be outside around the clock.
Her bus just got the stickers placed on it so everyone will know it’s her bus.
The old bus was broken into a few times and that’s why someone will always be here so it doesn’t happen again,” Jack informs us as he looks around our group.
“Her normal security team is with her at the meet and greet right now and she’ll be headin’ back here the second she’s done.
Memphis will be on the bus with her for a while tonight.
They’re friends and spend a lot of time together.
Protect him when he’s with her because he doesn’t always bring his own security over.
Ruby is your main priority, but Memphis is important as well. ”
Jack goes on to explain where we’ll be sleeping and what’s expected of us when we’re working.
He runs a tighter ship than the last head of security.
I’m glad Jagger made the switch to this man.
I can tell he’s got a military background of some kind.
It’s in the way he stands and speaks. The way every minor detail has been taken into account.
When he hands over the list of Ruby’s events, I take the folder from him and continue listening to him speak.
“Any questions?” Jack asks us as he looks around the group of us.
“Okay, you have about fifteen minutes to grab somethin’ to eat and see where you’ll be stayin’.
Then I want three of you over here. The rest of her security team needs a break.
Do not let Camden over here unless Ruby specifically tells you he’s comin’ over.
He knows he’s not allowed around her and I don’t foresee any problems, but you never can tell.
If you need me, I’ll be around and my number is in the folder.
Program it in your own phone so you have it in case of an emergency. ”
Jack leaves us as we all head over to the makeshift hotel we’re staying in.
Lock and I are sharing a room and have agreed to take the first shift on Ruby’s bus.
I don’t bother unpacking because there’s no point.
The dresser in our room is small as hell and would barely fit my clothes.
Lock doesn’t unpack either. We set our bags on the beds and grab something to eat from one of the stands here for the staff and performers.
These stands are only for us and no one from the crowd will be allowed to grab food or drinks from them.
I actually really like that because it means there aren’t any lines we have to wait in.
Lock and I grab burgers, fries, bottles of water, and a slice of the most delicious looking pizza I’ve ever seen before.
Instead of finding a table to sit at, we bring our food over to Ruby’s bus where her security detail is standing.
“Ruby’s already on the bus with Memphis.
If you see either of them, it will be Memphis.
Ruby isn’t comin’ back out tonight. She’s exhausted and the meet and greet took a toll on her.
If Memphis doesn’t stay on her bus, one of you need to make sure you walk him over to the Wicked Angels bus.
I know it’s like fifty feet away, but we’re not takin’ any chance,” one of the guys says as he looks at Lock, Death, and me.
“We’re on it. Anythin’ else we need to know?” I ask him, not sure about anything because this is a first festival for me.
“Keep an eye on your surroundin’ and make sure no one gets close.
We’ve got two chairs here. One of you needs to be walkin’ around the bus at all times.
We have cameras pointed at the bus that were already here when we arrived.
It’s why we chose to park here before anyone else could get the spots,” the same guy responds.
“By the way, I’m Noah. I usually take point on Ruby.
I’ll be around if you need me. I don’t ever stray too far from her because sometimes she leaves without any of us knowin’ in advance.
I don’t believe that will happen tonight, but you never know. ”