Chapter Four
MERCS
Effa was electrifying.
It was hard to focus on my job with her onstage—blonde, wild, and dressed to kill in a tight purple leather dress and thigh-high platform boots. The kicker? A glittery pink lightning bolt was painted on her face.
It should have been ridiculous.
Instead, it made her even more attractive.
I don’t get it. She is the complete opposite of me—loud, colorful, chaos wrapped in glitter.
And yet, my cock twitches every time I look at her.
Not ideal.
I’m here to work.
Still, I fucking nailed it tonight. The lighting was flawless. The crowd was lit. The waterfall effect? Iconic. With Luminous giving me creative freedom, we made their set feel like a damn experience. If we keep this up, their shows will be world-class.
While they’ve headed off to their after-party, I’m left to wrap things up. I climb down from the rafters, some cable slung over my shoulder, as Jay and Tank wait for me at the bottom.
“That was epic, Mercs,” Tank says, grinning as his shirt strains around his biceps. “Your ideas are fresh, bro. Love what you’ve done with the show.”
Tank’s built like a tank—literally. Native Islander, massive frame, face like a brick wall. Looks like he belongs on the security team, but he’s one of our crew.
I hop off the last rung and hit the floor with a soft thud. That rare feeling of satisfaction hums through me. “Appreciate it, man. But it was a team effort.”
“Bullshit.” He laughs, slapping my shoulder. “This was your baby. Take the credit.”
He nods to Jay, then toward the other crew, who are starting to pile the gear into a messy heap like they did this morning.
“Time to tell them the news,” Tank mutters with a grin.
I nod, taking a breath and walking with purpose as we cross the floor. I let out a sharp whistle that slices through the noise. The crew all look over, curious, but not hostile. That’ll probably change in a minute.
“Right,” I start. “I know Dennis didn’t care much for order. I know Luminous is all about the music, the vibe, the chaos. But from now on? That changes.”
I step forward, tone steady and commanding.
“The way everything was stacked when you came in tonight? That’s how it’ll be every damn time.
Set up and breakdown will be organized. Gear will be cared for.
No more busted lights, tangled wires, or crap left lying around.
It might add time, but it’ll save us in the long run.
That’s how it’s done properly. And that’s how it’ll be done with me in charge. ”
Silence.
Then a pause.
Then, Benny, one of the younger techs, lifts his chin and says, “It’s about time. Dennis had us running like headless chooks. I’m glad someone’s finally bringing order.”
Around the circle, nods start, some smirks, and I even sense relief.
Tank throws me a look—told you so.
“Good,” I reply. “Let’s pack it tight and right for tomorrow, then we’re done.”
“Yes! After-party, here we come.” Benny grins. “You’re coming, right, Mercs?”
I shake my head. “Nah. Gonna stay focused. Maybe next time.”
He looks at me like I just kicked a puppy. Around him, the rest of the crew seem equally horrified.
Tank chuckles, gripping my shoulder. “Your loss, man. Luminous after-parties are… next level. Those chicks know how to party. Don’t let the glitter fool you.”
Something tightens in my chest at that.
Effa flashes in my mind. That tiny blonde with a face full of paint, wearing a giraffe onesie, when I first met her. She looked sweet. Almost innocent.
But if she’s anything like the others…
Maybe I don’t want to see that side of her.
Maybe I’d rather keep the version of her I already have stuck in my head.
The version that claps when she’s impressed, smiles without shame, and seems like a fucking walking contradiction in the best way.
I’m probably being a dickhead, but I don’t care.
I like the Effa I met.
I’m not ready to see her differently.
“Right,” I say, clapping my hands once. “Enough chatter. Let’s finish this up.”
Everyone jumps back into motion. The night air is heavy with the lingering smoke from the show. The haze clings to everything—equipment, skin, thoughts. Music hums low through the overhead speakers as I turn toward the back of the stage, jaw set.
Effa flickers in my mind again.
But I’ve got work to do.
***
It’s eerie.
The crowd is gone.
The lights are out.
The stadium, once alive with sound and color, now sits in total silence. Just me and maybe the janitors, though right now, even they’re nowhere to be seen. It is a stark contrast from the full-throttle electricity of a Luminous show to this empty, echoing shell.
Only the steady thump of my heartbeat cuts through the stillness.
I’m sprawled out on the sofa in the crew room, staring up at the dark ceiling, and wondering how the after-party’s going.
How wild is it getting?
Are the girls already half-naked on a table?
Is Effa grinding on some random guy in the VIP lounge?
Fuck! I hate that thought.
With a grunt, I reach for my phone and pull up the photo gallery. My thumb hovers over one of me with Kiera and Gran back home in Ligonier. We’re standing on the rickety old porch, that peeling white latticework still hanging on somehow. Kiera’s in her cheerleading uniform, all smiles and attitude.
That was before everything changed.
Before cancer.
My chest tightens.
I swallow hard, blink a few times, and reach for my berry water.
Note to self: buy some damn beer.
I miss home.
But, even here, sitting alone in a hollow stadium, I feel something close to peace.
Life on the road is raw, unpredictable, and free. No small-town cages. No judgmental stares. Just movement, sound, and purpose.
Still, I wish Kiera could be here.
I know she would love it.
Being a big brother turned legal guardian at eighteen wasn’t part of my life plan.
But when Mom died of cancer, and Dad had disappeared years earlier, I had no choice.
Kiera was eleven. Gran stepped in where she could, helping with the bills, keeping food on the table, but raising Kiera? That fell on me.
Gran helped me find a light tech certification course that’d pay off. It got me work. Got me on the road. Got me here.
It kept things afloat.
But it also meant leaving them behind.
Ligonier’s a small town where gossip is a morning ritual. And for a while there, I was the headline. Finding my girlfriend, my childhood sweetheart, in the back seat of my own car with my best friend? Yeah, that shit blew up fast.
So when The Living Dead offered me a touring gig, I didn’t hesitate.
Leaving was easy.
Leaving Kiera wasn’t.
Now I’ve got four months ahead of me on the road with Luminous. A long stretch, but worth it.
If everything goes well, I’ll finally have enough saved to help cover Kiera’s procedure.
That’s the goal.
That’s the only thing that matters.
EFFA
The party’s in full swing.
The bass thumping so hard the walls feel like they’re breathing. I can’t hear myself think as I down another mouthful of vodka and cranberry, the tart bitterness making me grin as it cools my throat.
Casey’s doing her usual—wasting her night on groupies and roadies. The woman’s a wild child through and through. She bends over, snorting a line off the bare chest of one of our groupies, Sebastian, who we picked up on our last Denmark tour, and he’s been tagging along ever since.
Our groupies? All male.
Think of what female groupies are to male bands. That’s what our boys are for us. They love the music, love us, and we, well… we appreciate their services.
Casey flops back into her seat, wiping her nose, before Benny leans in and kisses her hard. Meanwhile, Sebastian is still lying shirtless on the table, glittery with cocaine. I shake my head, a small, bemused chuckle slipping out.
Then I spot Tank walking in, and my gaze instinctively shifts, searching.
If Tank’s here, that means the crew’s done.
So maybe...
Mercs?
But Tank heads straight to Andi, who’s perched at the bar, looking a little lost in her own thoughts. He drops into the seat next to her, nudging her into conversation.
No Mercs.
I scan the room.
Kristy’s wrapped up in a booth with one of the groupies, hands roaming, mouths busy. That’ll end in the bathroom or the hotel room if she’s in the mood for a marathon.
In another booth, Luke and Alana are deep in conversation. They always are. Talking PR, marketing, and logistics. Alana’s not big on partying, so she sticks with Luke after our shows.
They’re sweet.
They’re also kind of boring.
I do a slow sweep of the entire room, but it’s clear that he is not here.
Mercs isn’t coming.
Disappointment presses against my ribs as I push off my seat and walk toward the bar.
“… so I said, ‘You’re a fucking reptile!’ and she told me to ‘Get fucked,’ ” Tank shouts, and Andi snorts with laughter.
“No wonder, Tank. That’s the worst comeback in history,” she says, rolling her eyes.
I slide in next to her, catching Tank’s attention.
“Hey, Effa…” He grins. “I was just telling Andi how great the show was tonight.”
“Absolutely,” I reply, forcing a smile. “It was good having Mercs on board. He made it perfect.” I pause, trying to sound casual. “Is he coming tonight?”
Tank shakes his head, sipping his beer. “Nah. He’s a quiet one. Said he wanted to stay back at the stadium. Not even sure he’s in the same hotel as us. Wouldn’t surprise me if he’s crashed on a sofa somewhere. Seems the type.”
I exhale through my nose, frustrated. “Wow. Wonder why he’d do that?”
He shrugs. “People are a mysterious beast, Effa. I mean, check you out. You’re a freak.”
Andi punches him in the arm, and he grins wider.
I smirk. “Thanks, Tank. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
He lets out a laugh. “See? Only a freak would. But that’s why we love you.” He raises his beer. “We gotta loosen Mercs up. Get him to come to an after-party. At least sleep at the damn hotel. He needs to feel like part of the crew.”
I nod slowly, pressing my lips together. “He will. Leave it to me. I have a way of making people love us.”
Tank smirks. “You sure do. Now, I need another beer and some bad decisions. Andi, my love, wanna party with me tonight?”
She chuckles. “Wow, Tank. That’s romantic as hell. How could I refuse?”
As they laugh, I finish my drink in one long swallow and set the empty on the bar.
Without a word, I turn and head across the room, straight to Raoul.
He’s at the top of the stairs, just like I knew he’d be, arms crossed beside Cooper.
Both in black, both stoic. I can’t help but smirk.
I feel for them, always watching, never joining in.
Raoul’s eyes narrow as I approach, his brows furrowing. Even grumpier than usual. Still sexy though, with that chiseled jaw, messy black hair, and shoulders like he could crush someone just by flexing.
But no. Raoul’s off-limits. He takes his job too seriously. That’s why we trust him.
And that’s why I’m here.
“Raoul,” I say, straight to the point. “Would you take me back to the stadium? I’m sure Cooper and the others can handle things for a bit, right?”
His shoulders tense as he glances at Cooper. “Effa, you know I’ll take you anywhere,” he says lowly. “But leaving everyone here with only six security makes me uneasy.”
I slump a little. “Can you call in reinforcements? Please? I really need to go back. Tonight.”
He groans, not at me, but at the situation. Cooper gives me a quick grin. He’s the more easygoing of the two.
“Raoul, go,” Cooper says. “I’ve got this. If anything comes up, I’ll call. You keep talking about trusting me. Well, this is your chance. Take care of the most important part of Luminous. I’ll handle the rest.”
I squirm a little at that. I hate being called the most important part. Yeah, I’m the lead singer, I write the songs, but Luminous is a team. If one of us fails, we all fail.
Still, I know many people don’t see it that way.
Raoul sighs heavily. “Fine. But the moment anything happens—”
“I’ll call,” Cooper cuts him off.
Raoul looks at me again, shoulders relaxing. “You ready?”
I bob up on my toes and nod. “Yep.”