Operation 19 Targets in Spotlight #2
God’s men had gathered in the front entry and outside near the vehicles, each of them also in black-on-black everything. Their badges and guns were hidden, but their authority was impossible to conceal.
God’s long, thick hair was loose and flowing over his shoulders, brushing Day’s cheek as he bent into their hushed conversation.
Steele’s back was against the wall in the hallway, looking like a man who guarded the passage to the underworld, his ever-present toothpick between his teeth.
Tech stood by his side staring at the tablet in his hand, polished and preppy even in all black, except for the neatly tied white and silver silk bow tie.
Ruxs and Green waited outside under the front portico, scanning the street where the paparazzi had gathered in an attempt to be the first to broadcast details of his appearance for the night.
Free wasn’t visible, but Xander was sure he was hovering close in cyberspace.
The sight of all of them waiting for him hit harder than he’d expected.
Almost a month ago, he’d been terrified, trapped in a workout room, certain he was going to die alone in his own home. Now he stood in the same house, dressed for the biggest night of his career, surrounded by men who’d rearranged their lives to keep him safe.
“Before we go,” Xander started.
The conversations in the entryway died down.
God turned toward him, so did the others.
Xander clasped his hands in front of him because if he didn’t, he might start fussing with his cuffs.
“I know I’ve said it before, but I want to say it again.
Thank you. All of you.” His gaze moved from God to Day, Steele, Tech, then through the open door to Ruxs and Green.
“I know this hasn’t been easy. I know you have your own lives, your own work, your own problems back home.
And I know I’m probably the most high-maintenance person to guard you’ve ever had. ”
“Top three,” Ruxs called out.
Green elbowed him, then looked at the rest of his team. “As far as work assignments go, the Golden Crown Awards isn’t the shittiest one we could get tasked with.”
“I’m sure.” Xander laughed softly. “Still, I’m so grateful. I feel safe because of you. I’m able to work because of you. And tonight, win or lose, I get to go there because you made sure fear didn’t keep me hiding in my home.”
Day winked at him and Tech gave him a small nod.
Steele turned away, which Xander was learning meant he felt something and didn’t like it.
God came toward him and stopped a few feet away. His mouth didn’t soften much, but there was kindness in his eyes.
“You just enjoy your night,” God said. “We’ll handle the rest.”
Xander nodded.
Cassidy kept his hand on the small of his back as they walked outside.
The evening had turned gold, pink, and purple over Laurel Canyon, the solar lights coming on along the driveway as the motorcade waited.
Slade stood beside the black 2027 Hummer—his manager had rented for his safety—wearing a basic black suit, an earpiece, and an impassive expression.
God and Day took the lead SUV. Ruxs, Green, and Steele loaded into the rear vehicle and Tech took the front passenger seat in the Hummer, as Cassidy opened the back door for him.
He slid inside and Cassidy got in beside him.
The door shut with a solid, armored clunk.
The convoy rolled out through the gate, down the long drive, and onto the road in a formation so smooth Xander almost felt like a US ambassador.
He was sure he’d be the only actor arriving with a six-man security team and a military-trained driver, but after the past few weeks, he hoped everyone would understand.
He stared out of the window at the city, the sky darkening toward indigo, flashpoints of light coming alive across the hills.
Cassidy inched towards him, brushing his mouth near his ear. “You look devastating.”
Xander’s breath caught before he smiled and leaned closer into the warmth of Cassidy’s lips.
“And you look like the man I want on my arm while I walk the carpet.”
Cassidy moved his nose further behind his ear, inhaling him in a way that made a shiver slide down his spine.
“You’re wearing my fragrance.”
Xander turned his head slightly, smiling. “Yes, I am. For very good reason.”
Cassidy’s eyes darkened. “And what reason is that?”
Xander bit his bottom lip. “I wanted to make sure you stay close.”
Cassidy eased his hand up his thigh, not high, not inappropriate, just enough pressure to make him aware.
“I will be…all night.”
Xander closed his eyes.
Cassidy kissed his cheek, his beard scraping lightly against his skin. “Good luck tonight.”
Warmth ignited in his chest. He gazed up through his lashes. “And what do I get if I win?”
Cassidy’s gaze flicked to his mouth. Then lower. “What do you want?”
Tech cleared his throat from the front. “Slade and I are sitting right here.”
Xander didn’t look away from Cassidy. The city lights moved across Cassidy’s face, catching the sharp line of his jaw, the dark beard, the heat behind those smoky eyes.
Xander angled toward him, lust moving through him with enough force to not give a damn who was listening.
He let his gaze travel over Cassidy’s strong body, the suit, the chest beneath it, the thighs he’d thought far too much about for the last several weeks.
“I think you already know that answer,” he whispered.
Cassidy pressed closer until his voice was only for him. “You think you’re ready for me, sweet boy?”
Xander nodded too fast to be dignified. “Yes.”
Cassidy narrowed his eyes.
“Yes,” Xander said again, knowing he sounded desperate.
Because he was.
Cassidy nipped his ear. “We’ll see.”
Tech sighed. “I’m filing a complaint with God.”
Xander laughed, breathless and happy.
The Golden Crown Awards were held at the Ellington Theatre downtown, a restored landmark dressed tonight in gold light, red carpet, and absolute madness.
Searchlights moved across the sky. Fans surged behind barricades. Photographers shouted names in overlapping waves that turned every arrival into a storm.
Security was thick around the perimeter, but Xander still felt Cassidy’s hand steady at his back as they reached the debus point.
“Starlight at the disembark point,” Tech said quietly into comms.
Slade opened the door. The noise hit first. Then the flashes.
Xander stepped out and for one blinding second, everything became light.
Cameras burst in rapid fire. People screamed his name. Fans held posters, photos, rainbow flags, copies of magazine covers, signs that said WE LOVE YOU XANDER and SILENCE SAVED ME and STAY STRONG.
His chest tightened but not with fear this time.
With emotion.
Cassidy walked close beside him, just out of frame when he could manage it, present enough that Xander never had to wonder.
Ruxs and Green bracketed the perimeter beyond the camera lines. Steele drifted a few more feet behind. God and Day moved ahead and to the far side, invisible to anyone who didn’t know what or who they were there for, while Tech remained with the vehicle and in digital coordination with Free.
Now for the daunting part.
Xander walked the carpet.
He signed autographs. Took photos. Smiled for reporters. Answered questions about the film, the sequel, his cast, the pressure, the gratitude, the love he’d received from fans.
And, repeatedly, his security.
“Xander, you look incredible tonight,” one entertainment correspondent said, her smile bright as diamonds. “And may I say, you also look very well-protected.”
A laugh moved through the press line.
Xander smiled. “I’m in very capable hands.”
“I think the internet has noticed.” Her gaze slid behind him toward Cassidy. “Are you feeling safe tonight?”
Xander glanced toward the crowd, then back at her. “I am. I’m grateful to be here and to celebrate this film with people I love.”
Her expression softened. “You’ve earned it. Have a great night, and good luck.”
By the time he entered the theatre, his cheeks hurt from smiling and his pulse had settled into something manageable.
Inside, the Golden Crown Awards glittered in gold, cream, and deep reds.
The audience was a sea of famous faces, old legends, rising stars, directors, producers, studio executives, and people who’d made careers schmoozing with the right people.
Xander sat with his cast from What Breaks in Silence, tucked between, Wyatt Stanis, Devyn Frost, who was still recovering but upright and smiling, and Lena Hartwell, who’d played his homophobic sister in the film and cried every time one of them won something.
His security was positioned discreetly—as much as men who looked like them could be—around the theatre.
Cassidy stood near a side aisle with a clear view of him, the stage, and the main exit. Xander pretended not to search for him every few minutes, but failed.
The show moved fast and strange, as award shows always did from the inside. Speeches. Presenters. Commercial breaks. Applause. Jokes that landed. Jokes that died on awkward laughs.
When Xander came out to present Best Breakthrough Performance, the applause rose before he even reached the microphone…then kept rising.
People stood. And at first, he thought maybe someone behind him had entered too.
But no. They were standing for him.
The ovation swelled through the theatre, long and loud, cheers layered beneath the applause. His peers stood from their seats, clapping with serious faces, warm faces, some with hands over their hearts.
He saw Devyn standing with everyone else, one hand braced on his cane, the other high in the air. Directors he admired, actors he’d watched since childhood. Crew members from his film wiping their eyes.
Many of them still believed he was being targeted for coming out.
God had insisted it wasn’t that simple.
Xander didn’t know what to believe anymore.
But standing there under the lights, hearing a room full of people tell him with their hands and actions he wasn’t alone, stirred deep inside him.
He waited until the applause quieted enough for him to speak.