Chapter Fifteen
Dusty
“Everything’s set for tonight?” I asked Kace, as I sat with him, Bailey, and Tyrell in the outdoor bar at the lodge, having a quick little team meeting before our big night.
It was almost dark, the patio set up with lots of lights and heater lamps. People coming off the slopes for a drink and snack filled the tables and crowded around the fire pits.
Kace checked his phone. “The crew’s ready. Your fans are ready. I’m so fucking excited for you. Who would have thought that the guy who used to record in the shower would be here?”
“I’m glad you’re here to share this with me.” I’d put in a shit-ton of hard work. There were years of playing small venues for uninterested crowds, getting shit on social media, and all the hard work that comes with trying to make it as a creative that no one ever talks about.
But I also wouldn’t have made it without the support of my family, friends, and my team.
“Mrs. Johnson can suck it.” Tyrell held up his beer.
“Here, here.” I tapped my glass to his. That was my high school music teacher who thought my music was worthless.
“You have a meet and greet soon at that club in town,” Kace added.
“Yes.” It was something my label had arranged.
My eyes fell on Saoirse, who’d just walked into the bar with Fiona, her arm around her.
“Is she your girlfriend?” Bailey asked.
“I wish.” Had I pushed her too hard today? I thought we were kinda sort of casually seeing each other.
She thought otherwise, apparently.
But I wanted us to be. I could see a future with her.
“You really should convince her to do that song tonight,” Bailey added. “It’s blowing up online.”
I froze, my beer halfway to my lips. “You posted it?”
“No. But it was posted by multiple other people there for the sound check,” she replied, pulling up a clip. “Can I? I edited it so we don’t see her face. We don’t have to tag her. Though people are speculating if she was the third person in your ski race.”
“I… I don’t know. She’s pretty private. She got up there to indulge an idea I had,” I said softly.
It had been electric being with her onstage like that. Almost as good as fucking her. Everything had clicked like we were meant to perform alongside each other.
To be together.
Things between us were just magnetic in a way I never thought I’d feel with anyone.
I could see how some government assassin might not want to be on stage singing with me. If we got together, I’d have to be very clear to the public that she was off-limits, and I had no problem doing that.
Oh. Wait. Was that why she got resistant? Did the government not allow her to date?
But she was dating Fiona.
Though Fiona probably also worked for the government. Possibly a different government.
Fiona was with Carlos. But if it was a different government they could have other rules.
Hmmm.
My mothers would love her. They would overwhelm her. Over-question her. Overfeed her.
But they’d love her.
It could also be because Saoirse was a delta. There was a little animosity between the designations, because while deltas did have some alpha traits, they weren’t alphas.
And to some that meant second best.
Not to mention non-omegas being wary about dating alphas was very real. They feared that they were just filling time and would be tossed aside when the right omega came along.
Saoirse was hardly second place.
“I get that. There are plenty of amazing musicians who have no interest in performing in public. Even if you don’t post it online, it should absolutely be on your next album,” Kace added. “If she doesn’t record it with you, we can find someone else to sing it.”
“I might be able to convince her to do that. It would be fun,” I agreed. I checked the posts. Wow. People loved the song.
Hearing her singing in Irish on that outdoor stage had been like being in the presence of an ethereal being who could swallow you whole, like someone from a German fairytale.
Yes, Mi Cielo had bewitched me like an enchantress from the forest.
Kace stared at her. “I’ve seen her before.”
“You have,” I nodded. Sometimes they were with me during my antics. Also, she’d come backstage a few times. It was thrilling to return to the dressing room and find her there.
“Oh.” Tyrell waggled his eyebrows.
“Yep.” Not that they knew what she did.
“I had your outfit for the meet and greet sent to your villa. The one for your set will be waiting backstage.” Tyrell eyed Fiona and Saoirse. “They are both very pretty.”
“They are.” I should probably try to get to know Fiona a little bit. Omegas weren’t really my thing. But I’d be good to her for Saoirse’s sake and she seemed nice.
Not to mention Carlos adored her. Yeah, I could see being a pack with them someday.
I finished my beer. “I’m going to head back to the villa and get ready.”
Fiona and Saoirse had their heads together, talking and drinking wine. Saoirse preferred red wine. Bordeaux specifically. It looked like Fiona was a pink wine girly.
“I’m heading back to the villa. Did you come off the slopes?” I asked the two of them.
“The spa, but Saoirse wants me to go down a few runs with her.” Fiona took a sip of her wine. “What are we doing for dinner?”
“Oh. We need a group chat. Carlos still has no phone, but we’ll catch him up.” I took out my phone. “I can’t believe we didn’t make one last night. I need your numbers.”
“I’ll send you mine. Do you need Hale’s? I got his earlier.” She held up her phone.
“I suppose you can have mine. But don’t misuse it,” Saoirse added.
“Never.” Though we might have to clarify what she meant by that. As soon as the numbers hit my phone, I started a group chat.
Me
I have a fan meet-and-greet at the club in town.
You’re welcome to come. Then we can all head to the festival and eat from the food trucks and catch some sets.
Food trucks at the festival are free with our wristbands.
But if you all want to get dinner someplace else or head up without me it’s totally fine. Someone please tell Carlos.
I looked at them expectantly.
“I’d like to go down a few more trails, then have a shower and a nap. But I’m fine with meeting someplace and going to the festival together,” Saoirse admitted.
Oooh. Nap. Yes. If I went back now I could get in a quick nap.
“See you later.” I stopped at the front desk to see if Carlos’ phone had been found yet. It hadn’t. I dropped that in the group chat, too, then headed back, leaving my snow skates in our locker, which we had for the duration of our trip.
Hale
We’re still at the skate park. I’ll let you know what we decide.
I walked back to our villa and opened the door.
“Fuckity, fuck, fuck, fuck,” I swore, as I switched on the light and was greeted by a whole bunch of dolls sitting on the couch.
Apparently, the dolls they bought yesterday had been delivered to our villa and someone thought it would be funny to pose them.
Ugh. Creepy.
I took a picture and dropped it in the chat.
Me
The dolls are here. Should we hide the knives?
I took a shower and then got in my bunk for a nap. The room smelled of Saoirse, given her things were in here.
Saoirse. What did I need to do to prove that we could be a thing despite her being an assassin?
Actions spoke louder than words.
I texted Kace as I curled up in the small, but comfortable, bed.
Me
Please find out if there are any food trucks serving tacos? Thanks.
Yes. I’d start there.
My alarm went off and I got up. I took a quick cold shower, did some push-ups, then went downstairs. The villa was empty.
Well, except for the dolls. Ugh.
From the group chat, it looked like they were going to meet me at the club, then we’d head over to the festival. Perfect.
Putting on my prepare for a gig playlist, I listened to it in my earbuds as I made myself a protein smoothie.
I also checked on the beans I’d put in a pot to soak before we’d left this morning.
As I sipped my smoothie, I started chopping up onions and sauteed them with bacon.
They went in the slow cooker, along with some tomatoes.
Rinsing the beans, I added them to the cooker along with all the spices I’d brought from home, some water and garlic. Lots of garlic.
My mamma, who was the only Italian in the bunch, always told me to add garlic until the ancestors told me to stop. So, I did. Then added a little more.
I sent a picture to the group chat I had with the six of my moms.
Me
Christmas beans. Starting them now, in case we want Christmas dinner for breakfast.
Especially if we hit the after party and didn’t come home until dawn. Mmmm, partying followed by some enchiladas and tamales. Perfect.
I got a bunch of good luck messages from them.
Mami
Who was the woman with the beautiful voice in that video?
Of course they saw that. Stalkers.
Me
Someone who has never had tacos.
Amá
Bring her over and I will make her some.
La Jefa
You’re seeing someone?
Ma
Have you collaborated with her before? I don’t recognize her.
Inwardly, I sighed. They’d have our wedding planned before dessert, wouldn’t they?
Me
She is the girlfriend of Carlos’ girlfriend.
Mamma
You should form a pack with Carlos. You’re not getting any younger. With your job you need a nice, stable pack at home.
I did love how they considered Carlos stable.
Mamá
Make sure you wear clothes when performing tonight. It will be very cold, and you don’t want to get sick.
Mami
Who thought it was a good idea to have an outdoor concert, in winter, in Switzerland?
Me
There will be heat lamps. Love you, got to go.
Mami
Make sure you wear your nice glasses.
Me
Si, Mami.
Mamma
Yes. Be pretty for the beautiful girl. Be nice to her.
Be nice to Saoirse? Oh, yes, I’d be so nice to her.
I silenced the chat. I’d call them tomorrow for Christmas.
Wait. The villa didn’t have a tree. I called the front desk and asked for one. Yes, we needed that in order to have a proper Christmas.