Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Holt
A ringing pulls me out of sleep.
Raelyn is tucked against me and starts to stir from the sound. What time is it?
The ringing continues, and I snap out of it realizing it’s my phone.
Kane’s name flashes across the screen. Something is off.
I answer. “Hey man, what’s wrong?”
“We have a problem,” Kane says. “I’m heading up to your room now. Let me in so we can discuss it.”
“Okay,” I say as I hang up.
“Something wrong?” Raelyn asks.
“Kane just needs something. Go back to sleep babe, and I’ll be right back.” I lean down to kiss her hair as I inhale her sweet scent.
“Okay,” she mumbles and then closes her eyes.
Sliding out of the warm bed, I make my way to open the door.
Kane strides inside to the table while rubbing his face. He wears a stern expression with worry in his eyes.
“Your tour bus was broken into tonight. The person entered through the window of your room. Jake happened to be getting some water and heard the commotion. He knew y’all didn’t come back, so he went to check it out. He spooked whoever it was and wasn’t able to get a good visual since the person was jumping out the window as Jake was entering the room.
“Security was alerted immediately, and police are there now. We’re pulling footage to see if we can get a better look at the suspect, but upon searching the area a weapon was recovered—a knife. It’s in evidence now to be sent off to see if we can get a hit on prints if any were left behind.
“I’ve ramped up security until we figure out more. We don’t know what we’re looking at, yet. Maybe a crazy, obsessed fan or someone with a grudge against you, are my thoughts. Do you know anyone who might have something against you?” he asks.
I sit silently, taking in his words.
“No. No one I can think of,” I say, racking my brain. “A knife, really?”
He nods. “Yeah, and it wasn’t a small one either. It was a hunting knife. Whoever this is was planning on hurting you.”
“Shit,” I say, sitting down running a hand through my hair.
“What if we had been there? I can’t put Raelyn in danger. I would die before I let someone hurt her.” A fire starts building inside me. “We better find this fucker and fast.”
“I’m doing everything I can. I’ll be stationed outside your hotel room tonight with backup. I don’t believe anyone knows where you are since the bus was hit, but we’re taking all precautions right now. I’m sorry to barge in, but I just want you aware of the situation at hand.”
I shake his hand. “Thanks, Kane, I appreciate all you do.”
“It’s my job. The military prepared me for this. We’ll find out who it is, but until then, we need to keep Raelyn close. Y’all are all over the news from the concert and gala. She could be a target, too. Hopefully, Paul can keep this under wraps from the media. I suggest laying low somewhere safe for the week since your next show isn’t until the weekend.”
Sitting down, I think for a moment. “I know just the place.”
Raelyn
Light streams through the thin curtains, as I open my eyes. The sheets feel cold around me, instantly making me miss the warmth of Holt’s body.
Frowning, I throw the sheets back and slip out of bed. Holt’s shirt lays on the floor at my feet, discarded from last night’s adventures. Picking it up, I put it to my nose, inhaling his scent before slipping it on.
In the living area, I find him shirtless leaning against the balcony with a mug in his hand. He seems tense and lost in thought as I approach him.
“Good morning,” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist.
He pulls me to him, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Good morning, my beautiful girl.”
I sense something off in his voice. “What’s wrong?”
He runs a hand through his hair. “There is an issue. That’s why Kane called, but I don’t want to worry you. Let me get you a cup of coffee, and we’ll talk about it.”
There’s a pit in my stomach as I take a seat in the lounge chair, stressing about what might have happened. I remember the late phone call, but I drifted back to sleep.
Holt returns, handing me my coffee, and takes a seat on the lounge beside me. A serious expression sits on his face. “My tour bus was broken into last night.”
A million different scenarios have played in my mind, but not that one. “What? Is everyone okay?”
He nods. “Yes, everyone is fine.”
I blow out a relieved breath. “Good. What happened?”
“In the middle of the night, Jake heard some noise coming from my bedroom and went to check it out. Someone was in there. Jake spooked whoever it was but the person escaped out the window. Kane thinks even though no one was hurt, someone was attempting to cause harm.”
“What makes Kane question that?”
“A knife was discovered while searching the area. Kane is former military, so he’s on top of things to try to figure out any possible leads. He has connections that can help. They’re sending the knife off to check for fingerprints.”
My stomach sinks. “Who would try to hurt you?”
He blows out a breath. “I don’t know. I don’t have any enemies. Maybe a fan with an obsession or something along those lines. Security has been amped up until more develops. I would’ve never been able to forgive myself if something happened to you,” he stresses.
I can feel the tension rolling off him. I grab his face. “Hey, I’m okay and I’m right here with you. You can’t think like that. Everyone is fine,” I say, reassuringly.
He nods. “We made the news. Our pictures are all over social media outlets from the airport to the gala. Kane thinks you’ll be safer with us until we figure out the possible motive and what exactly is going on.”
“What does that mean?”
“You could be a target since you’re linked to me. I need you to stay with me this week. That’s the only way I’ll be at ease—to know you’re safe.”
I don’t think I was the target, but I’ll stay if it eases his mind. “I understand, but I need to make some calls first. I’m supposed to return to work tomorrow.”
He wants to argue but instead nods. “Okay. Here’s my proposal. Recently, I purchased a beach house in Hawaii. It’s secluded and will be easy for security to cover. What if you invite your girls, and I’ll bring the guys. That way we can relax and enjoy ourselves.”
“It’s times like this I forget how much money you have and how famous you are,” I say, trying to process everything he just told me. “A vacation home in Hawaii. I might be a little excited about this.”
He laughs. “Go tell your boss you aren’t coming in, or better yet tell him you quit.”
“Not just yet, Holt Hayes,” I shoot back.
“Okay, I’ll try again later. I’m going to call and order us some breakfast while you make some calls. This stress is making me hungry.”
“Sounds good.” Looking down at my phone, I call my boss first. She is completely understanding of the situation, and tells me not to worry and she’ll find coverage.
Now that I have that squared away, I call Mom.
“There’s my girl,” she says as she answers. “You looked absolutely gorgeous last night. Who knew I would be seeing my daughter on all these celebrity news posts? Rylie came over for breakfast and has been catching me up.”
“Thanks, Mom. It was a good time. Holt’s world is a lot to take in, though. That’s actually why I’m calling. Can you put me on speaker so Rylie can hear me, too, because my plan was to call her next anyway.”
“Okay sweetie, hang on. Okay, you’re on.”
“Hey, sis,” Rylie says, cheerfully.
“Hey, Ry,” I respond. “So, something happened last night, but everyone is fine. Holt’s tour bus was broken into. Whoever it was, got in through his bedroom window. A bandmate heard commotion and went to check it out, but the intruder escaped. Upon searching the area, a knife was discovered.”
“Oh my,” Mom says.
“Security has been amped up, but they want us to lay low this week. Holt’s head of security has requested I stay close by, considering I could be a target since I’m linked to Holt.”
“Wow. Do they have any idea of who it could be?” Rylie asks.
“Oh honey, I’m so glad y’all are okay,” Mom says, cutting in. Her voice is laced with a combination of worry and relief.
“They really don’t know at the moment. Possibly a crazy, obsessed fan or something. Things like this happen in the celebrity world. Holt has a vacation home in Hawaii. He’s wanting us to go there for the week, so we can relax a little until they figure out more involving the situation at hand. He told me to invite my girls to come along,” I say, knowing this will grab Rylie’s attention.
“I mean, I don’t think this situation is okay because there are some damn crazies out there, but I’m not mad about it either,” Rylie says, a hint of amusement in her voice.
“Rylie Grace!” my mother says in a scolding tone.
I laugh. “It’s a free vacation, just as a safety precaution.”
“Well, like I said, I’m so glad y’all are all okay, but that scares me,” Mom says. “I know you’re grown now, but I still worry. No matter how old y’all get, you’ll always be my babies. I trust you’ll be safe with Holt, though, and apparently your sister will be too.”
I grin into the phone. “We will, Mom. Promise. It’s easier to secure everyone there.”
“So, when are we leaving?” Rylie asks, getting straight to the point.
“Tomorrow, if I can convince all the girls to pack a bag and head to Nashville. We’ll be taking a private jet so we can stay under the radar.”
“I’m calling into work right now,” Rylie squeals excitedly. “If they don’t let me off, I’m quitting.”
“Good Lord, Rylie,” Mom scolds, again.
“Kidding, Mom. Well maybe,” she says.
I giggle at their banter.
“I love you, Raelyn. Y’all please be careful. Always check your surroundings,” Mom says.
“Yes, ma’am. I love you too, Mom,” I say, and then I hang up. Now, to text the girls.
Me: So, I have some news. Long story short, someone broke into Holt’s tour bus last night, and a knife was recovered. To stay under the radar until we know more details, Holt’s wanting to take me to his vacation home in Hawaii. The band will accompany us, and Holt has offered for y’all to come as well. Free trip to Hawaii… Nashville tomorrow? We’ll take a private jet… What do y’all think?
Brynn: Oh, screw my job. I mean I love my job, but you know what I mean. I’m in. BTW that’s so scary! I’m so glad y’all are ok!
Maddie: WTF? I’m with Brynn. Screw my clients, and give me all the sunshine!
Rylie: Just called in to take some of my vacation. Packing now, bitches!
Me: I can always count on my girls. See y’all soon!