Chapter 19
NINETEEN
Alani
After seeing Linc and Isabelle heading downstairs, I wait a few discreet moments.
The interaction beside the pool put any notion they’d fallen out of love from my mind.
I head to my room. As I walk through the hallway, Linc comes barreling through the door leading to his recording studio.
His expression looks like a thunderstorm and I pause as he walks toward me.
Was the romantic show just a game they seem to be playing with everyone?
The moment he sees me, the personality takes over and he gives me an engaging smile.
I wonder why they feel the need to be constantly acting a part?
“Ah, I’m glad I found you.” Linc stops in front of me.
“You do realize you’ll need to fact-check most of the things that Isabelle tells you because unfortunately she lives in a dream world most of the time?
I’d also like to read your chapters as they come through, mainly just to make sure no one will sue us once the book is published. ”
I thought I could trust him. I’m a good judge of character and from the moment we met, he appeared to be open and honest. His eyes are back to the sultry kindness I’ve seen since arriving.
“That’s a given.” I glance down and then make the decision to be honest with him.
“I know I’m here as an employee, but I can assure you I have no intention of digging up dirt or selling my story to the tabloid press.
Please trust me, because if I hear a possible lead for a story, I’ll pursue it to discover the truth.
That doesn’t mean it will go into the book unless Isabelle specifies it.
” I sigh. “I have tried to steer her away from anything that might hurt your career, particularly about being faithful.”
“Faithful?” Linc wipes a hand down his face.
“The truth is, that ideal doesn’t fit my image, so girls are invited to my suite when we tour to party with the crew.
I take photos with them and then slip away to another private part of the hotel, where I can get some sleep.
” He frowns. “It’s not what you expected to hear, is it?
” He sighs. “Or has Isabelle opened up about her lovers?”
Astounded, I swallow hard. “Her lovers? Not yet, we’re mainly going through her movies right now and what happened around each one.
I’ve never read anything about her seeing another man or any problems with your marriage.
I did extensive research on Isabelle, mainly to guide her through her life story. ”
“I’d look like a loser if a story like that leaked, right?” He squares his shoulders. “I can see the headlines: Sex god, Linc Boswell, dumped for young blond surfer.”
I can’t believe my ears. “Is that true?”
“Honestly, I have no idea what she gets up to when I’m on tour.” He pushes his hands into the pockets of his black jeans and shrugs. “I’d always see her standing in the wings or on the front row with her girlfriends but since the movie roles dried up, she stays here.”
I take a leap, hoping this is the real Linc I’m speaking to and not an AI-fabricated facsimile. “That display of affection by the pool was an act, wasn’t it?” I meet his gaze. “What did I say to you that made you so angry? We need to be honest with each other—all of us—if this is going to work.”
“It’s the crap that followed the ‘Black Valentine’ murder.
” Linc leans against the wall and blows out a long breath as if to gather himself.
“How do you figure it makes me feel, knowing someone murdered a woman because of my song? I wrote those lyrics.” He lifts his head and looks at me.
“Did you know they found my fingerprints at the scene?”
My heart pounds as I take in his tortured expression. “No. You said you were on tour.”
“I was but I’d signed an album and it was left at the scene covered in blood.
” He shakes his head. “The cops locked me in an interrogation room for hours and kept on questioning me about a woman called Rachel. I had no idea what they were talking about and then they shoved that framed copy of the music score for ‘Black Valentine’ in my face.”
I nod. “I do know the woman who died was called Rachel—the name you crossed out on your music—maybe that’s why? They figured she was the woman in the song.”
“It didn’t happen that way, Alani.” Linc straightens.
“Lucas scribbled a riff on some sheet music, for a song he titled ‘Rachel,’ and when he played it, the lyrics for ‘Black Valentine’ came into my head. I crossed out the word Rachel and titled it ‘Black Valentine.’” He huffs out a sigh.
“Then some batshit crazy guy murders some chick called Rachel and all hell breaks loose.”
That’s not the entire truth. I can just about smell it.
I know when someone is holding back but I let it go.
There’s something simmering under the surface, a secret festering like a bad tooth.
“Well, I’ll make sure to steer clear of any mention of that incident.
It didn’t happen to Isabelle so we can leave it out. ”
“That’s good. I’ve liked your straight-shooting attitude right from the start.
It’s refreshing, so many people working around me spend their entire life making up gossip.
” He smiles. “Also, my door is always open if you want to discuss anything. Forget about being paid to write Isabelle’s memoirs, I’d like you to treat us as if you’re one of the family.
Sam has told me so little about you, and you have an interesting story.
” He puts his head on one side and grins at me.
“Lucas has already asked me if you’re my love-child.
He figures you feel like his little sister. ”
I giggle. “I guess that’s because we met in high school. I’ve found over the last year that so many people I know are connected. I thought it was a myth but it seems to be true in my case. The more I research people for their memoirs, the more logical it becomes.”
“Oh, I could write a song about that.” Linc nods and gets a faraway look in his eyes. “If I do, I’ll call it ‘Alani.’”
I smile at him. “Funny, Lucas said the same thing to me.”
“Ah, the perfect collaboration.” He slides past me. “See you at dinner.”