Ruby Tuesday (16 page)

She could understand Sky’s addiction to performing at this level. The idea of twelve thousand screaming fans all paying to come hear his music—

“Nervous?” Sky asked, his arm snaking its way around her waist.

She shook her head. “No, why should I be? You’re the one who has to go out on the stage.”

She felt his lips curl into a grin at the nape of her neck. “I was talking about the Sherlock Holmes-style trap we’re about to spring.” She shook her head. She’d been so lost in the powerful pull of the stage, she’d forgotten what had to happen before Sky stepped out to perform.

He turned her to face him, touching her cheek softly. “It’s like magic, isn’t it?” 123

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She nodded, pleased that he always seemed to be able to read her mind. She’d never met anyone with whom she felt so closely linked. “I understand why you feel compelled to succeed. I don’t think I could perform at this level without wanting more.

It’s quite heady, wonderful.”

“One day those fans will be filling the seats to see you.” She laughed and scoffed. “I doubt that, but it’s a nice dream.” He looked as if he wanted to continue the argument, but Ewan walked up. “The key players are in place. You guys ready to do this thing?”

“Jeez, Ewan. You sound like Bruce Willis in one of those
Die Hard
movies,” she teased.

Ewan grinned and she read the utter excitement on his face. She knew that tonight, despite everything they were facing, was a night none of her siblings would ever forget.

They were backstage at the final concert of The Universe. History was writing itself before their eyes and they were there—up close and personal.

“Natalie, Marty, Rod and the rest of The Universe are all waiting for you in your dressing room,” Ewan said to Sky. “If we’re gonna spring this trap, the time is now.” Sky grasped Teagan’s hand and she squeezed it for encouragement as she watched a grim expression claim his handsome features. Tonight would not be easy for Sky on many levels. He was about to discover which of his friends had betrayed him and a big chapter of his life was about to close. When he walked off that stage at the end of the night, he would be facing an uncertain future. While she had no doubts about his success, she knew Sky was worried he’d made the wrong decision, scared he’d fail.

“Ready?” he asked as they reached the door to his dressing room. She nodded as Ewan peeled away, drifting down the hallway to meet up with the rest of the Collins clan. The chatter in the room died down at their arrival and Sky thanked all of them for taking a few minutes to join him.

He stepped forward, pulling her with him. “I wanted to formally introduce you all to Teagan Collins. Teagan has been helping me write the songs for my solo album.” No 124

Ruby Tuesday

one made a sound or twitched a muscle. Teagan watched Rod and Natalie closely as Sky continued to speak. “I know by now, you all know of my intention to leave The Universe. I can’t tell you how sad I’m going to be to walk off that stage tonight knowing it’s the last time we’ll ever be together.”

The drummer of the band, Spike, nodded, smiling sadly.

“Been a great ride,” Joe Roxy, the bass player, said.

“Been a fucking awesome ride,” Spike added.

“I know Marty wanted to make a formal announcement about our disbanding tomorrow, but I feel like we owe it to our fans to let them know tonight. Let them know that they’re seeing something a hell of a lot more special than just a rock concert,” Sky said. The band members clearly agreed and Teagan was touched by how much they respected Sky’s decision and how much he cared about them.

“Sky,” Marty said. Teagan thought the red-faced, stressed-out man appeared to be on the verge of a coronary. His skin was mottled, sweaty, and she could read definite fury in his eyes. “We agreed to make the announcement tomorrow at a press conference. Tonight isn’t a good time.”

Sky shrugged. “I don’t agree. In fact, if the guys don’t mind, I’d like to make the announcement toward the end of the second set and then wrap the set up with a song Teagan and I wrote for the solo album. Sort of kick off my new beginning in style.” Marty’s chest rose and fell rapidly, but Rod and Natalie didn’t react. Teagan thought Natalie even looked a bit bored.

“Is that okay, guys?” Sky asked the band.

“Fuck yeah!” Spike said. “We’re gonna rock this motherfucking arena and then we’re gonna get some major pussy.”

Sky laughed. He’d warned Teagan about the drummer’s fondness for the F word and sex. He’d commented on more than one occasion that Spike’s entire world revolved around three sticks—the two in his hands and the one in his pants.

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Marty stepped forward, his voice eerily calm. “I wish you would change your mind about this, Sky.”

Sky shook his head. “My mind is made up.”

“So be it,” the manager said. And he stormed out of the room.

The other band mates filed out as well after exchanging high fives and hugs with Sky before returning to their own dressing rooms. Natalie was the next to leave, hugging Sky and telling Teagan she was pleased to finally meet the hippie who’d stolen her buddy’s heart. Teagan liked the woman instantly and secretly prayed Natalie wasn’t the betrayer.

Rod came up next, shaking his head. “So you’re really gonna do it,” he said.

“Gonna fly solo.”

Sky put his arm around Teagan and said, “Well, not completely solo.” Rod eyed her with interest, and then grinned. Teagan thought his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m happy for you, man. Really happy. Break a leg out there.” Sky shook Rod’s hand and Teagan could see Rod’s surprise at the formality of the gesture. She watched the man mentally shrug and leave.

“Let the games begin,” Sky muttered.

They had set it up so that each of Teagan’s siblings followed a different suspect. If the villain was desperate enough, they figured they’d make a strike to stop Sky’s announcement prior to the concert.

“Aaron’s outside,” she said, having caught a glimpse of Riley’s best friend upon Rod’s departure.

Sky nodded. “Guess we’ll see how badly someone wants to stop me.” Teagan knew Sky was praying whoever was setting him up for failure would simply give up the effort. Problem with that ending was, they may very well never know who’d destroyed the cabin and set the paparazzi loose on Sky.

“Well, I better get out of here,” she said, kissing him lightly on the cheek.

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Sky frowned. “Teagan—” he began, but she cut him off with a wave of her hand.

“I’m following Marty, Sky, and that’s all there is to it.” He shook his head, but she refused to be baited into the same argument they’d fought all day. She’d insisted on trailing Sky’s manager while Ewan shadowed Natalie and Tris took Rod. Pop, Keira, Sean and Will were all keeping an eye on the members of The Universe even though she knew Sky didn’t suspect any of his former band mates.

“This is a mistake,” he said, his words familiar given the fact he’d repeated them to her all day.

“I want to help you figure out who’s doing this. Besides, in case you’ve forgotten, the bastard broke my mother’s guitar.”

“I don’t like the idea of you being in danger.”

“I’ll be surrounded by other people. It’s a madhouse out there. A hub of activity with everyone scurrying around to get ready for the concert. I’ll be fine.” Sky sighed. “Be careful.”

“You too,” she whispered, kissing him quickly once more before leaving the room.

Teagan panicked for a few minutes as she struggled to find her prey, not breathing easily until she caught up to him at the far end of the stage. He was on the phone and fortunately he had his back to her. She hid behind one of the long velvet curtains, trying to hear what he was saying.

“I don’t give a fuck what you have to do,” Marty said. There was silence and Teagan prayed he would say the name of the person he was talking to.

“He can’t go on that stage tonight. Period. We’re moving up the time schedule.” She was torn between listening to the rest of the conversation and rushing back to warn Sky. Apparently he was in more danger than they realized. Marty sounded like a man on the edge and she suspected there was very little he wouldn’t stoop to in his desire to keep Sky in the band.

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A stagehand bumped into her from behind. “Oh excuse me,” the man said. “I didn’t see you there.”

Marty turned at the sound of voices and spotted her watching him. His eyes narrowed menacingly and she decided flight was definitely a good idea. She turned quickly to run, but Marty rushed over and grabbed her arm when she found herself blocked in by the bulky piece of equipment the stagehand was carrying.

“What’s your hurry, Teagan?” Marty asked. “We haven’t had time to get to know each other. I hear you’re an excellent songwriter. Have you considered hiring a manager?” She knew the manager’s words were for the benefit of the stagehand, who grinned at her and nodded. No doubt he thought today was her lucky day. The stagehand didn’t notice the death grip Marty had on her upper arm. “Why don’t we head over to Sky’s dressing room and discuss it?” He pushed her forward roughly as the stagehand continued on in the opposite direction. “Sky’s dressing room is on the other side of the arena,” she said, trying to dislodge his painful grip.

“So it is,” Marty said, not altering his course. “I’ve changed my mind. It’s more private on this side of the stage. In fact, we might not run into another living soul who could interrupt us.”

“What are you going to do?” Teagan asked as Marty opened a props closet and shoved her inside. Her hands began to shake when he followed her inside and shut the door.

“No,” he said menacingly. “I think I’ll tell you what I’m
not
going to do. I’m not going to watch my nest egg float away because some sixties reject turned his head.” Teagan narrowed her eyes at his insult. She wasn’t a reject. “Maybe if you weren’t acting like such a prick, you could have represented your
nest egg’s
new career,” she said, punctuating “nest egg’s” with air quotes.

“My contract is with the band and it’s not up for another three years,” he said, as if she was stupid. “Even if Sky leaves them, I have to stay. What the fuck good is The 128

Ruby Tuesday

Universe without Sky Mitchell? Worst part is, those fucking idiot band mates of his think they can still succeed without him and have no intention of calling it quits. I’m trapped in a losing proposition. I need more time,” he said, half to himself.

Teagan glanced at her watch. Whoever Marty had been talking to on the phone was clearly on the move. She looked around the room, trying to find a way out before Marty decided she was an expendable problem.

Her prayers were answered when Marty’s cell phone rang. The unexpected sound and Marty’s scrambling to pull the thing out of his pocket gave Teagan the few seconds she needed.

She picked up the microphone stand to her left and hit him on the shoulder—

hard—before he could react.

The force knocked him off balance and she used the momentum to push him to the ground, where he landed in a pile of tulle. As he struggled to stand up, she dashed out the door, using the stand to jam the doorknob.

Run!
she told herself, as she dashed around stagehands and sets. Too much time had passed. She had to get to Sky before it was too late.

* * * * *

Sky paced the small area of his dressing room, worrying about Teagan, her family, the concert. Hell, he was worried about everything and feeling pretty damn useless. He shouldn’t have let Teagan go after Marty. While the man was a blustering oaf, Sky prayed he hadn’t underestimated his manager’s annoyance at his leaving the band.

“Hey.”

He was startled by Rod’s voice at the door. “Hey, Rod,” he said, glancing behind his friend to see where Aaron was.

“Your new bodyguard got called away. Some sort of police emergency.” Sky nodded, his entire body on alert. “What’s up?” 129

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Rod shrugged, entering the room before closing and locking the door behind him.

Unbeknownst to his friend, they’d disengaged the locks earlier in the afternoon. While the door appeared to be locked, Sky knew it wasn’t.

“I’ve been thinking about your decision to leave The Universe, talking to Marty.

You know you’re taking a pretty big risk, right?” Sky nodded numbly. It was Rod.

Images flashed before his eyes—the two of them playing on the same Little League team, double-dating to school dances. Rod had sold him out. “Part of the business,” he said, proud of the strength in his voice in light of the fact he felt as if the breath had been knocked out of him.

“I just don’t understand it, Sky. I mean, you and The Universe are rocking the charts. You don’t have any of those fucked-up problems other rock groups do. None of you are addicted to drugs, you don’t have epic battles. You’ve got the real deal here.

The good life.”

“It is a good life, Rod. Thing is, I want a great life.” Rod shook his head, frustration and anger building in his face. “You know, that’s the problem with you, Mitch. You’re never satisfied. You’ve freaking got every goddamn thing in the world and you still want more.” Sky shook his head slowly, wondering where his friend’s words were coming from.

They’d spent their entire childhood competing against all comers to be the best. Rod was as competitive and driven as he was. Rod had sold more houses during his first year as a real estate agent than his colleagues had in a decade. He was the youngest person to ever make partner in his real estate firm.

“I thought you understood my decision,” Sky said. His friend was pacing the room and Sky could tell he was fighting with himself over something. Sky watched his friend’s hand drift to the pocket of his jacket for the third time. What the fuck was in his coat? Where was Aaron?

“Well, I don’t. I don’t understand and I think maybe you should reconsider.” 130

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“It’s a little late for that,” Sky said.