American Diva by Julia London Read Free Book Online Page B

was doing and looked at the man he’d known all his life, since they were kids growing up in West Texas.
    A man who, apparently, he really didn’t know at all.
    “You like ‘Frantic’?” he asked incredulously. “You like a song that says, ‘ I’m frantic cuz I can’t stop loving you, baby, oh oh oh oh ’?”
    “Yeah, so?” Eli said defensively. “I like it! At least I’m not the one who’s memorized the lyrics.”
    Jack shook his head and turned back to what he was doing. “I can’t help but know them. There is a radio at the hangar and they play that damn song twenty times a day if they play it once. But hey, whatever floats your boat, there, pal,” he said, holding a hand up to Eli. “Personally, I liked her better when she did alternative rock in dive joints around Austin.”
    “Austin?” Michael said, looking up from his rummage through the refrigerator for some beer.
    “Five, six years ago, she was a staple in the live music scene there,” Jack said. “I used to catch her gig when I was home. Really good stuff—not the pop shit she’s singing now.”
    “Yeah, well, alternative rock doesn’t make the billions of dollars pop makes. But as far as us getting into the security business, it’s a no, right?”
    “Right,” Eli said instantly at the same time Cooper said, “Absolutely.”
    When Jack didn’t chime in, the three turned and looked at him.
    “What’s on your mind, Price?” Eli asked.
    What was on his mind was a teeny portion of those billions. This sort of gig could be a piece of cake, really. He knew a couple of guys who did it for a living. He could manage the thing for a substantial cut, and besides, he worked security in the service. He could really use a nice infusion of cash for his flight school.
    There was one other thing. He could not stop thinking about that kiss on the beach in Costa Rica. “I’m just thinking out loud now,” he warned them. “You know I’ve got this little project going on, and I could use some serious cash—along the lines of a million—to pump into it.”
    Michael whistled, but Cooper rolled his eyes. “That’s not a little project, dude. That’s a big damn deal. Flight schools aren’t cheap.”
    No one knew that better than Jack. But it was what he wanted, and he was determined. “I’m just throwing the idea out there,” he said. “If you guys could spare me for the summer, I could use the cash.”
    Cooper gaped at him. Eli smiled a little. And Michael, always the numbers guy, said, “How much do you think they are willing to cough up for security?”
    “I don’t know. But I am thinking enough that I could make up a substantial chunk of the mil I need.”
    “What the hell, Jack?” Cooper exclaimed with a frown. “You’re not seriously considering—”
    “You know how else I can get to a mil, Coop? I could really use the money. We do great with TA, don’t get me wrong. But it’s not enough to get me that flight school.”
    “You’re crazy,” Cooper said with a snort. “Do you have any idea how much work goes into providing security for someone like Audrey LaRue?”
    He couldn’t imagine Audrey would be any trouble at all. He’d handled her easily enough on that beach a few weeks ago. And besides, all it really needed was assembling the right people to do the job. “You know I did security in the service. And remember Ted Evans? He does this for a living. I would use his group if he’s willing to do it.”
    “You’re kidding,” Michael said disbelievingly when it was clear Jack was really serious.
    “Look, we’re not signed for any films this summer, and you guys can handle the business for three months without me. Like I said, I could really use the cash, assuming Guitar Boy is authorized to spend his girlfriend’s money like he says he is. If you’re okay with covering for me, I am going to give Ted a call and then Bonner and see what I can work out.”
    Jack’s three partners looked at one another, then at