Conquest by S. J. Frost Read Free Book Online Page A

crowd.”
Greg nodded. “He seems like he’s got the heart for it.”
    “He’d have a hell of a good sound with some real musicians,” Evan continued. “The only thing holding the music together now is the fast electronic backline from the synth he puts in some of his songs, the guitar, and his voice. I like what he’s trying to do with the sound. He’s leaning toward the rock side, it’s got a nice bold edge, but it’s lightened with a little pop vibe, and its real upbeat. And he’s got this ballad called ‘Shattered’ that has some clear classical influence, so I’m thinking he’s been classically trained.”
    “And just look at him,” Tim broke in. “The hair, the clothes, he’s got a nice look that’s fresh without being too edgy.”
    They all looked at the stage. Jesse wore a pair of faded jeans and a tight black shirt with a slight sheen and red flames rising from the bottom. His silver hoop earrings flashed as he turned his head, sweat dripped from the sharp angles of his black hair.
    “He’s a real good looking kid, too,” Tim said. “He’s a little on the pretty side, but either way, every teenage girl will want his poster hanging above her bed.”
    Evan slammed his beer down. “Are you kidding me? That’s not what you would do with him, is it? Turn him into bubblegum and lollipops?”
Tim shrugged. “It sells.”
    “Hey now,” Greg cut in. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’re not going to market anyone if we don’t talk to them first.”
“I just hope he doesn’t play on the other side of the fence, if you know what I mean,” Tim said.
    “No, I don’t,” Evan growled through clenched teeth. “Explain it to me.”
Tim leaned back in his chair, gazing up at Jesse with a scrutinizing eye. “Phoenix has enough problems as it is. That’s all we’d need is to throw our support behind him, only to have him get busted, ass in the air, and—”
    “That’s enough!” Greg said. “We’re all talking too much and not listening enough. None of that makes any difference. Look at him. He practically drips sex appeal. Watch the way he dances and moves his body. He almost reminds me of you, Evan, except you had a more elegant sexual charisma on stage, kind of like, I’ll wine you, dine you, then screw your brains out. This kid is more like, I’m not taking you anywhere, shut up and get naked.”
Evan chuckled under his breath. “I guess that’s one way to describe it. You’re such a closet pervert.”
     
“No more talking!” Greg demanded.
    The three men sat back as Conquest finished their set and headed off the stage at midnight. Evan, Greg, and Tim found the manager of the bar, and after a few brief words, he let them into the back, directing them to the break room. As the three men approached the door, they paused at the sound of Jesse’s roaring voice coming from the other side.
    “What the hell was going on out there, Mike? You had to be jerking off because you sure as shit weren’t playing the drums!”
    Mike dropped down on a dilapidated couch. “It’s not my fault! That electronic backbeat had me all messed up! It’s too fast! Nobody could keep up with that!”
    Jesse stepped up to him. “You’re not supposed to keep up with it! That’s why it’s the backbeat, to add some extra kick to the song! You’re supposed to play the rhythms I’ve been trying to teach you!” He snatched Mike’s drumsticks off the couch and pointed them down at him. “I should shove these things up your ass since that’s where it sounds like you’re playing from!”
    Mike shoved off the couch and stormed toward the door. “I’m done taking this shit from you, Jesse! You think you’re so goddamn perfect with your music, then play it all yourself! I’m outta here!”
    Jesse flipped his hand at Mike as if flicking him away. “Good! Get out! I don’t need your piss poor drumming in my band!”
As Mike stomped past the three in the hall, Tim whispered, “Guess we don’t