Rock 01 - FRET by Sandrine Gasq-DIon Read Free Book Online

money,” Gareth affirmed. “A few weeks into the tour, Paul had routine maintenance done and they found something major in the engine that was about to break. He said it’s still in the shop waiting for parts, so we’ve been flying. I just like the bus better; it’s more comfortable and you can sleep comfortably and stop when you want.”
    “Well, let’s get this cleaned up so you can hit the sack. Glendale tomorrow, right?”
    “Yes.” Gareth yawned, stretching his arms above his head. I got another good look at that smooth, pale skin. Holy Mother.
    “Axel?”
    “Yep?” I snapped to attention.
    “Thanks for doing all this.”
    “It’s my job.”
    Something passed over Gareth’s face in that instant. Disappointment, maybe? I couldn’t tell; it was gone in a flash. We cleaned up and then headed to Gareth’s room. A large, beige sectional with a chaise on the end awaited me. Gareth slipped into bed with a sigh and rolled to his side. I stared at the ceiling on my back, watching shadows dance across it.
    “Axel?”
    “Hmm?”
    “Night.”
    “Night, Gareth.”
     
    ~*~
     
    “Isn’t this where the Cardinals play?” I asked as we pulled into the parking lot at Phoenix Stadium. The lot was packed and Gareth was navigating his Jeep Sahara through a throng of people. His brother was behind us in his Land Rover. I’d never been to an NFL game; my job just didn’t give me time for it.
    “Yep. They also have concerts out here, however. Black Ice likes playing this venue. So do we. It gives our local fans a chance to see us. We’ve played in Tucson, too. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Arizona doesn’t get too many big names. They’re always in California or Seattle. Sucks to be the small town — or state. That’s why all of us agreed that once we made it, we’d play here as much as possible.”
    “I bet your fans enjoy that.”
    “They seem to.” He smiled brightly.
    We parked and joined Ransom on our way into the stadium. Gareth had his hoodie pulled over his head and sported a pair of sunglasses and Ransom wore an Arizona Cardinals hat with sunglasses as well. Everything was perfect right up until we got to security and the officer recognized Ransom. Then all hell broke loose. I grabbed Gareth and hauled him in front of me, keeping the screaming crowd at arm’s length. I also shoved Ransom ahead of me and glared at the security officer.
    “Could you do your fucking job?” I shouted.
    I guided Gareth ahead, making sure I covered his body as much as possible. Why I didn’t think to take a back damn door I’ll never understand. Ransom yanked open the lobby door and we piled in. I grabbed another security officer and pulled him along with us. He resisted until he noticed the gun in my waistband.
    “Sir, you can’t be armed in this stadium!”
    “I can and I am. Take me to your boss right now.”
    Dammit, I should have called ahead to give them an ETA. I should have done a lot of things. I wasn’t cut out to babysit. I was a killer, plain and simple. Gareth seemed to notice my frustration and smiled gently.
    “We always come in through the front door, Axel. We’ve never shied away from our fans.”
    “Well, now you have to, dammit! This shouldn’t have happened!”
    “Mr. Blaze?”
    I turned as the chief of security entered the room. I nodded and waved my hand between Gareth and Ransom.
    “I need to get these two backstage, ASAP. Is there a way to do that without going through the entire stadium?”
    “Yes. Please follow me.”
    I was still kicking myself. I should have gotten the plans for the building. Known every way in and out. I should have taken better care of the guy I was guarding with my life. What the fuck was I doing here? Gareth was going to die on my watch because I wasn’t prepared.
    “Axel. Please stop beating yourself up,” Gareth said quietly.
    “Starting tomorrow, things are going to change,” I practically snarled.
    “Gareth!”
    I turned, my hand on my