Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 98823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“I heard.” Reading the Hollywood news was part of my job now, but there was enough chatter over Ezra Moon’s big misstep I would have heard even if I’d still been in the service. It was a miracle no one had been seriously injured. The incident had sparked a lot of internet debate over concert security and a performer’s obligation to ensure ticket holders' safety. And this came on the heels of other complaints about Ezra’s antics. Socializing with fans and putting himself in risky situations were all part of his freewheeling brand. Ezra might be a musical genius, but I was already wary of how Danny thought I could get involved.
“His security chief resigned before Ezra could fire him, but the whole thing is a mess.”
“And you thought of me as a potential mess cleaner for him?”
“Of course.” He shrugged his slim shoulders, glancing over to the grill where Cash was flipping burgers. “You’re the best security person I know. Other than Cash, I mean. And Ezra deserves the best. I told him that you—”
“Hold up. You already talked to Ezra about me? The company, I mean.” I probably sounded fourteen there. Damn it, Duncan. I’d been around Hollywood elites my whole life. I didn’t do starstruck. But something about discussing Danny’s best friend always put me on edge, made me feel two steps away from flailing like some teenybopper fan. Ezra had been on the same hit show as Danny, but as an adult, he’d reached superstar status with his band, We Wear Crowns, reinventing himself from child star to rock icon. I hadn’t seen him in person since his TV shows, but whenever Danny played one of his music videos, my skin always went weirdly prickly. The tunes had a way of wriggling into my brain, ending up on far more of my playlists than I’d ever admit.
“I talk about you a lot.” Danny wrinkled his nose before smiling over at Cash. Apparently, they couldn’t be separated for more than five minutes without exchanging those soft looks that continued to give me minor heartburn. Giving Cash a little wave, Danny returned his attention to me. “And how else am I supposed to help Ezra? He’s in a tight spot. The record label is threatening to cancel the rest of his tour if he doesn’t agree to increased security. The last thing he wants is someone they pick as a babysitter reporting his every move.”
“A-List would be there to be a security option he could boss around?” I’d dealt with plenty of picky stars, but I always made it clear who was in charge. Apart from whatever weird reaction his music induced in me, Ezra looking to circumvent his label’s wishes, undoubtedly so he could keep pulling his stunts, didn’t bode well for my business.
“Not exactly.” Danny’s tone was cagey enough that I didn’t believe him, but I let him continue. “But Ezra would have more…flexibility with someone he hired himself. And taking the initiative would show the label he’s taking their concerns seriously.”
“I take it he needs new security ASAP?”
“Yup. Which is why I thought of you.” Danny gave me the same winning grin that had made him America’s sweetheart as a child star on the same show where he’d met Ezra. “This could be great publicity for your business. Ezra is a superstar. Having him on your client roster would look amazing.”
“Not a terrible point.” I did need all the word-of-mouth advertising we could get, and a few more well-placed clients would go a long way to strengthening our bottom line. “Let me think on which of our personnel has availability.”
“Oh. Uh.” Danny bit his lower lip. “I kind of told Ezra you’d handle this personally.”
“You promised Ezra I’d be his security person for this tour?” I groaned, unable to keep the frustration from my tone. So much for keeping the peace. “I can’t be gone from LA that long.”
“It’s a few weeks.” Danny made another dismissive gesture. “This final leg of the tour isn’t that long. And you said yourself earlier that you’re between gigs.”
“Yeah, but I’m hoping to move into more of a management role.” I was coming off a movie publicity tour that had followed a trip to Toronto for a film festival, and I was tired of living out of a suitcase. I also needed to turn my attention to hiring and training more employees. The whole point of the company was to give jobs to other veterans “It’s hard running a business when I keep taking assignments myself.”
“Like you can stay out of the field.” Cash snorted as he came over to us. He tapped Danny on the shoulder, and Danny obediently shifted so Cash could sit behind him. I resisted the impulse to make a crack about how there were plenty of other chairs. They didn’t have to be quite so joined at the hip. Or radiate so much contentment. Eventually, the newness of this thing between them would wear off, and they’d be less insufferable. At least, I hoped.