Page 64 of Duty Unbound

“But orders of protection are just pieces of paper,” I finished. “Where is he now?”

“Unknown. Bail bondsman says he checked in yesterday as required, but he’s not at his registered address.”

“Fuck.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Okay. Increase security protocols. I want extra personnel on Nova’s floor and at the venue tonight. Full background checks on every staff member, no exceptions.”

“What about the Barbies?” Ty asked. “Could that be connected to Roger?”

“Doesn’t seem likely,” I replied. “Roger’s more the obsessive fan type—the kind who collects memorabilia and fantasizes about meeting the object of his obsession. The dolls show a more aggressive, threatening pattern.”

“Plus, the timing’s off,” Jace added. “Roger was in custody when the second doll arrived.”

“So, we’re looking at multiple threats,” Ty surmised. “Shit. Great.”

“And keep digging into Adam Foster,” I instructed. I still didn’t like Brooklyn’s manager, even though we hadn’t had any more overt problems with him. “His confrontation with Mel felt personal, almost threatening. If he has any connection to the dolls or the roses at the house, I want to know about it.”

“Already on it,” Jace assured me. “His finances, communications, travel—we’re tracking it all.”

About thirty minutes later, Logan entered the room, looking slightly disheveled from his confrontation with the barricade jumper.

“How’d it go?” I asked.

“Kid’s in custody. Crying his eyes out, says he just wanted to touch Nova’s hand.” Logan dropped into a chair beside me. “Local PD is charging him with trespassing, but I doubt it’ll stick. First-time offender, no weapons, just poor judgment.”

“Okay, we’ll consider this crisis averted. What else do we have?”

“Venue’s secure for tonight’s show,” Ty reported. “Full sweep completed this morning, additional checks scheduled before doors open.”

“Hotel staff has been briefed on the increased protocols,” Jace added. “No access to Nova’s floor without proper credentials and escort.”

I nodded, processing everything.

“We need a contingency plan if Roger shows up. He’s to be taken down immediately,” I said. “Jace, get his photo to all security personnel. Logan, coordinate with local PD for additional presence outside the venue. Ty, run a second sweep before Nova arrives for sound check.”

The team nodded, each understanding their assignments without further explanation. This was why I’d chosen them—they were the best, not needing hand-holding.

“Don’t forget tonight is the after-hours party at the Skylight club.”

Shit. I’d forgotten. It was a party specifically for Nova and her posse, plus some local celebrities and bigwigs. Nova had been talking about it for days.

“Do we need to cancel that?” I didn’t even want to think of the fallout that would generate with Nova, but safety was more important.

“No, it’s solid,” Jace said. “They’re cooperating and will let me use their security feeds.”

“But it’s going to be a long night,” Logan put in.

“Yeah, it is. Okay, let’s get to work.” I pushed away from the table. “I want hourly check-ins and immediate alerts for anything suspicious.”

As my team dispersed to their assigned tasks, I found myself staring at my phone, my thumb hovering over Mel’s contact. I wanted to text her, to check on her, to see if she was thinking about last night the way I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Instead, I tucked the phone away. Professional. I needed to stay professional.

But as I left the command center to prepare for the evening’s security operations, the memory of Mel’s lips against mine, her body trembling beneath my touch, followed me like a shadow I couldn’t outrun.

Chapter 20

Ethan

The familiar hum of mid-show activity surrounded me as I made my way through the backstage corridors. Technicians rushed past with cables and equipment, while dancers remained limber in corners, their faces intense with concentration. The bass from Nova’s current song vibrated through the walls, accompanied by the distant roar of thousands of fans.

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