Page 21 of Guarding the Shadows
I shuddered. “Nothing much fazes me after the life I had growing up, but this … it’s darn well creepy.”
Raff stopped outside a dressing room door with my name on it and turned me to face him. He let go of my hand and placed his on my shoulder instead. Reaching up with his free hand he slid his hand along my cheek, tucked my hair behind my ear, and locked my eyes in his steely stare. My heart pounded in anticipation of what he had to say.
“Trust me, nothing’s gonna happen to you. I’ve been doing this successfully for a long time, Beth. I got your back and tomorrow you’ll be out of here. Focus on doing what you do, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
Turning, he opened the dressing room door, poked his head in to check it out one last time, then pushed the door wide. “Go, relax and prepare for your audience. I’ll be right outside.”
“Not in here?” I asked, pointing toward the door.
He shook his head. “Can’t see anyone coming from inside.”
I quietly nodded, realizing the severity of my situation fully. I was about to go on stage and someone in the audience might have the will to harm me.
“Thanks, Raff. You make me feel safe. I appreciate you being here,” I said, wanting him to know that despite all the teasing I’d done, I understood how lucky I was to be unharmed the night before. As if to lessen the blow of his words, he flashed me one of his heart-stopping smiles. Another ripple of delight ran through me and I was thankful he didn’t go around smiling all day because I didn’t possess a big enough purse for all the changes in panties I’d have needed if he did.
Stepping into my dressing room, I closed the door, pressed my back against it, and placed my hands over my heart. Raff was totally frickin hot whenever his alpha male persona came out to play.
Delving into my bag, I took out my cell phone to thank Levi and let him know I’d gotten to the venue safely, but I saw a text from Raff with a link. Clicking it, I smiled because he’d sent me a song.
The moment I heard “Dare You to Move” by Switchfoot, I knew he’d sent it in response to my message. And I got it loud and clear. If this spark between us was ever going to ignite, I had to be the one to set it alight.
For the first couple of numbers I sang, I was acutely aware of Raff’s presence as his eyes scanned the audience like a heat-seeking missile. But, as he was my protector and not some creepy guy, I eventually got lost in the music which pushed my fears to the back of my mind.
Not once did Raff look as if he was engaged in my performance as he diligently observed the situation all aroundme. I glanced just off-stage and was reassured further when I saw Benny sitting on a stool, attentively watching as well.
The audience obviously had no clue what was going on. My situation hadn’t impacted my performance, if the whistles, clapping and cheering they did was anything to go by. But relief still ran through me when I reached the half-time intermission.
The second I stepped off stage, a sudden burst of adrenaline flowed to my body when Benny grabbed my wrist and wouldn’t let me go.
“What the hell are you doing?” I asked, my eyes instantly scanned behind the scenes for the man from the night before.
“Raff said to hold you until he came to collect you,” Benny informed me.
“I don’t think he meant to physically hold me,” I responded, chuckling with relief.
“Nope, that’s exactly what I meant,” Raff interjected when he appeared by my side.
I shook my head. “This is crazy, how can anyone live their life like this?”
“Your brother and the rest of Screaming Shadows do it all the time,” Raff reminded me.
I considered my brother’s crazed fans, their even crazier, mad boyfriends and knew Raff spoke the truth. “Oh, God, they do. Then Levi probably needs you more than you need him.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but the guys respect what we do.”
“Okay, can we go to the dressing room so that I can wet my tonsils?” I asked, parched after singing my heart out.
Raff had a secret smile to himself, shook his head and nodded.
“Now there’s a request I can help with.”
19
Raff
When Beth suggested going to her dressing room and wetting her tonsils, the filthiest vision of my cock in her mouth flashed in the back of my mind. Then I figured, deepthroating and singing to an audience right after wouldn’t fly and that made me smile. Getting dirty, intrusive thoughts about her while I was working was a definite problem, so I swore to keep my distance and remain professional until I’d at least gotten her back to the hotel.
The second half of her show was boring from a security perspective. Beth’s performance on stage was electric, while mine never got off the ground. I’d never seen such a well-behaved audience in my time as a close protection guard. Beth’s crowd, although attentive, not one of them left their seats while she was on stage.
