Page 39 of Behind the Lyrics
Sort of like Viktor’s journey, huh?my inner voice piped up.Seems you two are more similar than you think.
With a mental smack upside my head, I stuffed her away, not ready to hear words of wisdom. My favorite band would be in town the next day, and I had something fun to look forward to for a change.
I sat down and slid on my headset, humming along with “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles. Damn, our station played a great mix of new and old rock. I loved my job, even if the pay sucked and the clients were devils.
Chapter 34
Viktor Farrow
I fucking hated overseas travel. Even with the luxurious plane and its amenities, confined with my bandmates, manager, and PR crew, peace and quiet were as elusive as my angel.But not for long.I grinned at the thought of Angel, but then frowned.
Between Andy’s constant yammering on the phone with event planners and tour coordinators, and Justin and Alan’s incessant need for entertainment—the blokes were addicted to Pornhub, swear to God—I was about to lose my goddamn mind.
Just three more hours until we land.I could do it. That urgent need rose inside of me, though, begging me to relieve the edge with just one little sip of the rum Alan so eagerly slurped, or one little hit of the coke I knew Justin kept in his backpack.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head into the seat then slid my hand into my pocket. Clutching the round piece of metal, it felt as if strength flowed from my palm and into my muscles, relieving some of the pressure.
Better. I can do this. I’vebeendoing it for two years, and I certainly won’t let these asswipes drive me to the cliff’s edge.
“Yo, Vik, you sleeping?” Andy asked.
“No, you fucking numbskull, I’m just sitting here with my eyes closed and my legs propped up because I feel like it.” Okay, I wasn’t sleeping, but he didn’t have to know that.
“Great.” He cleared his throat, forcing me to give him my angriest glare.
“What do you want?” I crossed my legs at the ankles and dug myself farther into the recliner.
“Um, this gig tomorrow…”
“Yeah, what of it?”Tomorrow, if everything goes according to plan, I’ll see Angel whether she wants to or not.Something devious and dangerous swirled in my head.If I play my cards just right—
“It’s really not the best way to maximize your exposure in the US.” He scratched his weak, rounded chin. “But if we scheduled it to coincide—”
“We’re not having this argument again.” I raised an eyebrow at him. “Do youunderstand?”
“But I just don’t think—”
“And that’s your problem.” Yes, I was being an ass, but I knew what I wanted. Nothing and noonewould stop me from my goal. This was a fight, albeit subtle, and I knew how to play dirty to win my prize. “Did you do what I asked?”
His flighty gaze bounced from my face to his hands then back to me. “Y-yes, but I still don’t understand why I had to—”
“You don’tneedto understand, justdo. What part of professional assistant do you not understand, Andy?” I leaned an elbow on the arm rest and propped my chin. “It’s a fairly simple concept. You assist me with my professional needs without question. Correct?”
His shoulders drew inward, and he sighed. “Yes, Mr. Farrow.”
God, the man had no backbone. With just a few words, I could reduce him to that yapping little dog. Shame poured into me for being such an arsehole. He was just trying to do the job he’d been hired to do. And here I was—acting the part of a privileged, pissed rockstar douchebag.
“Andy?”
His eyebrows climbed and he pulled at his collar. “Yes sir?” Darting his glance from my hands then to my face, he nervously licked his lips.
“I…” Closing my eyelids for a second, I breathed out a sigh. “I’m sorry I’m sometimes a dick, but thanks for what you do for me.” Apologizing to him felt like stabbing my thigh with a steak knife. Still, he couldn’t help annoying the fuck out of me and talking down to him only made me a bigger dick.
“Thank you.” A smile tilted a corner of his mouth. “I really do try. Do you want—”
I held up a palm. “I can only handle so many niceties in one sitting.” I made a shooing motion.If Andy would fight a little harder, he’d learn not to be such a pushover.
Now, Angela, on the other hand—she’d fought back as soon as we’d met. I think that might’ve been what attracted me to her in the first place—her tenacity and strength.
