Never Say Never Page 7

  “Hey...” Kyle handed me a bottle of ice-cold water as we left the stage. “Are you okay?” He put his arm around me.

  “It's just a kiss, Kyle,” I said with more bravado than I felt. “No big deal, believe me.”

  “No big deal?” Kyle's mouth opened into a wide-O. “That guy just sexually assaulted you – I'm pretty sure you could press charges if you wanted to.”

  “This crapola happens.”

  “Crapola? Shit, Neve, why don’t you let it all out? It's got no right to happen. It doesn't matter that you're in a band, that you're Keith Knight's daughter – nobody should have to be groped by complete strangers. He had no right to kiss you like that – no right at all.” Kyle's face was redder than mine.

  “It's not that he kissed me...” I admitted. “That's not what freaks me out. It's just that – if he could get that close, if he could get close enough to shove his tongue down my throat – what else could he have done...?” Images shot through my mind of famous rock stars and their kids who'd been killed or threatened by psychos off the street – John Lennon, shot down in front of the Dakota....

  “Look, Neve,” said Kyle. “I promised your mom I'd look after you. I know that people want something from you – that when you're a rock star's kid you get special kind of surveillance. But don't worry.” He set his jaw. “There won't be a next time for a case like that. I won't let it happen again.”

  “Hey, Neve,” Steve came over. “I just had a few...uh...choice words with security. They're pretty sorry – they apologize profusely and say that it won't happen again. It's bad publicity for them – worse than for us. This isn't supposed to be some frat-bar – this is one of the hottest, most elegant clubs in town. Unfortunately, that guy already emailed the video clip of himself kissing you to TMZ...”

  My heart almost skipped a beat. Here it is, I thought. The fame and fortune you never wanted. The fame and fortune I'd always known, deep down, I could never avoid. Not as Keith Knight's daughter – who, incidentally, still wasn't even old enough to technically be in this nightclub.

  “He's bound to find out, then,” I sighed. “My dad. I just hoped he wouldn't find out until we're already signed...”

  Luc rushed over to me, his arms around me, holding me tight. “Oh, babe, I'm so sorry,” he said. “How are you doing?”

  “Fine...” I didn't want to go over this again. “It was just a kiss – nothing else.”

  “Please...” Luc pressed his lips to my forehead. “This is just a kiss – this right here. A normal thing that happens between friends. What that guy did to you wasn't a kiss – it was assault. A complete stranger who thinks he has the right to...”

  I smiled into Luc's warm, protective eyes. “You're more worried than I am,” I said. “Believe me, I can handle myself. But I think one kiss cancels out the other. You made me feel a lot better, thanks.”

  He put on a pretend falsetto voice. “Kissing away the boo-boo?” he laughed, thrusting out his bosom in a failed attempt to look maternal. “Like when we were playing house as kids?”

  “I wish Neve's mom would ‘kiss away the boo boo’,” Kyle laughed. “I'd get injured a lot more if she were the one doing the bandaging.”

  “You guys...” I laughed too. “I think we're a little too old for 'a kiss will make it better.'”

  Luc chuckled. “You never know,” he said. “A kiss can cure a lot of ills. It's true. Great for the common cold...” He fixed his gaze on me – warm and loving.

  “Luc...” His face was so kind, so familiar – yet there was something about it that was foreign to me, even strange. Somehow Luc had grown up right under my nose, from a great childhood friend to a wonderful, caring man – from a gawky boy to a handsome adult. How had I never noticed this change before?

  “Don't worry about me, Luc,” I said. “I bet a bunch of those girls out there on the dance floor would be happy to have a guy like you go kiss away all their injuries.”

  “Believe it or not,” Luc said, brushing my cheek lightly with his hand. “None of that matters. What matters is you. I wanted to make sure that you were okay – that's my priority right now.” He smiled into my face, holding my hands tight.

  “Hello – Neve?” The voice sent tingles down my spine as Danny approached, a strange expression on his face as he looked me and Luc up and down. For a moment I saw something strange in his eyes – a flash of darkness, a moment of pain. That brooding expression that made me think, again, of Lord Byron.

  “Oh...” I realized how it must look – me and Luc in each other's arms – and I swiftly pulled away. “Danny...” Danny was the only one of us who didn't know just how adamant my dad was that I stay out of the rock scene – let alone be in a rock band. Who didn't know just how afraid my dad was that I'd fall into the same traps he fell into – a life of meaningless sex, drugs, and booze that had nearly killed him. “Great job, Danny!”

  “Thanks,” he flushed slightly. “I should say the same for you and the rest of the band. Not that I have to. This guy looks like he's going to say the same thing...”

  Mr. Slayton approached us.

  “Mr. Slayton!” I tried to sound bright and professional. “You're here. Thank you so much for coming back, for checking us out again...”

  “You really have improved,” he said, nodding approvingly. “Already I could tell the difference in the sound, and it's only been a week.”

  I looked over at Danny. “We've got a new lead,” I said. “I think he's done a lot to inspire all of us to work harder.”

  “Yes, I know Mr. Blue,” said Mr. Slayton. “We've met before. I'm glad you have him on board – his style really does add something to your performance. This is a step up from the Veridium, for sure...”

  “Thanks,” I said, looking at Danny, feeling the excitement radiate from my eyes.

  “But that stunt with the camera...” Mr. Slayton continued. “It really made me aware of just how cautious I have to be signing a band like yours. You're not just some ingenue, Miss Knight; you're Keith Knight's daughter, whether you want to be or not. And that means that when do you break into the business, the attention on you will be huge. Expectations will be higher – you'll naturally invite comparisons, scrutiny. And I'm not willing to put you out there, to sign you, unless I've got complete faith that you're not going to be just a passing fad. I want you to be more than just a rocker's daughter, Neve – I want this band to stand or fall on its own merits. And that means I'm going to have to be cautious. I'm not saying “no,” Neve – but I am saying I want to wait a while before putting you – or any of your band mates – into the spotlight.”

  He held out his hand to me and I shook it. “Thank you for your faith, Mr. Slayton,” I said. “We'll only improve.” I looked over at Danny. “We're sure to.”

  “You're on the right track,” said Mr. Slayton, “keep it up.” He shook everyone's hand and left. No sooner had he gone than the club manager, looking flushed and apologetic in her black dress, came up to us. “I'm so sorry for what happened tonight – that guy was clearly high; he should never have made it past the bouncers. Our security had – uh – a talk with him afterward, and he's been banned from this hotel. His name is John Flint – and he won't be bothering you anymore. But we here at the Imperial Hotel want to make up for it anyway. We hope that this will go some way towards making up for the trouble. If you'll just follow me...”

  She led us out of the night club and into the hotel upstairs of which the club was part, into a gorgeous lush VIP lounge filled with buckets of ice, steaming bottles of champagne, and a tantalizing looking wine and cheese spread. The room was filled with women – a few I recognized as the wives or daughters of some of the biggest record execs in the business – all of whom had eyes only for our band members. Kyle and Steve, eyeing girls they knew, were soon lost in conversation with a pair of stunning models.

  “Pity they didn't bring some guys for you,” Danny laughed in my ear. “Gender equality and all that.”

  “I've had
enough strangers kiss me for one night, thanks,” I said.

  The manager turned to me and Danny. “We're also happy to put you up in some of our finest rooms tonight,” she said, glancing at Danny. “If you'll just tell me how many you need.” Her eyes traveled from me to Danny, and back again, her question implicit: how many rooms? Are you two sleeping together, or separately? I couldn't help but catch Danny's eye, knowing all the while what it felt like to sleep with his naked body against my own...

  “Neve,” Danny started. “I wanted to talk to...”

  But before he could finish his sentence, a gaggle of girls let loose a cry. “There he is!” Immediately Danny was swarmed by a crowd of gorgeous women – all asking for his autograph, giving him their numbers. Among them was Amber, the drop-dead gorgeous blonde from our class.

  “Amber,” Danny gave her his trademark dazzling smile. “So good to see you.” He leaned in close and whispered something into her ear, which made her in turn chirp with laughter. I couldn't help it. White-hot jealousy surged through me. I had to restrain the impulse to leap onto Amber, to claw at her, to pull her off Danny...

  I had to get out of there. I couldn't let my emotions compromise me – compromise the band. Not when Slayton was keeping us under such close tabs. This is why you promised never to date anyone in the band, I told myself. No complications. If I started a relationship with Danny – with anybody – this jealousy, these feelings, would only get worse.

  I left the champagne and elegance behind and walked off onto the hotel's veranda. I needed to be alone.

  But I felt hopeless, trapped. I'd spent so long trying to keep my feelings and personal life out of the band. But now, I knew, I had no choice. I was head over heels for Danny Blue.

  And that meant we were all headed for disaster.

  Chapter 11

  The moon was full and the night was cold. As I stepped out into the shadowy night, I had never felt lonelier. I should be feeling great about tonight – everything had started off so well. Slayton was impressed; we'd played better than ever; the audience was eating out of our hands. But instead I felt exhausted, hopeless. My feelings for Danny were messing with my head – and with those photos of me headed straight for the Internet, there was no way in hell I'd be able to escape my dad hearing all about the Never Knights in a matter of hours. I still felt furious about that stalker, John Flint. Violated, even. I'd put on a brave face in front of the guys, but deep down I was disgusted – disgusted and ashamed. By getting up onstage to kiss me, by filming it for all the world to see, he was saying out loud what I'd always been afraid of hearing, what I'd told myself in my darkest moments: “don't take her seriously – she's just a celebrity's kid. She's tabloid fodder, not the real thing.” Was that what Slayton thought of me now – just another “famous for being famous” wannabe without the talent to back up her blind ambition? I sighed, looking up at the moon mournfully. “If I were a wolf I would howl,” I muttered sadly.

  Did my father ever have to deal with crazed stalkers like that? Did my mother? If my dad thought the rock and roll business was no place for his daughter before, he'd certainly think so after...I decided. I had to call home right away. Better they hear about what happened from me directly than read it in the morning papers. I picked up my phone to dial, but a rustling sound from behind distracted me.

  Danny was emerging from the shadows, the moonlight making his gorgeous smooth skin shine incandescently before me as the shadows vanished from his face. In his black leather, in this moonlight, he looked a little like a vampire, I thought. One sexy vampire at that. Well, if he was, I thought to myself grimly, I wasn't doing a good job of running away. I knew that he meant danger, and yet here I was, standing – waiting for the kill.

  “Hey,” he said softly. “I wanted to talk to you after...what happened. But that horde of women came after me and by the time I got away you were gone.”

  “Poor baby,” I rolled my eyes and tried to laugh. “Getting surrounded by a bevy of gorgeous women. I see you had no problem leaving them behind.”

  He shrugged and smiled that self-deprecating smile that seemed to shoot right through my heart.

  “Been there,” he said airily. “Done that. I directed them in Kyle and Steve's direction. That sort of thing's not my scene. It hasn't been my scene for a long time. That part of being in a band doesn't interest me.”

  I was surprised to hear it. If my dad – not to mention my band mates – were anything to go by, that was precisely the most interesting part of being a band. “You're a surprise, Danny,” I said. “I figured all rockers liked having groupies around.”

  “Not me,” said Danny. “I'm a one-woman kind of guy. Or was.”

  “Good,” I said, automatically, before realizing what I'd said and turning scarlet. “I mean – after what happened to Geoff. The last time he hit on a girl he ended up falling through a glass coffee table. One less potential casualty for me to worry about.”

  “Neve,” Danny said softly, looking worried. “I've been meaning to ask you – you know, if you're okay and everything. I saw what that guy did to you. I know you're putting on a brave face, but if you feel shaken or upset – I just wanted to talk to you about it. But I saw Slayton coming over to you and figured I'd distract him while you got your composure back. Didn't want him to see you at anything but your best.”

  Danny was being a lot sweeter than he'd been earlier that morning. Did he care about me after all? “Thanks,” I couldn't resist smiling. “I didn't think you'd do that.”

  “Do what?”

  “Worry about me.”

  “Why wouldn't I?” Danny fixed his blue eyes on mine. “I'm part of the band now, aren't I? So I care about being part of this team; I care about everything that affects the band, one way or the other.”

  I bit back my disappointment. So this wasn't about me – or caring about me. Danny cared about the band, which meant he cared about me as long as I could sing. He probably wasn't interested in me at all. Maybe he was into blondes like Amber – or else his heart belonged to the mysterious Peyton, whoever she was...

  “Oh, well,” I said, trying to sound casual. “That's nice.”

  Danny smiled softly. “Nice?” he said. “Or bland?”

  “What do you mean?” He was standing so close that we were practically touching.

  “Neve, I'm not blind, you know.”

  “What are you talking about?” I could feel the heat rising to my face.

  “Every time we're in the same room together – this weird...thing we need to resolve, you and I. To get past it. So we can work together.” The air between us crackled with electricity; I couldn't bear the tension a moment longer. “Neve, I haven't played in a band for a long time. And it feels good to belong to one again. I don't want to jeopardize that. But when we talk – you remind me so much of her, Neve...” he lightly touched my chin.

  “Of who?” My mind was all over the place; all I could concentrate on was the feeling of his fingers against my chin.

  “Peyton,” he said.

  Peyton again. “Who is she...?”

  “My...” he swallowed hard. “My girlfriend.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment flooded over me. “I should...I should go...” I felt furious, repulsed. Not only was Danny taken, he was apparently the kind of guy who would cheat on his girlfriend if the moment came up – the kind of guy who would touch another girl's chin, looking at her all the while like he wanted to touch a lot more than that...

  “Neve, wait...” Danny protested. “I'm not explaining this right. It's just – it's hard to talk about. But we need to talk about it. I don't want to scare you off, Neve. Steve told me about what happened with Geoff, about your rules. You don't want to date anyone in the band – and especially not Geoff. And if I'm making a complete tit of myself and you haven't been feeling anything at all for me then please just tell me now so I can stop talking...”

  “No, don't stop,” I couldn't help saying.

  “I don't want to
be like Geoff. But I can't help feeling...maybe you want me to be?”

  “It's just a complicated time,” I said. “It's not just about Geoff. With RRR and Slayton and everything...”

  “I wouldn't worry about Slayton,” said Danny. “He's a great guy once you get to know him.”

  “And you do?” I was distracted by my shock. How had Danny Blue gotten to know the face behind the hottest music label in town?

  Danny turned crimson. “He used to represent me,” he said. “When I was in another band.”

  “What happened to it?”

  “Peyton,” he said darkly. “Neve...”

  “So you broke up?” I couldn't help asking. “You're not together anymore?”

  “You could say that.”

  So, Danny had already dissolved one band due to a break-up....

  “Nobody wanted to be in that band anymore,” Danny said. “Not after...” He took a breath. “Neve, Peyton died this time last year. Car crash.”

  So that was Danny Blue's secret. The secret that made those gorgeous blue eyes fill with pain and rage and darkness. The source of his tears, of his haunting music.

  I was torn between sadness and relief – grief for Danny's grief, and shameful, ecstatic relief....that Danny wasn't with anyone else, that Peyton was a thing of the past. I flushed, ashamed at my own thoughts, trying to make sense of how I felt.

  “I'm so sorry, Danny...” I was holding him, hugging him as I would hug Luc or Kyle when I wanted to comfort him, “Danny, I didn't know.”

  He reached up and grabbed my hand, hard. For a moment I thought he was pushing me away. And then I saw the hard, naked look of desire in his eyes.

  “I can't take this another second, Neve,” he said in a hoarse voice, grabbing me by the wrists and leading me back inside, into the elevator.