Fate Interrupted Book 3 (8 page)

“Well, you’re going to have to finish that up later,” I said, trying to inject as much positive energy into my voice. “For now, you need to put on something hot. I got a tip, one of the biggest club guys got us in to meet with Shawn Diego, the lead singer of—”

“Tattered Allegiance! Oh my God!” I could practically hear her jumping out of her seat. “Oh my God, Remy! Do you even know who they are?”

I laughed. “I’m aware. That’s why I need you to glam it up and get down here ASAP. I’ll text you the address.”

The smile had returned to her voice and the picture of her beautiful face had my heart thumping against my chest.

“Okay! I’m there!”

“Can’t wait to see you, gorgeous,” I said, ending the call. I texted the address and then stuffed my phone into my pocket.

This had to work.

She arrived right on time for the event to start, and she looked hot as hell.

For a moment, I completely lost track of what we were even doing. The rest of the room faded and all I could do was stare at her, working my eyes up her long, lean legs to the short hem of her tiny little skirt, and her turquoise crop top that showed off her taut stomach and the edges of her black lacy bra at the top where her perfect tits met, displaying gorgeous cleavage. Her eyes were dark and smoky and her lips were deep red. My cock went hard just looking at her and thinking of what I’d do to her once the event was over and I got her back home—if I could hold out that long.

“Welcome to Conquer Entertainment’s first annual Sound Off.” I wrapped an arm around her waist.

Chapter Nine — Livvie

“Oh, my God, Remy,” I gasped, choking back the instant rush of tears. “What is this?”

My eyes couldn’t soak everything in fast enough. The restaurant was filled wall to wall with clusters of people, most of them holding guitars, basses, or drumsticks. There was a huge stage set up along one wall with what looked like two different areas for bands to perform. There was a light show flashing over the crowd that filtered the room in bright jewel tones, and illuminated a huge, glossy Conquer Entertainment sign that hung above the stage.

But the most overwhelming thing was the massive amount of people forming the crowd up by the stage.

Remy pressed a kiss to the side of my face. “Come on. I’ll show you,” he said. He kept one arm wrapped around my waist, his hand resting on my hip as he led me through the room towards the stage. I had no idea what was coming next but my heart was pumping in anticipation. Remy obviously had big plans for the night.

He took me up the small set of stairs that led to the stage and with his magnetic swagger, took the mic from the stand. “What’s up, LA!” Remy’s voice boomed and the room erupted in a deafening cheer. He cut a glance over at me and winked. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” he said, covering the mic for a moment so I was the only one who heard the last part.

He turned back to the crowd and they quieted down, allowing him to continue. “First of all, thanks for coming out to Conquer Entertainment’s first annual Sound Off! My name is Remy Maddox, and this little vixen over on my left is the beauty
and
brains behind Conquer Entertainment, Ms. Olivia Sanders!”

The crowd cheered and applauded, and I gave a shy wave.

Remy flashed me a smile before continuing to address the crowd. “Before we get started, let’s go over the ground rules, since this is a new thing. We have eighteen bands lined up for you guys tonight. As you can see, we have room up here for two bands. So, this is how it’s gonna work.Two bands will face off, playing back to back, and then it’s up to you guys to see which one goes through to the next round. At the end of the night, we are giving the grand prize to one band, a one hundred thousand dollar promotional package!”

The crowd roared at the number and my heart jumped in my chest.
One hundred thousand dollars?

“That’s right!” Remy yelled over the noise. “So, who’s ready to get this party started?”

Everyone jumped to their feet and the screams and cheers got even louder. Remy laughed into the mic. “All right! For our first battle, we have a band from Florida, simply called Red, going head to head with a local fave, Tattered Allegiance. Give it up!”

Remy grabbed my hand and we ran from the stage, laughing and smiling.

“Oh, my God, Remy, this is insane!” I gasped as we took our place at the front of the stage while the two bands set up to battle each other. “How did you—when did you—Remy.”

He smiled and kissed me. “This is just the beginning, baby. All these bands were discovered online, places like YouTube and other video and media sharing sites. I contacted them all and flew them out here. None of them have representation, so whoever we like, we can offer a deal to and then the winning band will get the full VIP treatment.”

“Where did you…the money…thank you!Thank you!” I said, trying to keep it together. The entire scene was overwhelming.

“You’re more than welcome.”

“You’re an excellent host.”

Remy laughed. “I know. I think I missed my calling as a DJ or something.”

The bands started to play and I lost myself in the performances, each one seemingly better than the one before. The sheer amount of talent in the room blew my mind. And, the best part was they were from all over the country so none of them gave a flying fuck who Christopher Diaz was, and I knew he would shit his Italian linen pants when all my new bands hit the airwaves.

At the end of each set, Remy would jump back on stage and direct the crowd how to vote, using a smart phone app that tallied the votes and would determine the official winner at the end of the night. I marveled at how organized and smoothly the entire event was playing out.
How long had he been planning this?
It had to have taken months.

Remy announced an intermission while the judges calculated the winners who would move onto the final round. When he was done, he hopped off the stage and came back to get me. He grabbed my hand and tugged me over to meet all the bands who were waiting nervously for the results. We chatted with all of them and I instantly knew which ones I wanted to keep an eye on. If what Remy had said was true, we could end up signing multiple bands in one night.

My mind reeled at the possibility.

“Come on, I have one more thing planned,” Remy growled into my ear, before nipping at my earlobe.

My entire body warmed at his suggestive tone, and as he led me down a new path, weaving in and out of the crowds of people, I had a pretty good idea what he had in mind.

He pulled me into a private restroom and locked the door behind us. “What the hell are you trying to do to me?” he asked, smiling at me with his most wicked grin. “That outfit has made it impossible for me to think straight tonight.”

“You seem to be doing just fine,” I replied.

He backed me against the door and his fingers found their way up the hem of the skirt. In one fluid movement, he pulled my panties down my weak legs, holding one leg up in the air as he slid them off, over my stiletto heel. He draped my thigh on his hip and I held on for dear, sweet life as he started finger fucking me against the door. I arched back against the cool metal to keep from sliding down to the floor as he teased my g-spot with the tip of his finger. The pressure built hot and fast, into a blinding explosion and a trail of moisture slid down my thigh. “Fuck, baby!” I called out, crashing over the edge so fast it shocked me. I gripped his shoulders as my body shuddered and convulsed.

“You can get me back later. I just had to touch you,” he whispered in my ear before licking off his fingers while I watched him, my mouth still open as I caught my breath.

The crowd was roaring and I knew it was time to go back out to the stage area.

“Where are my panties?” I asked, between Remy’s hot kisses.

“I’m keeping them,” he said.

I flushed at the idea of going back into the room full of a couple hundred people without panties. “Remy, no. Come on. This skirt is way too short, please—”

He silenced me with his finger pressed to my lips. I smelled my own excitement on his skin and felt a new rush of longing. I couldn’t wait to get home and let Remy take me over and over again.

“You don’t need your panties. I want to be up on that stage, and look out and see you and know that you’re wet and waiting for me.”

The idea sent a thrill through me, and I found myself nodding along with his insane plan.

He smiled, and held up the pink lace panties and pocketed them inside his jacket before leading me back out to continue the event.

Chapter Ten — Livvie

To say that Conquer Entertainment’s first annual Sound Off was a success would’ve been a massive understatement. By the end of the event, Remy and I had offered contracts to sixteen of the eighteen bands and went from zero clients to more than we probably could handle, but the boost enabled us to formally offer full time positions to Kaylee and Mitch, and we also brought on an admin clerk, Sadie, to round out our staff which allowed us to hit the ground running as soon as the contacts were signed and all the legal stuff was handled.

“This place is amazing,” I said, holding onto Remy’s arm.

We were standing inside the new Conquer Entertainment office that Remy had leased. The painters had finally finished and the furniture had been moved in. By Monday, we would be able to officially start using the space after months of waiting on renovations.

“Thank you.” I turned and gave him a sweet kiss.

“You don’t have to keep saying that,” he reminded me. “We’re partners, remember? You busted your ass for this, just as much as I did.”

I fidgeted. “I know, but I also know this wasn’t your first choice, and I want you to know that I see that sacrifice, and I appreciate it.”

He nodded in acknowledgement but stayed silent.

“I know about the restaurant, Remy.”

He turned and looked down at me. “What are you talking about?”

“The plans, on your desk.”

He casually strolled across the room to retrieve an envelope from the new front reception desk. “What plans?”

“The blueprints? What were those for if not—?”

“Oh, you saw those?”

I nodded. “I thought you were planning your restaurant and that when that happened, you’d leave Conquer.”

He crossed back over to me and took me into his arms. “Never going to happen, lady.”

I let myself melt into him, and for the first time since seeing those plans on his desk, I felt safe and secure again. Remy wasn’t going anywhere. He wasn’t going to abandon me or chase some other woman or some other dream.

He was mine, and I was his.

“I drew those up when I was planning the Sound Off,” he explained after a moment. “I wanted everything to be perfect, so I mapped it all out. You know, where the booths would go, how to do the lighting, music, dance floor. I know I can be a little off the wall, but deep down, I’m actually a details person.”

I smiled. I’d already known that about him. I’d watched him cook countless meals with precisions and attention to detail that was essential for a gourmet chef. “What about the notes on fixtures and menu items?”

“Wow, you really studied those things,” Remy said with a laugh.

I blushed, a little embarrassed at outing myself.

Remy stroked my hair to reassure me. “I was dreaming a little. I had the plans and it got me thinking about what I’d call my place, the things I liked, didn’t. You know.”

I nodded. I couldn’t help a sad rush at knowing that he’d given up his dream of a restaurant for my dreams. I wished I could snap my fingers and get him to the same place I was, watching all his dreams come true and for the rewards of hard work to finally start pouring in.

“Do you think—I mean, do you ever wonder if this was the right choice?”

“Livvie…” His voice was low and smooth. He tilted my chin up to force me to hold his gaze. “Yes, it’s true that I gave up a lot to be here with you, and to invest in Conquer, but I don’t sit around dwelling on that like it’s some big regret. That’s why I didn’t show up for you, for our first meeting.”

“What?” He’d never confessed what had really happened, and I’d long since given up on asking.

“I wasn’t ready. If I’d done it then, it would’ve been all about me. I wanted to step in, throw around some cash and save the day, be the big shot, whatever. But that wouldn’t have been the right motive at all, and I think I would’ve resented it, and possibly, you.”

I nodded slowly,truly touched by his vulnerability. It wasn’t a side that he showed often, which made it all the more special to me in that moment.

His eyes were locked with mine as he continued. “From that very first night, I knew there was something about you. I couldn’t explain it. You were so unlike any other woman I’d ever met, and that’s why I tried so hard to make something happen. I got in too deep, too fast, and I panicked. I didn’t know what to do, which is not my favorite feeling.”

I laughed. “That part, I knew.”

Remy smiled. “But, now that we’re here” he swept his eyes around our beautiful new office before landing back on me, “I think there’s something you should know.”

My body felt like pins and needles were prickling down my skin.

He smiled. “I’m in love with you.”

Tears sprang to my eyes. “Remy,” I choked out. “I love you, too.”

He kissed me, soft and slow.

Our intimate moment of sweet silence was interrupted by Mitch and Kaylee coming in to report that there was a problem with the plumbing, and that if we didn’t get someone out ASAP, we were going to have to swim to work on Monday.

They left to call the plumber and I looked up at Remy. “And to think, you almost missed out on all this fun.”

Remy laughed and kissed the top of my head. “I can’t believe it.”

Epilogue

Six Months Later…

It was funny how much my life changed. In many ways, I no longer remembered the man I used to be. Instead of running around the world or flitting away my days on a beach somewhere, I got up and dressed in a suit every day, to go downtown and work in an office. Gone were the nights filled with hanging out in bars and clubs, taking home a different girl when I left. These days, I left the office hand in hand with Livvie and spent our nights cooking together or going on dates around the city. My mother was no longer ruling over my social schedule. I hadn’t been to a charity dinner, auction, or picnic in months. I hadn’t even spoken to Madge since the day she’d shown up at my penthouse and tried to come up to smooth things over.