Infinity (12 page)

“Tell Diego I said much thanks for putting me into bed last night.”

“Diego? Uh
we
put you into bed last night...no wait, I lugged your ass into bed and Diego did what he does best, boss me around while he watched and posed prettily.”

“Sounds about right.”

“And who in the hell is Alik?”

Alik
? “Zoe, I don’t know anyone named Alik.”

“Apparently, you do.”

“You know I wouldn’t lie about something like this. Plus, you know just about everyone that I do.”

“Well, apparently not as much as you know this Alik. You were saying some pretty kinky stuff in the car last night.
‘Oh Alik kiss me’, ‘Oh Alik bite me’, ‘Oh Alik drink me’
. Oh my gawd....who knew that our little virgin was so freaky. It was so hot I almost called up one of my boy toys over to take the edge off. Whew! Just hot.”

“While it does sound panty wetting hot, I don’t know any Alik.” I wracked my brain for any new guys that I met last night…nothing. “I remember leaving the restroom, dancing, drinking and then nothing.”

“You don’t remember pushing the DJ aside and doing your own imitation of a fucked up rapper? Which by the way, will be your next hit single if you can just remember your drunken stupor lyrics.”

My eyes widened excitedly over the word ‘hit single’, but unfortunately my response was, “Nope” to remembering.

Zoe laughed, “You don’t remember having a dance-off with Diego that was so x-rated that Nick had to shut the party down?”

“Nope, and I hope that shit wasn’t recorded because I don’t need it going viral.”

She scoffed, “You won’t. Nick shut down that possibility fast and in a hurry...but believe me it was fun to watch.”

I blew out with relief; it was one less scandal to deal with. “Zoe, there’s something else bothering me. I don’t remember having any Rejuvenator.”

“You didn’t, not after the ones you took in the car. Hold on, Infinity.” She growled, then screamed, “Diego! Diego!
No
she doesn’t want to see your new piercing.” She whispered loudly into the phone. “I really thought you loved me, Infinity. I really did. But to leave me here alone babysitting him, that’s just plain cruel.”

“He’s trying to show his new Prince Albert piercing again?” I barely stifled my chuckle. “Well he should be proud of his massive and impressive equipment.”

“You would think anything is impressive. Please don’t use his junk as an example of massive. Impressive? Yes. Massive? Not so much.”

“Well, I’m impressed and he’s free to show his…piercing to anyone he wants.”

“I’m really so happy that you’re amused, but you won’t be chuckling when you walk into the arena to find Diego orchestrating a full orgy on stage. I promise you, that is not part of our choreography.”

“Oh, he’s not that bad.”

“To add to the mess we lovingly call Diego, some of the backup dancers we hired didn’t show up. The sound check crew is not here, your Creative Director looks like someone kicked his ass, and your backup singers have a major attitude because you’re late. And last, but definitely not least, Diego has just stripped off his t-shirt and is now demonstrating some dance move way better suited for the bedroom than in public.”

I slammed my brush on the granite countertop. “Wait, what’s going on with the backup dancers?”

“Thank you, finally some focus. Out of the ten we hired, only four showed. So I called the missing to find out what’s up. Those that would talk to me, and not many would, were mumbling about the Collective and not wanting their legs broken.” The phone shuffled, “Okay the sound check crew just showed up so at least we can get the music going. Hold on, Infinity, let me move to a more private spot so that we can talk.” The phone shuffled again, “Okay, I’m good now.”

I rushed to put on my silk robe, and walked back into the bedroom. I didn’t have a good feeling about this. “Okay, Zoe, tell me what’s really going on?”

“The backup dancers are scared. I mean, really scared. They don’t want anything to do with tonight’s concert or the tour. Infinity, the Collective is scary on any given day, but when they single you out, that shit is damn terrifying. They’re threatening everyone that you hired and telling them not to show-up tonight or else.”

My hands were shaking from rage. “Did they threaten you and Diego?” There was a long pregnant pause, “Zoe?”

She sighed, “They didn’t threaten, they advised. They advised us to talk to you.”

“About what?”

“You canceling the concert and tour. They strongly suggested that if Diego and I wanted to work ever again that we should advise you to cancel the whole tour. So I’m passing on the shitty advice. Not because I want to, but because I think you should know about the shit storm brewing.”

“Did they actually send someone from the Collective to talk to you and Diego?” I knew the answer before she even responded. No. Because no one still breathing, has ever seen a member of the Collective in person.

I wanted to bang my head with frustration. Everything about doing this concert was wrong, I felt it in my gut, but I had to continue, my dreams, and the strange woman demanded it. While everyone that I loved thought that I lost my mind for even attempting doing this tour, I pressed on, and not because I was some self-appointed Samaritan, no, I pressed on to save my ass and those that I loved. It was truly a ‘damned if I do, and damned if I don’t’ situation.

So, I pressed on, smiling prettily for the paparazzi, which I hated, but I did it all because this concert had to happen. When people finally realized that I was serious about this obvious suicide mission, the calls started, calls threatening to ruin my career.

I knew who was behind the threats, the Collective, who hung in the shadows, controlling the world like puppet masters, but I didn’t care. The more energy I put into promoting the tour, the more setbacks I encountered: missing employees, destroyed costumes, canceled venues, the media refusing to allow me to come on their show to promote. The list went on and on, but I soldiered on and through all of that, ticket sales actually rose.

I flopped back on the bed with my mind racing a mile a minute when ‘Breaking News’ flashed on the screen, followed by the appearance of that major bitch, Vivian LaRue, sitting coldly behind a news desk smiling like a viper before saying:

“Killings and kidnappings by the Rogues are on the rise. The elite are panicking, wondering which one of them will be next and where the Rogues will strike next.”

She leaned towards the camera with tight eyes.

“After forty-eight harrowing days of being held captivity, Alisa Taron, daughter of Cortez Taron, president of the Collective Corporation was recovered alive in a spectacular rescue mission orchestrated by Channing & Vigari Enterprises, aka C&V.”

The camera moved to a live feed showing a pale, tall, thin girl looking dirty and disheveled being rushed into a helicopter surrounded by a group of men with grim faces and wearing black clothing and mirror sunglasses.

The screen flashed back to Vivian, “We have requested an interview with reclusive billionaires, Channing and Vigari. Both requests have been denied. However, Lola Weller, Director of Communication at C&V has been gracious to grant us an interview.”

The screen cut to a pretty brunette with rich chocolate skin. “It’s my pleasure to be here.”

“Can you tell our audience anything regarding the rescue mission?”

Lola smiled with blinding white teeth, “C&V is ecstatic about reuniting Alisa with her father. They both can rest easy now that this traumatic event is well behind them. We at C&V wish them well.”

Vivian responded, “Lola, there is wide spread concern over the rise of rogue activity, and there is speculation that Alisa’s kidnapping was orchestrated by one of the biggest rogue factions lead by Alik Wild. Is there any truth to this?”

Lola’s huge sparkling hazel eyes turned frosty, “No comment.”

Vivian’s faces tightened angrily, “Okay, well maybe you can tell our audience why C&V was involved in her rescue, and not the authorities?”

“The authorities and C&V worked closely together in the rescue of Alisa.”

“Not according to my sources, Lola. In fact, according to my sources, C&V withheld information from the authorities on this investigation. Any comment?”

“There is no truth to that statement.”

“Okay, is there any truth to the fact that C&V is a billion dollar security firm that caters only to the super rich, and is rumored to have got its start after the
Fire and Ash
war by providing questionable security services to the super rich?”

The camera flashed to Lola who looked amused but unruffled. However, it was Vivian who looked quite perturbed by Lola’s calmness. So she continued on her tirade.

“Some say C&V ruthlessly cashed in on the fears of the super-rich when mercenaries, also known as rogues, began to plague society by kidnapping the wealthy and demanding hefty ransoms for their return.”

Lola actually laughed, “Come on Vivian, C&V provides a service. There is nothing sensational about the security services that we provide. The only thing that makes us different is that we are very successful at what we do. End of story.”

Vivian’s lips curls into a sneer, “Will C&V president Channing or VP, Vigari, issue an official statement about the kidnapping?”

Lola smiles charmingly. “This is the official statement.”

“Earth to, Infinity? Are you there?”

“Sorry, I was just watching some drivel news. Okay, so what do you want to do? I don’t want you and Diego hurt over this.”

“The question is what are you going to do?”

“You know me, the concert is happening tonight. I’m not letting anyone tell me what to do. Not even the Collective. I’m not scared, Zoe. I’m built to take the pressure. I shrug that shit off. But you and Diego? I love you two and don’t want you caught up in this mess. So if you want to exit left and not get caught up, there will be no hard feelings.”

“And let you have all the fun? I talked to Diego this morning just to see where his head is at and he’s in this for the long haul, sugar, and so am I. Remember the promise we made, we three would always stick together, no matter what. We’re family. Besides, you gave us a shot when no one wanted anything to do with two poor dancers with no work experience. You, the hottest, rocking-ness, singer on this planet.”

I smiled, “Please, you and Diego are super talented. I have no doubt that someone would have hired you if I didn’t.”

She scoffed, “Yeah, people were begging to hire two homeless kids with no family, no experience and lots of attitude. Yeah right. You gave us a shot; you made us and then had the nerve to open your home and heart to us, making us a part of your family. We love you. You love us. We are family and you are stuck with us. Next.”

I smiled to pinch back the tears that were threatening to fall. I remembered the first time I saw them at auditions, two scruffy teens my age, popping gum, looking at me with lots of attitude and me looking right back at them like WTF. But I knew, just knew that the three of us had some sort of weird connection. When the Choreographer told them to get out, I made them stay and audition. From the moment they boldly stepped in front of the room and danced their asses off, everything just snapped into place and I knew that we would be friends forever. They were made to be a part of my life and that’s where they stayed for years my friends and family.

It’s true I gave them their first shot but they didn’t owe me anything. They were talented. I knew that, and they did too but they were loyal and I paid them very well, not because they were friends but because they were talented. When other singers saw that and tried to steal them away, they always declined, so I kept them paid and working because regardless of what the media said about my hard partying ways, I worked way harder than I partied—I cared about my business.

I swallowed the swell of emotions and laughed. “You know how I feel about all that emotional stuff, so stop it. And you and Diego can forget about a bonus. It’s not happening.”

“Bonus? We’re not even getting paid.”

“Uh, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m paying you overpriced Choreographers a lot of money.”

“Well, we’ve decided that we’re not accepting. So keep your money rich girl, this one is on us.”

“Okay, like you said, I’m the rich girl and I’m paying you. You’re not going to have to put up with all this drama and not get paid.”

“Okay, then pay us and we’ll take that money and donate it to the cause. No one fucks with our best friend, the Collective can kiss our ass.”

I swear, I just loved them. “Whatever, but you and slacker, Diego, are going to work your asses off on this tour.”

“Whatever bossy ass,” she laughed.

“I’m sending you a new track that I’m putting in the show tonight. I was going to release it when my album drops but I just decided to use it tonight. You and Diego listen to it and decide if I need backup dancers or not.” I stood up walking to the bathroom with more pep in my step. “Okay I’ve got to go and wash my ass. See you in a few.”

“Okay, see you, sugar.” She moved the cell from her ear to scream, “Diego! Get her off your lap. I swear I don’t get paid enough to put up with this crap.”

“Well, it’s a good thing that I’m not paying you,” I chirped happily.

Kara

Þrúðr....Power

Staring out at the hazy mist that lingered in the air, she huffed with exasperation before stepping out of her red convertible and right into a muddy puddle.

“Focus. Don’t kill him. Just find out what the fuck is going on.” She mumbled, shaking the water off her expensive black leather stilettos with disgust. Disgust with the precarious situation, and disgust with herself for even agreeing to meet the ass wipe, but she had to know why Infinity mentioned his name. She didn’t believe in coincidence, either Maxim had reneged on their agreement to never contact Infinity or someone had discovered the truth of her bloodline. Both possibilities made her blood boil.

Speaking of ass wipe—her mouth twisted with distaste when a lightly tanned, tall muscular man strode confidently from the shadows like he just stepped out of a magazine shoot wearing a black tailored shirt, crisp black trousers that molded to his muscled thighs, and well-polished custom-made black shoes.