Shona stepped forward. She was tall and thin. Her hair was so black it almost looked blue under the lights. Her dark brown eyes were pretty and round and friendly. Her smile was genuine and contagious.

  "I'm Shona."

  Jami and Shona shook hands. Shona looked each of them in the eye. "We're happy you could open for us tonight, though I'll admit we're a bit intimidated. You guys are kicking ass and taking names lately. You won't be an opening band for more than tonight. So, I will be honored to say, 'you opened for us and then hit it big'."

  Jami chuckled. "I hope you're right. Let me introduce you to the Hurricanes."

  One by one, they shook Shona's hand. Her friendly eyes looked directly into Maddyn's as Jami introduced them.

  Shona grinned. "You're beautiful. When the press is around, don't stand next to me. Either of you." She pointed between herself and Livia.

  They both laughed, and Maddyn responded. "I was just about to say the same to you."

  Shona laughed. "I like this one, she has sass."

  Axel stood next to her and shook Shona's hand. Shona playfully said, "I have been hearing things about you two." She waved her finger between them.

  Axel nodded. "We've had quite a week."

  Shona nodded. "Yes. It happens sometimes. I had a stalker a while back. It was scary and I'll admit, a little exciting as I felt like maybe I'd finally arrived."

  Axel grinned. "I could use less scary and more exciting."

  Shona's half-grin was cute and playful. "You'll get there."

  Axel put his arm around her shoulders. Shona went on down the line, meeting everyone. Once the introductions were complete, Shona said, "Let me introduce you to the Rebels."

  Shona made the introductions. The backup singers were very nice and open and friendly. It wasn't at all what she expected.

  Shona sought her out as they spread out, chatting with their new acquaintances.

  "Maddyn, I have asked our security team to be on the lookout for this Lacey person. Everyone has her picture. We're happy to help however we can. I know how scary it is when someone fixates on you or your lover."

  She swallowed the emotion in her throat. "Thank you. I appreciate it. I know Axel does as well."

  Shona smiled and took a deep breath. "Us girls have to stick together."

  Maddyn laughed. "Livia told me the same thing today."

  Shona winked and moved on to chat with someone else.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Axel enjoyed meeting Shona and the Rebels. His excitement was tenfold to anything else he'd ever experienced, and he attributed that to Mads. Their conversation this afternoon excited him. They were going to be just fine. Their careers were about to take off in a different direction than they'd initially intended, but in the recesses of their minds, they'd dreamed of. And they'd do it together.

  Tony clapped his hands to get their attention. "Okay. Hart & The Hurricanes, we're up. Let's go put on an opening act that Shona and the Rebels will admire."

  They said goodbye to their new friends. He took Maddyn's hand in his and strode with her to the stage. He squeezed her hand. When she squeezed back, his heart felt her love. Climbing the stairs to the backstage area, he leaned down and whispered to her. "I love you more than you'll ever know. Enjoy this performance. And give it your all. I'm right here with you."

  She turned her head and looked up at him. Her face, which was always gorgeous, brightened when she smiled at him. "Give me the beat, Baby. And give it your all. I'm right here with you."

  His heart swelled so much he thought it would burst through his chest. Yep, they were going to be just fine. They peered through the curtain to see the crowd seated in the stadium. All the band members were chuckling and laughing at the size of the crowd. They had arrived. Maddyn looked up into his eyes and smiled. She stood on her toes and kissed his lips. "Maybe tomorrow we'll see if Zeke will help me move into your place."

  He kissed her lips and squeezed her tightly. "If he doesn't, I'll do it myself."

  She giggled, and he reluctantly let her go. They had a performance to do. Then their lives would take a turn. The one he'd dreamed of.

  The stage manager stepped out and waved to move them forward. As they reached the center of the backstage area, he held his hand up to halt them. He gathered them close and said, "When they announce you, the girls should step out in single file first. Then Sean and Axel, followed by Jami. Move to your positions, smile, and wave. Enjoy your time in the sun."

  Axel kissed Maddyn's temple. "I love you."

  She smiled up at him. "I love you too."

  "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Hart & The Hurricanes."

  The curtain opened slightly, and Livia stepped out. The crowd cheered and whistled and clapped. She followed Livia, reminding herself to stay steady and not trip. She waved and smiled as she followed Livia. He watched her with such pride in his heart. She was incredibly beautiful. That was easy to see. But what no one could see was her inner beauty. She was thoughtful, and kind, and loving.

  Sean stepped from behind the curtain. Then it was his turn. His heartbeat increased as excitement flipped through his body. He waved at the crowd to cheers, which also filled him with pride. He turned to Maddyn and blew her a kiss. The crowd cheered louder. He smiled at her, and she blew him a kiss in return. The cheers grew in intensity. He stepped closer to his drums and knew the instant Jami Hart stepped out from behind the curtain. Cheers. Women's voices rose. Screams of "I love you, Jami," filled the air. They were cheered for. And it was rousing.

  Jami waved and smiled and turned to him. With one nod, he was off. He played the drums like never before. He felt sharp and ready and so fucking excited for all of this. It was intoxicating, this feeling of his art, their art, accepted by thousands of people. They'd played to sizable crowds before, but never this large.

  As he played, he watched Maddyn dance and sing. Her smile was breathtaking; her pitch was perfect. They played their set perfectly as practiced. He knew every time Jami smiled because the women went wild. Once they'd finished their set, they moved off the stage so Shona's roadies could set up their instruments, and the crowd began chanting for them. Jami Hart. Jami Hart. Jami Hart.

  Shona stepped up to Jami and nodded. "Go give them what they want."

  Jami turned to him, then made eye contact with each of them. His smile lit up his face. "Ready?"

  They replied in unison, "Ready."

  As they stepped back out on stage, Jami in the lead, the volume in the stadium grew to the point his ears were ringing. As they crossed the stage, he walked with Maddyn to her position, her hand in his. The crowd cheered as he kissed her. Winking at her, he then took his place. Once again, Jami nodded, and he started them off.

  They played two more songs and ended with Sean's “Born to Be My Baby”. He couldn't wait to finish his song so they'd play it for the crowds. That was the next goal.

  As they finished and rushed backstage, Shona laughed and hugged each of them. "I told you this would be your one and only opening gig. Enjoy the rise, folks."

  The stage manager rushed them off the backstage area as Shona's roadies set up their instruments. The roadies pushed their equipment to the side in a holding area. He saw Zeke helping and directing the handling of the equipment. It enhanced tonight's performance not to also have to be his own roadie.

  Someone ushered them into the long hallway where they had initially entered the building. Tony reminded them they'd be hanging out in the lounge until after Shona's performance. They could watch her on the televisions in the lounge. Then, there was a press panel to attend.

  Axel maneuvered himself to walk with Maddyn. Her smile, man, his chest expanded at the excitement in her eyes. The excitement had replaced the horrors of the past couple of days they shared.

  "You were magnificent, Mads."

  "Thank you. You were, too. Everyone did such a great job."

  As they entered the lounge, Tony popped open a bottle of champagne and handed everyone a glass. "To a phenomenal performance and the meteoric rise of Hart & The Hurricanes."

  "Cheers."

  He tapped his glass to Maddyn's, and both took a drink at the same time. Then the celebrating began. They laughed and congratulated each other and celebrated a terrific performance and the promise of more just as exciting as this one.

  As Shona's last set played, Tony began gathering them together. "Okay, we're meeting the press in the press room on the upper floor. Let's get ready for it. Freshen up if you need to and be ready in five."

  He changed into a clean T-shirt. Maddyn stepped into one of the bathrooms. He chatted with his friends as he waited for her; he wanted to enter the room with her.

  She stepped out of the bathroom looking fresh as always. She'd changed into a clean black tank top. As she neared him, her smile was mesmerizing. He kissed her lips and took her hand. "Ready?"

  "Yep."

  A backstage attendant ushered the group to the press room. There were stools lined up on a small stage, and chairs set up for the press facing them.

  They took their places. The press smiled as they watched them. He sat next to Maddyn and took her hand in his. The questions began.

  They were the usual questions they always got. When did you start? How did you find each other? Nothing new or interesting until a reporter asked about him and Maddyn. He turned to look into her eyes, and she smiled.

  He eagerly replied. "We're together. We've loved each other for years but didn't want to break the band's rule."

  The questions started coming faster than his mind could comprehend. He saw Carlene enter the room and hang on the fringe. Then a question was asked of Maddyn.

  "Maddyn, what do you have to say about the takeover of your social media accounts? And why do you think it happened?"

  Maddyn opened her mouth to answer when another reporter stood near the back. "And was it actually a takeover, or were you trying to create attention for tonight's performance?"

  Maddyn's eyebrows bunched together, and his anger grew. "She had nothing to do with her account being hacked. Our security manager is the person who alerted us to the issue."

  The same reporter, clearly someone looking to create a gossipy piece to get more readers, shrugged and asked, "Do you know who did it?"

  Carlene stepped forward at that point. "My name is Carlene Matthews of Shout It Out PR. Since you seem to be asking questions of such a nature so you can write a tawdry article, let me be the person to clear this up. Axel has a stalker. This stalker is targeting Maddyn because of jealousy. Police are looking for this person and know who she is. Axel and Maddyn are doing nothing wrong. Neither is married nor otherwise involved. The mental breakdown of a person who wishes them harm is not their burden to bear."

  The room was quiet, and Carlene quietly stepped back into the shadows. He glanced at her, and she nodded.

  Once the press panel was over, they stood to leave the room. Axel's hand was on the small of Maddyn's back. He loved being connected to her.

  Voices filled the hallway, and he turned to see showgirls with large, feathered costumes nearing them. They were only a few yards from the lounge where their belongings were. He stepped closer to Maddyn as the showgirls, rather than slowing their momentum, converged on them and actually tried to pass them in the hallway. They were jostled and pushed, and he heard Maddyn cry out.

  He turned to look at her and saw her eyes grow large as something happened to her, then she slid down the wall. He yelled. "Maddyn!"

  Tony was behind them and got to Maddyn first. When he arrived at her side, she was out of it. Her body shook, and foam oozed from her lips.

  Tony swore, "Fuck." He jumped up and left, and all Axel could do was hold Maddyn close.

  She was cool to the touch, and her skin had grown ashen.

  Jami rushed to them. "I called Mitch. Tony ran to the Naloxone Kit."

  His anger and fear rose to the top. "She doesn't do drugs."

  "It won't hurt her if that isn't it, Axel. But something just happened to her, and until EMTs can get here, we have to do everything we can."

  Tony rushed to them and knelt down. He inserted a nasal spray into her nose and squeezed. Within seconds, Maddyn's eyes opened. She looked dazed, but she was awake.

  His heart raced. "Mads. My God, Mads, what happened?"

  Her brows pinched. "Something hurt my leg."

  He looked to see a wet spot on her right thigh. EMTs rushed to them, and he relayed the information Mads had just given him. An EMT cut her jeans up to her thigh, and there was a puncture mark. Jami stared at him, his eyes round and fear clearly written on his face.

  "Someone drugged her."

  He looked down the hall. "Tony, those showgirls. One of them drugged her. It has to be. They were the only ones here with us."

  Mitch and Tony were conversing a few feet away. Police officers were present; they came with the EMTs. He prayed they'd find out who did this.

  He held Maddyn's head in his lap. He stared into her eyes. "Mads. Oh my God, Mads. Please stay with me."

  Her weak smile was her answer. She took a deep breath as EMTs took her blood pressure and checked her pupils. He wasn't leaving her. Not now, not ever.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Maddyn woke in the hospital for the second time in three days. Axel sat next to the bed, his hand held hers, his head lay on the mattress next to her. She smiled down at him and took a deep breath.

  Axel sat up and rotated his head. "Hey, how are you?"

  "I'm good. I think I need to pee."

  He reached over and pushed the call signal. "You have to let the nurse know."

  She raised the bed, so she was sitting. Glancing down, she noticed she was in a hospital gown. "Who undressed me?"

  "I helped a nurse. We removed only your jeans. They needed to see the injection site. We were very professional."

  She chuckled. "Okay."

  "Mads. Did you see who injected you?"

  "No." She stopped and pulled the covers back. Glancing at her thigh, she saw a bruise. She brushed her finger over the area and felt a small welt. "Someone stuck me with a needle right here."

  He nodded, his brows furrowed. "Yes. That's the conclusion. They're doing toxicology right now. We should find out in a few hours."

  She closed her eyes. "So many people are looking for Lacey. How did she get in there?"

  "Police are interviewing the showgirls. So far, they've told Mitch there was a new girl among them. She talked very little. With their makeup and costumes, she went unnoticed. They said she had dark hair. Mitch thinks she either wore a wig or dyed her hair to look different."

  Her stomach turned. How could she ever feel safe with Lacey on the loose?

  A nurse entered the room. "What can I help you with?"

  Her voice shook when she spoke. "I need to use the toilet."

  The nurse helped her stand. She was fine on her own, mostly just tired. "I can make it on my own."

  "Are you sure?"

  She chuckled. "I'm sure."

  Strolling to the bathroom, she took a deep breath. Finishing up, she exited the room to see Axel sitting on the bed waiting for her.

  As she moved to the bed, the doctor quietly entered the room. She turned to see him, startled that someone had come up behind her so quickly.

  Her hand rested against her belly as she stared at him.

  He shook his head and reached out his hand to her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I'm Doctor Mason Thompson."

  She shook his hand. "It'll be a minute before I don't feel fear of someone coming up behind me."

  "Understandable. I have your initial toxicology report back. Someone injected you with cocaine that was laced with Fentanyl."

  She stared for a moment. Chills ran down her spine. "Oh, my God. That's... horrible."

  "You're very lucky Naloxone was nearby."

  Her heart pounded as the implication settled in her mind.

  Dr. Thompson smiled kindly. "Please take a seat, and I'll check your pupils and vitals."

  She sat on the bed and took a deep breath. He listened to her heart. Took her pulse. Then he shined a light in her eyes and checked her pupils. "Do you have any dizziness?"

  "No."

  "Your pupils are reacting to the light, though perhaps a little slower than they should be. They'll come around. But if you have any issues or feel sluggish or light-headed, please let us know." He looked at the injection site, then stepped back.

  "Can I go home?"

  "Yes, you can go home. Just pay attention to your reaction time and breathing."

  "Okay."

  The doctor stepped back and nodded. His eyes looked between her and Axel. "Do either of you have questions?"

  She turned to Axel. He stared at her, waiting for her response. She nodded. "Are there possible long-term effects that could affect me?"

  Dr. Thompson sighed. “There could be some to watch for. Dizziness or confusion. Headaches are a possibility as well. If you experience any of these things, come in and we can evaluate them better.”

  She took a deep breath. “Thank you.” Turning to Axel, she smiled weakly. Axel shook his head.

  "You're welcome. I'll have someone come in and get you out of here."

  After the doctor exited the room, she turned to Axel. He came and sat next to her on the bed once more.

  She swallowed. "I don't want this to turn into a thing, Axel. But I need to ask so that maybe you and Mitch are looking at this the right way. Is Lacey one of the groupies you've been with? Do you think that's why she's so desperate?"

  His brows rose in the air, and his eyes rounded. "I don't think so. Mads, if she were, I'd tell you. I honestly don't remember her at all."

  "Okay. She seems rather persistent, and this is a whole new level of attack. I could have died."

  She saw his Adam's apple bob and his eyes close. "My God, I know. I know it, and the fear I've felt these past couple of hours is unbearable."

  Reaching for his hand, she pulled it into her lap. Lacing her fingers with his, she sat for a moment, gathering her thoughts.