Shade came to the window to stand by her. “Kaden’s security team is aware of the risk.” Shade leaned on the wall beside the window. “There isn’t a day that a Last Rider gets on his bike not knowing it could be the last. We’re good to go with whatever shit goes down,” he said cryptically. “The big question is: Are you?”
With her still hand on the window, Ginny slid her fingers inwardly until her hand was clenched in a fist. “Yes, let’s do it.”
* * *
Ginny came out to stand behind the curtain next to Zoey to watch Kaden perform on stage. She tried to blot out the thousands of people in the audience in front of him.
“It’s not too late, Ginny. You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do. I’m not going to run. I’m not afraid.” She resolved herself to the idea of singing with Kaden. It was too late to back out. She couldn’t, even if she wanted to.
“Why did you agree to take lessons with Kaden?”
“Because of something you said.”
“Because of something I said?”
“You asked me, if you didn’t like my cooking, would I keep doing it.”
“You said yes.”
Ginny nodded. “That’s why. I love singing just as much as cooking. The only way to overcome singing in public is to get better at it.” She had given up singing because it resulted in Manny’s death. Afraid of someone recognizing her, she saw no reason to override the guilt she had lived with when he was murdered. Yet, it had been so long ago that the chances of her being recognized were miniscule. What counted and hurt her the most was Manny’s death, and her not singing wasn’t going to bring him back, just like wishing that she hadn’t given Leah her turn wasn’t going to bring her back.
Hammer was right; she was a grown woman, and the thing about being an adult was you had to accept the frailty of human life, and the pain of losing someone you love went hand in hand. She hadn’t put the gun in Allerton’s hand, and she hadn’t been the one driving the motorcycle.
“Like cooking lessons.” Zoey nodded.
“Willa taught me how to love cooking. I hoped Kaden could teach me the same thing about music.”
“Did he?”
“We’re about to find out,” Ginny said starkly, her face pinched in fear. “I signed a contract that I’ll open twelve shows for him. When I’m done, I’ll have enough to go home and buy a house. I’ll be able to pay cash for it, and it’ll be mine. I wish you could come with me. Even with the lessons Kaden gave me and him singing the duet with me, it would be easier with you there.”
By the time her new contract with Kaden’s band finished, her stalker would have hopefully moved on, if he wasn’t caught before then. Plus, it gave Allerton the chance to take her out if someone recognized her. She would be exposing herself, but at least Hammer, Trudy, and all her friends would be safe. It would also give her the time to decide what her next move would be. Hammer had said the ball was in her court, and it was time to figure how she wanted to play.
Zoey hugged her close. “You don’t need me to sing with you to give you courage. I know what it’s like to want your own home. I found mine, but it wasn’t a house; it was a person. You’ll find yours, too.”
The song that Kaden was singing ended, sending applause roaring through the audience.
“I guess this is it, then. There is no going back.” Ginny stepped closer to the edge of the curtain as Kaden lifted a hand in the air to quiet the audience. Her heart felt as if it were beating out of her chest.
Ginny turned to look over her shoulder, when Zoey softly called her name at the same time that Kaden started introducing her to sing the duet with him.
“Ginny, you have always been a star. You just let clouds keep you from shining brightly. I found my way home from a map; you never needed one. You know exactly where you want to be. Make it happen!”
Ginny nodded. Zoey was right. She knew she wanted to be in Treepoint with Trudy, and if she wanted it to happen, this was a step she was going to have to take.
She straightened her shoulders before she walked out into the lights shining down on the stage.
Her image joined Kaden’s on the huge screens, so that the audience could get a closer view of what was happening on the stage. Sawyer had helped her pick out the midnight blue jumpsuit that left her shoulders bare. The material concealed her breasts before flaring out in loose, flowing pants. She had also been talked into getting her hair cut into a bob. Everything about her had gone through a transformation on the outside, while inside she was still the three-year-old little girl who just wanted everyone to hear her sing.