Ethan managed to keep himself in check, but I was sure it was because he was high as fuck. He swayed on his feet as he held her. I knew he was whispering his apologies on repeat to her as she buried her face in his neck while Fox looked around, seemingly uncomfortable with people glancing at them. She was Fox Evans’s girl. Everyone at Mayfair knew that, but at that moment, she looked like she was more Ethan’s than Fox’s.
Ethan finally released her. Fox was quick to retake control and kissed her.
“We have to meet Enzo and Cole,” Fox said, glancing at me. “We’re going to hit up Ninety9 on Main.”
I nodded wordlessly. It was a good spot to hang out. I still went there sometimes when I wanted to watch live bands. Before Rosalie, I’d go there with Ryder and pick up women. Times sure had changed.
Deciding I couldn’t get through an evening with the horsemen for company, I texted Ryder, asking him to meet upwith us. Since I knew he’d been in a significant drought with women, he was a shoo-in.
The fact Enzo was agreeable to go out when shit was so bad for him was surprising, but I was well aware of all the men waiting in the parking lot for him that were under his thumb. I was sure that having the kings back at their house also influenced their plans. Giving them space and all.
But it was still dangerous, and if Ryder were there, it was one more guy who could handle his shit. I trusted Ryder with my life and, therefore, with Rosalie’s.
“Hey, Ryder is going to meet us,” I said to Rosalie as she returned to my side. “But I want to take you to meet someone if you have a minute.”
She glanced at Fox, who was talking to Ethan. Fox raised his brows at us.
I decided I needed to repeat it to him. “I want Rosalie to meet someone. Is it cool if I borrow her for a minute?”
“Uh, yeah. Babe, Ethan, and I are going to meet with the guys.” He looked at me. “Can she ride with you?”
I frowned at that. It was odd he’d ask when they were all there, so immediately, I was suspicious. Rosalie seemed to be, too, because she stepped forward and opened her mouth. I cut her off before she could speak.
“Sure. That works out perfectly. We won’t have to rush then,” I said.
She closed her mouth and shot Fox a look. He approached, kissed her forehead, and murmured something before gesturing for Ethan to follow him. Ethan appeared to be better now, and he gave us a weary wave before trailing Fox out.
“They’re up to something,” Rosalie muttered. “Fox was on his phone a lot backstage.”
“It’s probably nothing. Kings probably are fighting with Drake or something.”
Rosalie groaned. “I’m all for helping people, but they really do scare me. And Bianca? She’s pretty scary, too. Seeing her punch Drake and Trent put some fear into my bones.”
I chuckled at that. “Yeah, Trent didn’t seem to mind, though. I think he gets off on women kicking his ass from time to time.”
She snorted and shook her head, letting me steer her out of the stage area.
“Who am I meeting?” she asked.
“Alex Ryan.”
“What?” she squeaked out, stopping in her tracks. “You said I could wait. That we’d work on it first?—”
“He’s here tonight, LeeLee,” I said gently, looking around. I spotted him in the crowd. He grinned and waved at me before heading toward us. “I told him you’d be performing. He was in the area. It just made sense.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Oh my god. I’m not ready for this. My performance wasn’t even very good.” She was panicked as she looked wildly around the crowded auditorium.
“Hey, trust me, OK? You were phenomenal, LeeLee. I wouldn’t introduce you if I thought the timing was off.”
She visibly swallowed as Alex stopped in front of us.
“Anson. It’s been a long time,” Alex greeted me, holding his hand out.
I gave him a firm handshake and grinned at him.
“It’s been too long. I want you to meet Rosalie, the star of tonight’s show,” I said, releasing his hand and gesturing to Rosalie. I could tell she was nervous by her shallow breathing.
“Rosalie,” he greeted her warmly. Alex was only in his mid-thirties but was well-known in the music world. I’d become fast friends with him when he tried to scout me several years prior. We’d stayed in touch and communicated often. Trackmaster Records was one of the biggest record companies in the world.I always thought it was essential to keep friends in different places.