2. Chapter 2

I was still in shock I was offered the PA job with Ray Sisco's company. Sure, I'd worked for others in the entertainment industry over the last fifteen years but none of them were as notable as the person I'd soon be working with. The first tip-off that my new client was someone very big in the business was the fact no name was given to me during the interview. Ray simply said the job would be working for a high-profile performer but that was the extent of his explanation. I figured it was a ‘need to know basis' and it wasn't quite time for me to have that information. For now it was enough to know I'd been hired.

My resume was loaded with noteworthy entertainers but for the most part they were B-list actors, a couple of comedians, and several bands in multiple genres. I worked my tail off for them and in the process I developed a keen understanding of the job and almost a sixth sense which my clients appreciated. One lead singer I worked with called me a ninja and said I was one step ahead of anything that happened. I was cool with that description. It meant I was properly doing my job.

Not everyone was comfortable being married to their job 24/7 but I was. I wasn't attached to anyone—by choice—and what was left of my family was scattered around the country. In other words, I had no personal life which allowed me to make my job my only priority. Besides, the money my clients paid me was always worth the sacrifices I was required to make but as the years wore on I became restless. I needed more challenges in the job to keep me engaged and that's why I jumped at the job opportunity Ray Sisco's management company posted on the employment platforms I followed.

When I sat with Ray for the interview I had no idea who I might be working with. I simply laid out what I could do for his client and let my years of experience and my confidence sell me. I never asked which of his clients needed my PA services. It really didn't matter. I knew Ray only signed A-list entertainers which was exactly the kind of ‘next level' job I was looking for.

The interview went very well and without Ray using the name of who I'd be working with, and my potential duties were explained in detail to give me a nice glimpse into the life of my future employer. Ray's description of work duties clued me into the fact my potential client was a rock star who was just as busy off the road as he was when he was touring which worked perfectly for me. I didn't like downtime. Idle hands were the devil's workshop, my mother used to say. I developed a great work ethic from her before she died and loved the feeling of accomplishment that came from working hard and being productive.

Ray also said this musician would require a great deal of hands-on coordination for his life to run smoothly and to keep him on time. I liked the challenge Ray was presenting and felt very motivated and capable to dive right in but Ray hadn't offered me the job—yet. He was mainly feeling me out while giving me a list of job duties, which I understood. Seasoned PAs in Los Angeles were a dime a dozen and I knew I wouldn't be the only one interviewing for this job. I was just one of many who were just as experienced—perhaps some even more than I was. When our meeting concluded, I stood and extended my hand to Ray.

"Thank you for your time today, Ray," I said in my most professional tone. I stretched my arm to grip his hand and gave him a firm pump before letting go. "Your management teams are the global benchmark of success in this business and I believe I'd be a great asset to the team." Jesus, I hoped that wasn't too forward of me to say but I knew in my gut I was speaking the truth. This job was a perfect fit for me and literally checked all my boxes.

"Yes, thank you, Cain, for coming in on such short notice," Ray said. He moved around his desk to walk me to the door. "To be frank, I thought I'd already made a decision on this position but then your resume and long list of credentials appeared in my inbox and I felt compelled to meet you in person. I'm glad we were able to make that happen but now I've got some serious thinking to do."

I nodded at Ray and smiled. "I would expect nothing less," I agreed. "Fitting a PA with one of your clients is never to be taken lightly. They become family on some levels, so I'll leave you to it."

"I'm glad you understand," Ray lamented.

"It comes from years of experience," I remarked, as a final reminder of my abilities—in case he needed another one.

Ray squeezed my shoulder as he opened the door. "I'll be in touch," he said as I stepped out into the waiting area beside his receptionist's desk.

On the way down in the elevator my brain sorted through the minutes of our meeting. I felt like I'd nailed it and I knew my resume spoke for itself. I had zero doubts I could do this job better than anyone else Ray might have interviewed. My only weakness might've been the fact my name wasn't a flashing neon light in the entertainment business, like some PA hotshots. My personal style was working under the radar and it's how I was able to remain one step ahead of everything—including the media, because I was proficient in blending in with my surroundings while getting the job done. My past client had good reason to nickname me The Ninja. I took pride in that trait and considered it a huge selling point for myself. Hopefully Ray felt the same.

Truth was, I never expected to get hired due to all the competition in the PA field. Which was why when Ray's call came at eight o'clock that night, I took it as a sign they were going to pass on me. It was the opposite. Ray made me a decent offer right over the phone and the next morning I was sitting in his office signing the necessary contract, NDA, and a million other documents.

"Meet me back here Sunday afternoon at five," Ray directed after he tucked the signed paperwork into a file on top of his desk. "We'll be flying east to meet your new boss. We can go over everything you'll need to know during the flight. Pack for a week but plan on just a few days. We'll see how it goes and how temperamental he's being."

"I'm looking forward to being part of your team," I replied as I shook Ray's hand. "I'll see you on Sunday."

I left Ray's office for a second time in twenty-four hours, this time as a newly signed Personal Assistant for one of his clients, but I remained clueless as to who the hell it was. I wasn't sure if that was an oversight on Ray's part or an intentional omission. Maybe Ray wanted to make sure the ink had fully dried on my contract before I knew who my client would be—in case the identity of this rock star had me changing my mind over the job. I wasn't going to change my mind and Ray would soon learn that about me, as well as the fact I didn't back down. I was more than ready to do this job.

I spent the next two days cleaning up my condo, taking out the trash, and watering my plants—on the off chance I did have to stay a full week in New York, or longer. But on Sunday afternoon, I was back at Ray's office efficiently five minutes earlier than I needed to be.

"Ahh, promptness," Ray said as he swung his office door open to greet me. "I'm glad you didn't change your mind."

"Why would I do that before the fun even begins?" I teased.

"Fun? Hmm, you might need to take a look at your definition of fun and make some adjustments," Ray replied.

"Fair enough," I answered.

A car was waiting for us downstairs at the curb outside of Ray's building which took us to an executive airport not far from Los Angeles. From there we boarded a private jet that seemed almost brand new. Inside the cabin the scent of expensive leather filled my nose. There was a center aisle with about a dozen seats split in rows of three seats on each side at the front of the plane. A small seating area was toward the back with a couch and two swivel chairs positioned at a table. At the very back of the cabin I saw an open doorway leading to a room with a bed.

"Nice ride," I said on a sigh.

"It's the band's private jet," Ray said. He dropped his briefcase onto the table and waved his hand at me to take the other seat. I got comfortable in the chair while Ray sorted through his case. A moment later he dropped a heavy file on top of the table and slid it over toward me. "That right there is everything you need to know about your boss."

I opened the cover and looked at the first page. Written in bold print was the name Gage Tennison. Holy fucking shit. I couldn't stop my mouth from gaping, then my gaze snapped up to meet Ray's.

"Gage Tennison—from Iris?" I asked in disbelief.

"Maybe now you can understand the discretion I've displayed about giving out his name too early in the process," Ray said. "But I have to say, I'm impressed you never asked who you'd be working with—not even after I offered you the job or the contract was signed."

"I actually considered asking but realized it really doesn't matter who the client is," I explained. "Your description of the job intrigued me enough and it offered the kind of challenges I'm looking for at this stage of my career. It was a perfect fit but I never expected my new client would be such a high-level performer."

"Does it change how you'll do the job?" Ray questioned.

I shook my head. "Not at all. I will work my tail off for him, same as I've done for all my clients, 24/7," I explained. "What does change is the amount of time I will spend working directly with him. It's been my experience that high-level entertainers like Gage require more. . . hand-holding—which is fine. They've earned the right to expect certain perks suitable to the lifestyle they've acquired."

"Then you're familiar with working with A-lister entertainers?" Ray asked.

Shit. I was hoping this subject wouldn't come up so soon in my employment. I left this particular name off my resume for a reason but if Ray was asking the questions then I would answer them truthfully.

"I've worked with one other high-level entertainer," I admitted, meeting Ray's intense eyes.

"May I ask who?"

I kept my breathing steady, didn't flinch, and remained laser focused on Ray's reaction, hoping this didn't turn out to be my first and last day of employment with Ray's management company.

"Ben Golden," I threw the name out as if it held no emotional weight behind it. Even though saying the name still brought me physical pain.

"Co-founder of Delirium Dreams?" Ray asked.

"Yes," I confirmed.

"He wasn't listed on your resume," Ray commented.

I shrugged. "There's only so much room on a resume."

"But he's the biggest name you've worked for," Ray said, stating the obvious.

"True, but you saw for yourself the rest of my resume is strong enough without him being mentioned."

"I'm sensing a story behind this omission, Cain, and I don't like surprises," Ray said. "If there's something I need to know about your employment with Ben Golden, then now is the time to spill it."

I glanced out the window of the plane just as the flight attendant approached and asked us to take a seat at the front and attach our seatbelts for take-off. It was a short reprieve but I knew once we were cleared to walk around the cabin, Ray would be asking more questions.

Ray didn't even wait until we were airborne. He sat down beside me and buckled the seatbelt. "What happened with Ben Golden?" he asked pointedly as the plane barreled down the runway.

"We were together for four years," I stated flatly and watched the exact moment understanding registered in his eyes.

"PA to lover or lover turned into PA?" Ray asked.

"PA first," I said honestly. "You should know I've never crossed that line before and it won't ever happen again. I'm very serious about that, Ray. You have my word."

"What happened?" Ray asked.

"He turned into a serial cheater and I got tired of watching it happen and pretending it didn't hurt," I said. "It was a long time ago, just after their album Full Throttle hit number one. Everyone wanted a piece of them and my ex-client failed at saying no. The rest is history."

Ray remained quiet for a moment and it made me anxious. I had to tamp down the thought he was reconsidering my employment. "Listen, if working and having a relationship with Ben is a deal breaker then I'm happy to fly back to LA on another plane as soon as this one lands."

Ray turned in his seat and looked at me. "Thank you for being honest," he said after another pause. "It makes it easier for me to be fully honest with you."

"Shit," I mumbled under my breath.

"You can relax. I'm not canceling your contract," Ray stated, "and you are an ‘employee at will,' which means you're free to leave the job at any point. I only ask that you give me the standard two weeks' notice before you walk away."

"I want this job, Ray. I'm not leaving," I affirmed.

"Okay, then here's the truth," Ray began. "Gage is straighter than straight," Ray said. "I've never once known or heard of him mixing it up with men. I actually hired you because you are a man, and honestly, knowing you're a gay man makes me even more confident this work arrangement will succeed. In the past Gage has had trouble. . . keeping his dick in his pants with the long list of female PAs he's had, and just about any other woman who has crossed his path and stood still long enough for him to mount. We've even had a loose threat from a previous PA claiming sexual harassment on the job but there's no hard evidence to unequivocally prove it. The case has no merit and they've never bothered to file the paperwork with the courts. At the moment, the subject is moot but I don't know what the plaintiff's intentions are for the future. The thing is, Gage doesn't believe he needs an assistant but his track record over the last year proves otherwise."

I tipped my head to the side and grinned at Ray. "Is there a compliment hidden in there somewhere?" I teased.

"What I'm saying is, you'll do a top-notch job without any sexual tension to distract Gage from what he is supposed to be doing—which is writing new material while you keep his day-to-day life on track," Ray explained. "He fucked his way through a long tour and failed to write any music. Now the record label is breathing down our necks and Gage is floundering without any inspiration. Hence his seclusion in the Adirondacks while the rest of his band is enjoying a well-deserved vacation."

"Is he angry about that?" I asked.

"As a hornet trapped under glass."

"He knows we're coming to see him, though, right?" I asked.

"Of course, but I should tell you he's not thrilled about me hiring another PA—or babysitter, as he calls them," Ray said. "That coming from the one who can't be on time for an interview or an appointment to save his life."

"So, you're saying he's going to be pissed off when he meets me," I commented.

"Probably, but deep down I know he understands why you need to work with him," Ray admitted. "He can be temperamental and argumentative but he's not stupid."

"So, I've really got my work cut out for me is what you're saying," I stated.

"That is correct, but you said during your interview that you loved challenges and being married to the job," Ray smiled.

"True, and it's why I'm confident I can excel at the opportunity you've presented to me," I answered with pride.

"I do have one more question for you," Ray stated and I nodded for him to continue, "and it goes back to what we were discussing earlier."

"Should I be nervous?" I teased to ease some of my own tension.

"I need to know if you have any more secrets from your past that could come to light during your employment with us or bring embarrassment—or lawsuits to the company," Ray stated. "I mentioned how I don't like surprises and I'm serious about that. Typically, I run a full, deep background check on potential employees but our timeline of hiring you was a bit expedited due to the circumstances. I only had time to do the standard check for you. So, tell me, do you have anything—and I mean anything, I should know before we look into your past? Any felonies, past addictions, outstanding warrants, restraining orders, petty theft, tax evasion, or even so much as jaywalking?"

I felt my face go pale but kept my eyes trained on Ray and my expression neutral. I had to will my heart not to burst out of my chest and for the sweat beading on my forehead to remain hidden beneath my hair. After all, I was a professional. More importantly, I knew there was absolutely nothing that Ray's background check would unearth about me. I'd made sure of that a long time ago. As far as Ray, or any other employer was concerned, my closets were empty of skeletons.

"I'm certain I will pass whatever test you give me since my past is pretty boring," I explained. "Simply put, I've never been arrested. It's hard to get into trouble when you work the hours that I do. Any downtime I have is used to sleep."

"Okay, that's good enough for me," Ray said and smiled.

Once we were cleared to move around the cabin I went back to the file Ray left on the table and began to educate myself on the inner workings of Gage Tennison. By the time we landed in New York I wanted to know everything there was to know about my new boss, his typical schedules, right down to his favorite fucking color. I wanted to know it all, including what motivated him as an artist and maybe I could figure out a way to help keep his threads of creativity flowing.

A few minutes before the jet began its final descent, Ray dropped a thumb drive on the table beside my arm. "What's this?" I asked.

"Spreadsheets, contact lists, and his calendar of commitments for the next several months," Ray detailed. "Some of it is duplicates of what is in the file, but the information on the thumb drive completes the full picture." Ray shifted on his feet and considered his next words. "Listen, Gage is. . . uniquely gifted in a special way with music. He's just hit an impasse with his work and needs a shot of adrenaline or something in the veins, maybe a kick in the ass. I'm not sure which but treat him with patience. That's all I ask. The last thing we need is for him to be thrown anymore off track."

"He's in capable hands, Ray. I promise."

"I sure as hell hope so because I'm counting on it."