Chapter 31

THIRTY-ONE

I refuse to hide and look scared. Instead, I do the opposite. I show my face so they know exactly whom they are dealing with. Kage and I still have lives outside this revenge—we are superstars, after all. He has a show tonight for charity, and he was going to cancel, but I wouldn't let him.

This is just as important, and I refuse to lose our entire lives over the past. They can't have that. I stand in the VIP booth to the side, waiting for him to come on and perform. I've seen him online and in interviews, but never in person, and I'll admit it gives me a little thrill. All the fans are screaming for him, holding signs and chanting his name, but he's all mine.

Pushing my lanyard to the front where it proudly says his name, I lean into the rail and wait. I made sure to look extra good since I knew there would be cameras everywhere and fans looking at me. My dress is black and cut high to display my thigh on one side, the other trailing in a long train. The edges of the neckline are white, as are the buttons down the front, and the shoulders are sheer with white diamonds. My hair is curled back and pinned, with some wavy pieces framing my face, and my makeup was pristine, but Kage kissed the shit out of me before letting me out of his sight.

I'm the only one in the VIP booth, which also makes me grin. He doesn't let anyone else come here, and rumor is, he never has. Hell, when he led me to it earlier despite Elijah's protests, he was so happy.

Elijah moves to my side now, checking on me as ordered by his boss. "You know, he's had your name down at every gig, concert, and meeting for years, just in case you turned up, so you could have peace and watch him." I raise my eyebrow, and he grins. "Just thought you should know, and remember, if you need to go anywhere, let one of your guards know."

The guards are another new thing. There are so many of them, I might as well be the president. I don't know where Kage found them on such short notice, but they are clearly capable. He explained they are the best of the best. Hell, he even bribed some to leave their current jobs and protect me, and they take it very seriously. I'll admit I feel safer, which shouldn't make me happy, but it does. It's also the only reason he agreed to perform without dragging me on stage with him, because he knows I'm safe—not that anyone would try anything in this public of a venue, but he isn't taking any risks.

"Fallon! Fallon!" My name being called brings me from my thoughts, and I smile at the fans who've started to notice me. They surge forward, and my guards hold them back. Laughing, I head down the stairs, ignoring Elijah's protests.

My guards surround me, and I roll my eyes, taking the outstretched papers and signing them. I pose for photos and even get a few friendship bracelets before the lights go down, and I hurry back to my booth to watch my man.

The silence is filled with anticipation as screams split the air, then there's a drum hit. It pounds in time with my heart as I lean over the barrier, just as excited as the fans. The lights flash with each drum beat until a guitar shreds and bright red lights shine down, highlighting Kage. He's leaning back with his eyes closed and a smirk on his lips as he plays, his band in darkness behind him. He's the entire focus. I'm just as hooked as the fans, watching as his fingers dance effortlessly across the cords. His leather jacket is open, exposing the sheer shirt underneath that matches my dress. There's graffiti across the jacket that catches the light, leading down to his tight leather pants, which I had way too much fun feeling up in the car on the way here.

His hair is messy, strands falling into his face, and his eyes are blacked out. When they open, they are so bright they steal my heart all over again. They find me, and when his solo finishes, he blows me a kiss, making me grin.

When the music dies off, he grabs his mic. "How are we feeling tonight?" The crowd screams, and he frowns, placing his hand by his ear. "I can't hear you. I said, how are we feeling tonight?"

The thunderous screams make me laugh, and he grins as he looks over the crowd. "I'm Kage, and I'm just one of the amazing acts performing tonight all in the name of the charity Open Mind, so open your wallets and your hearts and let me steal them." He winks as he wanders across the stage as he speaks. He was born to be a performer.

Leaning down, he reaches for the crowd, and they scream louder as he grins and flirts with them, stealing every single heart, just like he is stealing mine.

"I want to thank you all for coming out tonight to play with me, so how about I get started with a favorite of mine? I wrote it a year ago, after meeting someone who I knew would become my everything. This is ‘Golden Love.'"

The crowd, if possible, screams even louder and surges forward, testing the security as the music starts and Kage's crooning voice wraps around us. The lyrics hammer right into my chest. They are so full of emotions, you can't help but feel the music. It's a dark, grungy song, which isn't my usual style, but fuck if it doesn't become my new favorite thing.

I guess I always avoided everything to do with him, but there is no denying that Kage has a voice of a fallen angel, and as he dances around the stage, it's obvious he has the body of one too.

His eyes land on me, trapping me as he sings the chorus.

Golden love,

I'll be with you.

I'll wait for you.

Golden love .

Can't you see I'm your fool?

As he spins around, the drums and guitars growing stronger, he dances to the edge of the stage near me and mouths, "I love you," then dances back, leaving me blushing like a fool.

He really is crazy.

Songs blend from one into another, ranging from dark to soft and loving, yet all have one thing in common—his heart and obsession. When he grins into the mic, I can't help but fall for him all over again.

"Okay, okay, I have just one more song for you. It's a newish one, so shh, let's not tell anyone. I'm not supposed to play this yet. I couldn't resist, though, since the person I wrote it for is here tonight." His eyes land on me. "What do you think, sweetheart, should I let them hear it?"

All eyes turn to me, as does a spotlight, and I purse my lips. He's going to die later, and he knows it if his grin is anything to go by.

When he looks at me, though, it's like I can breathe again. I feel like I can live, can see and hear. He brings me back from black and white into full color, and maybe that's why I fight him so much. I have never felt like I deserved to live in color, in the world he lives in. I don't think I am worthy of his love, but I don't care. I'm greedy and selfish, and I will take it anyway because he makes me feel alive.

I run my gaze over the crowd as they scream for us, and when I meet his eyes again, I nod.

"Looks like I have permission." He steps back into the darkness as the lights go down. "So here it is. It's called ‘Riot Act.'"

I frown at the name, something niggling in my head, but when he starts to sing, I forget everyone else. There is a spotlight on him as he croons a soft, lyrical melody into the mic.

Abruptly, it bursts into a rock song, but the lyrics remain the same, flowing like a promised whisper.

She's my queen.

Ice under my skin, melting like our souls.

Keep on pretending, it's you and me.

The world can wait.

I'm yours, you're mine .

This life we lead like a riot act.

My girl.

Where she goes, I follow.

Wrap her in my arms so no tears will swallow.

My girl.

It's a confession.

He's telling me he loves me, that he will protect me and be with me forever.

It's a damn love song.

Running across the stage, he leaps down the stairs and races through the crowd as they shout and reach for him. His security fumbles, rushing after him, and then he climbs the raised bars of the VIP booth and hangs from them as he reaches me, leaning over the rail as he sings.

The music trails off, and in front of everyone, he grabs my head and yanks me into a hard kiss before pulling back with a grin. "I love you."

"You're dead," I whisper, but I can't stop my smile as he laughs.

"Looking forward to it." He steals another kiss before dropping down and heading back to the stage. He lifts his arm as the audience screams and the last note fades, then he pulls his mic down, breathing heavily. "I'm Kage. Thank you. Good night!"

Once his set is over, I head backstage with an escort. I wave at the fans, and once inside the corridor, I find him waiting at his set door. He sweeps me into a dramatic kiss, even as I slap him away.

"You're all sweaty," I complain.

"You will be in a minute," he teases, wiggling his eyebrows.

Laughing, I go to slap him away again when there's a sudden commotion behind us.

"Kage?" a female voice calls, making me pull away slightly. I see a woman lingering down the hall, stopped before my guards. "Kage, hi! "

I frown, but Kage is too busy feeling me up to notice. "Kage," I snap.

"What?" He jerks his head up, follows my gaze, and then looks back at me. "What?"

"Kage, I was hoping to run into you," she calls loudly, and my lips purse.

"Let her through," I order, and she rushes toward us on designer heels, a Prada bag clutched under one arm. It is clear she dressed to impress, wearing a skintight number that leaves nothing to the imagination. She's beautiful, but Kage is oblivious, pulling me closer and resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Possessive thing," he teases, but I ignore him.

"Kage, I was hoping to run into you," she gushes.

"And you are?" he asks coldly.

"It's me, Melissa. We went on a date, but then you left to come here for your music. I'm in the country, and I was so glad to hear you were too." She smiles brightly, ignoring me.

"Right." He just turns to me, kissing my neck.

"Nice to meet you, Melissa." I smirk as she finally runs her eyes down me.

"Same." Her expression darkens before she perks up. "We are twin flames. We hit it off so well, and I know we are going to be great together. So what do you think, Kage? We could go on another date or back to my hotel."

Oh, this bitch.

He ignores her completely, but I push him away, and he leans against the wall, dragging his tongue over his lips as he stares at my ass.

"Kage?" she says, unsure.

"Kage," I demand, drawing his gaze from my ass. "Melissa wants to take you back to her hotel to fuck."

He starts to laugh before sobering at my expression. "Wait, seriously? Are you crazy? I just sang about being in love with this woman. Are you dumb?"

She swallows hard, looking between us .

"Sorry, Melinda—that was your name, right? Anyway, I guess the twin flame thing didn't work." I sigh dramatically. "So sad." I turn away, snapping my fingers at him. "Kage, let's go."

He pushes off the wall to follow, but I should have known better. She doesn't want to lose, and she wants him. I don't blame her because he's incredible, but he's mine.

"Are you serious? He's a fucking rock star, a god, a legend," she hisses.

I turn to face her once more, arching my eyebrow. "And?" I challenge.

Her face flushes in anger, her long nails ripping at the leather of her bag when she doesn't get the reaction she wants. "And you're making him follow you around like a puppy. You can't treat him like that. I think you forget who he is?—"

"Moira, was it?" I interrupt, loving the way her face gets darker. "I didn't forget who he is, especially when he was on his knees all morning with his rock star, god, legendary superstar mouth on my pussy." Stepping closer, I tilt my head. "How I treat him is none of your business. He is none of your business." I glance back at Kage to see his hungry eyes locked on me. The bastard likes it when I'm angry and jealous, and I hate that it's working. "Isn't that right, puppy?" I grab his chin, pulling him closer, and his eyes dilate. "You're mine, little puppy, aren't you? Bark for me."

He barks then grins after.

"Good boy." I kiss him before I turn back to her. "Since you didn't ask my name, I'll tell you. It's Fallon, international superstar, hall of fame goddess, and ice queen. If you ever speak to me like that again or come anywhere near him or our relationship, I'll show you what I'm capable of. Now, Mirriam, run along home before I get tired of you."

Taking his hand, I lead him away, my heels stomping angrily as he says, "Relationship, huh?"

"Don't push your luck," I hiss.