The river house was where Victoria and the band practiced for the rest of the week, and Mason attended as many of the sessions as she could, but it was time to make some hard decisions. A trip to the office for a meeting with her father couldn’t be put off any longer.
She met Vic and Josette in the kitchen for breakfast, knowing they’d get a backstage tour of the Opry today, before their performance the next night. It was something the crew did for newcomers, even if technically Vic had been there with Sophie. She was hoping to be done and tag along, but Josette would be there regardless.
“You know, Vic, I’m a boy-crazy kind of gal, but for that, I’d gladly jump the fence,” Josette said, pointing at Mason when she walked in and threw her jacket over a chair. “You’re my hero for handling all of this.” Mason jumped a little when Josette palmed her ass.
“Uh, keep your hands and your fence jumping away from Mason. Besides, it’d be a huge turnoff when you took those great slacks off her and saw my name tattooed across her ass.” Victoria turned her face up for a kiss, then stuck her tongue out at Josette when Mason obliged her.
“You two set for today?” The housekeeper had fixed her a plate, so she sat by Victoria, giving her full attention.
“You’re coming, aren’t you?” Victoria appeared slightly panicked. “I know it’s stupid, but I need you there.”
“I’m going in early to meet with my father, which hopefully gives me time to come back and get you. If not, I’ll meet you there.” She pushed away from the table when Victoria moved to her lap. “I’ll send a car for you if I’m running late.”
“I know you’ve got a million things going on, but I want you there if you can swing it.” Vic fed her some eggs, and she laughed at the gagging noises Josette was making.
“I’m about to change my mind. She’s like a big hungry teddy bear.” Josette followed that by more gagging noises.
“She is, but she can totally rock my world.”
Mason choked a little at Victoria’s words, but that was good to know. “Let me up before I start blushing.”
Vic did, but not before kissing her to the point of almost making her moan.
“Stay out of trouble, and I’ll see you later.” Mason watched the ranch disappear in her rearview mirror and spent the drive thinking about how life had changed.
She was confident in what she could do for Victoria career wise, but it was what came after that worried her. Even the best of relationships sometimes died under the glare of the bright lights of fame. Love had already kicked her ass when Natalie had thrown her away for the fast-paced life of drugs and excitement, but she had to have faith it wouldn’t happen again.
Victoria loved her, she knew that, but the future was promised to no one. That didn’t scare her enough to let Vic go. She never would, so it was time to put all her gloomy thoughts back in their box and get on with what had to be done.
To end her ruminating, she called the office and Scarlet brought her up to date on her entire schedule. “One of the morning shows wants to do a spot with Colt and Everly. I played them a preview of the song, and they promised to do it for their Sunday morning segment. It’s their most watched spot, so it’s good for Colt and Victoria.”
“Good. Every show is sold out, but we have the option to add a few dates if there’s enough interest.” She stopped and waited for the doughnuts Josette had ordered for her. The clerk was nice enough to come out and put them in the back seat. They’d be the brightest spot of her father’s morning. “Anything on Sophie?”
“You aren’t planning to blindside Victoria, are you? Telling Sophie anything about this show will make Victoria super crazy nervous.”
“Do I look insane? I don’t need that crazy bitch doing something to mess Vic’s night up.”
Scarlet sighed. “I have to say, boss, you’re awesome in love, and Sophie’s been quiet. If she’s using again, she’s taking it slow and is doing it in private. None of the guys have seen anything, and she hasn’t left the house since Weston came and picked her up.”
She knew there was something more from the way Scarlet’s voice died away. “What?”
“Your buddy at the paper called and gave me a heads-up about Sophie.”
Maybe she needed to join a gym. One where there were plenty of things she could hit repeatedly with no one getting hurt. It would bleed her urge to beat people like Sophie into a pulp. “Are you hesitating for dramatic effect or to drive me completely insane?”
“Don’t be mean to me, or I won’t give you an alibi when you kill Sophie.”
“What did she want with the paper?” It wasn’t good news but Scarlet had a talent for making her laugh.
“She was shopping out an exposé on you and Sonny. Seems you and your father ruined her life as well as turned Victoria against her before you turned her into a raving lesbian.”
“What the actual fuck?”
“You did say she was totally insane, but you didn’t emphasize what a total bitch she is. The reality is, if not that paper, someone’s going to bite. Family drama sells. One of the gossip rags is bound to jump on it.”
She turned into the parking lot and took deep breaths to try to avoid a headache. “I’m here.”
“I know, and I’m waiting for you.”
She laughed, and sure enough, there was Scarlet with a tablet next to her parking spot. “Please don’t tell me how you always know where I am, and maybe schedule a doctor’s appointment to check my heart. If I stroke out because of Sophie, make sure you take out a contract on her.”
The cold whoosh of air from the lobby managed to calm her a little.
“Sure, but what about the paper?” Scarlet followed her in, her heels clicking along the wood floor.
“Put out our own warning that whoever prints the story will not only get a firm rebuttal from us, but will also be blackballed from any breaking news coming out of Banu. If they print one inaccuracy, they’d better be prepared to go to court. I’m not letting anything slide on this one.” She checked her phone as they entered the elevator. “But on a brighter note, I’ll have to send Sophie a thank-you note for this.”
“That’s interesting.”
“She made part of my decision easy to make.”
“What decision?” Scarlet followed her to her father’s office, and she trusted Scarlet to take the notes and handle whatever came of their meeting.
“There are a couple.”
Her father hugged her and kissed both her cheeks. Considering what was on their agenda, she wasn’t surprised to see her mom there too.
“If there’s anything but fruit in that box, you’re in big trouble,” her mom said.
“There’s fruit in the fillings, so we’re good.”
“Uh-huh.” Amelia kissed her next and treated Scarlet to the same greeting. “How’s Victoria? She sounded frazzled when I talked to her yesterday. Isn’t her run-through today?”
“She’s heading out after lunch, and I have it under control. Trust me, I’ll make it special for her.” The flowers she’d ordered, along with a makeup and hair team, would get to the house in an hour. “Did Scarlet give you the latest on Sophie?”
“Scarlet told us about Sophie and her new hobby of contacting the media,” her father said before biting into a chocolate doughnut with peanut sprinkles. “I also talked to Belle for her opinion.”
“Belle gave you a report?” That surprised her.
“Belle sent me a bill and told me that’s all the information she could share with me.” Sonny laughed as he tossed the bill at her. It took effort not to appear shocked when she saw the total. “Do you think it was a worthwhile investment?”
“We owed it to Sophie to try, and we can show we did all we could for her.” Mason’s opinion shouldn’t have a bearing on what her recommendation was, and she’d reviewed it a dozen times before she’d come to a conclusion she could live with and try to sell to her parents. But her final decision had more to do with Victoria than Sophie, so it wouldn’t ever come across as anything but biased. “The next step should be up to you.”
“Come on, tell us what you think,” Amelia said.
“My gut tells me our lives would be better off if we cut our ties with her, and I admit I told Victoria she’d never do another album for Banu. But there’s two important reasons not to drop her.” She grinned when her mother did.
“One of those reasons better be singing at the Opry tomorrow,” Amelia said. “I’ll deny having anything to do with your upbringing if it isn’t.”
“That’s the main reason, and I’m going to have to tell her about what her mother’s up to. I hope she forgives me, but I’m not doing that until after tomorrow night. Vic doesn’t need the extra pressure of dealing with her mother’s crap before then.” She stood, poured two cups of coffee, and handed Scarlet one. “The other reason is dropping her would only fuel what she’s trying to do. It’s hard to sell this kind of story when we can counter with a new tour schedule now that she’s okay. If she is.”
“You’re going to take care of that?” Sonny asked.
Mason shook her head and held up her hands. “No way. Sophie Roddy is all yours, Pop, and you’re the owner of Banu. That statement will carry the most weight if it’s coming from you.” She looked at Scarlet, who was picking up a doughnut and nodding as Mason spoke. “Because I love you, though, Scarlet and I will do the grunt work, and when I say Scarlet and I, I totally mean Scarlet.”
“Smart-ass.” Scarlet stuck a Bavarian cream coated tongue out at her.
“If you give me the okay, I’ll start putting a schedule together for Sophie’s approval. I’ll also put her recording plans back on track. We’ll start with smaller venues and put someone with her to help keep her sober. I’m sure Belle can recommend someone.”
“That sounds good and proves to me you don’t have anything else to learn from us,” Sonny said.
“I still have plenty to learn, but maybe the next lesson I’m interested in is how to be a good spouse.”
“That’s easy, Buckaroo. You do everything Victoria tells you to do, like I do with your mama.” Sonny leaned back in his chair with another doughnut.
“Yes, as you can see, he does that all the time.” Amelia shook her head, and she took the box away from him. “And if you can’t tell, I’m thrilled that you’re figuring it out without some major hints. Victoria is a wonderful choice, and we love her.”
“Thank you.” She kissed them before going back and starting what was probably the last work they’d do for Sophie. Unless she really surprised her, Sophie wouldn’t be able to help herself, and she’d go ahead with her plans to lash out no matter what they did for her. The likelihood was that she’d self-destruct again, but without Victoria there to pick up the pieces, she’d have no choice but to sink under the weight of her own mess. And no one would blame Victoria for not being there.
Hopefully she was completely wrong, and she also accepted that the version of herself before she met the Roddys would’ve dropped Sophie like a fucking hot rock. Maybe she really was becoming a mature adult. All that was left now was her need and responsibility to protect Victoria. To have her hurt by the one person who was supposed to love her unconditionally was unacceptable, and she’d do whatever she could to shield her from that.
“So single no more, huh?” Scarlet asked and bumped shoulders with her.
“Hard to believe, but as aggravating as I find Sophie, I owe her the world for being such a mess.”
They had a rough outline a few hours later, and Scarlet promised to keep making calls so she could get back home. This wasn’t the first time she’d shared a debut night with an artist, but it was the first time she was nearly as excited as the person she represented. Victoria was one of those rare talents that no one expected to find strictly by accident. Usually you walked into a bar or were at a wedding, and there they were, someone who’d been paying their dues until someone blessed them with a contract. They wanted it, were hungry for it, and would do anything for that one big break.
By accident meant a woman singing in her house because someone twisted her arm to do it. That was Victoria, the reluctant star, but tomorrow she had no doubt the world would fall in love with Everly. She’d worked to get her there, but she’d have to wait to see if once that happened, she’d get to keep the woman she’d fallen in love with.
“You never know what’s coming, do you?” Fame changed people and sometimes not for the good. She turned onto her property and glanced at herself in the rearview mirror. “No matter what, you let her fly.” It was the only pep talk she had time to give herself.
Josette was in the den with a tablet like Scarlet’s, and Scarlet had obviously told her it must be in hand at all times. She was studying it like there’d be a test later. “Getting a head start on your homework?”
“Hey.” Josette barely glanced up. “I’m trying to get a handle on this schedule you put together and everything I’m supposed to do with it. I don’t want to get fired on my first week.”
“Scarlet is going to tag along for as long as you need her, and she’s good at on-the-job training. According to her, that’s what she’s been doing for me since she started working at Banu.”
“I love you.” Josette put the device down and hugged her. “I was scared I’d miss something and screw all this up.”
“I’ll be around for you too, so just ask if you want to know something. Where is the woman with the golden voice?”
“She’s upstairs with Selena going through some shoe selections.”
Josette followed her into the kitchen and accepted a Pellegrino.
“You didn’t need new shoes and boots?”
“If there’s time, Selena promised to set me up.” Josette glanced at the door. “Thank you, Mason,” she said, lowering her voice. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Victoria, and she deserves better than she’s had. Please don’t do anything to screw this up.”
“I promise I won’t do anything that messes up your chances at swag.” She put her fingers up in the Scout’s oath.
“Believe me, I love me some swag, but I love Victoria, and I like seeing her this happy. That piece of work mother of hers really did a number on her, but with you she’s happy and in love. It’s been too long in coming, but you’ve finally arrived, and I want her to keep you.”
They were sweet words, and they made Mason’s heart sing. “I promise she’ll always be okay with me, and we want the same things for her.”
She heard talking on the stairs and hugged Josette one more time. “I’m counting on you to be there for her through all of this, starting today.”
“You know it.”
They headed back to the den, and she had to swallow a few times when Victoria turned and faced her. That she was beautiful was never a question, but Selena’s gift was creating simple elegance, and she’d come through again. The maxi-dress accented Victoria’s coloring and was stylish without being formal.
“Wow.” She put her drink down when Victoria walked into her arms and gazed up at her. “You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Victoria’s cheeks pinked up a little, and she shook her head as if to make her embarrassment fade away. “You don’t think it’s too much?”
“Do you like it?” Mason asked. Victoria nodded. “Are you uncomfortable?”
“No.”
“Then think of it as work clothes, a uniform of sorts, and to me you’re beautiful no matter what.” She smiled when the blush deepened. “Let me go change, and Selena can finish with you. She gets a raise for not putting anything on your lips just yet.”
“I left your stuff on the door of the closet, and I’ll take my bonus in Godiva,” Selena said.
“I’ll come up and help.” Victoria took her hand and blushed one more time when Selena warned her about getting wrinkles in her outfit. “Thanks for the flowers, honey.”
The vase on Victoria’s side of the bed was full of pink roses, and Mason ran her finger along the petals of one before she sat on the bed. “I want you to always know how special you are to me, and how proud I am of you. Are you ready for all this?”
“I hope so. It’s still weirdly surreal, but it’s been fun.”
She stripped with Victoria watching and wished they had more time.
“The next couple of days I don’t think will change much, but I’m glad I did it.”
“You’re going to have to trust me on what happens next, but you’re never going to be alone.”
“Promise?”
“With all my heart.” She slipped into her boots and held her hand out. “Let the adventures begin.”
* * *
The backstage manager was effusive as he took Victoria around and gave her the type of tour that only a privileged few got to see. Mason had been on a few of these, but she could tell when the manager truly liked someone, and from the sound of it, he couldn’t wait to see Everly again.
“Don’t worry about a thing tomorrow, and I’ll be around if you need absolutely anything,” he said, holding Victoria’s hand between his. “I’m sure you’ll be a regular if Mason has any say.”
“Thank you, and I appreciate your time today.” Victoria smiled and placed her free hand in the crook of Mason’s arm as if giving her new admirer a hint it was time to let go.
“Excuse me a moment,” Mason said when her phone started buzzing, and she saw it was her father. “Josette, go ahead and take Everly to the car, and I’ll be right behind you.”
“Buckaroo, are you done?” her dad said when she could answer.
“We just wrapped up, and I’m taking the girls to dinner.” She pinched the bridge of her nose when she realized Victoria was still there. She winked and said, “It’s just Dad with some last-minute stuff. I’ll be right behind you.”
As Victoria left, her father’s voice blasted in her ear. “Make your excuses, Mason. I need you to head to the hospital.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” She wasn’t loud but was still glad there wasn’t anyone around.
“Don’t let your mama hear you talk like that, but I totally agree with you. I need you to get there before the media does. Jesus Christ won’t be able to revive Sophie’s career if they catch this story.”
“All right but let me see Vic off, and I’ll cab it over there.”
“I sent another car, and it should be there in about five minutes. Don’t linger. I want this kept quiet.”
“Okay, Pop, I’ll call you.”
If Victoria saw her there was no way she would buy some bullshit story, so she called Josette and had her hand Victoria the phone. “I have to head back to the office, baby, so go ahead and keep the reservation. If I’m too late for dinner, I’ll call you.”
“Is everything okay?” Victoria sounded worried.
“Just some contract stuff Dad wants me to fix before it’s finalized, and it really can’t wait. Enjoy yourself and relax.”
“Okay. I love you.”
“I love you too, and you’re going to be awesome tomorrow.” She’d do anything to give Victoria a great opening night, even if she had to kill Sophie to put all of them out of her misery.
She scanned the news and social media, hoping to keep whatever had happened from Victoria until after tomorrow night. All her notifications were quiet, thankfully, so she texted Scarlet to be on alert and to call if she found anything. The service she’d hired had a guy waiting outside when she arrived, and he led her to the emergency department as he explained what had happened.
“Ms. Roddy called 9-1-1 thirty minutes ago, and the ambulance just rolled in. We haven’t confirmed exactly what’s going on—”
“Wait, Sophie called 9-1-1?”
“Yes, ma’am. They found Weston Cagle unresponsive when they rolled up on the scene. Ms. Roddy rode in with him once they had him loaded.”
“Please tell me she’s not high or drunk.”
“We haven’t been able to confirm that, but we’re trying.”
“Thanks.” She walked into the emergency room and searched the electronic roster by the nurses’ station for Weston’s name. It wasn’t there, which gave her no option but to ask. She was shown to a private consulting room instead of getting the order to leave.
Sophie stood when she walked in, and the next surprise of the night was her genuine relief at the sight of her. “Mason, thank God. They called the police.”
“Why, exactly?” she asked the nurse, and Sophie was clinging to her like she’d disappear if she let go.
“The gentleman Ms. Roddy brought in overdosed and passed away. It’s standard procedure to call the authorities,” the nurse said.
“Thanks, and we’ll be waiting.” She sat Sophie down and called Woody while Sophie sobbed. “Get over here and threaten whoever you have to, but keep Sophie out of this.”
“Give me twenty minutes. Sonny already called me. I’ve put things in place, and I’m on my way.”
She loved that Woody was always raring to go.
“He’s dead, Mason, dead.” Sophie sounded sober, which was a bonus if they had to involve the police.
“Tell me what happened.” It took some time for Sophie to get through her story, but it sounded like Weston had bought from the wrong dealer and paid the price of the poison he’d injected. “Sophie, listen to me.”
“It wasn’t my fault. You have to believe me.”
“I do believe you, but you have to listen to me. Tell that exact story and nothing more. If the police ask, offer to give them Weston’s stash, but that’s it. Do not volunteer more than you have to.” She wiped Sophie’s face, not quite believing how lost she sounded. “I’m just glad you didn’t take anything.”
“Even after everything I’ve put you through?” Sophie let out a short laugh that sounded wounded.
“Victoria loves you, and I love her. I’m smart enough to know you come as part of the package, and it would’ve killed something vital in her if this had been you and not Weston.” She could see her as a vulnerable, wounded soul for the first time. “Maybe the two of you have a ways to go, but you have an amazing daughter, and she cares about you even after all you’ve put her through.”
“Is she the only reason you’re here?”
“Maybe now isn’t the time for total honesty.” That got a smile from Sophie. “But honestly, no. We still represent you, and I still think you have so much more to do.”
The police took Sophie’s statement, and Mason was glad she stayed calm. Mason didn’t dispute her account of how Weston was a houseguest and she’d had no idea he brought heroin into her home. Maybe that was the only way Sophie could deal with the loss—by denying their connection.
“Do you know where Mr. Cagle would’ve purchased the drugs?” the younger cop asked gently.
“I couldn’t begin to guess. Why do you ask?” Sophie held Mason’s hand in a painful grip, but her voice stayed steady.
“This is the third callout about a fatal OD we’ve had this shift, and we need to find the dealer before someone else dies.”
“If we find anything in the stuff he left at the house, I’ll contact you if you leave me your card.” Mason pocketed the guy’s information and led Sophie out. Woody was in the car outside and told them he’d taken care of Weston’s last needs.
“I can’t go back there.” Sophie hadn’t let go of her hand, so maybe she was more freaked out than Mason gave her credit for. “I can’t.”
“Don’t worry, you won’t be alone, but we need to talk about where you can stay.” She explained what Victoria was getting ready to do and why she didn’t want to burden her with something that would stress her. “It’s asking a lot, but after tomorrow night I’ll move you in myself if you want to come back to Blue Heaven.”
“The Opry? You think she’s good?” Sophie was staring at her like she’d grown horns and had gotten a full-face tattoo.
“I want you to see for yourself, but she has the potential to be legendary. You gave her more than you know, some good, some bad, but through it all she’s loved you.” She faced Sophie and spoke from the heart that now belonged to Victoria completely. “What I want is for you to spend some time really seeing her for who she is. Her talent is something that will blow you away, but her compassion isn’t something you should neglect any longer. You have no right to continue treating her the way you have, which has been truly horrendous. It’s not okay, and if you lose her, you’re not only missing out, but it will be entirely your fault.” Mason didn’t care if it hurt Sophie’s feelings or if it didn’t help her recovery. She needed to hear the truth as clearly as Mason could say it.
“Can I come tomorrow? I know it’s last-minute, but I’d like to be there.” Sophie had actual tears in her eyes, and Mason smiled. Maybe Sophie’s time at the ranch had done some good after all. She was finally seeing herself in that mirror Belle had been holding up for months.
“I got you a ticket just in case, and my parents will pick you up, but tonight I think the best person you could stay with is the one who’s been trying to help you all along.” Woody drove them to the address she’d texted him, and she prayed Sophie would keep it together. “If you give me the night, we’ll figure it out together, you have my word.”
“I’ve been cursing you for weeks, Mason Liner, and I’ve accused you of plenty of things.”
Mason braced herself for some more of the same now the pressure was off.
Sophie’s eyes were swollen from crying, but they were clear and strangely empty of the usual malice she looked at the world with. “I’m still not sure a relationship with you is the best thing for Victoria, but I owe you my thanks. After everything, had the roles been reversed, I would’ve told you to fuck off.”
“I’m not sure she should have a relationship with you, either, so we’re on even ground there. All I ask is that you think before you say anything to Victoria. Talk to me however you like, but remember, she’s your child, and I love her. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to keep her safe and happy. And if that means dropping you in a hole somewhere, so be it. Deal?”
The car stopped, and Belle was waiting in front of her house. “Okay, you got a deal, and thanks for understanding me.”
“Try listening to Belle this time,” she said as she opened the door. Belle was wearing yellow shorts and a sixties-style halter top, and the outfit made her appear younger than Mason had ever seen her. “She knows what she’s talking about.”
“At least someone does.”