Need You Tonight, page 3
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as the sound of footsteps on tile grew louder.
Craig and Billy walked into the room.
Despite his mood, Daemon managed to smile. ‘Billy.’ He grabbed Billy’s arm and pulled him into a hug. ‘Thanks for this, mate. I really appreciate it.’
Billy leaned back. ‘You better not make me regret it.’ He shot Craig a look.
‘We know the rules. So, should we get a move on? At this rate we’ll be late for afternoon tea.’ Daemon picked up his jacket and strode to the door, Billy and Craig following behind.
Billy rounded the black SUV to the driver’s side. Daemon noted the tint on the glass was dark enough that you wouldn’t be able to see more than the shadow of the person inside.
‘Sorry I was late,’ Billy said as he opened the door. ‘But it took longer to get out of the city than I’d bargained for.’
Billy started up the car, drove out the drive and along the private road that, as far as Dae could see, led to this house alone. After a few moments of driving along bumpy dirt roads, he grumbled, ‘I don’t see why we couldn’t take the chopper directly there.’
‘Lexi doesn’t like choppers flying in and out of her property. It would bring questions.’
And this cloak and dagger doesn’t? ‘How far to this precious country retreat?’
Billy’s eyes narrowed. ‘Listen, Dae, I know you’ve been through a lot in the last few years, but it’s nothing compared to what Lexi has been through in her life. She’s doing Craig and me a big favour. If you’re going to make things difficult for her, we might as well turn back now.’
Daemon’s jaw hardened as a brooding silence arced between them. He breathed in a deep, calming breath. ‘You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m not in the best of moods this morning.’
Billy nodded. ‘I know. I saw the papers. I’m sorry, mate.’
‘Thanks.’ Daemon couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice.
‘Yeah, well, remember all that shit has nothing to do with Lexi and we’ll be fine.’
‘Right you are. I’ll endeavour to be my usual charming self.’
‘There’s a usual charming self?’ Billy laughed. ‘When did this happen?’
Daemon shook his head. ‘You are too much like your brother for anyone’s good.’
‘Oi,’ said Craig. ‘No need to get nasty!’
Daemon laughed. ‘So, how come you’re at the beck and call of Lexi? Are you two an item?’
‘Me and Lexi?’ He snorted. ‘Hell no. She’s like a sister. Family. I’d do anything for her. Like me and Craig—even though he’s the idiot who blabbed about where the songs came from.’
‘I didn’t blab for years.’
‘Yeah, but you did blab.’
‘You’re not going to let me live this down, are you?’ Craig grumbled.
‘Damn right, I’m not.’
‘Glad I don’t have a brother,’ Dae muttered loudly.
‘You wish you had me for a brother,’ Billy said, laughing. ‘I’m the best brother ever.’
‘In your dreams,’ Craig said. ‘I’m the best brother ever. Ask Mum and Dad.’
‘What would they know? You’re not their brother.’
Daemon shook his head at the both of them as they continued to argue and then stared out the window again. Hell, he’d almost blown it. He had to pull his shit together. He had to put all the stress and nerves of Darla and all this cloak and dagger stuff aside. If he wanted to work with the best producer around, he had to find his cool. Be professional.
As Craig and Billy’s arguing turned to a discussion about the snow season and skiing possibilities, Daemon took another few deep breaths, his gaze fixed firmly on the beautiful scenery. They’d left Mansfield far behind and were now driving through rolling green hills, heading towards the craggy mountains shaded a strange bluish green. Low clouds hung over those mountains, obscuring the peaks where the snow fields were that Craig and Billy were talking about. High Country, Craig had called it. Wild and stormy and unforgiving under its pastoral beauty—it sang to him. The green certainly reminded him of home.
In the back of his mind an echo of a tune began to play.
He sat up, excitement tingling on his nape. A tune hadn’t come to him this easily for quite some time. But he couldn’t push it or grasp at it too strongly—it might slip away. So he concentrated on the scenery flashing by the car, the tune playing at the back of his mind.
The car slowed down as they rounded a bend and drove through a quaint town—the sign said it was Merrijig—which seemed to be made up of two pubs and a bunch of accommodation.
‘You can get a great steak and beer at both of Merrijig’s pubs,’ Billy said as they drove through the township. ‘And catch up on the latest region’s gossip.’ He cast a look over at Dae then at Craig. ‘Although, maybe neither of you should make an appearance. There’s lots of people up for the end of the ski season and likely to be some fans. And we don’t want the word to get out that you’re up here if we can help it.’
‘No.’ That was the last thing he wanted. ‘Is this Lexi’s local?’
Billy snorted. ‘Hardly. Bev and Karl have tried to get her out, but unless there’s an unknown band playing and she can hide up in the back to listen, you won’t see her anywhere like this.’
‘Really?’ That was strange given she had to have visited pubs like this across Europe and England to have found the bands she found and made her name with. The puzzle of Lexi was getting more and more curious.
‘We’re almost there,’ Billy said as he turned onto a dirt road. ‘The house lies just over the hill. You’ll see. It’s quite lovely out here. Very restful.’
The echo of the tune playing in his head became more definite until it was a tangible thing he could hum.
Holy shite. This was brilliant. Was it because of the surroundings? Or because he was about to meet the amazing AJ Denholm? Whatever the reason, he was even more determined to walk out of here today with a firm agreement to work together.
They made a turn through an open gate where a wrought iron sign overhead read ‘Storm Haven Manor’ with Scots Gaelic underneath it. ‘Broch Caladh Stoirm,’ he whispered to himself. The name was truly fitting.
The road wound and dipped and curved before finally coming over a rise.
‘There it is,’ Billy said, pointing at the structure sitting at the top of a gentle rise in the middle of the valley below them with a cottage and large barn-like buildings scattered behind it, and behind them and to either side, fields of cattle and what looked like an orchard. It was beautiful and peaceful and he couldn’t wait to get down there.
‘It’s a blinking castle,’ Craig said. ‘You didn’t tell me she’d bought a castle! What the hell is a castle doing out here?’
‘Would you believe some mad Scottish farmer built it over a hundred and fifty years ago. He designed it to look exactly like the castle where his parents had been servants in Scotland.’
‘It’s incredible. Thank the lord for mad Scots!’
‘Yep,’ Billy said chuckling. ‘Wait until you see what Lexi has done with it.’ He kept driving. The castle disappeared as the road turned to run along a tall stone wall before another right turn that took them in an arc in front of the castle-manor-house.
‘Here we are,’ Billy announced as he pulled the car up in front of the steps. The familiar scents of a farm—freshly tilled soil, mown grass, the pungency of animals and manure—filled his nostrils as he got out, mixed with something else he thought might be the gum trees on the mountain behind them. He could feel the mountain’s presence like a stroke on his senses, but instead of turning to gaze at it, he followed Billy’s gaze to the bluestone castle in front of him.
Where the front door was firmly closed.
‘Where is everyone?’ Craig asked as he came around to join them.
‘I don’t know. I would have thought Lexi would be waiting by the door for us to arrive.’
‘Of course she would. She loves me, don’t you know, bro?’
Billy clapped his brother on the back of the head. ‘You wish. I wonder where she is.’
‘Maybe she’s in the studio. We always lose track of time when working on a tune.’
‘Yeah, maybe that’s it.’ But he sounded uncertain.
Just then the front door opened and a woman came out. ‘Billy, you’re here.’ She walked down the steps towards them. Was this AJ Denholm? She wasn’t anything like he imagined. As she drew closer, he noted the streaks of grey that ran through the woman’s dark, bobbed hair. The thick tartan jacket, dark blue jeans and plain brown boots she wore made him think of the country women who lived near his da’s pub. He’d guess her to be in her fifties. From things Billy and Craig had said, he gathered Lexi had grown up with them. This woman was too old.
‘Bev. Sorry we’re late.’ Ah, so not Lexi. ‘I got held up.’
‘That’s fine. Lexi’s not back yet either.’
Lexi wasn’t here? What the hell was going on? He shot a look at Craig. His mate shrugged; his expression baffled. Billy seemed equally confused.
‘Where did she go?’
‘I don’t know. She wasn’t here when Karl and I got back and she’s not answering her phone.’
‘How do you know she’s not here? She could be holed up in the studio.’
‘Karl says her Landcruiser isn’t in the garage. I’m sure she’ll be back soon. She was looking forward to this meeting.’
‘How do you know?’ Dae couldn’t help but ask.
‘She told me so.’ Bev gave him a stern look. ‘And I’m not in the habit of disbelieving what Lexi says.’
Properly chastised, Dae nodded and forced his mouth into a smile. ‘Of course. I’m only worried that something’s happened. I’m sure it’s not like her to take off like this.’
Bev, Craig and Billy all shared a look that they obviously weren’t going to explain to him, and he didn’t feel brave enough to ask about. ‘So, are you going to introduce us, Billy?’
‘Yes, of course. Bev, this is Daemon Flagherty and the other reprobate is my brother Craig.’
‘Hey!’
Billy smirked as he continued his introductions. ‘Guys, this is Beverley Smart. She and her husband, Karl, look after the farm and the property. As well as being an amazing house manager, Bev’s an angel and food whiz.’
‘Oh, go away with you,’ Bev said, shaking hands with Daemon then Craig. ‘I’ve heard your music. I’m not a big fan myself but the young people seem to like it. And I will say your songs are better than a lot of others around nowadays. I’m sure Lexi will do all she can to help you.’
Daemon tried not to laugh. Most people sucked up to him because of his fame whether they liked his music or not. ‘I’m sure she will. If she agrees to work with us.’
‘Oh, I know she will. Our Lexi likes a challenge.’
Daemon’s lips twitched as he shared a glance with Craig, but he managed to keep a straight face as he said, ‘So do I, Mrs Smart. So do I.’
‘You’ll be perfectly suited, then. And please, call me Bev. Nobody calls me Mrs Smart out here.’ She turned to Billy who was obviously trying to smother a grin. ‘Shall we go inside and start afternoon tea while we wait for Lexi to return?’
‘I think that’s probably the best idea.’ Billy took in a deep breath. ‘It smells like you’ve been hard at work baking. Please tell me you’ve baked your world-famous scones.’
She touched his face and smiled. ‘Of course I have, Billy dear. I did a triple batch78 knowing you were coming.’
‘Oh, thank all the gods. Wait until you try Bev’s scones,’ he said to the others. ‘You’ll think you’ve gone to heaven.’
Bev’s eyes warmed at the compliment even as she said, ‘Don’t oversell them.’ She started to make her way back up the stairs. ‘Come on. Let’s get you all warmed up and fed. I’m sure Lexi will be along any moment.’
Daemon followed her up the stairs, hoping that was true. Hoping the reason she wasn’t here was because she’d changed her mind.
He had to be able to stay here and work. The tune in his mind was the best thing he’d come up with for a long time. And it would blend well on an album with the songs she’d already sent them.
She had to agree to work with them. She had to.
Chapter 4
Five minutes past Merrijig, Lexi turned the Landcruiser onto a road that was little more than a dirt track—as most of the roads around here were. The drizzle that had been spitting on the windscreen since Mansfield disappeared and a little burst of sun came through the clouds as they wound around the base of the mountain towards the Howqua Hills area. She had to concentrate hard because the dirt road could turn to muddy slush in an instant. Finally she was turning right under the arched brick and wrought iron gate that announced she was home.
When they reached the rise that gave a breathtaking view of the manor, she slowed down. ‘There it is,’ she said, unnecessarily. ‘I told you it was a castle. I imagine you didn’t believe me. Nobody ever does until they see it.’ She looked at Cat, hoping that somewhere, deep inside, Cat felt the same joy she did at the sight in front of her. ‘This is home.’
Nothing. The same nothing she’d had from her sister the entire drive home except for when they’d stopped for a toilet break at Yea. Then Cat had been difficult and unyielding in the worst way possible. Lexi had nearly broken down and cried in the toilet cubicle, but aware of the mum who’d entered with her toddler just after them, she’d sucked it up and done her best.
It had barely been adequate. Cat had peed on herself, forcing Lexi to go through the drama of trying to change her then and there. Afterwards, she’d had problems getting Cat back into the car for the rest of the drive.
How was it the professor and all the nurses always made dealing with Cat look so easy? And Billy? He’d been working alongside her physical and occupational therapists for years and got her to do all sorts of things. How did they do it? She was exhausted after only a few hours with her. Maybe the professor had been right. Not that it mattered. What she’d said back at the hospital was the truth—she would just have to learn to deal.
She took a deep breath and drove down the hill. They drove under the boughs of ghostly crape myrtle trees that lined the road—they’d been a burst of pink and deep crimson when she’d first seen the place but were bare-limbed at the arse-end of winter—and then burst out onto the sweep of drive that looped to the left along the walled garden and up the lawn-covered rise that led to the three-storey, bluestone monolith with its flat roof, merlons and crenels.
Billy’s SUV that she’d bought him to easily transport Cat and his equipment around in was parked in front of the house. Billy was here? What was he doing …?
Oh hell no! The meeting. She’d completely forgotten in her mad panic to get out the door and drive down to Cat. She’d not even left a note to tell Bev where she was going. Hadn’t thought to call them to tell them she was bringing Cat home. She’d just been so caught up in bringing her sister home that she hadn’t thought beyond that.
She was an unthinking idiot.
But not only that, if Billy was here, that meant Daemon Flagherty and Craig were too.
Oh god. There they were, standing in the doorway at the top of the steps with Bev and Billy. Had they just arrived? She hoped so and this wasn’t them pissed-off and leaving.
Craig was smiling though, which was a good sign that they’d just arrived. Even so, it wasn’t great that she hadn’t been here to welcome them. So, the big question was, was Daemon annoyed about that? Her gaze arrowed in on him as he turned to watch the car pull up.
He was taller than she thought he’d be, with a sexy assuredness that stroked at senses long dormant. Then those piercing blue eyes narrowed in on her. Her mouth dried and she trembled a little.
She cleared her throat as she put the car in park. Pull yourself together. He’s just a musician. She’d worked with plenty of them before. She didn’t do the fan-girl thing. It was probably just because her nerves were too frayed from dealing with Cat and the stress of today. What she had to do was get out of the car and make amends for being late. At least he didn’t seem too annoyed. She wasn’t sure what that look on his face was, but it wasn’t annoyance.
As Billy and Bev walked towards her car, she wiped her hands on her jeans and put a carefully practiced smile on her face.
Both of them looked surprised to see Cat in the car—as they had every right to be. But she didn’t want to answer any of the questions they so clearly wanted to ask. She’d just need to brazen through it. She aimed her smile at Billy as he opened the passenger door. ‘Cat’s home. Finally.’
His eyes didn’t leave her sister, but he nodded. ‘I can see that. What happened?’
She didn’t want to tell him that either. ‘Can we talk about it a bit later?’ She nodded towards Daemon and Craig who were waiting near the front door. ‘Do I have an apology to make?’
Billy looked back over his shoulder. ‘No. I don’t think so. We only just arrived.’ His gaze returned to Cat. ‘Hello, Kitty-Cat. Welcome home.’
A lump wedged in her throat at the look on his face. Thankfully, before she could give in to the tears too close to the surface, Bev said, ‘Shall we take care of her for you now then?’
‘Oh, I don’t want to take you away from your work.’
The older woman waved her hand. ‘This is part of my work, remember? But I’ll call Jenny up to make sure you and your guests have everything you need—she should be finished cleaning the Barn House by now—so you don’t have to worry about anything but this meeting going well, okay?’
She nodded jerkily. ‘That would be great. Thanks. Have I told you enough how grateful I am that you’re here, Bev?’
‘Oh, get away with you,’ Bev said, waving her hand and blushing slightly. ‘It’s what I’m here for. Now, Billy, let’s take this young lady in hand, shall we? I’m sure she’s dying to see her new room.’ She helped Billy get Cat out of the car and by the time Lexi had hopped out and rounded the front, they already had Cat halfway to the steps, Bev chattering on introducing herself and pointing out the features of the farm they could see. She was a natural. Just like Billy. They were getting Cat to do things that Lexi had struggled to get her to do.
