She wouldn’t stop traffic but she didn’t look all bad. And there was a lightness to her eyes she hadn’t noticed in a long time. She smiled back at her reflection, decided she’d survive being seen without makeup again and then left the bathroom.

Connor was on the phone. He turned and held a finger up to Lyric and then said, “I’ll have her right down.”

She raised an eyebrow as he shoved his cell phone back into his pocket. “I thought they were coming up?”

“Sam is parked at the side employee entrance. We’re going to go out that way. You won’t even be outside a second.”

“And you?”

“I’m going to my office to meet with the security team your label hired. I want to make damn sure they’re competent enough to do the job. I’ll come get you when I’m done. In the meantime, I’m having a few guys come in and clear out your hotel room, so if there’s anything you need, get it now.”

She scooped up her purse, looked to make sure her wallet, sunglasses and phone were still in it and then slung it over her shoulder.

“I’m ready.”

Five minutes later, Connor rushed her into the back of a Bentley and she blinked at the sumptuous leather and the obvious expense of the luxury car. She was a freaking rock star and she didn’t get to ride around in vehicles like these. Any wannabe could hitch a ride in a limo, but these wheels cost some serious cash.

The driver was a broad-shouldered boulder of a man who filled the driver’s seat. The steering wheel looked small in his hands, like it would break off if he turned it too hard. He flicked a glance at her in the rearview mirror but his eyes were covered with dark shades, and his bald head gleamed like he’d just shaved it that morning.

Micah Hudson slid into the backseat next to her and Connor slammed her door. The driver roared off down the side street and pulled into traffic.

“Everything all right?” Micah asked conversationally.

She eyed him warily, not comfortable with the fact that it was he and not Connor who was riding with her.

“Where is Angelina?”

Micah’s eyes narrowed. “No way I’d let her come along. I don’t want her anywhere near potential trouble.”

Lyric shrugged. Like she wanted to be near “potential trouble” either?

A half hour later they drove through the entrance of a sprawling estate. She glanced back to see the heavy security gate swing closed behind them. To her further surprise she caught a glimpse of a big dude who looked suspiciously like he was carrying an automatic rifle. Holy hell, was she at some compound for a crazy cult?

They pulled around the circle drive and parked directly in front of the palatial house. Micah got out and the driver opened her door and hovered protectively over her as he escorted her the few steps to the entrance.

Okay, she liked safety as much as the next person, but this seemed a little . . . overdone. It wasn’t as if she was rolling up to a concert and had thousands of fans all pushing to get a glimpse or a piece of her. There was . . . no one. The grounds were so quiet that she could hear birds chirping.

She was ushered inside the McMansion and the driver took her into the living room where she saw women sprawled all over the furniture.

Lyric relaxed and smiled. She recognized Faith, Julie and, of course, Angelina right away, but there was another woman, long and sleek and so freaking beautiful that she made Lyric take a step back and curse the fact she hadn’t worn makeup. She was tempted to pull the shades over her eyes, not that it would hide the fact she wasn’t even wearing concealer.

To cover up her nervousness, she spread her hands out, palms up, and announced, “I’m here!”

The women turned and Faith shot up from the couch and hurried over to give Lyric a hug. Which was kind of weird but at the same time gave her an honest-to-God warm fuzzy. Lyric was a little shell-shocked as Faith dragged her over to the others.

“You’ve met Julie and Angelina, of course, but you haven’t met Serena Roche yet.”

Tall and elegant, Serena rose from the couch, her long black hair swinging like silk down her back. Lyric couldn’t help but stare. The woman had such an exotic beauty and startling blue eyes to contrast the midnight hair.

She extended her hand and for a moment Lyric just stared at it—and the glittering, huge-ass diamond ring that adorned her third finger.

“I’m so glad to meet you, Lyric.”

“Likewise.”

A tall, extremely handsome man walked into the living room, and when his gaze rested on Serena, he lit up. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out this was her husband, Damon Roche.

He had that rich GQ look. Polished, arrogant and extremely confident. He came up to stand beside Serena, his hand sliding up her back to tangle in her hair.

“Ms. Jones,” he said smoothly. “Welcome to our home. Serena and I are happy to have you.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry to be a bother.”

“You’re no bother. Micah tells me you’ve had some trouble. I can assure you that while you are here, nothing will bother you.”

Strangely enough, she absolutely believed him. He didn’t strike her as a man who made empty boasts. He was too damn self-assured.

“Can I offer you refreshment, Ms. Jones?” Damon asked.

Remembering just how much she’d eaten at breakfast, she shook her head.

“Come sit,” Faith urged. “We have a complete girly day planned. Julie’s even going to give us massages later.”

“I want to know who the hell’s going to give me a massage,” Julie grumbled.

“Oh, hush. You know Nathan will be more than happy to give you one later,” Serena said impishly.

“Not that girly fun isn’t high on my list of priorities, but us menfolk are going to excuse ourselves,” Damon said dryly.

He drew Serena to him and kissed her forehead. There was such a look of possession in his eyes that Lyric shivered. Did every one of these women have a man who absolutely adored her? Lyric had never wanted to stab anyone more in her life. And now she had to spend an afternoon with them, and they’d probably go on and on and on about how wonderful their husbands or significant others or whatever the hell they called them were.

Damon and Micah departed, talking among themselves, but the driver remained conspicuously behind, taking position in the doorway to the living room.

The women retook their positions and Lyric plopped on the couch next to Angelina, who had her feet curled beneath her and was propped against a pillow.

“When are you due?” Lyric asked as she glanced down at Angelina’s belly.

Angelina grimaced. “I still have three months if you can believe it. I swear I’m ready to burst now.”

Lyric’s eyes widened. Maybe it was because Angelina was so petite but she looked like she’d swallowed enough helium to float a hot-air balloon.

“So tell us what’s going on with this freak who’s stalking you, Lyric,” Julie said.

Lyric sighed. “Well, since my record label didn’t see fit to tell me anything and Connor just informed me day before yesterday, I don’t know a whole lot. Apparently he’s been sending me creepy notes and putting them in places he shouldn’t have access to. Then yesterday he called and left a message on my hotel phone.”

“So what is Connor going to do?” Faith asked anxiously.

Lyric shrugged. “He’s meeting with whatever security firm my label hired, which is why I’m here. Makes more sense for me to be there, but I think Connor is afraid I’ll throw some tantrum.”

Julie eyed her with a glimmer of humor in her eyes. “Would you?”

“Maybe. Depends on what they had to say. Or how brainless they thought I was. And I don’t throw tantrums. I just voice my displeasure in a loud manner.”

Serena and Angelina laughed. And then Serena leaned forward. “I have to admit you look a lot different than I expected. Damon and I saw one of your shows in Vegas. You were so flashy and glamorous.”

Lyric winced and Serena put her hand to her mouth. “Not that you aren’t now. Oh hell. I’ll shut up now.”

Lyric laughed. “I don’t usually go anywhere without full makeup and wardrobe, but Connor seems to think the lower profile I am, the better. I haven’t even colored my hair since my last show. The first time Connor met me, I had pink hair. I don’t think he was impressed.”

Faith snickered and Julie rolled her eyes. “That’s because Connor has a stick up his ass,” Julie retorted.

“Julie, he does not,” Faith defended. “You’re always accusing him of being uptight.”

“Pretty good assessment, I’d say,” Lyric muttered.

“He’s a total sweetheart,” Angelina said.

Lyric rolled her eyes. “Oh sure, sweetie.”

The other women burst into laughter.

“She totally has you there,” Serena snickered.

“You know, I could do your hair,” Julie said thoughtfully. “Ice blue would look awesome with all that black hair. If you don’t want to be too noticeable, we could just do the tips.”

“Really?” Lyric asked.

“She’s a terrific stylist,” Faith said in a proud voice. “She owns her own business. She does hair, nails, massages.”

Serena nodded. “Yeah, she’s our Jill—or Julie—of all trades.”

“Connor would have a kitten if I left here. Maybe we could work it out one day when you’re free,” Lyric said.

Julie grinned. “Oh, we could send Sam out for what I need and we could do it here. One of you might have to forfeit a massage, but it could totally be done.”

Lyric twirled the ends of a thick strand and pulled it up to look, imagining how it would look dyed blue. She shrugged. “Hell, I’ll try anything once.”