“He means we don’t hold with all the electronic stuff, flashing lights, pyrotechnics, or any of that crap,” Luke said.
“We play acoustical instruments,” Mark said, “and while we expect to need amplification in a bigger space, we’re not gonna be blastin’ our sound to kingdom come. It’s the music that’s important, and it doesn’t mean anything, if the audience can’t hear the lyrics.”
“Bart handles all our sound and lightin’,” Matt added. “He always has and always will.”
“I see.” Mel took a deep breath and sipped at the cup of tea that had magically appeared at her hand. “I’m not certain Kitty will go for that, but I will certainly do everything I can to make it happen.”
“There’s no choice, Mel,” Matt said. “You saw what can happen when there’s a big ruckus. You start shootin’ fireworks, flashin’ lights and smoke, all that crap, and we not only won’t be able to sing worth a damn, we may not even be able to keep from Shiftin’.”
“Oh.” Mel looked at each of them in turn, felt a jolt as she looked into those deep golden eyes, and realized they were not being difficult. While she had no intention of telling Kitty Konstantine of all people about their natures as Shifters, she knew she had to make her boss believe their way was the best way, the only way.
I can’t believe I have to even consider all this, she thought. Twenty-four hours ago, I’m not sure I even really believed Shifters exited.
Then she turned and looked into Matt’s golden eyes and remembered the way he had Shifted for her last night and took a deep breath.
“Well, then, that’s the way it will be.”
“Don’t worry about Uncle Bart not bein’ up to it,” John said. “He’s had real trainin’ in lights and sound.”
“Went to Las Vegas for it,” Luke added.
“He’s licensed in Tennessee, too,” Matt said, “so you don’t have to worry that some venue won’t let him handle their equipment.”
“That’s a relief,” Mel said, taking a bit of bacon and pausing to savor the smoky taste of it. Due to her very limited budget, she rarely splurged on things like bacon, and for some reason, it tasted particularly good today.
“Do you think this Kitty woman will go for it?” Bart asked.
Mel thought for a moment. “Do you guys have a CD?”
“Sure,” Matt said. “We got some out in the van.”
“In that case, we just need to be certain we get Kitty to listen to it, before she kicks us all out of her office.”
“It seems to me you’re riskin’ a powerful lot on what you heard the boys do the other night,” Bart said.
Mel took a deep breath. “Perhaps. But if we can’t sell Kitty on their talent, then I’m out of a job, anyway.”
“Would she really fire you?” John asked.
Mel nodded and glanced at the clock. “I haven’t checked in with the office in almost twelve hours, and I’m already three hours late for work this morning, so yes, she’ll fire me—unless I can sell her on what you can do. A new hit is the only thing that’s going to distract her.”
She sipped her tea and refused to meet any of their eyes. Of course, she might just fire me, anyway, she thought, but she wasn’t going to tell the Saints that.
Bart reached out to lay his big hand on hers and give it a gentle squeeze. When she looked up to meet his golden eyes, he smiled.
“I guess keepin’ your job’s just gonna have to be one of the stipulations I mentioned before,” he said, as though reading her thoughts.
Mel raised her eyebrows in surprise and quickly scanned all their faces.
“Do you really mean that?”
“Sure I do,” Bart said. “If you’re not our contact at the Konstantine Talent Agency, then we’ll sign with somebody else.”
“Or not at all,” Matt added. “We’re not lookin’ to get rich. We’re just tryin’ to earn some money to send back home.”
“Don’t need ‘rich’,” Luke added. “Not when we got family.”
Mel smiled. “I’m beginning to really like all of you, Mr. Saint.”
Luke grinned. “That’s good, on account of we’re gettin’ to like you real well, too, Miss Darlin’.”
Mel laughed with them and began to gather up the empty dishes.
“Let the boys take care of that,” Bart said. “You and Matt and me, we need to sit down and plan some strategy.”
“All right.”
7
They settled in the living room while the three younger Saints cleaned up breakfast. Twenty minutes later, Bart nodded in satisfaction.
“Let’s do it.”
Matt reached out to touch her cheek, and when she looked his way, he smiled.
“You might want to get changed and do somethin’ about that shiner before we leave.”
Mel closed her eyes and suppressed a moan.
“There is no way Kitty isn’t going to notice it.”
“You must have one of those ‘power’ suits,” Bart said. “Dressin’ sharp is the first step to distractin’ anybody.”
“I guess. I don’t suppose all of you could…”