Heart of Rock Read Free

What had happened to the Brogan she knew and imagined herself in love with? Brogan pushed Abbie against the door, boxing her in with his bare, muscular arms. She turned her head away in disgust. He stank of rancid, musky sweat. He no doubt hadn't showered after the concert. He smelled of booze, dope, and some cheap perfume that made her nose hairs twitch. His breath was foul like a sewer. No, this was not the Brogan she knew.
    "Come on, love. Let's have a little fun. I know you like it when I stick my…"
    "Say another word, brother, and I'll slit your throat where you stand," Reese snarled, menace in his voice.
    "Little brother is jealous. He wants to lick you where only I've been. So sweet, so wet—"
    Abbie gasped and glanced away. She was going to be sick.
    Reese grabbed Brogan's arm. "You are going to pay for that, brother or no."
    Finally Abbie willed herself to move. She pushed Brogan away and grabbed a hold of Reese's arm.
    "No, don't. No fighting, please. Let's just get out of here."
    She could feel the anger emanating from Reese, but he allowed her to lead him away. She didn't dare glance back. Abbie knew Brogan was glaring at her. She was turned on, and that churned her stomach worse.

Chapter Two
     
    Here we go again. Nevan glared at his naked brother who was snoring loudly, face-down on the bed. Reese had called him last night and told him everything that transpired. Reese was livid. He had never heard the boyo so angry. He couldn't blame him. A few hours' drive and here he was in Philadelphia. He talked to the guy outside the dressing room door. Apparently Brogan's manager had enough and quit yesterday. His band couldn't stand Brogan either; they had already left in the tour bus to head to their next date. So Brogan was alone. The Spectrum guys wanted him out. No doubt to fumigate the bloody room. Jaysus, what a stench.
    According to the bloke outside the door, two women had left before dawn. He searched them, and they had robbed Brogan of money and drugs. He took the stuff back and let them go. No cops. No fuss. No scandal.
    Nevan really didn't want to deal with this. Reese was near the end of his rope, and so was he. Following his older brother on tour seemed like it might be a feckin' adventure. So he and Reese had flown over on BOAC to join the rock voyage. Brogan was going down a self-destructive road, and he was not in a frame of mind to be a support. Nevan had enough going on in his own life. Thankfully, the guy outside had put in a call to Cascade Records, and the boss, Nigel Winwood, was sending down people to deal with Brogan. Let them handle this shite mess.
    So why would he come here? He had asked himself the same question all the way up the interstate. Deny it he might, but he cared what happened to Brogan.
    * * * *
    Carly Montgomery walked down the long tunnel below the Spectrum with her assistant, Giovanni Enaudi. She'd received the call from Nigel, the owner and president of Cascade Records, and cringed inwardly when she heard she would be looking after Brogan Byrne, the Irish scumbag. He had a reputation already throughout Cascade and the rock world itself. She was as ambitious as the next person, and she wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to handle Cascade's top rock star. At the moment, Brogan Byrne was the top concert act in North America. Too bad the year-long tour was nearly over. Regardless, she was determined to make an impression. She glanced up at her huge assistant. Gio would be perfect for kicking Irish ass when Byrne stepped out of line. Gio stood six foot five inches tall and was built like a brick wall.
    "After we ascertain the damage, make sure the limo is brought around to the side entrance."
    "You got it, boss," he replied.
    Carly pushed open the door, stepped into the dressing room, and walked up to a rather gorgeous man. Who was this? He gave her the once-over as well.
    "You work for Nigel?"
    "No, I'm the drunken shite's brother. I just arrived."
    Oooo, lovely Irish