The Lion’s Forbidden Mate

“Thanks for the advice,” Lucy laughed, certain that she wouldn’t think about that for quite some time. There was a look in Lynn’s eyes that pressed the point, not wanting it to get brushed off like it was the mad ramblings of a woman who didn’t know what she was talking about. Lucy nodded and agreed that she wouldn’t sleep with any of the other tour workers.

“Okay, when Ben got sick, he left a huge hole,” Lynn said as she turned around and walked behind her desk. “I’m sure you’re wondering what your duties are, but thankfully, Ben got most of them tucked away before he went in for surgery, which means that you’re mostly left with the clean up work.

“When we load up the trucks after every concert, the set crews are going to be in charge of making sure that every box, trunk, and bag is accounted for and that they’re right where they’re supposed to be. The set manager is Rebecca Vance, but she likes to go by Becca. You’re going to be best friends with her and her job is to make sure we don’t lose anything. Her job is a thousand times more stressful than yours, but you’re going to be certain that before we leave every city, we have everything we need. That means you’re going to be hanging around the venue while everyone else is off partying and celebrating. Bummer, I know, but you have to make sure that everything is loaded away and give me the green light that we’re set for the next showing. Thankfully, Ben had everything acquired and you just have to make sure we keep it that way. Understand?”

“I think so,” Lucy nodded nervously. It sounded like a huge responsibility, but she was game for it. She knew that there were a lot of things that went into a tour, and she’d worked at gallery openings and big events like this before, but nothing to this size. That was where things got a little overwhelming.

“You’ll find out tomorrow just how unprepared you are,” Lynn assured her. “But don’t worry about it, everything is going to be just fine. We’ve got a ton of people who are more than willing to lend a helping hand if you need it and I’m sure that Justin is going to be more than willing to help you out, isn’t that right Justin?”

“Absolutely,” Justin said with a voice that suggested that he had more on his plate right now than he could ever swallow. That made Lucy nervous. Maybe she wasn’t cut out for this.

“Look,” Lynn said, walking back around her desk and clearly seeing that Lucy was nervous about all of it. “I know why you’re here and you’re here just like the rest of these stooges are. You’re here to network for your family and your people, trying to set up relationships and alliances. That’s fine and good with me, but I want you to realize that I have a job to do and that there is something else going on here. So, unlike what you’ve been told your entire life, it’s time to put family second and make sure that I don’t end up having to chew your head off because you were too busy flirting with one of the back up dancers for Vi’s show. Got it?”

“Got it,” Lucy nodded nervously.

“Good, you’re going to do just fine,” Lynn clapped her on the shoulder. “Just remember that before I go to sleep, I’m going to expect your report in my hands and if you don’t deliver it, I will hunt you down like a dog and pry it from your cold dead fingers if I have to.”

Lynn gave her a smile that was supposed to show her that she was joking, but somehow, Lucy wasn’t sure that Lynn was actually joking. In fact, she was fairly certain that Lynn would kill her if she had to for the sake of the tour.

“We’re giving you Ben’s room at the Hilton, it’s just two blocks down. Make sure that you pick a friend to go home with at night, I don’t want you getting mugged or killed and that would mean I’d have to replace your position again, which I would hate. Also, if you are looking for clubs or a bar to go party with friends after work, there are plenty around, but make sure that you remember we start at seven in the morning at the latest. Those who rise and shine early are looked upon favorably.”

“Yes, Miss Lincoln,” Lucy said nervously.

“Please, call me Lynn,” she said with a wolfish grin. “Welcome to your new family, Lucy. You’re going to love it here.”

For the first time in her life, Lucy felt like she had made a terrible mistake. Outside of Lynn’s office, Justin gave her a look that assured her that everything was going to be just fine. Lucy didn’t feel like everything was going to be just fine. She didn’t know how to do her job. Was she supposed to examine every piece of cargo that the trucks were carrying with them? Was it her job to make sure that all the little bolts and screws were in their places before she left for the day? It probably was, but that wasn’t going to help her sleep tonight or get rid of the stress that was building up inside of her. She wanted to cry right now, but there was something about figuring out all of this that gave her comfort.

“Freaking out a little?” he asked her with a smile on his lips.

“Yeah,” she said with a slightly defeated tone in her voice.

“Don’t worry about it,” Justin assured her. “You’ll get the hang of it and everything you need to know is in Ben’s room. I think he left notes for you and everything. Come on, I’ll drive you over to the Hilton.”

She was grateful that Justin was taking the time to walk her through everything. She felt like she’d just been thrown into the deep end and it was more horrifying than anything she had experienced before. She was completely out of her element and that terrified her more than anything. She was going to need to make sure that everything was figured out and ready to go by tomorrow. She didn’t want any hang ups and she didn’t want any failures on her account.

Dropping her off at the Hilton, Justin walked with her up to the front desk where they gave her the keycard to her room and told her that everything in the room was left there according to her wishes. She didn’t know what that meant, but Justin assured her that it just meant that all of Ben’s stuff was up there and that it was all ready for her.