Chapter 1
Valentine’s Day – a day for lovers and he was alone. Even his band mates had their girlfriends or wives in for the night. It wasn’t that he didn’t have women. Lord knows, he could have his pick. He just hadn’t found THE one for him. He’d seen someone though that had intrigued him and he wanted to meet her. That’s why he had gotten his bodyguard to make the arrangements. Now, as he made his way out of the venue, his bodyguard joined him.
“Hey, Rich…you ready to leave?”
“Yeah, I am. Did you make the call?”
“That’s what I came to tell you. I called, described the girl, and got her name.”
“And?”
“Her name is ‘Jade’ and she’s not working tonight. Seems she was here tonight for the show.”
“She’s a fan?! Cool! But if she’s not working, how am I supposed to meet her? You didn’t get a number so I could call her, did you?”
“No.”
"Damnit! I have to meet her. She was sooo…..”
“Gorgeous?”
“Doesn’t even begin to describe her…exotic….gorgeous…all of it. Maybe I can get down here on my break or between shows to find her.”
“It’s a possibility.”
“Guess it’s going to be a lonely night at the penthouse.”
“You could try and score with one of the girls waiting outside,” suggested Tony.
“Nah, not even interested. I was really hoping to hook up with ‘Jade’.”
“Come on, Rich…she’s a stripper. She’s probably done more guys in one night than you’ve got guitars.”
Richie shook his head, “No, there’s something about her….her stage presence just wasn’t….I can’t explain it but I got the impression it wasn’t something she wanted to do. I guess I’ll never know,” he conceded as they exited the building.
Outside, a small group of fans waited and Richie spent time signing autographs, taking pictures, and talking to his fans. Some gave him gifts for Valentine’s Day, mostly stuffed animals and cards. A couple room keys were slipped to him and slips of papers with phone numbers too. He graciously took them all, passing the bigger things off to Tony.
The whole time he was talking to the fans though, Richie’s mind was on ‘Jade’. She’d been at the show. Had he seen her? No, he’d have remembered her….those eyes were intoxicating. She had taken possession of his every thought and he had to figure a way to see her again.
As he handed back the last autograph, fate smiled on him. The exotic beauty appeared, rushing into his arms.
“Please, you’ve got to help me,” she pleaded.
“’Jade’?!”
From behind the crowd, a booming voice called, “You can’t get away, ‘Jade’.”
“Please! There’s no time!! They’re trying to kidnap me.”
Without giving it a second thought, Richie rushed her into the waiting car and closed the door just as two VERY big men approached. Outside the car, Bon Jovi security surrounded the car and an argument ensued.
Inside, ‘Jade’ nervously listened. Then, “I’m sorry I got you involved.”
“I’m not. Who are
those two guys?”
“My nightmare. Do
you have a car phone?”
“Afraid not.”
She looked out the
window to see a gun pulled and said, “I’ll get out. Just do me a favor and
call…..”
“Whoa! You’re staying right here,” said Richie as ‘Jade’ put her hand on the
door.
“I never meant to put you or your men in danger!”
“As long as my security is here, I’m fine.” There was a knock on the roof of the car and it began to move. “See, you’re fine.”
“They won’t give up! They know I’m with you and they’ll track you down,” she protested as tears formed.
“It’ll be okay. We’re going to my hotel but the room isn’t in my name. They’ll never know where we are.”
‘Jade’ seemed to relax hearing this and realized the car had picked up speed. She asked, “Where are you staying?”
“Shore Club in South Beach. My bodyguard and I have the penthouse.”
“It has a private elevator.”
“So no one can see us come and go.”
That seemed to put her even more at ease and she leaned back into the seat closing her eyes. She was safe for the moment but she knew she had to get out of Miami.
