Breakfast is a sad affair, despite Ella’s delicious cooking. We still haven’t heard from Brandon, though we’ve all tried calling and texting.

“He’s probably worried that we were thinking of bringing Jordan back in permanently because of the legal issues,” Ian says. “Making them work together.” As usual, Jordan didn’t join us for breakfast. It seems rising before noon is an insurmountable task.

“Or simply kicking him out to add Jordan,” Nick adds.

“Nah, Brandon knows we’ve already decided to keep him and dump Jordan as soon as Griff gives us permission,” Zilla says. A few seconds go by as everyone ponders that, then Zilla asks. “Doesn’t he?”

Jason sighs. “Yes, we told him. Then we started recording and Jordan is suddenly back in the picture. We could have made it more clear to Brandon that Jordan being here was a legal matter, and that we’ll get rid of him permanently as soon as we can. But we buggered that one, didn’t we?”

Nobody says anything for a while, until Nick pipes up. “Well, now we’re fucked.”

The guys discuss whether to resume recording in Brandon’s absence and decide instead to focus on getting just the drum and bass tracks done for a few songs, leaving the rest for later.

When the session begins and Jordan finally shows up, he takes issue with the plan. “What’s the big deal? I’ll play all the fucking keyboard parts. It’ll sound better. That kid was a bit of a tosser anyway.”

I sense tempers about to flare again, but the matter is temporarily set aside when Griff walks in, a serious look on his bearded face.

“Gentlemen, it’s time we had a meeting.”

As everyone gathers, Griff says to me. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave the room, dear.”

“I understand” I step outside to get a bit of sun, and a few seconds later Jordan comes strolling out as I’m standing next to Griff’s black Mercedes.

“Well, well,” he says, “looks like you and I are in the same boat. A lifeboat, at that, banished from the luxury liner.”

“Do you have to be a total dick all the time?”

He gives me that slimy grin of his.

“But I hear dick is what you’re into. Lots and lots of it.”

“Grow up, Jordan,” I say as I walk away. I need to get away from this idiot, so I head toward the three-door garage. Ian mentioned it was originally a stable for the horses and had been converted years ago. I step in, locking the door behind me in case Jordan decides to follow.

When I find the light switch, I’m stunned to see six cars in the garage, three across and two rows deep, all gleaming. I recognize a classic Jaguar from the Sixties and a vintage Rolls Royce, and what I think is a classic Porsche. The other three are newer, all sleek exotic sports cars that look fast as hell just sitting there.

I walk around, peering inside each car and marveling at the amount of money represented inside this old building. Despite my knowing that Ian paid a fortune for Wolfshire Court, I tend to forget how wealthy these young men are. I recall that while I was researching Harem online before I met them, I learned that they’re each worth roughly two-hundred million American dollars. And Ian and Jason are worth even more because they get composer royalties. In front of me right now is probably several million dollars’ worth of automobile.

My phone buzzes and I look to see a text from Griff.

I hurry back to the front of the house and see him standing alone.

“Where’s Brandon?” I ask.

“I don’t know. He hasn’t contacted me. To be honest, I wouldn’t even know where to begin looking. I don’t want to contact his family in the state and start a panic, so I think it’s best to give him a little more time.”

“I hope he’s safe.” I don’t know why I’m worried. Brandon is a big boy who can take care of himself, and he has plenty of money. It’s not like he’ll be living on the streets or starving.

“I’m sure he’s just tired of Jordan’s nonsense, as we all are. If it were up to me, I’d send him packing right now, but that would cost Harem dearly, I’m afraid.” He looks past me and says, “Speak of the devil…”

I turn to see Jordan approaching. Griff wait until he’s within earshot before saying, “Jordan, I urge you to heed my warning: Cut out the nonsense. All this shite is your fault, and the band is this close to tossing you out on your arse. You don’t want to test me any further.”

“Things will get back to normal now that the kid has taken off.”

Seriously, how can this man be so clueless?

“He’ll be back, and you will cease your fucking around or else.”

“I promise to turn down my cheekiness,” he says with an insincere smile. “It’s all in good fun anyway. The Yank is too thin-skinned for this business.”

Griff scowls at him. “Bugger off now. I need a word alone with Ms. Lambert before I get back to London.” When Jordan is gone, he says, “I wanted to let you know that I’ve wired the money to your account.”

I start to protest, but he holds up a hand to stop me. “Now I know you said you didn’t want it, but you’ve earned every penny of it, and then some. Kelsey, I can only imagine the kinds of things you had to do over the last three months to keep those ruffians in line. You sacrificed your body to keep them happy, and you were right to think that was the only way to make this work. It’s bloody brilliant, it is. You certainly know your business and I won’t hesitate to get in touch if I need you again in the future. Knowing these boys, that’s quite likely.”

While I’m trying to wrap my brain around what I’ve just heard, Griff continues.

“In addition to the one million dollars we originally agreed on, I included an extra two hundred-fifty thousand for you going above and beyond by accompanying the boys here to Wolfshire. You obviously knew how important this record was.”

I’m stunned. I don’t want this money. Yes, this was our agreement when I accepted the job of rehabilitating Harem’s image after Jordan’s Amsterdam publicity nightmare. But I told Griff when we left Fiji that I was going on tour with the band because I loved these men and wanted to be with them, to ensure they behaved themselves while finishing the tour dates.

“I can’t accept it, Griff.”

“You have no choice, my dear. I gave the order to the accountants this morning. By now the money is sitting in your account.”

Before I can respond, he adds, “You’re free to leave Wolfshire and return to the states as soon as the recording is finished, of course.”

I’m so shocked by the comment I remain mute as he climbs into his car and drives away.

Does he know something I don’t know? Was my leaving discussed in the meeting inside?

* * *

Jordan doesn’t join us for dinner. He’s only been there half the time anyway, so nobody is surprised, especially considering what took place earlier. He’s the main topic of conversation, though.

There isn’t much talk about Brandon because the guys seem convinced that he’ll be back.

“I’ve gotten to know the kid pretty well,” Zilla says, “and there’s no way he’ll walk away from this. Musically, it’s the best situation he’s likely to find. Financially, it’s definitely the best.”

Nick adds, “And my god, can you imagine a young guy like that walking away from Kelsey here?”

Everyone laughs, but the thought bugs me more than I’d admit. Even if Brandon rejoins Harem, I still fear he’ll one day realize he’s only slept with one woman in his life and will want to see what else is out there. I do believe he loves me, but he’s young, so that could be a passing infatuation as well. It crosses my mind that he might have gotten Holly’s phone number, and maybe called her.

At dinner, I don’t ask the boys about our future together. I’ll have time for that once the album is finished, and right now they’ve got enough to think about without having to reassure a concerned girlfriend.

The guys busy themselves with an evening poker game. I consider going to bed early, but decide instead to take a little walk first. The recent turmoil has left me feeling upside-down and I want to try to de-stress a little.

The evening air is amazing tonight, warm and smelling of fresh-cut grass and roses. It’s already getting dark out, but the koi pond and the rose maze are both illuminated, so I head off in that direction. After stopping to see the fish, I decide to stroll around the rose maze.

Ian said the one-acre maze was added to the property over a century ago, and the boxwood hedges that make up the walls are the original plants. Some decades ago, rose bushes were planted alongside the hedges, narrowing the paths but elevating the entire experience to something otherworldly. With the nighttime floodlights scattered here and there, the brilliant color of the roses is lost, but the smell… oh my god, it’s intoxicating.

I wander around, breathing in that heavenly aroma. I’ve managed to make it all the way to the pool a couple of times, so I’m pretty sure I know the way. My efforts are rewarded when I turn a corner and see the glowing blue water surrounded by stone. Ian had the bottom of the pool painted a shade of blue that makes the water seem tropical. As I look at it, it’s almost like being back in Fiji, looking at the amazing bays.

It occurs to me that a swim would be the perfect way to try to let go of some of the stress I’ve been storing up all day. I know I won’t be able to completely settle my troubled mind, but anything will help.

Not knowing in advance I’d have this idea, I didn’t come prepared; no swimsuit, no towel. However, skinny-dipping shouldn’t be a problem. I’m on a private residence and I know everyone on the property by now, and the workers have all gone home, and the security guard who makes his rounds every night doesn’t arrive this early. That leaves only the producer, engineer, and tech guys, and they’re usually in the guest house by now.

I slip my sandals off and feel the lush grass between my toes. As I strip out of my shirt and bra, the warm night air confirms that this was indeed a great idea. Seconds later, I’m standing blissfully naked in the middle of the British countryside.

Just before I step into the pool, I look up at the big house and see a light on in one of the second-floor bedrooms. A movement catches my eye, but it’s gone before I can tell whether or it was real or imagined. It could be one of the guys passing by a window, but I watch for a few more seconds and see nothing, so I descend the steps and immerse myself.

As the delicious water caresses my naked body, little by little I feel my worries ease. The pool isn’t big enough for a proper swim, but that wasn’t my intention anyway. I just want to float around and relax.

“What lovely sight have I stumbled upon?”

My rapture evaporates the second I hear Jordan’s voice. He’s standing at the edge of the pool, leering. I bring my feet down under me and lower myself into the water up to my neck. Behind him on the grass, my clothes lie in a pile.

“Jordan, I’d like some privacy. Get out of here.”

“I just got here, sweetheart, and I love the view. Besides, aren’t you being paid to keep the band happy?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Please go away.”

He squats down and grins.

“I overheard you and Griff talking. I know you were hired to babysit Harem. Then, like lots of women before you, you decided you wanted to fuck the entire band. Basically, you’re nothing but a very well-paid groupie.”

“And you’re an asshole who doesn’t give a shit about the trouble he causes.”

“What would it take, eh?”

I have no idea what he means, but he stands and removes his shirt.

“I’m serious now. I want to see what’s so special about you.”

I see his pants come down. As he steps out of them, I’m suddenly paralyzed with fear.

“Tell me, Miss Kelsey, how much will it cost me to have a go? Ten thousand pounds?”

Naked now, he paces along the side of the pool. What do I do?

“Fifty thousand?”

He takes his cock in his hand.

“You drive a hard bargain,” he says, stroking himself. “A hundred thousand, then. It’s all Monopoly money to me, I’ve got so fucking much of it.”

When he moves to the steps and descends into the pool, I know I can’t stay where I am. I rush to the edge and pull myself out of the water, running to my clothes. As I grab my pants, his hands lock on my arms, pulling me backwards to him. I feel his naked body against mine and struggle to break free, but he’s much stronger than I am.

I’ve never taken a self-defense course, but I reflexively bring my heel down on top of his foot. To my dismay, he barely flinches.

My heart jumps to my throat as he puts his mouth to my ear and says, “C’mon, love, don’t you want to collect the whole set?”

I open my mouth to scream, the only defense option left, but before I can make a sound, I hear a familiar voice.

“You motherfucker!”

My arms are suddenly free. Whirling around, I see Brandon behind Jordan, holding him with one arm around his neck and the other pinning both elbows behind his back.

“Let me go, mate, I was just giving her a little scare, that’s all. Didn’t mean any harm.”

Before Brandon can respond, I step forward and bring my knee up hard, hitting Jordan squarely in the balls.

He grunts, then goes limp. Brandon lets him go and he slumps to the grass on his hands and knees and proceeds to puke his guts out.

“Are you okay?” Brandon asks. I nod. “Do you have your phone?”

I dig through my pile of clothes and fish my phone out of my pants.

“Call the others. Tell them to get out here right away.”

I breathlessly make the call as Jordan rolls over onto his side, holding his crotch and moaning in pain.

I put on my clothes in a rush as Brandon stands over Jordan, a look of disdain on his face. Then I run to Brandon and hug him as tightly as I can. I don’t even care that I’m getting him wet. I can finally breathe again now that I feel safe.

It doesn’t take long before the other men come running up all at once, their eyes wide at the sight of a Brandon having returned, Jordan still writhing naked on the ground, and me standing there in wet clothes.

“What the fuck?” Jason says.

“This fuckup attacked Kelsey,” Brandon says firmly.

They look at me and I nod confirmation.

“Did he…?”

“No,” I say. “Brandon got here just in time.”

Brandon reads their confusion and explains, “I got back while you guys were eating dinner and went straight up to my room. I was planning to reappear in the morning. Looking out my window, I happened to see Kelsey here at the pool. When I saw Jordan show up, I sensed trouble and ran down here.”

Jordan has struggled to a sitting position. “This wanker overreacted,” he croaks. “I was just having a bit of fun. Giving her a scare, that’s all.”

They all look to me, and the distressed look on my face tells them a completely different story.

Zilla immediately steps forward and threatens to punch Jordan, who cowers and brings up his arms in self-defense.

“You sorry piece of shite,” Zilla says.

Ian takes control of the situation, telling Jordan, “You have twenty minutes to get the fuck out of Wolfshire. If we find you here after that, Zilla is going to crush your fingers one by one and make sure you never play another fucking note the rest of your life.”

Jordan doesn’t say a word.

“You hear him, arsehole?” Zilla barks, and Jordan nods in response.

Without a word, Zilla reaches down and grabs me, one arm around my back and one behind my knees, and lifts me off my feet. Then he holds me against his chest and carries me away from the source of all the trouble here at Wolfshire, the arrogant man-child who has ruined what should have been a fairy tale vacation.

“You okay?”

I nod, and only then do I burst into tears, shaking.

My sweet Zilla kisses me on the forehead and quickens his pace.

I look over his shoulder and see my other four men following right behind.