Page 16 of Thirsty Bodyguard Summer

“Yes.”

“Do we know who runs the account?”

“Rafi’s checking the repost chain. Right now, we know someone used a real sighting to make a crowd gather.”

Yesterday’s messages had come through a screen. The photograph outside my cottage had been taken from a distance. This morning, somebody had changed the movement of real people while I ate eggs.

Cassidy’s gaze stayed on me.

“You don’t have to cancel soundcheck,” she said. “High Tide can bring us in at the controlled service gate. Isabel’s reducing access, and Rafi has an agent moving ahead of us.”

“You expected me to argue.”

“I expected you to ask what changed.”

I screwed on the cap. “What changed?”

“The public route is out. The pavilion route is tighter. The soundcheck gets shorter.”

“But it still happens.”

“Yes.”

“Then I’m not arguing.”

Cassidy held my gaze for a moment. “Good.”

I faced the window, grinning.

HIGH TIDE PAVILIONfaced the ocean from the far end of the boardwalk, its white canopy rising above rows of empty seats. Production trucks lined the service road. Thick black cables crossed the concrete beneath bright tape, and bursts of bass rolled underfoot as the crew tested the sound system.

The SUV stopped beside a closed gate.

A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, a venue lanyard, and a sleeveless navy blouse waited on the other side. She unlocked the gate only after checking the driver and Cassidy.

“Shane, I’m Isabel Navarro,” she said as I stepped out. “I’m coordinating the venue. I’m sorry about breakfast.”

“Unless you posted that invitation, you don’t owe me an apology.”

“I didn’t, and no one here will advertise your movements.” She turned to Cassidy. “The west access is closed. Your route to the artist suite and platform is clear, and no guests are permitted.”

“How many people remain inside?” Cassidy asked.

“Essential technical staff, the house team, Shane’s band, and his dancers. I’ve suspended the limited media access for today.”

“Thank you.”

Isabel turned to me. “We lost some setup time, but I can protect forty minutes for you.”

“I can hit the necessary cues in forty.”

Cassidy glanced at me. “Thirty-five.”

“Thirty-eight.”

“Thirty-five.”

“Do you negotiate with everyone like this?”