Love Desired

Chapter 1

1

~Ayden~

To the members of Breaking Silence,

Greetings, gentlemen. My name is Andrea Williams, and I’m writing on behalf of the Brooks family. Miss Amelia Brooks, owner, and CEO of Music Haven, recently saw your performance in Tucson. In high regard and appreciation of your talent, she hopes you will accept this letter as an official invitation for your group to stay with us at one of our many guest suites at the retreat. If you are unfamiliar with who we are, Music Haven is renowned

Paper rattled as I clutched the letter in my hand. I couldn’t read anymore. Instead, I glanced out the window of the limousine. The terrain near I-15 changed from coarse desert sand to mountains.

Arizona was nothing like Tennessee. The grass was sparse, the trees were scarce, and the air was dry. At least there wasn’t any snow. We’d left our home state a day shy of a major winter storm, our second in January. I wouldn’t miss the snow, but I wasn’t sure I would enjoy the sand either.

Scanning the letter again, I wasn’t reading it as much as I was admiring the fact that I had it. Two days prior, it showed up at the apartment I shared with Bentley, my oldest friend, and the drummer for our band. The letter arrived precisely when I needed something positive to happen. I’d endured enough bullshit and letdowns to last a lifetime.

The instant this letter came, and I noticed the sender’s name and address, it was like hitting the lottery. I held the winning ticket, one I hoped would bring me the success I desired.

It hadn’t taken long to tear the envelope open or to read every word. Part of me swore it was a joke. Bentley pulled several pranks on me in the past, but he assured me he had nothing to do with the letter. Still, it sent me further into denial.

And to think the person who’d written the letter doubted I would recognize the family name. The Brooks were legends in the music industry. Everyone knew them.

Brandon Brooks built the resort from nothing. He created a place to mentor struggling musicians, but it developed into something more. It became a musical dynasty.

Many bands got their lucky break here. If a person wanted a successful music career, grabbing the Brooks family’s attention was the logical option. Word spread like wildfire, which made getting into the legendary location a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was by invitation only.

Now the guys and I had earned one of those coveted spots.

All thoughts vanished from my mind as my grip on the paper loosened. Just as I glanced at Bentley, he yanked it from my hand. He shook his head at me, then pointed to the letter. “You still staring at this thing?”

“Obviously. So what if I am?”

“Still in denial, aren’t you?”

I smirked at him. “And you aren’t?”

He lowered his gaze to the letter as if he were reading it. “Shocked, yes. Denial, no. We’re talented, Ayden. All we need is a shot.” He flicked the letter with his fingers. “This is it, man. This is our lucky break.”

“Nothing’s written in stone. They invited us to stay. There hasn't been a contract mentioned.”

“It’s coming,” Bentley smirked. “We just need to prove to this Brooks chick that we have what it takes.”

Shaking my head, I looked at the seat and slumped my shoulders. “Believe me when I say I hope you’re right.”

Bentley was a dreamer. I wasn’t knocking him for it, but dreams didn’t pay bills. The apartment we shared wasn’t impressive, but it beat living at home—or on the streets. If we wanted to keep our place, we had to earn money.

Someday, I would want more. I would need more. Bachelorhood had its perks, but I didn’t plan on being single forever. Even so, I wasn't in a rush to have a family. Before that happened, I needed stability. If we didn’t leave Music Haven with a contract, I had to face facts. Being a rock star wasn’t in the cards for me.

I glanced around the limo at my other bandmates. Our bass guitarist, Jason, focused on the terrain outside the window as he spoke on the phone with his mom. Ryan had his earphones in, pretending to play the lead guitar to whichever song he was listening to. He did it out of habit.

Both were unaware of the conversation between Bentley and me. Yet they played their part in my guilt. I was the one that convinced them to take a chance on the band. If we failed to get a contract, I would bear the burden of responsibility.

Financially, I would be in a better place had I not met my ex-girlfriend. She had no problem spending my money when the guys and I first got gigs. Hell, she did terrible things to me. I was an i***t to trust her, and as ashamed as I was, I couldn’t deny she blinded me from her faults every time she slid onto my c**k.

Six months. That’s how long our relationship lasted. I’d wasted half a year on her, only to get burned in the end. I had no hope of a meaningful relationship. Maybe I was too jilted. It was impossible not to be when my ex-girlfriend cheated. I was out there busting my a*s, taking every gig the guys and I could get while she was searching for her next meal ticket. It infuriated me.

“I think we’re getting closer,” Bentley said, pointing out the window. All I saw were the warm hues of a setting sun. The sight was extraordinary as it slowly began its descent.

Once the limo slowed enough to gain my attention, I noticed a dirt road in the distance. It seemed to wind its way between a few foothills. The woman who wrote to us said we wouldn’t find the location on our own. It’s why she arranged for the limo to pick us up.

As soon as the chauffeur turned onto the road, I glanced at Bentley. “It feels like we’re being taken to the middle of nowhere. Is this some type of joke?”

“Dude, I had nothing to do with it.” Bentley pointed to himself. “You think I could afford the plane tickets, much less a limousine?”

“You have a point.” My suspicions increased. I was on edge. The further we rode, the closer we came to the hills. They appeared small in the distance. Now they towered above the vehicle.

“Instead of blaming me for a prank, worry about someone leading us here to kill us. Maybe a certain someone is getting revenge. I could see—”

“Say her name and I'll jack your jaw,” I warned him. “Besides, she has no reason to get revenge. She’s the one who stepped out on me. Twice.”

“Yeah, but you heard some of the s**t she did to her former boyfriends. That girl is vindictive as hell.”

Bentley had a point, which made my anxiety increase. Screw it. If this was how I was dying, so be it. I would fight to the death.

My nerves settled once we drove between the twin boulders. Then a sense of wonder filled me. Past the bend in the road, a gigantic building sat on the edge of the property. A shale wall surrounded it, blocking most of my view, but thanks to the main gate, I noticed other buildings. There appeared to be housing and a few other structures I didn’t recognize.

The larger building regained my interest a second later. Stairs rose twenty feet to a platform and a row of doors. Just above the massive structure, lights flashed from a beam. Some were white, others were multicolored, but all followed the same pattern. It reminded me of the lights at the concert we performed at a few weeks ago.

We were a few hundred feet away when I rolled down the window. Music filtered inside, and from what I could tell, it was coming from the enormous building. The song sounded familiar, but I was too stunned to figure out which one it was.

I studied everything in sight. This place had a reputation for being pristine, but it exceeded my expectations. Music Haven was a small community hidden behind hills and gigantic boulders.

Thoughts raced through my mind as the limo stopped. It was really happening. We’d arrived at one of the most legendary spots in music history.

The instant I stepped out of the limo, I studied the largest building, taking in the concrete walls towering above us. It reminded me of the football stadiums in Nashville, except it was bigger. Music and people flowed from the opening in the center.

I surveyed the area, inspecting all the buildings. Overwhelmed didn’t accurately describe how I felt. Part of me believed the stories about this place were exaggerated. Now that I was here, I finally understood why so many people said this place was indescribable. It was like something from the future.

People moved about the grounds, but none paid attention to us. Several had on shirts with the same logo I’d noticed on the letterhead, and just above it were letters that read STAFF.

Bentley entered my peripheral vision as he stood beside me. Jason and Ryan joined us a second later. With the way their mouths gaped, they appeared as shocked as I was.

“Gentlemen,” the chauffeur said as he approached us, “my instructions were to show you to the main arena and take your luggage to your suites. Someone will be with you shortly.” He made a few steps toward the building and motioned us to follow.

We walked through the entrance and across a breezeway. Doors that looked like fire escapes stood on opposite walls. Beside them were elevator doors. I didn’t notice an upper level, which confused me. If there wasn't another floor, why was there an elevator?

I spotted the restrooms before we continued through the breezeway. With every step we made, the music grew louder. By the time we reached the end of the path, I recognized the band performing. Cold Fire. They were a fairly new rock group with several songs on the top one-hundred charts.

Curbing my envy, I glanced around the building, disbelief flooding me everywhere I turned. Red carpet covered the floor of what appeared to be a bar. Counters lined the walkway for at least a hundred feet before turning in opposite directions. They stretched another hundred feet, curved once again, and stopped fifty feet later.

People occupied almost every barstool I saw. Another group filled the dance floor at the end of the bar. Velvet ropes separated it from another section of floor that stretched to the stage.

I didn’t watch Cold Fire perform for long. Doing so made me feel empty. I didn’t envy the success they’d earned, but I wanted that same success. Knowing I didn’t have it ate at me.

“Ayden McAllister?”

A male voice sounded behind me. As I turned around, my curiosity spiraled. Did I know someone here?

I chuckled when I saw a familiar face. Sitting at the bar was Randy Payne, the lead singer for Payne Addiction. The guys and I met him and his band a few months back when we were on tour with Rebel Stone. In the forty-eight hours we hung out, we got along well. It was like reconnecting with an old friend.

I was glad to see him.

Before I could respond, the chauffeur motioned to me. “Gentlemen, if you’ll please wait in this area, Miss Williams will be with you shortly. She’ll have further instructions for you. Enjoy your stay at Music Haven.”

I heard my bandmates thank him at the same time I did. Then my attention shifted back to the bar. “Randy? How the hell are ya?”

He left his barstool and advanced my way, beer in one hand, the other extended toward me. “Dude, I’m great.” He shook my hand. “I’ve been here since that last time I saw you. Did you guys just get in?”

“Yeah. We stepped out of the limo not even five minutes ago.”

Randy gazed at each of us, glanced toward the entrance, then back at me. “So, what was that all about?”

His question filled me with confusion. “What do you mean?”

“The guy that brought you in here,” Randy motioned toward the entrance again. “He’s the CEO’s personal chauffeur.”

“Okay … Is there a reason you’re mentioning this?”

“It just surprised me.” Randy laughed halfheartedly. “Mia Brooks arranges transportation for every guest. That’s not unusual. It’s the fact that she sent her personal chauffeur to bring you here.”

I waited for him to finish explaining as Bentley and I exchanged glances. The way my friend’s brow folded said his curiosity had gotten the better of him. Like me, he questioned why Randy had brought this up.

Before I could ask, Randy took a swig of his beer and refocused on me. “So, what brings you to Music Haven?”

“We received a certified letter from Andrea Williams on behalf of Amelia Brooks, who’s the CEO. Right?” I waited until Randy confirmed my question with a nod. “She invited us to stay here after seeing us perform in Tucson. Miss Williams made the arrangements.”

“That’s cool.”

His nonchalant response drove me crazy. I wanted him to give me a straight answer. “So why is it a big deal that the CEO sent her chauffeur?”

“Like I said, I’ve never seen her send him for anyone else. He’s her personal chauffeur.”

“Did the other chauffeur not work today?”

Randy waved at a couple of busty blondes as they walked by. Then he eyed me. “No. I saw him shuttling people to the airport earlier.”

I didn't understand why it was a big deal. Was Randy insinuating we were getting special treatment? Impossible. Amelia Brooks knew nothing about us other than what she saw at the concert. Why would she give us preferential treatment?

“How did your band get here, Randy?”

“Our tour bus. Most performers get here the same way.”

“Well, we don’t have one of those yet,” I admitted, trying to hide the way it made me feel. Worthless.

Randy wanted to say more. He even pursed his lips to speak. A second later, he grinned. “So, I’m assuming you’ve never met Mia? By the way, everyone around here calls her Mia, not Amelia.”

“Nope,” I noted the correction and shook my head. “We weren’t aware she was at the concert until we received the letter. Why?”

The longer he took to answer, the more concerned I grew. Why was Randy asking what we knew about the CEO? Aside from being the granddaughter of the late Brandon Brooks, I knew little about her.

“What’s up, man? What aren’t you telling us?”

“Nothing,” Randy chuckled and held up his hands defensively. “I just think it’s cool you caught her attention.”

Great. I didn't like how this sounded. It seemed like he thought the owner invited us here because she was f*****g one of us. Yeah. Right. I had no interest in a relationship.

“I think you’re full of s**t,” I replied. “There’s something you’re not telling us. Let me guess. This Mia is some married chick whose husband won’t give her the time of day, so she takes an interest in bands. If you think one of us is screwing her, you’re wrong.”

Shocked didn’t describe the look on my bandmates’ faces or Randy’s face‌. Had I surprised them with my honest response? It would be the first of many.

“Oh, man,” Randy finally howled with laughter. “You have no clue what’s in store for you. Just wait for it.”

I asked him what he meant, but the noisy crowd drowned out my voice. Cold Fire had finished their song, and everyone began clapping and cheering their performance.

As another song kicked in, movement near the main entrance caught my attention. A woman stood near the end of the hall, facing the bar. Perhaps she was searching for us because when she spotted the guys and me, her lips curved upward.

She had a remarkable smile. If this was Mia Brooks, I had nothing to worry about. She was a beautiful woman, but my heart wasn’t ready.

It was just as well. This woman had no interest in me, but I couldn't say the same for Bentley. As she came closer, he captured every ounce of her attention.