*****017:

Abbie took the kids for the after party, and the guys blitzed through it, dancing and singing, drinking--some alcoholic and some not--but all absolutely on fire with their shared triumph. The concert had been a blast from chill land, so perfectly executed even Alan was smiling more than he normally did.

I stayed glued to my man's side, and his arm around me never wavered, as we danced, talked, yelled, sang and schmoozed our way through several hundred delightful and then less delightful people all waiting to rub shoulders with the band and especially with Rafe, the front man. Interviewer after interviewer accosted him, and flashes were constantly going off as crew and talent alike relaxed in the spontaneous excitement.

After about an hour, Rafe broke away, not from me, but from some paparazzi dude he'd been talking to. "What's up? You tired?" He held me close, leaning his lips to my ear.

"A little. Just worried. A bond server gave me papers that said somebody was closely related to Felicity and was suing for custody of her."

He was stopped dead in his tracks. "What? How is that possible?"

"I know right?" I was affronted all over again, even though I'd tried to put the disturbing news aside and just party with the band. "He just served me the papers in our suite."

Rafe pulled me to the side, his eyes deadly serious. "Who am I not paying to keep idiots away from you guys? That's absurd. Where is Aidan? Where is Keeva? Tell me they weren't slacking. I'll fire them both, they're both fired."

"No, no! I don't want them fired, but you're right, no one should have been able to just serve me papers in public like that. It doesn't make sense. I have the papers in my bag here at the hotel. You'll have to check and see if they're even legitimate."

"You're damn right I will!" He snapped, his eyes darting around to spot Aidan or Keeva. He saw Aidan watching us closely and motioned him over. Aidan's eyes were remorseful. "What the hell am I hearing?" Rafe hissed in his low and deadly voice. I shivered and he pulled me into his side.

"I let a bond server slip by when I wasn't paying attention."

"Hearing this news sets my teeth on edge, Aidan." Rafe put an arm bar up to block Aidan's possible retreat. His eyes said, let me show you to your grave, dead boy.

"I am truly sorry, Rafe, it won't happen again. You----."

A string of foul profanity issued forth from my husband's mouth that had me cringing in horror and covering my ears. It ended with something to the effect of 'I've got a spot reserved on my trophy wall for your smiling skull if this ever happens again'."

I felt really bad for Aidan and for Keeva too, who would have to listen to Aidan after Rafe's pirate smile tirade was over.

"You feel me?" Rafe spit and Aidan stepped back smartly.

"Yes, sir." He said with a chill that had never been there, and I again felt doubly bad, since Aidan had been so close to us, ever since Mexico. He'd seen it all, been there with us, taken care of all other security issues superbly. This was truly a shame.

Rafe's face hardened. "I hate to say it bud, but Keeva needs to go home, now, tonight and I will replace her with one of the other guys permanently. I thought this might be a problem, and it is." He shook his head, the tirade over, he gave a genuinely grieved nod. "Get me Alan."

Aidan turned without a word and stalked crisply out of our sight.

Rafe rubbed his thumb and fingers under his nose. His eyes rose to meet mine. "This is completely unacceptable."

I nodded, still feeling bad.

He stared at me with this really angry, really gritty expression. I think his elation over the concert had been so abruptly squelched he was unable to process any of it. His eyes were determined, his breath blown out too fast. He leaned forward and kissed me hard, hurting me.

"No one. No one will ever take my daughter away from me." He said against me, his eyes boring into mine. "You feel me?"

"I feel you."

*****