RAPT - The Price of Love: Everhide Rockstar Romance Book 3 (Everhide Rockstar Romance Series) Read online

  About Tania Joyce

  Tania Joyce is an author of contemporary and new adult romance novels. Her stories thread romance, drama and passion into beautiful locations ranging from the dazzling lights and glitter of New York, to the rural countryside of the Hunter Valley.

  She’s widely traveled, has a diverse background in the corporate world and has a love for sparkles, shoes and shiraz.

  Tania draws on her real-life experiences and combines them with her very vivid imagination to form the foundation of her novels. She likes to write about strong-minded, career-oriented heroes and heroines that go through drama-filled hell, have steamy encounters and risk everything as they endeavor to find their happily-ever-after.

  Tania calls Brisbane, Australia, home. She shuffles the hours in her day between family life and writing. One day she hopes to find balance!

  Visit: www.taniajoyce.com

  RAPT – The Price of Love by Tania Joyce

  Published by Gatwick Enterprises 2020

  Brisbane, Australia.

  Copyright © Tania Joyce 2020

  All content and lyrics original works by Tania Joyce

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organizations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.

  RAPT – The Price of Love

  Everhide Rockstar Romance – Book 3

  EPUB format: ISBN: 978-0-6482543-7-9

  Mobi format: ISBN: 978-0-6482543-8-6

  Paperback: ISBN: 978-0-6482543-9-3

  Cover design by DesignRans

  Edited by Lauren Clarke

  Tania Joyce: www.taniajoyce.com

  To report a typographical error, please visit http://taniajoyce.com/contact-form

  Visit www.taniajoyce.com to read more about her books and to buy books online. You will also find features, author interviews and news of her author events.

  Keywords and subjects

  New adult romance, young adult romance, contemporary romance, rockstar romance, rock star romance, slow burn romance, rock star wedding, romantic suspense, romantic thriller, celebrity romance, music romance, genre romance, coming of age romance, angst romance, on stage, music, lyrics, bands, life on the road, touring, life in the limelight

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  About Tania Joyce

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  BOOKS BY TANIA JOYCE

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  RAPT – The Price of Love

  Everhide Rockstar Romance Series

  Book 3

  by

  Tania Joyce

  For lovers of true passion.

  WARNING

  Certain police procedures and events in this book may or may not reflect true life processes. Even after research, they have been modified for dramatic effect.

  This is a work of FICTION!

  If you’re after a sweet romance, this book may not be for you.

  There is an intense, suspenseful and dramatic journey before the Happily Ever After.

  Chapter 1

  Gemma Lonsdale’s wedding day was the one day she didn’t want to be in the spotlight. Away from the crowds, the fans, the paparazzi. No cameras. No security. No craziness. A private island in Belize. Just her and Kyle—her rock, soulmate and fellow Everhide band-mate, and their four best friends. Perfect.

  But in the past two weeks, Kyle had hinted at changes. The pressure was mounting to turn their simple beach ceremony into a gala event. She didn’t want fanfare. Even wedding dress shopping had turned into a frocking nightmare.

  Kara, her best friend and stylist, had dragged her into Nina’s Bridal Atelier, a glitzy, strictly by-appointment-only boutique in SoHo. Surrounded by gilded mirrors, damask-covered chairs and crystal chandeliers, Gemma tried on her seventh wedding gown. She glanced at her watch. Her pulse hit overdrive. This was taking too long. She needed to get to rehearsal.

  “Kara, please stop.” Summoning her sweetest smile, Gemma ran her clammy hands over the lace bodice of the exquisite wedding dress Kara and Nina, the head designer, had slipped her into. The gown weighed a ton. The top gaped. Pearl-colored beads and sequins snagged her calloused fingertips. Clutching at handfuls of the silky princess skirt, she twisted the fabric side to side. The tulle underskirt itched her legs. She didn’t care if this was the most popular style worn in Manhattan. “I’m not wearing anything like this. It’s not me. Let’s go with something that says more rock star, less prissy princess.”

  “Gemma.” Kara thrust her hand on her hip. “You’ve got to try different styles to see what you like. You can’t go with the first dress you put on.” She flicked her hand toward the pale cream sheath with Swarovski crystal straps crossing the open back. It hung on the change room door like it should be at Agent Provocateur not in a fancy bridal shop.

  That was why Gemma liked it; it was sexy and seductive, and screamed smoky siren.

  “Yes, I can.” Gemma tugged at the neckline of her dress and jutted her chin in the direction of the gown on the door. “I love that one.”

  Kyle wouldn’t care if she turned up in a burlap sack. But if she had to go through with the fiasco of a ceremony, she wanted to wear something she liked. Gemma loved dressing up in designer clothes. It was part of her job to appear on the red carpet, at performances and award shows. If her heart wasn’t so set on a beach wedding, she’d be happy to throw on a simple dress, head down to the Marriage Bureau with Kyle and sign the paperwork.

  A simple press release from Kate, their publicist, could announce it was done.

  That would put a stop to the media wolves trying to pry the wedding details from her, Kyle and Hunter during their appearances. Put a halt to the influx of letters and social media posts from fans that ranged from ecstatic well wishes to tear-filled, heartbroken devastation. Some bordered on crazy. Managing their correspondence kept Bec, their personal assistant, and their administration team constantly busy. At least it gave her and the guys one less thing to worry about with their hectic schedules.

  Kara placed her hands on Gemma’s forearms, her eyes shining bright. “You’re one of the most influential women in the world of cutting edge fashion. Everyone will want to see photos. Nina will be inundated with orders for the ‘Gemma Lonsdale’
wedding dress. You can’t wear something off the rack that costs six hundred dollars. It’s my duty to make sure you shine.”

  Gemma wriggled the skirt sitting uncomfortably on her hips. The wedding would mean more to her if it didn’t make headline news. She’d had enough of her personal life splashed across the Internet to last a lifetime.

  “I will shine. Just not in a dress like this.” Maybe she should convince Kyle to elope. Likelihood of it happening?

  Zero.

  Kyle insisted on a ceremony. For her, marriage was about the two of them committing their lives to each other. It should be private, not a show for everyone they knew and the world to feed on. The whole thing had become stressful, this morning’s argument with Kyle no different—get a dress, order suits, finalize catering, make travel arrangements. All were stresses she wanted to avoid.

  Nina’s heavy cat-lined eyes glinted as she grabbed a veil and pinned the comb into Gemma’s hair. “Gemma, I can make you anything. You’re marrying the man of your dreams. Don’t you want the most divine dress?”

  “I do. But I need something practical for the beach. I’m sorry. I’m not feeling this one.” She glanced at the price tag on the dress. Twenty-four thousand dollars! Her breath stabbed her lungs. Definitely not feeling it. Just because she could afford any dress, custom made or designer, there was no way she’d spend that amount of money on one gown. Not ever. Growing up less than poor in the rough and tough streets of Montgomery, New Jersey, had forced her to fight for what she wanted. It had given her motivation to make something of her life and follow her passion for music. She respected and appreciated everything she’d achieved in her short twenty-six years. Despite fame and fortune, she didn’t take anything for granted.

  “Fine. You don’t like that style.” Kara flipped her golden-brown ponytail over her shoulder, turned on her high heels and walked over to the dress rack to grab another gown. She held it out toward Gemma. “Try this one next.”

  Gemma glared at the A-line creation. What was Kara thinking? They normally agreed on fashion. Kara knew what she liked to wear, but not today. “No way.” She shook her head as she stepped out of the dress she had on and gave it to Nina. “I don’t do strapless.”

  Smiling, wrinkles formed across the bridge of Kara’s nose. “I know. It’s just for fun. Please put it on.”

  Gemma sighed and snatched the dress from Kara’s clasp. She’d do anything to get the hell out of there as quick as possible. “This is the last one.” She slipped it over her head, wriggled and zipped it into place. She groaned. Clutching her breasts, she tweaked the gaping bustline higher. “This is so wrong. I haven’t got the tits to hold something like this up.” She’d need Victoria’s Secret to custom-make her the ultimate boosting mega bombshell padded push-up bra if she were to fill out this gown.

  Pinning in the back of the dress, Nina winked at her via her reflection in the mirror. “It’s nothing a bit of customization can’t fix. But I must say, this design suits your petite figure.”

  Kara flapped her hands in front of her face. Her eyes welled with emotion. “Oh Gem, you look so gorgeous.”

  Gemma kicked her feet against the long, silky skirt. Swish. Swish. Swish. The dress was made for someone six-feet tall, not five-foot four. “Kar, it’s a beautiful dress. But it’ll be too hot. This heavy skirt is too much.”

  Despite the air-conditioning, perspiration dampened the small of her back. She clutched at the thick material. Gemma’s patience had worn as thin as the old Bon Jovi T-shirt she’d worn today.

  Nina stood back and admired her creation. “I can change the fabric from satin to silk. The lace is a simple overlay we can remove. It’s about finding a style you like.”

  “I have. It’s hanging over there.” Gemma pointed at the sheath again. She closed her eyes and dug her toes into the plush pale-gray carpet. “Enough. No more.” She contorted and twisted her arms behind her, trying to reach the zipper. “Can you help me out of this thing?”

  After Nina pulled the dress over her head, Gemma spun to face Kara. She didn’t want to hurt Kara’s feelings, but the line must be drawn. “I appreciate everything you’re doing, but I’m done.” She strode over to her pile of clothes and pulled on her old T-shirt. “No more dresses.”

  Kara stepped toward Gemma, her dark blue eyes hooded. “Gem, what’s wrong? You love trying on clothes.”

  “I do, but not wedding dresses. I don’t have time to fluff around.” She feigned a smile. “I’ve gotta go. The guys will crack if I’m late.” Could she get to Brooklyn in less than fifteen minutes? Nope. Damn it.

  “Gem,” Kara pleaded. “It’s less than six weeks till your wedding. We need to work on the design today, so I can organize fittings to fit in with your busy schedule.”

  “You’re not listening.” She snatched her frayed denim skirt off the floor. She could have a crowd of sixty thousand people hanging on her every word, but Kara wouldn’t take notice of one. “I have to get to rehearsal.”

  Kara’s shoulders slumped. “Gem, please let Nina design a dress for you?”

  Gemma sighed and zipped her skirt. If she had to go through with a ceremony, she’d wear a dress she liked. She flicked her hand toward the sheath again. “Nina has designed it. It’s right there.”

  She wished she could get swept up in the excitement of the wedding. Maybe her experiences had just left her jaded and cynical. She’d been to too many of her mother’s gaudy affairs. Janine, her gold-digging, fame-riding mother, who was onto husband number five, would only want to come and take photographs, and sell them to the highest tabloid bidder, like she’d done before. Gemma had no father to walk her down the aisle. She didn’t even know where he was. He’d taken off without a word when she was twelve. Family who were supposed to love her had used her, broken her heart, or left. It had hardened her, given her a thick skin, kept her guarded.

  Threading her belt through the loops on her skirt, Gemma’s fingers fumbled. She raised her chin toward the dress. “Kar, that one will do.” She didn’t have time to traipse all over Manhattan to every bridal shop and try on gowns. It wasn’t necessary. She had no immediate family. Neither did Kyle. They didn’t want a spectacle of a wedding with a large group of friends, distant family members and colleagues. She wanted to avoid anything to do with seating plans, dietary requirements and decorations. Nope, the whole wedding thing wasn’t for her.

  Small and intimate. No stress. No hassle. No fuss. That was what she wanted. But she had to remember it was Kyle’s day too. What could he possibly want to change? What they’d planned was perfect. She didn’t want to upset or disappoint him. Didn’t want to cause a rift between them. Living with Kyle was wonderful, their life, incredible. Fucking it up terrified her. She was terrified he’d leave her if things got tough, like her dad did. That void had never healed. Never faded.

  Kara closed her eyes and splayed her palms “Gem, you’re a rock goddess. You should have something made that is unique and amazing.” She turned to Nina and helped her zip the dress Gemma had on back into a clear plastic garment bag. “I’m sorry, Nina. Let me talk to Gem. I’ll see if I can change her mind.”

  With a hard yank, Gemma pulled her hair-tie free, ran her fingers through her long hair, and retied her ponytail. She hated it when people talked like she didn’t exist or thought they knew what she wanted. It made her blood boil. “Kara, that won’t be necessary.” She jammed her feet into her Vans, her heels thudding against the carpet. “I appreciate your help, and everything you’ve done, but . . . I’ve made my decision.”

  Nina stepped toward the dressing room and slipped the silk of the skirt through her hands. “It’s a beautiful dress, Gemma.” Her tone was soft and floaty like chiffon. “It’s perfect for a beach wedding. I’m honored you’ve chosen one of my designs for your special day.”

  “Thank you, and you’re welcome.” Gemma smiled an I’m-so-over-wedding-plans smile at Nina before it morphed into a sympathetic one for Kara. “Be happy, Kar. It’s one item off t
he wedding plan to-do list.” A list I wished didn’t exist.

  Kara pasted on a thin, professional smile, but she eyed the gown like it had been mass-produced for a budget online outlet. “Gem, are you sure?”

  Gemma, unlike Kara, didn’t care where the gown came from or what designer label was sewn into its silky lining. It was what she loved and wanted to wear.

  Kara’s brow furrowed like the satin ruching on dress number three Gemma had tried on. “But that dress is so plain and simple and—”

  “It’s exactly what I want.” Gemma dashed over and gave Kara a hug. “Don’t be silly. You know I’m chill. Please don’t turn this into a big deal.”

  “It’s your wedding.” Kara swept her bangs out of her eyes. “It’s supposed to be a huge deal. It’s about you, the dress, Kyle, the suits, the dinner, the cake, and the venue.”

  “Nope. It’s just about Kyle and me. No hype. It’s what we want.” Providing Kyle’s ideas don’t get too outrageous. “You can go wild when you get married. Okay?”

  Kara pouted and sulked like a little girl being told she couldn’t dress up as a princess today. “I don’t think Hunter is a put-a-ring-on-it type of guy.”

  “You never know. But yeah, don’t hold your breath.” Gemma giggled. Kara had been dating Gemma’s fellow band mate and rhythm guitarist, Hunter, for three months and they’d moved in together one week ago. They both deserved some happiness after their hellish year. She rubbed Kara’s arms. “I love you. But I gotta go.” She swiped her duffel bag up off the floor and hooked it over her shoulder. “Are you coming to watch rehearsal, or do I leave without you?”

  “You go.” Kara smoothed her hands over her pencil skirt. “I’ll finish up here and schedule in your fittings. Call me when you get home, and I’ll come over for dinner.”

  “Sounds good.”