Never My Love

"It's like this, Jake," he began, "We've obtained proof that Bill Sanders is selling top secret information to the Chinese."

"What does this have to do with all of us?" I asked him, "And why isn't the FBI or the CIA involved with this?"

"Who says they're not?" he said, "And the reason that you guys are involved is because Sanders has a tremendous hard-on for your wife, and when he leaves the United States to flee to Beijing, he plans on taking her with him."

"That would be a deadly mistake on anyone's part," I defensively growled, "Because I'll kill the first sonofabitch that tries to touch her."

"That's why I'm here," Dad reassuringly smiled, "Sanders plans to make his move while you guys are on stage...right after you've all signed a record deal with A&M Records. That way he thinks he'll be catching you guys, especially you, Jake, off guard and not paying close attention."

"Wait a minute, all of you," Rob knowingly smiled, "I don't know about the rest of my band mates, but I'm licensed to carry a gun anywhere in the country; and I'm afraid to use it, nor do I have a problem with carrying it on stage with me."

"Easy, my friend," I warmly smiled, reaching over and patting him on the shoulder, "Don't think for a second that I don't appreciate the gesture, because I do; but this isn't your fight, brother."

"You call me your brother, yet you won't let me help you?" Rob let me know in no uncertain terms, "Bullshit, if this concerns you, then it concerns the rest of us, Jake; and there's nothing you can do about it, my friend. Besides, do you remember the promise that we made to one another when we first put this band together, about helping each other through tough spots?"

"Of course I do," I smiled, "But that was about..."

"It was about friendship," Randy interrupted, a very serious look on his face, "You're in a tough spot right now, Jake; and we're not about to let anyone hurt you or Ashlyn."

"I really appreciate it you guys," I told them, "But this could get dangerous, and I don't want to see anyone get hurt...for any reason."

"Let me tell you something right now, Jacob Daniel Benson," Jessie suddenly spoke up, making everyone laugh, Dad included, at the use of my middle name while scolding me, "You are the brother that my sisters and I never had, and I speak for all three of us when I say that you need to shut up and let us help you."

"She's right, Jake," Joanie added.

"Yep," Janie knowingly smiled, "And if you don't let us help you, Camryn, me and my sisters, your sisters, Ashlyn, and your mother are all going to gang up on you and beat the living shit out of your hard headed ass. Do you hear me?"

"I guess I've received my instructions then," I laughed, and then gathering Janie into my arms, I smiled at her, and then kissed her cheek and teased, "Yes, your majesty, what is thy bidding?"

"Uh huh," Janie giggled, "That's better...Sir Knight," and then she reached around and smacked me on the ass for good measure, telling Ashlyn, "I hope you didn't mind me doing that just now, but he's been needing to have his ass smacked that for a while, Ashlyn."

"I don't have a problem with it at all," Ashlyn grinned, "But be careful sweetie, he's getting to where he likes that kind of thing."

"Oh, gross," Janie teased, pushing me away from her, "God, I feel like I need to wash my hands now just from touching you, Jake, you nasty boy."

"Oh, hush," I laughed, "Ashlyn was only teasing you, I swear."

"Don't let her act all holier than thou, you guys," Jessie giggled, "She likes that kind of thing, too, Jake..."

~~~~~~

A little over an hour later, Camryn appeared in our suite with Lance Garner, who, much to our surprise, had his uncle, Ahmet Ertegun, with him. Needless to say, Ashlyn excitedly showed them in.

"Mister Ertegun," I smiled, as we shook hands, "It's so nice to meet you...please, feel free to make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you, Jake," he nicely replied, "And please, I would prefer that you address me by my first name."

"Not a problem," I smiled, "Can we offer you anything to drink, Ahmet?"

"A cup of coffee would be nice," he smiled, "But only if you have some already brewed."

"I like to drink coffee throughout the day," I chuckled, "So, there's always some coffee at our house....Ashlyn, my love; would you please..."

"I'm already a step ahead of you, my love," she smiled, coming out of the kitchen carrying two cups of coffee and two soft drinks."

"Thank you," I sweetly told her, giving her a kiss as she set my coffee on the table in front of me, "I appreciate it, sweetheart."

"Ashlyn," Ahmet smiled, "A most unique name. Are you Jake's wife?"

"Yes sir," she softly replied, taking my hand into hers, "We've only been married for less than six months."

"That's nice," he smiled, "I can tell that Jake cares very deeply for you just by the way he looks at you, and that's very rare, especially in the music industry."

"She's the one who talked me in to going professional," I smiled, taking Ash's hand and pulling her into my lap, "I don't know where I'd be if it weren't for her."

"I hope you don't mind," Ahmet smiled, "But I had my assistants do a little research on your band, and I pleasantly discovered that you guys opened for a very old and very dear friend of mine at the Texas Music Festival not too long ago."

"So, you know Rick Wakeman then," I politely replied, "He's a very good guy that I happen to think the world of."

"As does he, you," Ahmet knowingly grinned, "I spoke with him this morning and he couldn't seem to praise you all enough. He told me that you, Jake, are a musical genius on the keyboards. Rick also said that your band has, what we in the industry call, a signature sound, meaning no one else sounds anything like you do."

"Does that mean that you'll come to the afterparty for the Academy Awards tonight?" I excitedly asked, "It would mean the world to us to have you there, sir."

"I don't know if I should," he said, "The word on the street is that you guys are being romanced by Herb Albert and Jerry Moss over at A&M. We have an unwritten policy among the record label heads that says we don't step on each other's toes when it comes to new artists."

"We haven't signed anything with them yet," I explained, "And the only obligation we made to them was to play this gig tonight, which we will be paid for doing."

"Who paid your airfare out here," he asked, "As well as this nice hotel suite you're staying in?"

"We were told that this was part of playing the gig," I ignorantly replied, "And I didn't know that we were under any kind of obligation to A&M Records for it."

"That's how some of these record execs end up obligating bands to their label," Ahmet told us, "I don't operate like that because it's such a shitty thing to do."

I was glad that Ahmet gave us this information, because I refused to let anyone take advantage of not only Ashlyn and me, but also my band mates, and in realizing this, I looked at Ashlyn and said, "Call the desk downstairs and find out how much..."

"I'm on it," she knowingly smiled, picking up the telephone, "I'll call the airlines as well, and then I'll call our bank have them wire us enough money to reimburse Albert and Moss...before you guys take the stage tonight. Okay baby?"

"That's perfect," I smiled, "Thank you, Ash."

"Mmm," she purred, as she hugged me, "Anything for you, my love...anything for you."

Needless to say, Ahmet was impressed at the way things were handled concerning finances, and later told us that our actions that day showed him that we weren't a bunch of doped-up kids who just happened to play good music...but I'm getting ahead of myself.

"You can count on seeing me at the afterparty tonight," Ahmet smiled, just before he left our hotel, "And I look forward to hearing you all play tonight..."

~~~~~~

It wasn't too long after Ahmet left our suite that Lindsay knocked on the door of our suite after having just arrived in L.A. I could tell that she was worried by the look on her face when I greeted her at the door. However, when I relayed to her the news I had to tell her, I was sure that she would be in a much better mood, as well as a good frame of mind afterwards.

"Hi, Lindsay," I smiled, taking her bags from her and setting them down by the front door, "You look a little worried about something."

"Well, it's good to see you, too, dammit," she playfully snapped, "I only wish that you had on your plate what I've got on my plate these days."

"Damn, did you come here directly from the airport?" I asked.

"Yes," she replied, nodding her head, "I wanted to get here before Herb and Jerry did, because I've got something to tell you that I think you need to know."

"You should've at least checked into your hotel first," I told her, then I looked at Ashlyn, and grabbing Lindsay's bags, said, "I'm going to put her in the spare room we've got here in our suite," and looking back at Lindsay, "You're staying here with us and I don't want to hear any argument."

"That's awfully nice of you two to do that," Lindsay graciously smiled, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"There's no need to thank us, Lindsay," I warmly replied, "But you're welcome just the same...and besides, look at everything you've done for us."

"I did those things for you guys because I liked you," she smiled.

"And that's why I'm returning the favor," I grinned...

~~~~~~

Once I'd placed Lindsay's things into her room, she sat down with Ashlyn and I and discussed Covenant's future with her as our manager.

"I thought I already explained the situation to you," Lindsay said, "Herb Albert and Jerry Moss both, are going to want to have their own management team looking after you guys."

"To hell with them," I sneered, "They can kiss my ass before any of us ever sign with them."

"Jake honey, you don't understand," she fearfully warned, "If you don't sign with them, I promise you with every ounce of my being that they will black ball you guys with every label in the country...and I know you don't want that to happen, especially after all the hard work you guys have done."

"What if I told you that I've got an ace in the hole?" I knowingly grinned, "Would you manage us then?"

"I don't know, Jake," she suspiciously replied, "It's going to have to be a pretty big ace..."

~~~~~~

THE ACADEMY AWARDS AFTERPARTY

THE BEVERLY WILSHIRE HOTEL

THAT NIGHT

After the Awards show was finished and the nominees and winner all gathered in the main banquet hall waiting for Covenant to take the stage. Dad, who was backstage with us, had assured me that the U.S. Marshalls, the FBI, as well as the Los Angeles Police Department's S.W.A.T. team were, each and every one, in place, waiting for Bill Sanders to make his move, the son of a bitch.

Everyone was dressed to the nines and looking good, as they were all Hollywood Actors, Actresses, Directors, Producers, etc. However, Ashlyn had gone shopping on Rodeo Drive earlier that afternoon, refusing to let me see what she's purchased until right before we took the stage that night; and I was anxiously awaiting her arrival...

~~~~~~

There was about thirty minutes left before we took the stage, and all of a sudden, the room went silent with everyone looking at the entrance, which obviously drew my attention there as well.

I can't begin to tell you how proud I was when I saw Ashlyn appear, wearing a dark blue evening gown, that not only left one of her shoulders bare, but looked like it was made specifically for her. Needless to say, I made my way to the entrance, took her hand, and then proceeded to escort her to the table that had been reserved for us, right in front of the band where I could keep an eye on her at all times.

"My God," I quietly smiled, "You look amazing, Ashlyn; and I love you very much."

"Thank you, baby, I love you, too," she smiled, softly kissing my lips, "I hope you like this gown. I didn't have time to have one made."

"I don't just like it," I smiled, "Baby; I love it, even moreso because you're wearing it."

"All of the women in here tonight are going to be so jealous of me," she lightly giggled, "Because I'm married to the hot lead singer of the band...he's the one wearing those hot leather pants that show off his perfect ass."

"Come on, Ash," I smiled, my face turning red, "You're embarrassing me..."

~~~~~~

Forty five minutes after the doors to the banquet room opened, we began to play. I must say though, these people seemed a little stuck up to me, because any time I spoke to the audience, it was like I was talking to a fencepost...nobody even looked at the stage, and not a single soul came out onto the dance floor. However, I attributed it to the fact that it was still early, not to mention the first set. Needless to say though, we trudged through it and when it came time to take a break, I was more than happy to do so.

"Man," I said, once we were all seated, "What a tough crowd."

"These assholes aren't tough," Jessie hatefully remarked, "They're a bunch of rich idiot pricks that think they're beneath us...the motherfuckers."

"Damn, Jessie," I chuckled, "Why don't you tell us how you really feel?"

~~~~~~

Chapter Thirty Three

We opened the second set with "Free Ride", by the Edgar Winter group, and when we were done, it was like we ere playing to a bunch of statues. I was ready to pull the hair out of my head until Jessie jumped onto the microphone.

"Excuse me, everyone," she said into the mike, using a normal tone of voice, "Can I have everyone's attention?" and when she received no response, and at the top of her lungs, Jessie said, "HEY, YOU ASSHOLES," which immediately got the attention of everyone in the room.

I simply shrugged my shoulders and smiled, when she looked back at the audience whose undivided attention she now held and sweetly said, "I know that you people enjoy receiving recognition for what you do, hence the reason we're all here tonight. But please allow me to remind you, that while we don't expect your applause after every song we play, we do expect you people to at least recognize that we're up here trying to do our jobs as well so; a little appreciation from you for what we do every now and then wouldn't hurt one bit."

About the time Jessie was making her speech, Tina Turner herself entered the room, and after hearing what Jessie said, she walked across the room and came directly onto the stage.

Then pointing her finger at everyone in the audience, she boldly asked them, "Do you want these kids to have good memories of the time they spent here in Hollywood, or do you want them to go away from here with proof to the rumor that we're all a bunch of stuck up idiots?" and then she immediately looked at me and said, "Take it away, handsome,"

Only if you join us," I smiled, and then looked back at the band and told them, "We're gonna do Mustang Sally in the key of C. The progression is one, four, five, and watch me for the changes." Then I looked back at Tine and asked her, "Will that do, my lady?"

"Whenever you're ready, baby boy," she happily grinned.

I looked back at Rob, who was grinning from ear to ear, and told him, "Count it off, Bro."

The moment my voice touched the air, the dance floor filled with people, some of them were big stars, some not so big. However, I recognized almost every face I saw that night as being someone whom I'd seen in the movies and on television. Tina stayed for another song and then left the stage to a very large round of applause.

I looked down at our table to see Ashlyn and Lindsay both smiling a mile wide. As soon as Tina left the stage, and because we'd just played two fast songs back-to-back, we slowed it down a bit and played the song, "In My Heart", I'd written for my stunning and breathlessly beautiful wife...my whole world...Ashlyn.

Ever since the first time I played this particular song, I'd always had to fight, and always ended up failing to keep my composure. This night, however, everything was different, and the more I thought about it, the happier I became, only this time it was not a tearful form of happiness, but a strong and proud one, the same one which helped me maintain my concentration on the song, and singing it the best I could.

I guess it was the result of having had to face the combined wrath of both Jessie Harris and Tina Turner, because the moment I finished singing, the audience seemed to come unglued, some of them simply clapping their hands, some of them were shouting and whistling, but everyone was showing their appreciation in one form or another.

"Thank you," I graciously said into the microphone, "Thank you very much."

~~~~~~

We just finished playing our third set and were taking a break when none other than Bill Sanders appeared at our table and was making his way toward Ashlyn, when I suddenly jumped up and quickly placed myself between him and my wife, making certain that he knew not to take another step toward her.

"You're not welcome here, asshole," I hissed, "And I know all about your relationship with the Chinese government; you fucking traitor."

"Now, now," he sickeningly smiled, "I'm not here to make trouble for anyone. I was coming to ask your beautiful wife to dance."

"You can forget about it," Ashlyn spat, glaring at him as if he were about to be drawn and quartered, "The thought of you touching me makes my skin crawl."

"I agree with you, Ashlyn," said Lindsay, who'd been silently sitting there with Ashlyn until now, and then also glaring at Sanders, but over the top rim of her glasses, she told us, "This piece of shit is nothing but a womanizing asshole."

"I know, Lindsay," I quietly, yet angrily said, "And according to the information that I received, he's going to try to kidnap my wife...Isn't that right, Billy boy?" However, just as he was about to speak, the power went out, making me grab Ashlyn and hit the floor, holding her as close to me as possible.

All of a sudden I heard the sound of gunfire followed by some woman screaming, and mere seconds later the sound of glass shattering giving me the distinct feeling that something very bad was about to happen...

~~~~~~

After all of the ruckus had died down and the lights were back on, there were law enforcement officers everywhere; Dad and several U.S. Marshalls, some FBI officers, and then last but not least, the Los Angeles Police Department's S.W.A.T. Team.

I also saw eight thug looking assholes, which apparently were there with Bill Sanders, lying prostrate on the floor in handcuffs. However, I looked around the room and didn't see Sanders anywhere.

"He got away this time, Jake," Dad said, when he observed me looking for Sanders, "But we've got someone tailing him as we speak."

"He was going to kidnap my wife tonight," I replied, "But I didn't let him even get close to her."

"I know, son," Dad proudly smiled, hugging Ash and I both, "You did the right thing when you took her into your arms and hit the ground; and I thought you should know that I'm extremely proud of you, Jake."

"Where are Mom and the girls?" I worriedly asked, "I hope they're not anywhere around here."

"No, they're back in Houston," Dad knowingly grinned, "And I've got them in protective custody until we catch this fucker..."

~~~~~~

Needless to say the gig was finished once the fracas that had occurred was over; and as we were on stage breaking our gear down, I looked around the stage at the rest of the band and said, "I'm really sorry that we came all the way out here for nothing, you guys."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Herb Albert said, as he suddenly appeared next to the stage, Jerry Moss close by, "Why don't we all sit down and talk a little business?"

"Why don't you two go fuck yourselves?" Lindsay hatefully spat, "It's because of your association with Bill Sanders that these kids almost got themselves either shot and/or killed, and don't even get me started on what all else you assholes have been up to."