Doren was born with a powerful gift -- a gift he's managed to use to put him well on his way to becoming a star. But there is more to that gift than just musical talent, and as careful as Doren is to hide that fact, there are some who know of the power behind the sound, and all the ways they could abuse it.<br><br>August's goal in life is simple: make an impact in the music industry. An opportunity to work as the personal assistant to Doren seems to be exactly the kind of break he needs to accomplish that goal.<br><br>But all too often in life, simple becomes just another complication, especially when there are people whose goal is even simpler: destroy and dominate.

The Gift

“Wait!” Cooper said suddenly, turning in his seat as though inspiration had hit him. “Curtis, buddy. What about you, man? What do you bring?”


Curtis looked quietly at each one of them in turn; then he slowly unzipped his leather jacket and pulled it to the side. It was with stunned silence that the rest of them stared at the gun nestled at Curtis’ side.


“I bring the last resort,” he said quietly. “Remember, no matter what Hollywood tells us, no matter what our imaginations want to believe, every one of us—here in this limo or inside that stadium—is mortal.” He zipped up his jacket as the vehicle rolled to a stop. “A bullet can bring us all down.”


“Okay, gang,” Doren nodded. “You know what they say: he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day. So, let’s just try to get past this and see what tomorrow brings.”


Chapter 83