109A:

The Teatro Angela Peralta was an exquisitely crafted theatre in Mazatlan, that seated several thousand, and had been built in the mid-1800's. It had grand carved stairs, and overhanging balconies. Kell, Tecca and I were ushered to one such balcony with our security personnel, and we found comfortable seats all plush with green or red velvet. The lighting was low, and the room was respectfully hushed in the beginning and then as time wore on it got louder and louder. I watched people, talked to Kell and Tecca about their kids and their projects, (it was just what you talked about in our family), and gave away very little personal information about feelings and such, even though Kell hinted at it several times. He was especially curious about plans for a Temple wedding and finally came right out with it.

"Do you know what it would take for him to go to the temple with you Aubrey?"

"Yeah. He has to meet with his Bishop. But---."

"Honey." His eyes were compassionate. "Listen. When I joined the church--- and you know that Maille married me before there was hope of that for her. But I had to sell my clubs, half my shares in certain unsuitable companies, make it clear to production companies that I could no longer do rated R movies. It was huge. I really thought for awhile that I'd die out there. I thought my career might be over. It took a while for it to pick up again."

I'm sure my eyes reflected my anxiety over this topic for Rafe. "I don't know what it would mean for him exactly."

Kell screwed up his lips. "He's got as bad or worse of a rep than I had, baby."

"Does he?"

Kell nodded. "I'm not saying it can't be done. It can."

"Let me ask you something then, Kell." I said seriously. "If Maille hadn't married you before the temple. If she had said no, we're waiting for the temple, and made you wait for sex for a year. Would you have stayed with her?"

Kell stroked his chin as Rafe and the guys came onstage and the screaming filled the elegant walls of this beautiful old venue. I could tell he was seriously considering my question.

"Let me get back to you." Kell said. I know I looked disappointed, but his eyes were trained on the stage. He slid a glance my way and then rushed to tell me. "No, I will tell you tonight. No worries." Then we both stood up as Rafe pointed the mike in our direction, and saluted us. Spotlights headed our way and I ducked my face to the side, turning away, and keeping my glasses on. The broad brimmed hat Rafe had bought me dipping over my forehead.

We watched that concert, one of the best I'd ever been to, together, laughing and screaming, hooting and hollering and dancing. Rafe was on fire. He started out in his suit, and then took the jacket off during a song, then his white button down, and finally the t-shirt came off, and I could see he'd gotten some sun. He was drenched in sweat and the audience went wild at the sight of his tattoos. I gave Kell my side long glance. This... I twirled my finger in the air. This is what happens at an Axis concert. He was grinning.

He played Fall into the Ocean and some of the sweeter ballads he'd written, in a short set of such music, and his voice crooned and wove around us. He gripped the microphone with both hands, taking us all on that intrinsic journey that was Rafe Stryker.

Too soon the encores were performed and people were leaving, the lights were blinking and strobes and neon's lit the stage as the guys packed up their stuff. I thought it must be a different venue tomorrow here in Mazatlan.

Then our security was ushering us out a side door.

Kell pulled me aside before we left the balcony, when we were the last ones there. He looked back at the stage. "Baby, I'm not going to answer your question yet. Later, okay? I need to think about it a minute. Although I know the answer, I have to know beyond the answer. But I do want to say this. He's a lot of man. You better be damn sure you can handle that much man. He's not a man to be trifled with. He's not a man that will share you--- yet you will share him."

He twirled his finger much as I had. I felt a moment of familial trepidation. Kell had a lot more experience in this side of the industry than did anyone except my dad. Then he put his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.

"Aubrey, I have every confidence in you. You are a Mann girl. If dear sweet little Maille can tame this man, you can certainly tame that one."

We went backstage, and watched for a few minutes as Rafe and the guys met and greeted whoever Holli said they needed to. We all were ushered close by, and then hurried on. Holli really did not like me. Although Rafe and Kell and Tecca posed for several pictures, every little bit of publicity helped them. I had Tim and Jake take me back to the bungalow.

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