Kellan frowned. "The label's wishes. Not mine, then?"

Tory cracked a smile. "Nick has requested that you not talk about your personal life." Her steely blue eyes shifted to mine, and the implication was all too clear. Do not mention that you're married.

Kellan snapped his head to Nick. "You don't want me to talk about my wife? So when they ask what's going on with Sienna and me, I'm supposed to say . . . ?" He raised his hands in the air to punctuate his lingering question.

Nick gave him a calm smile. "You tell them no comment, and let them stew on that any way they want to."

Kellan dropped his hands. "'No comment'? I might as well tell them I'm screwing her brains out on a daily basis."

Nick shrugged. "I'm not asking you to lie, I'm merely asking you not to respond, and not to divulge any . . . unnecessary information." His brow arched in challenge. "Think you can handle that?"

The guys all gave Kellan cautious glances while I grabbed his hand. If Kellan didn't deny the rumors that were already beginning to run rampant, then he would be, in essence, confirming them. He was already bothered by the risque music video he'd agreed to shoot with Sienna. Even though abstaining from talking about his personal life was nowhere near the realm of him sticking his tongue down another woman's throat, somehow this seemed just as intrusive. I wasn't sure what he would say to Nick.

Nick seemed unsure as well, adding, "We're expecting this single to reach number one. When your album releases in a few weeks, I wouldn't be surprised if it debuts in the top twenty. All of that is due, in large part, to the fact that the public has a soft spot for you and Sienna together. You've become a couple in their eyes, and that sort of publicity cannot be bought. When your video hits the market, the buzz around you two will be out of this world. And if we don't take advantage of that, ride the tidal wave while it lasts, we'll lose the momentum and your album will sink like a rock to the low hundreds. It's a very crowded market, jammed-pack full of talented, gorgeous individuals, such as yourself. Do you want to start your career on top of them, or on the bottom of them . . . crushed into the oblivion of obscurity?" His face smug, he raised a shoulder in a seemingly unaffected way. "The choice is yours."

While he looked like he didn't care, his tone of voice made it very clear that he did. It was also very clear that the choice wasn't Kellan's at all. The choice was Nick's, and he'd already decided Kellan's fate.

Jaw tight, Kellan said nothing. Not sure what Kellan should do, I gripped his hand tighter in silent support.

Belongings in tow, we headed outside to where a pair of gigantic, solid black SUVs with dark tinted windows were waiting. I thought the twin vehicles looked a little conspicuous, like we were spies or government agents . . . Men in Black. If the company was going for subtle transportation, they would have been better off hiring a stretch limo in this town. But if they wanted everyone to wonder who was inside, then I guess they made the right choice.

One of the drivers greeted us and opened the rear door of an SUV before leaning over to pick up our bags. Kellan tried to help him, but was politely shooed away. Our driver was wearing a crisp suit, and even though it was early in the day, he had on dark aviator sunglasses. He and the other driver stuffed bags and instruments into both vehicles while we climbed in. Griffin immediately grabbed the front seat while Matt and Evan took the middle row. Kellan and I climbed into the third row; it was a little cramped, but still comfortable. The inside of the vehicle was luxurious-digital controls on everything, tan leather that was soft as silk, and light and dark wood inlays along the dash, console, and door frames that created an eye-catching pattern when taken in as a whole. It had that new car smell, like it had been detailed recently. Despite its size, it was a nice ride.

Thankfully, Nick and Tory got into the matching vehicle in front of us. When all of our stuff was packed away and settled, the driver climbed into the car and we were off. The vehicle buzzed with excitement, and not just because of the upcoming radio interview-the guys were stoked about what Nick had said in the house, that the album could debut in the top twenty.

Matt and Evan twisted to face Kellan. "Do you think he's right? Do you really think we'll debut that high?"

Kellan shrugged, his face impassive. "I don't know, maybe." His voice was small as he turned his head to stare out the window; he was right beside me, but he seemed a million miles away.

From the front, Griffin shouted, "Hell, yeah, we'll debut in the top twenty! Number one with a bullet, baby!"

Matt and Evan turned back around and leaned forward to have a conversation with their more eager band mate. Kellan sighed and laid his head against the glass. Concerned, I rested my chin on his shoulder. "Hey, you all right?"

Lifting his head, Kellan wistfully gazed at his friends. "I just . . . I wish I could be as excited about this as they are." He looked down at me, his brow furrowed. "I feel like I'm letting them down, because I'm not enjoying this."

I clasped his hand with both of mine, clicking my wedding ring over his. "It's different for you than it is for them. The label is asking you to do uncomfortable things. They understand. Well, Matt and Evan understand." I gave him a small grin, hoping to lighten his mood.

The corner of his lip twitched up, then he frowned. Scrunching down so our heads were closer together, he lowered his voice. "It's just so . . . fabricated. I don't see why there has to be all this hoopla-crap about some sordid imaginary romance. I just wish that the record and the music were enough to stand on their own. If we're going to make it, I want it to be because we're good, not because people are enamored with . . . my personal life." He frowned, like the idea of him being this ideal, desirable, rock-god dreamboat was absurd, like he still didn't see why anyone would want more than a fleeting moment of passion with him. It wasn't absurd. He was a desirable boyfriend, a desirable husband. But I did see Kellan's point.

"And it will be about the music, Kellan. The high debut may be because of your celebrity status, but the album will stay there because you guys are amazing-one of the best bands I've ever heard."

Kellan cocked his brow. "One of?" I rolled my eyes at him and Kellan glanced up at the other D-Bags. "They've stood by me through so much." He looked back at me, sorrow in his eyes. "They were my family when I had . . . nobody. Literally nobody. And when I left everything in Los Angeles to move back to Seattle, they gave up everything we had down there to follow me, to stand by my side." He ran a hand over his face. "I owe them so much."

Dropping his hand, he stared at his lap. "We would have gotten signed ages ago if we'd stayed in L.A. I took this life from them once. I won't do it again." Sighing, he looked up at me. "I owe them the chance to be big, to really make it in this business. And Nick is right about one thing. It's a packed industry, and Matt, Evan, Griffin-they don't have anything else to fall back on. It's this or nothing for them, so . . ."

Seeing where he was going, I murmured, "So . . . no comment?"

Kellan nodded. "I don't want you to be offended, or worried, or hurt. And I'm not having an affair, or even interested in having an affair. If all I have to do to make a . . . splash . . . is film a video and keep my mouth shut during interviews, then I owe them that much."

Inhaling a big breath, I considered the ramifications of Kellan's silence. The world would think he was with Sienna. There would be so much gossip about them, I probably wouldn't be able to escape it. I'd be bombarded with tales of elicit rendezvous, endless secret weddings, and a plethora of pregnancy rumors. But they would just be rumors. And Kellan wouldn't be anywhere near her. Ignoring his scandalous public persona but still getting the warm, affectionate man behind it all seemed like a fair compromise. I'd never wanted to be in his spotlight anyway.

"I understand, and it's okay."

Kellan blinked. "It is? If someone asks me if I'm married to Sienna," he lifted our laced together wedding rings for emphasis, "and I say nothing, that's okay?"

I shook my head. "Being a celebrity isn't as simple as it once was. It used to be that you had a talent, people liked it, and you excelled accordingly. Now, it's almost more about being adept at traversing the social waters. You need talent, and the ability to sway the public. Nick is good at the manipulation part, and you're really good at the talent part. You let him do his thing, you do your thing, and I'm sure everything will work out fine."

Kellan gave me a grin that finally looked happy. "I can't tell if you're wise . . . or still naive."

I lifted my chin. "I'm gonna say wise." Kellan laughed while a thought struck me. "Oh . . . will we still be able to get married? With a ceremony and everything?" I chewed on my lip. "Because my mother will have an aneurism if I try to back out of it."

Leaning in, Kellan kissed my cheek. "We're still getting married, Kiera. He only told me not to say anything to the public." Cupping my cheek, he whispered, "And I plan on saying 'I do' just to you." He grinned. "And a few hundred friends and family."

Groaning, I laid my head down on the seat. "Oh God."

Kellan poked me in the ribs. "You'll be fine. If I can do all this, then surely you can manage pledging your undying love, devotion and fealty to me in front of a small crowd."

Pulling back, I snorted. "Fealty?"

Kellan gave me an innocent smile. "What? Isn't that one of the vows?"

When we arrived at the radio station, there was a swarm of people waiting outside. They were being contained on the sidewalk by thick velvet ropes while a couple of fresh-faced college kids wearing colorful lanyards around their necks walked back and forth along the other side of the rope-interns for the radio station, probably.

We all gaped at the assemblage as we watched Nick's car pull up and drop Tory off. A second man exited her vehicle, grabbing two guitar cases from the back; the boys were going to play one of their songs live this morning, after the station debuted their single with Sienna.

"Are all those people here for us?" Evan murmured.

Nobody knew, so nobody answered him.

When our car pulled up and let us out, the crowd of women started screaming. It hurt my ears from inside the car. I couldn't believe that so many people were hanging around a radio station at this hour of the day, just hoping to catch a glimpse of the D-Bags. When Kellan stepped out of the car, the earlier outburst was silent in comparison. My ears were ringing when I stepped onto the sidewalk.

Kellan held his hand out for me, his small act of rebellion since Nick hadn't given him any warnings on PDA, but Tory pulled him forward before I could grab his hand. The front doors of the station opened at the same time, and Sienna walked out, flanked by her two bodyguards. Not realizing she would be at this interview, I was surprised to see her. I guess most of this crowd was here for her then. God, she wasn't going to be on the entire promo tour, was she?

Kellan seemed surprised as well. Especially when Sienna flung her arms around his neck and kissed each one of his cheeks. Glancing around, I noticed the scores of cell phones capturing every moment of the "lovebirds" reconnecting. The crowd of girls jumped up and down in their excitement of watching this breathtaking couple in action. Farther back in the crowd, I noticed a man with a high-end camera. He had to be paparazzi or with an entertainment magazine; he had a satisfied smile on his face as he clicked photo after photo of Kellan and Sienna.

And Sienna, ever aware of her surroundings, gave him the money shot. Swishing her long dark hair away so her face was clearly visible, she leaned up and finished her greeting with Kellan by placing a light kiss on his lips. Kellan pushed her away as he stepped back from her, but the damage was done-I was positive the photographer had captured the moment. As Kellan started to scowl, Sienna pulled him into the building and away from the tittering public's sight.

Feeling more like the band's forgotten assistant than the lead singer's wife, I hurried after the group. Kellan broke apart from Sienna in the lobby. "What was that?" he snapped at her.