[h2]Esme[/h2]
Esme smiled softly as Duke replied to her. She was happy to have him with her in that moment, that he didn't pull away when she felt like she needed him more than anything in that moment. She nuzzled her head against his before he spoke again, and she gave him a little laugh. “That's because it is your love language.” she said softly. She truly believed it was. Everything he made was always delicious and always lifted her mood if she was down or just having a bad day. 

The smile remained on Esme's lips when he replied to her ‘be careful’ comment. Before she could respond to his reply, he kissed her, and she returned it. The knock at her office door caused her to flinch slightly, then pull back from the kiss with a heavy sigh.”Looks like we'll have to continue this at a later time.” she said softly. “I know you'll be careful and have your phone, but that still doesn't make me worry about you any less. Lifting her free hand, she placed it on his cheek, her thumb brushing his cheekbone gently. “I don’t know what I'd do if I got the news that something happened to you.” She shook her head to clear it of intruding thoughts, then leaned forward and kissed him sweetly.


[h2]Rosie[/h2]
Just as Rosie predicted, after her rant, Beau declared he was going out to push back the crowd. Just as he stepped up to the door, Rosie, too, heard the reinforcements screaming at the fans out in the hall. “It's about damn time they got here.” she huffed. Then gave a ghost of a smirk to Beau when he playfully nudged her. She watched as he slipped out the door, then stood there a moment, listening as the chaos was being taken care of. Rosie then walked back over to where she had been and picked up her bag and Beau's jacket.

When a path had been cleared, she left the room with Natalia and Cason. As they walked to the green room, her head was on a swivel, looking for anyone who seemed out of place or just looked downright creepy. Rosie was determined to keep this creep away from Natalia, even if this whole situation made her uncomfortable and dredged up things she tried to suppress. If she saw anyone who fit her mental description, she'd alert Beau and Cason without worrying Natalia.

~~~

Once in the green room, Rosie draped Beau’s jacket over the back of the couch, then put her bag on the couch and took out what she needed. She then went about her normal duties, ensuring everything was in order and double- and triple-checking details, all while keeping a close eye on Natalia and those who interacted with her. She cared for Natalia more than she would admit. If anyone were to hurt that sweet girl, they would surely regret it. Rose would beat the hell out of them first, then she'd call for the boys to handle the rest. 

If anyone knew Rosie well, they could tell she was on edge just by watching her actions and how tense she seemed, even though she was trying her best to stay calm and in control of her outward appearance; yet it always showed in her eyes. As she went about her duties as manager, her phone buzzed in her pocket from a text. She pulled out her phone and opened the text. Rosie froze as she read the text. ‘Hey, sweetie. It’s been a while. It's quite cute watching you and the boy toys watch over her. I will have one of you or both of you, my little firecracker. I promise you that. If you're all watching over her, who’s watching over you?’ 

Rosie gripped her phone tightly in her shaking fists. “No, you won't, you son of bitch.” she said under her breath. She then opened her messages from Beau and shot him a quick text so as not to cause Natalia any more stress. ‘Keep your head on a swivel; the creep is watching us.’ She then attached a screenshot of the message before hitting send. Part of her hated having to send the message and having him aware of her stalker incident, because she had never told anyone about it.