Zenith's Legend (Zenith Series #6) - Leanne Davis Page 0,1

fame. And then, what did the genius decide to do? Chuck it all and move here. To this terrible place in the boondocks where he married an old lady with three bratty divas that he got to spend most of his time playing daddy to. Instead of enjoying all aspects of fame like he should have been, and getting all the pussy that had to be on offer to someone like Rob, he chose this.

Xavier intended to do the total opposite. Being grateful for every goddamned penny and every reward due him, Xavier would lavish himself with every desire and need that ever crossed his mind, including women, houses, cars, ridiculously expensive trips to exotic beaches and…

Everything.

Everything Xavier ever dreamed of or wanted.

That was the end plan. But for now? He had plenty of work to do before he could make that a reality.

Xavier had a voice and he knew how to sing. That’s it. The only fucking thing he had going for him in this miserable life. The special talent he was born with. The single outstanding asset to his name. Not his family, nor his intelligence, nor his opportunities. Poverty was his family’s legacy and he feared his past would predict his destiny.

The only thing that could change his perceived fate was being able to sing like Rob Williams. The similarity in their voices was why Xavier’s attention became inextricably fastened on him. Zenith was well past their prime, at least from a marketing standpoint. No longer willing to endure world tours, they mostly worked on new albums they released whenever they felt like it. The members of the band managed to live quite well on the residuals of their popularity and incredible fame. But now? It was fading. And they were letting it go. Xavier heard Rob’s voice once and he was stunned by how well it matched his own. That was what originally piqued his interest. It was what brought him here. To Rob’s hometown. To this place.

To his stepdaughters.

Or to one daughter, anyway.

Karlee, to be specific.

She was Xavier’s age and pretty enough. The perfect conduit to connect him to Rob Williams. She’s the reason Xavier could eventually get friendly, involved, interested and, oh gee, yeah, show everyone how he could sing. Wow. When she discovered how much he sounded like Rob… The wheels were turning… Such a coincidence, huh? Naturally, she’ll think it is; so Rob will think so too. Before they can manage to figure out the carefully conceived scheme that he formulated, Xavier would be long gone from this shit-assed town and their provincial lives. Xavier would be well on his way to becoming the legend that Rob threw away, but he’d become far more than Rob ever dreamt of being.

Chapter 1

“KARLEE RANDALL, YOUR PARTNER will be Xavier Montgomery.” The professor’s voice flatly announced the assignment before moving further down her list.

Karlee stared at the woman blankly for a moment. Xavier Montgomery? Glancing around and looking for any sign of who that name might belong to, she caught the attention of a guy with dark hair and dark eyes. He was already staring right at her, assuming her reputation preceded her as usual, if only by name recognition. Pursing his lips, Xavier raised his index finger in a careless, but casual “hi” for acknowledgement. She smiled quickly before returning her attention to the professor who finished her list of partners with more instruction on the term projects and the rubrics for grading.

Finally, the direction, “You may start working with your partners for the remainder of class time…”

Karlee started to grab her laptop and stuff it into the bag beside her leg as she glanced up, scanning for Xavier only to find him doing the same thing. Lifting his head up, his face gazed at hers, silently asking the same unspoken question as she. Who approaches whom? Ceasing her packing when she saw him slide from his seat and lift his backpack to his shoulder, Karlee watched him stride towards her. Half the class got up and shuffled around as they found new places to sit.

Xavier was red hot. How many times was that description used for any guy she ever met? Karlee customarily loathed that adjective after hearing countless women, girls, magazines, and the media in general use it to refer to her stepdad/rock star, Rob Williams. Karlee tried to avoid it. But this guy was pretty hot and very interesting to look at. In a good way. Average height, thin, but not