A Bitter Cinderella Story [Tom Keifer/Nikki Sixx fanfic]

Chapter 13: On with the show!

When they arrived in the studio on Monday there was no sign of John, a hopeful sign? But now dread hung in the air as the band continued their work with Warman and their team to complete their album. 

Tom had chosen not to inform Nikki who was now in New Haven NY, starting the first leg of their American tour for Theater of Pain. The last thing he wished to do was panic Nikki, and ruin the tour. Nikki had worked so hard those few weeks getting clean and sober from heroin, and working on his trauma, it felt all that progress would be undone by him saying John was back in L.A. 

There was yet no sign of him in the studio, and hopefully that meant the bastard was still keeping his distance. It freaked Tom out still how easily John was able to track him down that night or was it merely a coincidence that John happened to be driving down the well known Strip and had merely spotted him? A possibility. 

He supposed it was just too good to be true that John would have fucked off from their lives forever. Or they had merely been too naïve and optimistic. John was deeply connected with his businesses and family within L.A. How utterly stupid of them to assume he'd leave it all behind because Nikki beat his ass ONE time. The fact he didn't go to the authorities or have a lawyer or lawyers hunt them down was a miracle in itself. What had gone through his mind after they left his office that day? Where did he go? 

Well, after Nikki was dragged away by Tom, John made a few calls. One to his surgeon friend who ran a major plastic surgery clinic. Rushed there by his driver, his friend patched him up but never really probed what happened to John. In all honesty, his friend assumed John had overstepped himself and received payback from some jealous boyfriend or husband. John was a notorious player in that circle, a man who was cushioned by his family's wealth and influence but sometimes that was not even to prevent some kind of retribution. 

"Well you're nose is broken, I can fix it but how about a nice new rhinoplasty?" 

"Just do whatever," John was been sulking the entire appointment, demanding the best painkillers while he was examined. 

Dr. Neil Knowles had no problem racking up a decent bill from his "friend", with a discount of course. 

Once was surgery was booked, John and his bruised and broken face remained in his mansion recuperating while Lily tiptoed around him since returning from her girl's vacation. Her gentle questioning was met with a string of insults and a glass thrown her way. John's temper was legendary and scary so she kept her distance. 

After receiving his rhinoplasty, John fled to Cancun for a few weeks to recover and avoid the unnecessary questioning about his appearance. His family valued discretion and already he had some paparazzi sniffing around him since he took the "job" at Euphoria's. John's parents never were enthused about his club business finding it rather unseemly given the nature of the business. His music producer position was received somewhat better if only he sold his clubs his mother kept complaining. Fucking bitch.