Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 29299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
He snorts and his eyes turn cruel. “This is why you’ve always needed me. You’re too blinded by the starlight to see the shadows creeping in. I’m your big brother, and now that Dad’s gone, the one responsible for looking after you. People aren’t nice. Not without wanting something nice in return. Hayes is a predator who preys on young, innocent hopefuls like you. I can see it from a mile away.”
“Screw you,” I choke out, hot tears running down my cheeks.
“He will,” he tells me coldly. “After he gets what he wants, you’ll be on your ass. And who will have to help you back to your feet?”
Not waiting for an answer, Lucca storms away from me. When he makes it to the doorway, he turns to glower at me.
“Tomorrow, you’re returning that money. You’ll distance yourself from him.”
And then he’s gone.
I slide to the floor, sobbing. For once, I want my brother to encourage me and be happy for me. But that’s asking too much. It’s like he thrives on holding me back.
My phone buzzes and I fish it from my purse.
Daddy: What time is your shift over?
I should end this thing like Lucca wants me to do. It would take out the tension between me and my brother. Life would go on as usual. And I’d drown in the misery that was my life before Ronan Hayes. If he didn’t offer me a deal and wanted to take me out for a drink instead, would that make things better or worse?
Stubbornness burrows its way in my bones.
I don’t want to give up this feeling making me feel alive for the first time in my life.
Lucca wants to treat me like a spoiled brat? Then I’ll be one.
Me: Not soon enough.
He replies back immediately, sending a thrill running through me.
Daddy: What’s wrong, sweetheart? Do you need your daddy to come rescue you?
The fact this handsome, nearly stranger cares about me more than my own brother is surprising. It makes me realize I’ve lived squashed under my brother’s thumb for too long.
Me: I feel like I’m swimming in the deep end without a floatie.
Daddy: It’s a good thing I won’t let you drown.
I swipe away my tears and smile at the phone.
Daddy: I’m on my way.
My stomach does a flop in equal parts anxiety and excitement. Lucca won’t let me leave. It’s my shift and we don’t have anyone to replace me.
Me: I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Daddy: I’m going to take a stab in the dark and guess that your brother is forbidding you to associate with me. But your brother isn’t in charge of you anymore. He’s done a terrible job thus far. Broken your sweet little spirit. And I’d be a horrible daddy if I didn’t come rescue my girl and set the record straight. You’re mine now, sweetheart.
I gape at his text, my heart thundering in my chest.
Me: I’m not sure I can get away.
Daddy: I think what you meant to say was, “Yes, Daddy.” See you soon.
“Yes, Daddy,” I mutter, shocked at the way my skin seems to come alive.
Holy shit.
I feel like I’ve just opened Pandora’s box.
I’m not sure what’s about to come out, but I’ve never been so thrilled in all my life.
I email the contract to Eve to have her print it off before I leave. The contract is generous in Sofina’s favor. If Ren read through it, he’d make fun of me for being a pussy and giving her everything on a platter.
Generous royalty percentages.
Small fee to the label.
Creative liberties.
Basically, after barely knowing the girl, I’ve given her what most artists negotiate back and forth to get even a fraction of what I’m offering.
But that’s not all I’m offering.
The moment I had Sofina in my office, the world narrowed its focus until all I saw was her. The beautiful girl hiding behind the wrong makeup, the wrong hair, and the wrong clothes. I’m going to help make her right. Teach her to blossom into the gorgeous flower I know she can be.
I need this contract signed and out of the way so it’s not hovering over her decisions. The contract states she can’t be dropped for the first five years of her contract. I’ve put Ren as her manager and given him all decision-making abilities about her career, so it’s not part of what we have. I’m already in too deep to turn away from her now. It’s fast but explosive between us. I’ve never wanted anything more than an arrangement before. And that was always fine.
Until things changed.
Perhaps I sensed it long ago. That someone would come along. Someone I’d never be able to ignore. Isn’t that what everyone holds out for? Someone so alluring and wonderful that you can’t deny it for a second the moment they walk into your life?