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“They’ve…” Gregor twisted his lips to the side like he was searching for the right word. “Reconsideredthe structure of the board.”
“Oh?”
“Let’s just say, you can do whatever you want. They’ve offered a new contract that you should probably read with Sonja, butthey’re not going to risk losing you. It’s everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“Huh.” She blinked and contemplated the implications of such an offer. “I wouldn’t have to release on such a strict schedule.”
“Nope. The Beastie Boys would disappear for like five years between releases and no one freaked out. Their fandom didn’t dimmish and they made the music they wanted to make. You have that same magnetism.”
Zara smiled. “The Beastie Boys, huh? You think I’m good enough to compare to them?”
Gregor rolled his eyes. “My love, you compare to no one. But you’ve worked incredibly hard to be this successful. You’ve earned the trust of your fans. Do what you want. Follow your inspiration and we’ll follow you.”
She could make the music she wantedwhenshe wanted. With whom she wanted.
The idea opened up the door to possibilities which filled her with a rush of excitement.
“You came here to get away from everything,” Gregor continued. “To put space between you and the world. To give them less to talk about. And the moment you’re spotted, it’s like a tidal wave. You’re trending on every site. Your being seen is the top five stories of every publication. The fanboards have exploded with theories and speculation and rumors. It’s almost as if your being away amplified their obsession with you.”
Her excitement fizzled a bit. He was right.
She thought about that photo of XY Records.
Asa’s life was about to be split right open. Again. The scrutiny and violations of privacy would never stop. If anything, they’d get a whole lot worse the longer his name was attached to hers.
Could she ask him to stand in the middle of her hurricane with her? Bigger question, could she truly trust him to be in itwithher? As her partner? As her safe place? For the right reasons?
It was ironic in a way. All the things she could offer to someone to make them stay; money, security, travel, excitement. They were all the things Asa didn’t want or need. If he stayed, it could only be for one reason.
And that scared her more than anything.
If only she had someone who had been there. Someone she could talk to about balance and life and what happens when the person you’ve fallen in love with doesn’t do well with crowds. And how to trust that it’s real.
Beyond Gregor’s shoulder Cas caught her eye. He lifted his chin, a subtle way of asking her to come talk to him.
She eased off the stool and patted Gregor’s shoulder.
When she reached Cas and Devan her body flooded with relief mixed with guilt again. Last night could have gone so differently. Impulsively, she hugged both of them.
Devan chuckled and Cas patted her head. They probably thought she was silly but that was because they didn’t know how much they meant to her. An error she would rectify moving forward.
“We found Shelby,” Cas said, almost imperceptibly.
Zara’s whole body tightened and her heart took off at a gallop.
She’d assumed they’d look for Asa’s sister of course. But she had no idea they’d find her that quickly.
“Do you want to speak to her?” Cas asked, watching her carefully.
Zara nodded once. Slowly.
She had a few things to say.
Cas and Devan took her back to the parking garage, to a different vehicle than the one they’d been using, with blackout windows. They drove to a huge building and into the underground garage, where someone met them and led them to a secure, private elevator. Down a few corridors, up another elevator and to a floor marked Cipher Security.
Through all this Zara didn’t ask any questions. She’d assumed they were going to the police station or something. This wasn’t what she’d expected but she didn’t mind. The fewer people who saw her, the better.
At least until after she’d spoken with Kenna on the next steps for PR.
