Page 30 of Shattered Dreams

Digs is the only one who doesn’t really help us, but even then, he provides small tidbits of lyrics that are just genius. He mostly sits and watches me, keeping me feeling nervous and edgy. I want to ask him what he’s looking at, but I’m too scared.

In the end, after six long hours, Digs forces us to pack it all up, ignoring Tyr’s snarling protests and bullying Envy and Mako away from their instruments. I’ve somehow ended up sitting cross-legged on their couch, my shoes on the floor with the very basic start of a song that could very well be Fate’s Choice’s next biggest hit staring back at me.

I lean my head back and check my phone. I’ve got a missed call from my mother and one from Locke.

I check the message, but Locke is all good. My mother’s voicemail is of her drunken accusations. I hang up quickly, hoping they didn’t hear it.

“I should go-”

“Stay for dinner,” Digs says from the kitchen.

I look up, startled to realise he’s practically got a feast happening. There are so many plates of food. My eyes widen. Surely, we can’t eat all of it? I’d been so consumed that I hadn’t even been aware. I look at all the food, and my stomach growls.

He winks at me, his white teeth flashing at me as he smiles. The man is deadly.

“Okay, just for a little while,” I concede in a hushed tone.

Digs smiles as he hands out plates. “Come sit. Tell us about you.”

I frown and sit down. Mako on one side of me and Tyr on the other. We’re all on the couches. No one bothers even trying to clear the table of all the notes and books Mako and Tyr moved there.

Tyr is naturally quiet when he’s not working. Mako, I’m guessing, is quiet all the time. He’s got those eyes that just take in everything. And he’s taking me in, weighing me up. I want to know what he finds.

“What do you want to know?” I ask, turning back to Digs.

“I want to know why you are writing songs for other bands and not for yourself.” Digs drops the bomb on the table along with all the food.

I swallow hard; the food forgotten. “Okay. That was a, yeah, nice start. You like the deep end of the pool, don’t you, Digs? Well, I have reasons.”

“What reasons?”

“Digs!” Envy hisses.

It’s maybe the third time he’s spoken since I’ve been here. I drag my eyes off the strange alpha and focus on the big one.

“Fine, my father is the owner of Alpha Labels, and he doesn’t think I have the talent.”

There’s a huge silence. “You’re Typhor Raines’ daughter? You’re one of the massive Raines family?” Tyr chokes out.

I duck my head, nodding. “Yes.”

“That’s bullshit!” Digs snarls. “You clearly have talent. Just show him.”

“Why not try other labels?” Mako asks.

I shudder at the sound of his voice. It does all sorts of things to me. I serve myself some salad instead, refusing to look at him. “One whisper from my father killed that option.”

“But what about Derision’s-”

“My father doesn’t know about me moonlighting as a songwriter, and I’d like to keep it that way. You understand the contract you signed? Specifically 23A?” My temper snarls out in an ice cold voice I’ve perfected over the years.

“Yes, we’re not to reveal your connection to the song ever,” Digs says and gestures with his fork. “Doesn’t mean I’m not curious to understand why all this talent is being wasted.”

“I get to do what I love. You get rich. We’re all happy. Who is losing?”

Digs drops a chicken breast on my plate and scowls at me. “I think you’re losing. I don’t approve of this. You deserve better.”

I stare at him. “With all due respect, Alpha, you don’t know me. I could be a monster who pours alcohol down my throat and ruins other people’s careers.”