Carlene’s voice was quiet now, the anger edged with disbelief.“You’re serious?”
Vivian’s eyes glittered.“Completely.There’s talk of a full-time position, corporate strategy, media relations, and real influence.No more freelance projects.No more uncertainty.”
Carlene stared at her.“And what would that cost me?”
Vivian’s smile widened.“Just your loyalty.Don’t dig where you don’t need to.Let the narrative play out.The band gets its spotlight.You get your seat at the table.Everyone wins.”
Carlene leaned back, the sound of the waves outside growing louder in her ears.She realized then that Vivian wasn’t offering her an opportunity.She was delivering a warning.
“I’ll think about it,” Carlene said evenly.
Vivian’s gaze sharpened, sensing the lie but letting it pass.“Do that.The board meets next week.I’d like to present your name before then.”
The waiter returned, bringing their meals.Vivian smiled again, polished and perfect.
“Congratulations, Carlene.You’ve proven yourself indispensable.”
Carlene managed a polite thank-you and stood.The night air hit her like a splash of cold water when she stepped outside.She walked toward her car, her thoughts racing.Her access to the servers, the praise, the silence, all of it connected now.
The label hadn’t been cleaning up Reed & Carr’s mess.They’d been orchestrating it.
Her hands shook as she unlocked the car.Jami’s truck was parked across the street, his familiar silhouette just visible behind the windshield.The sight of him steadied her, even as a mix of fear and anger burned in her chest.He stepped from his truck and sauntered toward her.
He’d been right not to trust this.
She took one last look at the restaurant, where Vivian sat framed in the window, still smiling like she’d won.
Not yet, Carlene thought.
Jami stopped in front of her."Everything okay?"
She swallowed the knot in her throat."It's okay."
"Just okay?"
She took a deep breath."Can we talk about it later?"
"Yes.Are you coming to the farm?"
She stared into his eyes.The dark brown was impossibly dark in the dim lighting.He was handsome, strong, and so sexy.She smiled softly."Yeah.I'm coming to the farm."
He leaned in and kissed her, then opened her car door and waited for her to get in.He closed her door securely and tapped the roof twice.She waited for him to saunter across the road to his truck before she started her car.He climbed inside and started his truck, then slowly pulled away, clearly sure she'd follow.She did.
Whatever happened next, she wasn’t going to face it alone.
ChapterTwenty-Three
Jami pulled into the long gravel drive, headlights sweeping over the dark stretch of palm trees before the house came into view.He parked near the porch, killed the engine, and waited until Carlene’s car rolled to a stop behind him.
When she stepped out, she looked smaller than usual, the faint porch light catching the tension in her shoulders.She crossed her arms like she was cold, though the night was warm.
He met her halfway.“You sure you’re okay?”
Her nod was small.“I will be.”
That wasn’t good enough for him.“Carlene.”
She looked up, and in that one glance, he saw everything she wasn’t saying: anger, disbelief, and something that looked like guilt.
