Page 97 of Spotlight Hearts

There’s a faint crackle through the speaker, then his voice again. “And it’s not enough.”

Luca shifts beside me, tension rolls off of him in waves. I glance over at him, and his jaw is locked tight.

“Define not enough.” I say carefully.

Harry doesn’t even hesitate. “I need escalation.”

The word is so clinical and detached. He clearly doesn’t view us as anything but a number for him to push higher.

“Fans are already saying it could be calculated to fight the rumors swirling after Luca was seen outside that bar,” he continues. “If we don’t push this further, the narrative stalls, and we lose all momentum.”

I grind my teeth. Luca crosses his arms and narrows his gaze at the phone. If looks could kill, Harry would be dead in his office in California through the voice connection alone.

“What exactly are you asking for?”

There’s a pause this time that feels planned.

“Something that feels less controlled,” Harry says. “More intimate. Behind-the scenes, if you will. Content that proves this isn’t just a performance.”

Michael clears his throat, and Min-ho pushes off of the wall, his mouth dropping open. The air in the room shifts completely, and although he doesn’t say the words outright, he doesn’t have to.

Luca lets out a short laugh, shaking his head. “You want a sex tape.”

Tasha flinches. Michael mutters something under his breath. And Harry exhales through the line as if he’s already annoyed with Luca.

“I want authenticity.”

Luca steps forward, leaning as close to the speaker as he can. His movements appear relaxed, but I am pretty sure he’s not fooling any of us.

“Yeah,” he says quietly. “Then here’s some authenticity for you.”

He leans down even closer to the speaker, his lips almost brushing the surface with his next words.

“You can get fucked.”

The room goes dead silent. The only sound is the low hum of the air conditioning and the faint buzz of Harry on the other end of the line.

My pulse kicks up as we wait for Harry’s response. Something warm twists inside my chest. I don’t want our private life out any more than he does.

“You’re under contract.”

Michael leans forward. “I’m pretty sure the contract doesn’t say sex on tape. Like what the actual fuck is wrong with you, dude? Luca and Kai are actual people. Escalating could be Min-ho and me giving interviews or some shit. Jesus Christ.”

“Yeah, I’d do an interview. I’ve seen them together.”

Harry exhales again, slower this time.

“Fine. Keep the chemistry natural if that’s what you want. But the numbers better stay up. If they drop, we revisit this conversation.”

The line goes dead.

Tasha rubs her temples. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what he was going to want. But Michael’s right, your contract doesn’t say anything like that. It says promotional activities, and last time I checked, you’re a boy band not porn stars.”

I lift my shoulders in a half shrug. I know Tasha is in the same spot we are, and taking anything out on her would be like shooting the messenger.

“At least Harry didn’t get what he wanted.” Michael stands up, stretching. “And I can tell the reporters how sickeningly sweet you two are in private.”

Luca lets out a short laugh, but there’s no real humor in it. His hand finds mine, fingers lacing tight. I squeeze back once, grounding us both.