Page 83 of Finding Emotion

Skylar turned in her chair to stare at him. “You can’t seriously be worrying about me again.”

“Your issues are as important as mine.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Knowing what your options are is a necessary first step.”

“I’ve taken on Skylar as an official client, Dame. Unless she has you sign paperwork…” Trenton’s gaze moved to her.

Skylar hesitated. She trusted Damon, she knew she did, and it wasn’t like she was going to air details in front of Trenton, details that weren’t in the contract.

Damon had already risen from his seat. He squeezed her hand before releasing it. “No problem. I planned on waiting in the lounge.” There was no hesitation in his step as he left the room.

Damon had told her time and again—only what she felt comfortable telling him.

“I was able to obtain copies of your contracts, Ms. Reece,” Trenton said. “And I think I found a few options for you.”

She smiled at the use of her last name. She was only a one-name star and hadn’t heard it for a while. “It’s just Skylar. You can call me that.”

Trenton paused, but nodded with a smile. “I have a feeling we’ll see a lot of each other, even outside this professional relationship. Now, here, I’ve highlighted some phrasing that I want to go over with you.”

Her mind was reeling with jargon by the end of it, words that Trenton explained carefully and patiently, but it all boiled down to one thing. “So I can do this?”

“Yes. If you decide separating from Casemore Records is in your best interests, it can be done. There’s a cost, but—”

Skylar waved that away. “Money I’ve got.” Mandy could tell her exactly how much. Since she never spent any, it would be fine. “What about on their side? There’s another artist that’s supposed to have kind of a—” She swallowed, her throat going dry. “Well, a gag clause or something. So he keeps his fucking mouth shut.”

Trenton sat back in his desk chair. He studied her, and she shifted in her seat. “Are we discussing a nondisclosure agreement? There are many types of NDAs, and that is something we can pursue.” He pulled a notepad closer, raising the pen that he’d been using to help underline phrasing. “What specifically would you like in this agreement?”

“It doesn’t have to be detailed, does it?” Skylar reached for the copy of her contract that had been printed out. It didn’t have the language she had thought. Sure, it said she needed to agree to any interactions in writing, but nothing about nondisclosure or whatever. “Shit, was it never in here?” That was okay, she told herself as her head began to pound. It was probably only in Jack’s contract, since his father knew she’d never say a word. Only did they even have a contract together, since he was his son?

Trenton put down his pen. “Skylar? Would you like some water?” He was already getting up, moving to a mini fridge she hadn’t seen in the corner. He handed her a cold bottle, and she held it in her hands for a moment, taking a deeper breath. Trenton sat down beside her in the chair Damon had vacated.

His brow creased as he considered his words. He cleared his throat. “NDAs, outside of business purposes, can be difficult to enforce. If there is any type of illegal activity in the situation you’re concerned about, then the contract would be null and void even before the ink dried.”

“Oh, shit.” Skylar closed her eyes. Rape sure as hell was illegal, and there had also been drugs that night. “So nothing’s kept him quiet this whole time?”

“Not contractually, no, though if it was criminal…” Trenton let the word hang.

Skylar opened her eyes to study him. “Did Damon—” She bit her lip hard. No. She didn’t doubt him. Damon wouldn’t have run his mouth. “Never mind.”

“He wouldn’t break a confidence if you shared one with him,” Trenton confirmed. “Your face held a momentary expression, that was all. One I’m familiar with.”

“Great,” Skylar muttered. She was starting to give shit away herself.

“May I offer some unsolicited advice?” Trenton asked.

Skylar sighed. “Fuck, it can’t hurt.”

“The only way to escape this fear is to speak your own truth first. That removes any power you think he has.” He patted her hand and rose to move back behind the desk.

He was so fucking right, but even the idea of it terrified her.

Trenton sat, organizing the papers in front of him. “Would you like me to proceed with what I’ve outlined before?”

“Shit, yes. Expedited, if that’s possible.” She sat up straighter. “Oh, right, and can you whip up an employment contract between me and Mandy? I want my manager to be all official again so I can pay her.”

Trenton smiled. “That should be no problem. It’s sweet that you want to do right by her.”

Skylar frowned. “I’m not sweet. That’s all Damon.”

“Of course.” But the lawyer continued to grin at her in a way that she found annoying.

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