Page 10 of Swan River

“Oh, Nick…I’m so sorry,” Fiadh said, putting a hand on his shoulder, true sorrow filling her for him and his family.

Nick stood and waved a hand at Alpha-Man. “This is Asher Riggs. President of Ridgeway Media Industries, which is a conglomerate of paper, TV, and radio media. He’s branching out into music, and my label is the second one he’s picked up. With all the different avenues his company has at its disposal, it’ll increase the options for The Painted Daisies beyond anything I could do for you. You’re in good hands.”

She doubted it. Nick and Tommy had already made them a worldwide, household name. What more could the suit do for them?

Alpha-Man?Asher?looked down at his watch again and frowned. “The film crew is due at the house in thirty minutes, so why are we talking about postponing?”

Neither Nick nor Tommy jumped in to defend them, so Fee did instead.

“If you must know, Adria’s sister was kidnapped, Leya was called to the Democratic Convention, and Nikki’s in bed with a migraine,” Fiadh said, not daring to mention the squabble going on between Landry and Paisley.

Asher’s jaw ticked. “I understand that music takes a bit of…creative license…in order to come to its full potential, but I will never—and I mean never—support us missing commitments. You’ve signed up to do this documentary with Ronan. The band will fulfill its obligation.”

It was said high-handedly, like a father scolding a child, and it made her stiffen even more. Her muscles were wound so tight that if someone touched her, she was sure she’d break apart. She rose, stepped closer to Asher, and twisted her head to glare up at him.

“Listen, jackoff, just because we’re artists, doesn’t mean we shirk our commitments. We’ve never jerked anyone around?press, workers, stadiums, or otherwise. Not once. But sometimes, things can’t be helped. Like a girl being fecking kidnapped. Or are you hard of hearing and missed that part?”

Her Irish accent coated her nouns and shortened her syllables in a way they hardly did anymore unless she got overly emotional.

Asher’s eyes squinted, the blue gaze landing on her and sending icy shivers down her back. Shivers that came with an overpowering awareness of everything about him. The soft hint of an earthy and yet citrusy scent that surrounded him, the way his muscles rippled beneath his suit, and the way those firm, full lips looked entirely too kissable. She despised it—everything about him.

“Adria’s absence can easily be explained,” he said, tone sharp and decisive. He shot a look at Nick and Tommy. “I already told you I thought six females in one band is too many. We should cut it down to four. This could be the start.”

What the hell? Fiadh stepped closer. “I know I did not just hear you suggest we lose two of our members?”

He didn’t even blink an eye. “It’s more cost-effective without losing the core talent.”

“And just who do you think is the core talent? Who the hell do you think we can just drop? Because our drummer happens to be pretty irreplaceable,” Fiadh growled, rage and fury flying through her. She knew if she looked in a mirror, her face would be a deep shade of red, and her freckles that normally were hard to see would be popping because of it.

His gaze flickered over her in complete silence.

“Me?” she snarled. “I’m one of the ones to get tossed?” She was going to hit him. She was going to pummel her fists into his massive, muscular chest if she had to stay there. Instead, she pushed passed him and headed for the door, tossing a “Feck you” over her shoulder.

“Fee, that isn’t what he meant,” Tommy shouted after her.

But it had been. The asshole, new owner of their label had just suggested she be removed from the band. Cut off from her family. The only people who were at her side anymore. Well, screw him. She wasn’t going anywhere.

She stomped out to the sidewalk with one of their detail on her heels. She glanced both ways down the street, searching for the dark SUVs that normally waited for them.

The bodyguard behind her said, “I’m sorry, Ms. Kane. The last car took Ms. Rojas into hiding, but Andy, who took Ms. Rani out to the farmhouse, is coming back with the Escalade. We just have to wait a couple of minutes.”

Shit. She’d planned her dramatic escape and was now stuck on the curb, twiddling her fingers like some wannabe waiting for the superstar to look her way when she was supposed to be the rock star.

The door of the studio opened behind her. Tommy and Asshole-Asher came through, followed by his doting assistant in her tight skirt and Jimmy Choos. Fiadh ignored them all as the bodyguard repeated to Tommy the reason they were waiting.

“We’ll take the limo,” Asshole-Asher said and stalked on long legs toward one parked around the corner.

“I’m not getting in a car with him, Tommy. Hell will freeze over first,” Fiadh said.

Tommy ran a hand through the bristle on his chin. “Play nice, Fee. He can make life miserable for all of us. He owns the label now. He can pull the plug, and you’ll be done recording this album altogether. The Painted Daisies will join the host of bands to have come and gone and been forgotten. You want that?”

“He’s talking about cutting some of us…cutting me!”

“Asher is just stirring the pot, seeing what falls out. He does it every time he takes over a business. The Painted Daisies are successful because of each of your unique voices, talents, and cultures coming together. He won’t carve it up into something less,” Tommy insisted.

She wasn’t so sure.

Tommy took her by the elbow and pulled her toward the limousine Asher and his little friend had disappeared into.

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