Page 59 of Her Filthy Mistake

“Sweetheart, you remember Ethan, right?” My father rests his hand on my lower back as he stops in front of the man in question. Like I don’t know who he is. He’s the man with the Midas touch. Every performer he takes on shoots to the top of the charts. As such, he’s one of my father’s biggest competitors and the man he wants me to cozy up to.

“Yes, I remember him.” I nod and extend my hand.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again.” Ethan wraps my hand in his and smiles as his eyes take in my appearance. Everything from the black high heels on my feet to the silver necklace dangling between my breasts.

He shifts his attention to my father while still gripping my hand. Goosebumps pebble my arms, but not the good kind of goosebumps. These are the kind that feels like someone is walking over your grave. “You have a beautiful daughter.”

“Thank you. She’s my pride and joy.” My father’s chest puffs out. The man would take a compliment about anything and run with it.

I tug slightly, and he drops my hand with a slow stroke of my palm and slightly upturned lips. “Don’t you also have a son?”

“Yes, but he’s not following in his father’s footsteps. He’s off doing his own thing.” He squeezes my side. “But Zoe here is following in her father’s path.” He pauses for a second. “Would you have time to discuss the matter we talked about?”

Ethan’s eyes narrow. “Now is not the time or place for those types of conversations.”

My father’s fingers tighten on my side, but he doesn’t say a word.

“Don’t you agree?” Ethan continues to push the point as if he’s enjoying watching my father squirm.

“Yes.” My father nods. “Absolutely. We’ll leave you to enjoy the party. Have a good evening.” His voice drips with sarcasm.

The second we step away from him, my father growls under his breath. “The man is the most pompous, arrogant man in the industry.”

“He knows his business.”

My father stops, leaving me lurching forward and having to steady my legs to keep from stumbling. “Ethan has nothing on me. Other than he had money when he started out. I had to claw my way to the top, and don’t you forget it. Of course, he can get anyone on his label. He pays twice as much as I do.”

I frown as the couple in front of us turns and stares. My voice is low so that the other guests can’t hear me. “So, what are you working on with him?”

“I have a client he wants.”

My heart thumps in my chest. “What do you mean?”

“He wants to buy out the contract of one of my clients, and I’m trying to up the ante. If he wants the group, he’s going to have to pay.”

“And who gets the difference? The client?”

“No. That’s crazy.” He looks at me like I’ve sprouted a second head. “They’ve already signed the deal, so they get nothing more. I’ll take the difference. That’s how business works.”

“I don’t understand.” My heartbeat thunders in my ears. We’ve lost a lot of clients over the years. Many thanks to Ethan James. Were they all sacrifices for my father’s coffers?

“I’m a broker. I scour the internet in search of talent. I sign them at bottom dollar and then transition them to better deals.”

“But they don’t get the additional money.” How did I never know this? Of course, once again, my head was in the sand while everything else was going on around me.

He shrugs. “In the future, they get better deals. Once their initial term is over.”

I swipe my palms over my dress as a waitress brushes between us and another group of men who’re dressed to perfection in their Italian suits. I don’t recognize them as music executives, so they must be with another group.

One of the men stops. He has dark hair and oozes confidence and wealth. “Hello, Fletcher.”

“Damon.” My father nods at him and turns to me. “Zoe, this is Damon Macklin. I’ve known him for years.”

Damon is older than me but younger than my father. Very attractive. No ring on his finger. If Daisy wasn’t already knee-deep in a messy situation from her sister’s wedding, I’d introduce them. He takes my hand and shakes it. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”

After our quick introduction, they chat for a few moments before Damon clasps my father’s shoulder. “My daughter would love that group to perform at her wedding reception in Tahoe. Let me know if that can be worked out.”

“I will.” My father nods with a slick smile on his lips.

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