Page 4 of Perfect Pitch

Individually, the women linked to LLF LLC—the entertainment law firm Carys Burke-Lennan started after she decided she was strong enough to walk away from Wildcard Entertainment and the man she loved from afar—are nothing to be messed with. As a collective, I’ve quickly realized they’re a force to be reckoned with.

Thank God, from day one, they’ve been on my side—our side, I quickly amend in my mind.

When Carys left Wildcard, she didn’t just lure her now husband, David, away. She also brought Angela Fahey, an assistant to both her and David. And, much to owner Kristoffer Wilde’s dismay, she enticed away most of his biggest clients including Zapatta, The Rind, and Beckett Miller.

Over Angie’s shoulder, I spy the imposing wood doors that lead to the inner sanctum of LLF. My lips twitch, even though a full smile doesn’t quite bloom. From experience, I know few get past those doors without her knowledge and approval.

Except, maybe, my father who Carys reamed out the first day we met for intruding on a client meeting when she demonstrated within seconds of his barging into our private meeting why she’s the best at what she does. Completely not intimidated by her ridiculously wealthy client, she snarled, “When I tell you don’t come in, there’s a damn good reason! You may be my largest client, but you’re not my only one. And you could have broken any of the ten different confidentially clauses I insert into the contracts I make other people sign—some of which are on your behalf—just by stepping foot into this office.”

I literally applauded her tirade before I took my turn lighting into him.

My father hadn’t taken it as well. Then. Now, he relishes the fact that me and my career are protected by the best in the business.

If only my heart could be protected as easily as signing a few contracts.

Angie draws back, and I study her face. Light shines so brightly in her smile that I’m unintentionally pulled from the bleakness I’ve been drowning in as of late. Anyone who knows her story couldn’t help but be thrilled about the changes life has gifted this remarkable woman who was once so damaged.

Love makes her even more beautiful, I think not for the first time.

The first time I came to this office with my mother—who was ready to throw herself in front of Angie even as she geared up to do the same for me—firmly solidified Angie’s place in my circle of trusted individuals. Her words remind me of why I’m forfeiting sleep after a late-night flight and several hours in Kitty’s chair. “Carys and your parents are waiting for you in the conference room. I already delivered coffee for all of you.” Angie swings open the door to the inner sanctum.

I call over my shoulder, “Bless you, Angie. I’ll be certain to tell Carys you’re not paid enough.”

Her laughter follows me through the heavy doors. But her “my pleasure” is muffled as I slam into the back of a man I know intimately. Everything from the cologne he wears to the feel of my chest pressed against the rippled muscles of his back fit me like they were designed specifically for me.

But were they? An insidious voice taunts me.

I paid the ultimate price for questioning his love for me, for loving him. Certainly, I know a part of me will never recover from it.

As I reel away from the impact against his powerful frame, I conclude I could be in the middle of a club, lost in a jungle, permanently blinded, and I’d be able to pick Mitchell Clifton out of a crowd. For a bleak moment, I’m drowning in a cesspool of agony wondering if our child would have inherited my blue eyes or his green ones. Would... I slam the door on those thoughts before I go down a path I can’t handle.

I know Mitch loves me. He wouldn’t have rushed down to Asheville to be by my side if he didn’t, as I worked things out before flying back to New York. But trust is difficult for me now as my emotions careened wildly out of control for months after tragedy struck.

Now, we’re back to square one, where he works as my father’s bodyguard and I’m certain I’m about to endure a lecture about accepting my own protection detail. That’s the basis for what lies between us.

Instinctively jerking away from his comforting touch, I manage to stutter, “H-hey. I didn’t look where I was going.”

Mitch’s face isn’t blank like it normally is when he happens to be on duty for my father. In this case, it’s full of fear. “How did you get here?”

Sweet anger washes my depression away. I fry him with a glare before dropping my gaze down past my flowered skirt to the pencil-heeled ankle boots I walked in from my appointment with Kitty.

“Wrong answer, Beats.”

Hearing his nickname for me causes my hard-fought composure to shatter. My lips purse. “You knew where I was.”

“And you should have called for an escort when you were done.”

“Mitch, despite delusion to the contrary, you’re not the boss of me.”

Something dark flashes behind his eyes. His voice lowers. “If that’s how you want to play it when we’re not in bed together, fine.”

I’d swear in that moment blood can freeze in an instant. Gathering myself together, I sneer, “Do you really think that’s on my mind right now?”

Without acknowledging his sharply indrawn breath, I move past him toward the open conference room door. I slip inside to find the room filled with people I know have my best interest at heart—always. Carys, who has been my legal counsel since my career began to skyrocket, winks at me as she continues a debate with Caleb Lockwood, co-owner of Hudson Investigations—a private investigations and protective services firm my family contracts with. Next to Caleb is another of Hudson’s co-owners, Colby Hunt, who is talking quietly with Charlie.

Charlie made sure my carry-on was dropped at Kitty’s since I was running late, giving me a chance to change out of the sweats I was in when we landed at Teterboro. Bless you, Charlie. I don’t know how or why, but I relax marginally as I stare at the man who has been by my side almost since the beginning of the roller coaster I jumped on when I moved to this city.

Angie comes up behind me and murmurs, “Charlie’s the best.”

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