Page 18 of Líadan's Code

Tyler Mallard is one of the most laid back men I’ve ever met. He’s generally protective, but is willing to let Layla figure out her shit. I’m still missing information, and it’s clear Karina isn’t going to give it to me easily.

My niece is also anything but a royal princess.

“Since you’ve started, please tell me what else my niece is up to. Clearly, I’m not up to speed,” I lie.

Laurence holds back a snort as he listens, hearing my tactic of getting her to talk indiscriminately.

“Tyler is always traveling with us, and she refuses to spend any time with us,” she continues. “I also think their relationship is affecting the music. Layla doesn’t sound the same anymore.”

Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. Fucking twatwaffling liar. I just watched one of their concerts the other day. I didn’t tell anyone I was going, I just wanted to see Lay. My schedule has been insane lately.

I think it’s time for a visit soon. Even if I need to drag Layla to Los Angeles to get one.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say noncommittally. “What else?”

Happy to hear I’m listening and obviously still high, she goes off on a tangent about missed rehearsals and other grievances.

“My niece has never missed a rehearsal in her life,” I growl. “It sounds as if these are things you’ve done. You also fucked up when you said that she’s been having sex in the wings before performances. Layla isn’t quite the exhibitionist that Lennon and her men are. It was a very nice try, though.”

Karina mutters under breath about nepotism in the label, which is also a lie. Layla has worked very hard to get to where she is now.

“I don’t think this is working out, Karina,” I begin.

“You can’t fire us!” she screams. “Fucking hell, Mr. Miles, this isn’t fair!”

“Good morning, Karina,” Laurence drawls, making himself known. “I don’t think show business is really about what’s fair, do you? The image you’re currently projecting is bad for the label.”

“You won’t be able to find anyone else!” she screeches.

My mind is already ahead of her as I think about the male band members who are currently without a singer. I know Layla will hate it, but it’s about time she moved past her previous issues with Atlas and Mav.

She doesn’t think I’ve noticed the painful lyrics in her songs, but I witnessed them at her show. I found myself brushing away tears as I experienced her torment in some of her songs. Since Tyler would rather tear off a limb rather than hurt her, I have a pretty strong sense of who the lyrics are about.

Fucking Mav and Atlas.

“I already have replacements in line,” I state, interrupting her. “I don’t believe we’ll be needing you any further.”

Karina loses her shit, and I can see Allen attempting to count in his head. Of any of us, he’s the one with anger issues.

“Enough!” he yells finally. “You won’t find any more work with our label, Karina. This behavior is reprehensible. We are ripping up your contract. Goodbye.”

I swear, disconnecting that call immediately helps my blood pressure begin to settle. God, I hate these calls.

“Now that’s over,” I say with a wicked smile,“who wants to play God with me?”

Laurence laughs as he nods. “As titans in the music industry, it’s been awhile since we’ve done that. What do you have in mind?”

“So, I was thinking about flying Draven, Atlas, and Mav home. It seems our girl needs a new band.”

Allen crosses his arms over his chest, his nearly colorless blue eyes gazing at me. “Oh, she’ll hate that,” he mutters. “Tell me how we’ll get her to agree.”

“We simply make them her only option, and make sure she doesn’t know it’s them until it’s too late,” I explain. “They’ll either fall madly in love and invite me to their wedding or kill each other. Either way, Layla is still hurting over the bullshit involving them.”

“She may roll over for Karina’s shit, but I doubt she’ll do the same for them. Life’s been a bit boring,” Allen agrees. “Let’s fuck shit up.”

Smirking, I explain my plan.

Sorry, baby girl. Time to bring back some ghosts from your past.

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