Page 66 of Movers and Shakers

“I hate to disappoint you,” I said as I shut my office door, “but she’s not—‍”

“Can it,” Mia stated abruptly. “I am well aware that she was here writing her next album, considering you match the guy in her songs, and her phone was here almost every day. Once she disappeared, I knew she would come running to you. Now, talk some sense into her before she does something incredibly stupid.”

“Incredibly stupid? Or do you mean incredibly brave? Because the way I see it, she’s entirely justified to do exactly what she plans to do after what she witnessed tonight.”

“So, you admit that she’s here.”

“I admit that I knowexactlywhat’s going on.”

“Oh, do you? Have you ever considered that she could be lying?”

“The only thing I’m considering is publicly kicking you out and making sure you never return. I won’t be telling you a damn thing about Lila, much less let you take her back to LA where she’s miserable.”

“I wouldn’t be making threats,” she said. “I’ve been making media statements for her for longer than you’ve owned this shitty bar and I can twist this into whatever I want.”

“And I’ve been dealing with manipulators like you for just as long. Listen carefully, Mia. I. Don’t. Care.”

Her eyes widened a fraction and I prepared for her next wave of bullshit. But the door to my office opened.

And Lila barged in.

“You have a lot of fucking nerve coming here.” Her voice was like ice.

“You have a lot of nerve firing me,” Mia retorted. “But thank you for coming out of hiding. That means I can more easily drag your ass back to a jet.” She grabbed Lila’s arm tightly. Rage tunneled my vision.

“Don’t fucking touch her.”

She turned to me, a cruel smile on her face. “Try to stop me.”

I was tempted to step in physically, but something in the back of my mind told me Mia was expecting that.

I wasn’t sure what to do for a moment, then I remembered what Ruth had done when her boss illegally fired her.

“You’re cool with me recording this, right?” I asked as I took out my phone.

Mia froze, and I hit the button to start filming.

“Cool. So, let’s continue. You were dragging Lila Wilde out of my office against her will?”

Lila wrenched her arm out of Mia’s. “Yes, she was.”

“Anything else to say?” I asked Mia.

She slowly turned, glowering at Lila. “You’re coming back to LA with me.”

“No. Not after what you did. I fired you for your inappropriate behavior. You shouldn’t be here.”

“You have a contract with me. I’m not fired.”

“I can break the contract.”

“Oh, you definitely can’t. I made that thing ironclad. You’re stuck with me.”

Lila blinked, mouth open. It was time for me to step in.

“A contract, huh?” I asked. “I think I know a few lawyers who can look at it.”

“Huh?” Lila said. “You have a lawyer?”

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