Page 66 of Stars and Scars

“I just sent the encrypted file to my team. Right now I’m going through the music files we have rights to to find the right BGM.”

“You have rights to music?”

“Yeah, I got tired of using the public domain stuff. Some of it is all right, but most of it sounds terrible. Not to mention a bunch of other people have the exact same music. It was worth it to invest in some commercial properties.”

I chuckle and shake my head.

“I can’t see someone like Taylor Swift or the Rolling Stones licensing their music to you…no offense.”

“None taken,” she says with a dazzling smile. “And you’re right. The big names would want far too much money for their music. I mostly go with small studios and lesser known artists.”

“I'm surprised that you don’t get music for free, in exchange for exposure on your social media channels.”

Charlotte shakes her head.

“Paying people for their IP in the form of ‘exposure’ is just not a thing I do. People deserve to be paid for their work.”

I feel my respect for her grow even more. Charlotte is beautiful, vivacious, and she has a good moral core? It doesn’t make any sense to me. Maybe I’ve seen too much darkness in my time with the CIA. Maybe I’m just naturally suspicious of everyone.

She goes back to her phone, then pauses long enough to stare up at me.

“Um, this is going to take a while, so…”

“Say no more. I’ll find something to keep myself busy with.”

She beams a smile, and the glow in her eyes suggests that last night was just a preview of what she’s capable of in the bedroom. I look forward to putting that to the test.

As soon as I turn away from Charlotte, however, my angst comes roaring back. I’m truly worried about what might happen to her.

I’ve got to keep her safe. I can’t fail her the way I failed my sister.

I dig out my phone and hit up Malloy via text, asking if he’s got anything for me. He sends back a sorry emoji. Since when did he start using emojis? Maybe I should start using them, now that I’m hooked up with an influencer…

I shake my head and grit my teeth in a fit of self-disgust. There I go again, getting ahead of myself. Right now I need to focus on keeping Charlotte safe.

I try a few more contacts, and while I don’t get emojis back, I don’t get any solid leads, either. The Order is good at keeping themselves clandestine. Even my contacts in the intelligence circles don’t provide anything I don’t already know.

I dial up Ryker, just to see if he has any ideas about where else to gather intel. He’s more than a little annoyed with me.

“Have you even checked your messages? Harlowe sent you a text last night. She found something.”

I slap my hand across my forehead and groan.

“No, I didn’t.”

“You idiot. Call the office right away and she might still be there. How are things going with your client?”

“Good.” My delivery is awkward and stilted, which of course he notices. “I mean, just fine. Everything’s fine.”

“You aren’t sleeping with her, are you? Because that would be unprofessional.”

“Are you kidding me right now? Look who the fuck is talking! Every one of you wound up sleeping with one of your clients.”

“Technically, that isn’t true, but I see your point. Does that mean you are sleeping with her?”

I grunt non-committedly.

“I’ll give Harlowe a ring. Catch you later.”

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