Page 187 of Off Limits Mogul

“Enough of the self-loathing.”

“No point in downplaying it,” she says. “I brought this on myself. I screwed up. Again.” She crosses her arms over her chest and averts her gaze.

“Look at me.”

She ignores my command.

“Come on, Keira, look at me.”

Her eyes meet mine.

“Holt’s lawyers in London are on it,” I say.

“I was naïve and arrogant to think I called the shots. This recording contract with Holt might end up being nothing more than a pipe dream at this rate. I haven’t even signed on the dotted line and already, I’m trouble.”

“You’renottrouble.” I want her to shake this crazy idea out of her head. “There’s a reason Holt has badass lawyers in the US and in London. You think you’re the first artist to go head-to-head with a recording label? Hardly. It’s only been a week. These things take time.”

Not surprising, record labels came knocking at her door. The offers were tempting, but she trusts Holt. So do I.

She lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m too impatient, I guess.”

“With good reason.” I cup her nape and look deep into her eyes. “You get to sing the type of songs you were born to sing.”

“It would break my heart if this deal with Holt fell through––”

“It won’t. Holt will wait.”

She nods.

I skim her cheek with my knuckles, brushing my way to her chin. I lift it, forcing her eyes to lock onto mine. Her soft plump lips are tempting, but her nude lipstick is too perfectly appliedto smear. I fight the urge to kiss her. “No one is going to take away your dreams. I won’t let it happen.”

“You’re an amazing man, Rhys Hartford. I’m so lucky to call you mine.”

“No more than I’m lucky to callyoumine.” I tap the tip of her nose. “To keep things into perspective, SCORE—and tonight—would never have happened if it wasn’t for my own collection of screw-ups, and Beckett’s.”

She offers a small smile.

I’ll take it.

Keira never mentioned she owed a substantial amount of money to her former record company. Nor did she mention she never sought legal advice before walking away from her contract. The only reason they didn’t come after her sooner is because they had no idea where she was hiding. Until the legal matters are sorted out, she’s stilltheirartist, therefore she can’t sign under Holt’s label. I didn’t have the heart to scold her for holding back on me, but I was royally pissed off. Open-ended loops can come back to bite you in the ass. I appreciate her unwillingness to take advantage of me, but what’s the point of having an obscene amount of money at my disposal if I can’t help my girl? Since finding out, I used my power and influence to deal with this shit.

“Mark my words, the face of SCORE Yours will win an American Music Award trophyanda Grammy.”

“Rhys, that’s dreaming big,” she says.

“I know it in here.” I tap against my heart. “It’ll happen.”

For the few remaining miles, we ride in silence, fingers interlaced, eyes focused outside, lost to the scenery.

“Oh gosh, this is it. We’re here,” Keira says when Building 22 comes into view.

“As we discussed, Mr. Hartford, once we get out of the limo, Officer Dalton and I will flank you and Miss Weatherly,”Officer Kaminski says. He’s been so quiet since we drove away from the Rodeo Drive high-end jeweler’s shop, I almost forgot he was sitting in the passenger seat. Almost. He’s one of the two armed police officer-slash-bodyguards assigned to make sure nothing happens to the bling. “We’ll stand back just enough for photo ops, but we can’t give Miss Weatherly too much leeway. We need to keep our eyes on the jewelry at all times.”

“I understand,” I say.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Kiera says. “I’m walking lunch money.”

I chuckle.