Page 3 of Bewitched By the Siren (The Bewitching Hour #1)

CHAPTER THREE

Brendan

I can take a hint. I can also take a direct rejection.

Not that I’m giving up. Not by a long shot. But I know when to take a step back and try to come at a problem from a new direction.

I walk behind Hali slowly, giving her time to put a comfortable amount of space between us. I don’t want her to think I’m following her. I’m not. She just so happens to be going in the same direction as my rental house.

I need to find a way to convince her to hear me out.

Her show was amazing, her talent unmatched.

Signing her would be a coup for the agency and has the potential to skyrocket my career.

Not to mention her own career. Why would she not want a record deal?

Every performer wants that, right? The money, the fame, millions of adoring fans…

she could have it all if she’d just give me a chance to help her.

As she reaches the house I’ve rented, she looks over her shoulder for the first time since dismissing me. Her eyes widen, then narrow before she spins to face me as I approach. A deep frown mars her beautiful face as she taps a toe against the gravel road, waiting for me to reach her.

“This is getting ridiculous,” she says, the words coming out on an angry hiss. “Stop following me. No means no, asshole.”

I can’t suppress my grin as I stop in front of her. I could see why she’d be fearful, having a stranger follow her down a dark, empty street, but she’s not. She just looks pissed.

I jerk my thumb toward the house we’re standing in front of, saying, “I’m not following you, Hali. This is me.”

Her eyes widen as her mouth forms a silent “O.” Her expression is so incredulous, I have to fight not to laugh as her head swivels, her gaze moving from me to the house and back to me again.

“No,” she breathes.

“Yes,” I reply, though I’m sure she doesn’t really need the confirmation.

Her posture stiffens as her frown returns, and through tight lips, she grunts, “Great. Just great.”

Without another word, she spins around and stalks toward the small house next door. It’s my turn to be surprised when she stomps up the steps to the front door, pulls out her keys to unlock the door, then disappears through it before closing the door softly behind her.

Did I really rent the house directly next door to Hali’s? Could I really be that lucky? Talk about fate.

My grin grows so wide, it makes my cheeks hurt. Hali was right, even though she was being facetious. This is great .

Whistling out a jaunty tune, I jog up the steps to my rental and let myself inside. I thought I’d have to wait until next weekend to see Hali again, but with her living right next door? I’m bound to see her every day. I’ll have multiple chances to convince her.

Which I’ll need, considering how stubborn she’s being.

My smile drops as I check the time. It’s just after eight p.m. in California, and Julius will be expecting an update from me tonight.

I have to call him, and I’m dreading it.

He’s not one to mince words, and I’m sure he’ll have plenty to say once I tell him how thoroughly I struck out with Hali tonight.

Sitting on the edge of the couch, I pull out my phone with a sigh and call my boss.

“Howser. Tell me you have good news,” he says by way of a greeting when he answers on the first ring.

“I saw her perform, sir, and she’s even more talented than we’d hoped.”

“Why haven’t you sent the video, yet?” he asks, his no-nonsense tone even gruffer than usual.

I stifle a groan and rub a palm down my face before saying, “I didn’t get one. The bar has a strict no-recording policy when she’s on stage. I’m guessing that’s why there’s no footage of Hali performing anywhere.”

“No-recording rule?” he asks, and I can tell I’ve surprised him.

And not in a good way.

“No-recording rule?” he repeats, his voice louder and angrier than I’ve ever heard. “Are you fucking serious?”

“I’m sorry Mr. Bray,” I say quickly. “The table I chose was right up front and there was no way to sneak a recording without being caught. I’ll get it next weekend, for sure.”

I don’t tell him that I didn’t even try. That as soon as Hali said “put those phones away,” I slid mine into my pocket without even trying to defy her. Like I had no choice in the matter.

I can’t explain it to myself, much less to Julius. Perhaps I was just star-struck by her beauty and stage presence. So stunned by her, I didn’t think. Whatever it was, I can’t let it happen again. If I do, Julius may fire me on the spot.

“You better get me that video, Howser. Friday night. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir,” I say automatically. “I won’t let you down again.”

“See that you don’t,” he says, and a beeping sound in my ear tells me he’s ended the call.

“Shit,” I breathe, dropping my hand to my lap and staring at the black screen.

I’ve got to find a way to record her secretly.

Maybe I can wear a shirt with a front pocket and slide my phone into it with the lens pointing toward the stage?

Or get a pair of those glasses with a built-in camera like some kind of spy?

Or if neither of those would work, I could just get an audio recording.

If Julius could hear her voice, he’d be salivating over her, sight unseen.

Just the thought of going against Hali’s wishes leaves my stomach clenching. It feels like a violation. A betrayal. But what choice do I have?

Shit. I can’t send him anything until I convince her to at least consider signing with us. Because if he hears her voice, and I can’t reel her in, he’ll probably fire me, anyway, and send someone else to close the deal. Hell, he might even come, himself.

I steel my spine. I have six days to try to bring her around before her next performance. To show her that I have her best interests at heart and that I really want to help her.

That signing with me, having me and the Bray Agency in her corner will make her life so much better. That I can give her the whole world.

I can do this. I have to.