Page 6 of Stolen Voices

A hot, angry boss.

I internally roll my eyes at myself. The man is hot, but I can’t go there. I force myself to recall the way he glared at me, dousing the flames that he’d brought to life inside me.

As if he can feel me staring, Eli turns his wild and aggravated gaze to me.

What the hell is wrong with this man?

Never have I met such hostility without even speaking a word. Sure, I let Silla dictate my life, but I have my reasons. Reasons no one knows about and never will. For protection, it has to stay that way.

But this man? A man I don’t know and who doesn’t know a thing about who I really am will not push me around. No matter how hot he is or what he can do for my career.

I stare back at him, unable to break the connection, and step through the conference room door with poise. He tilts his head to the side. I mimic his movement. The colorful depths of his contrasting eyes glow as an invisible cord begins to coil and wind around my ribs, drawing me closer to the vexed man I’ve found myself entranced by.

“Callie, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Hudson says, stepping in front of me and breaking the strange spell his colleague has on me. He holds out his hand for me to shake.

“You as well, Mr. Campbell.” I place my hand in his, and I can’t help myself from grinning at Hudson.

There’s something about him that feels trustworthy and puts me at ease. He’s a few inches shorter than Eli and just as handsome, with sandy-brown hair and a kind smile. He looks an awful lot like Glenn Powell, but when I gaze into his kind, green eyes, my insides don’t light up like the night sky on the Fourth of July.

“Please, call me Hudson.” With his thumb, he gestures over his shoulder and steps aside, revealing his grumpy business partner. “This is Eli.”

“Ladies.” One word, and all the hairs on my arm stand on end at the rough and gritty sound of Eli’s voice, sending shivers down my spine. “Shall we get started?”

“Yes, let’s.” Hudson claps his hands and pulls out a chair for me, revealing an annoyed-looking Eli, who is watching me with shrewd eyes as he grips the pen in his hand so tightly his knuckles turn white.

Ignoring the grouch across the table, I take the seat, placing my journal in front of me. Hudson repeats the process for Silla, who takes the chair beside me.

“We’re excited to meet with you, and discuss the prospect of working together, and our vision for your career going forward,” Hudson says.

Because I have an established career that’s growing faster than Silla can manage on her own, I’m fortunate to be in a position where agencies are pitching to me. Few do. There are thousands of talented people in the world who would sign a contract in a heartbeat.

Hudson walks around the room to sit beside Eli as Desmond places glass-bottled water in front of me and my manager. I glance at the perfectly fine, filled pitcher in the center of the table before glowering in disgust at the ten-dollar bottle.

“We’ll see,” Silla cuts in, always reminding me of her dark presence.

Ignoring her—and the water—I nod at Hudson to continue. “I like the sound of that.”

Hudson slides me and Silla each a bound copy of the mapped-out career trajectory they have worked up on my behalf, and a copy of the contract. He talks about Blaze Talent Agency, their mission, how they work with their clients, and what kind of representation they offer.

Eli remains quiet during Hudson’s pitch, brooding in his seat. Every so often, I can feel his eyes on me. I force myself to keep my focus on Hudson, but I can’t ignore Eli’s presence or the way my body heats under his gaze.

At the end of the presentation, Silla is practically foaming at the mouth as she adds up all the dollar signs.

I grab the pen, and my heart beats in my chest, threatening to claw its way out. My dad’s gentle face pops into my head, reminding me of why I must do this. If only he were here. He’d be able to protect me, ensure I wasn’t about to be used by someone I’m supposed to trust.

“Before we get to signing, why don’t you tell us what you expect from working with us?” Eli cuts in.

For you to help me escape this living nightmare.

My eyes cut to Eli’s wild ones as he steeples his index fingers by his bottom lip, his elbows resting on the table. He looks regal in his black leather chair as he stares at me, awaiting my answer.

Under the table, Silla grips my thigh with her claws—a silent signal to keep my mouth shut. She leans forward, purposefully putting her cleavage on display. “To make money, of course.”

I fight the bile rising in my throat as she throws her head back and laughs, but I keep my eyes on Eli. On the untamed ocean and uncharted forest looking back at me. The color swirling in the depths of his irises changes as Eli quirks a brow.

Hudson chokes back a cough, and the room falls silent. A second later, Silla realizes she missed her mark with these two.

“I’m kidding, of course,” she tries to recover. She grits her teeth and produces a fake smile. “Callie has the voice of an angel that needs to be shared. She wants to be a singing sensation. A global singing sensation.”