Page 3 of Layla

I keep staring at the grainy picture of her. “If I do this, I’m in charge of security. And I meanin charge. I have final authority on transportation, room assignments, all of that. This woman’s safety is my top concern, and I reserve the right to make any and all decisions relating to that—up to and including canceling appearances. I’m not spending my time arguing with suits at your label about what needs to be done.”

He’s quiet for a moment and I know he doesn’t like that. “Fine,” he says at last.

I tear my eyes away from the picture to look up at him. Nowthisguy is easy to read. He might not like the idea of my canceling her appearances or micro-managing the details of his tour, but he’ll let it happen to keep her safe. He clearly cares a great deal about her well-being. And it’s for that reason that I nod.

“Then I’m on board.”

He exhales in relief. “Good. You can start right away?”

I have everything I need in the duffle bag at my feet. “I can start now.”

Outside the door, the thumping sound of the music finally stops, and the muffled screams of the crowd get louder. “Sounds like they’re wrapping up,” Louis says, rubbing his face again. The man is clearly exhausted. “Come on. You can see the encore and then you can meet Layla.”

It almost sounds like he’s warning me, the way he says her name. Like he’s giving me one last chance to back out. And there’s a part of me that wants to. It’s so damnloudin here. But then I think about the picture I just saw, about the expression on that girl’s face. About the fact that the person who wants to hurt her was able to get so close to her. And I know there’s no backing out. I’ll do this job, whatever it takes.

I get up from my chair and follow the man out to the wings to watch the end of the Intrigue show.