Page 64 of Carte

“Oh, yes, yes,” he waved his hand in dismissal. “We're fully aware this is false. We hired an IT company to comb through our systems. It was an internal issue. But, someone did leak that song, and they tried to frame you. Which means you’re compromised. Your entire team is. And we can’t have that. We need Harley safe. Focused on what really matters.”

“Oh for fuck sake,” Sloan exploded. “Enough of these badly veiled accusations. Here's the thing, Mr. Ryan.”

I turned to look at her, “We would like to thank you for keeping Harley safe, but we won't need your services anymore.”

My muscles locked, “She’s not safe. Whoever is after her is still at large.”

“Oh, not to worry, we hired another protection team, they come highly recommended. It's just your services that are not needed anymore.”

Bile clawed its way to my throat, burning me from inside.

They basically laid out his plan for Harley. Frank Gunn was on a mission to gain complete control of Harley’s life. He wanted her scared. Doubtful of every person who came near her. He wanted her isolated, preferably in a room somewhere where she could push song after song, making him stacks of money.

And I was an obstacle to that goal. Especially now.

I knew that fighting with them was useless. They wouldn’t change their minds, and I had a few pieces on the board they didn’t know about. I was not about to show them all my cards.

“Who did you get?”

Sloan scoffed, “I don't think that's an information that you are entitled to.”

“Humor me,” I muttered.

“Terra Security.”

The vice around my lungs loosened.

I pushed back and stood from the table itching to get back to Harley.

I grabbed the door handle when Frank's voice stopped me in my tracks, “Mr. Ryan”

I turned my head.

“You won't be allowed to enter the venues or her hotels, so it's probably best if you don't even try.”

I had a hard time staying still, and not leaping over the conference table to tear him limb from limb.

Without another word I opened the door and got the fuck out of there.

***

“What the fuck is going on?” Max demanded the moment I slid behind the wheel. “I got Matt's frantic call that some gorilla escorted him out of the venue.”

My morals ground together, “They removed us from Harley’s security team.”

Furry hit me from the left, “What?”

“They’re trying to isolate her. They don't care if she's safe. All they care about is her ability to make them money.”

“Fuck,” Max hissed. “Tell me you have a plan.”

I smiled darkly at the windshield, “They don't know about the five men team that's posing as fans, reporters and paparazzi.”

“So you still have access to her.”

I nodded, “And a way to keep her safe.”

We drove in silence for two minutes.