Page 19 of Ravaged By Lust

“Ugh.” I hate taking compliments.

“So, tell me, why haven’t you performed for me before?” he asks.

“Because I’m shy, Axel. I’m worried about choking up.”

My brother narrows his eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“I just find performing in public something really hard to do,” I reply.

Maddie turns to me. “Hey, Chloe, from one introvert to another, I understand.”

“You girls,” Axel moans.

“I think I’ll have another glass of wine,” I say. Axel pours me one, watching me. I know he’s thinking about Bishop, but I also know he won’t say anything about the man. We don’t ever talk about Axel’s best friend, or what went down between us all those years ago.

“So, what’s the real reason you’re here in Los Angeles?” Axel asks me. “You’ve told me multiple times you don’t like the place and all the fakery here. Surely, you’re not just here to see a not-very-visibly pregnant Maddie?”

“Hey, of course I want to see Maddie. You’ve hidden her from me. She’s all Mom talks about at home.”

“Thank you, Chloe,” Maddie says.

“You’ve made quite an impression on Mom when she came to visit,” I reply. “She really likes you.”

“There must be something else, Chloe,” Axel interrogates.

Damn. He knows me too well.

“Well, because of the viral video, I do have a meeting scheduled. They wanted me to fly out here pretty quick to meet them.”

“A music producer wants to meet you?” Axel asks, his eyebrow raising. “Which one?”

“Yeah. Mickey Miller.”

“Amazing!” Maddie claps her hands together.

Axel's face drops.

“He’s Ravaged’s producer,” he whispers.

“I had a feeling he was,” I reply.

“He’s a scary dude, Chloe,” my brother warns. “But he’s the best in the business.”

“Well, I have a meeting with him all booked. I think he might want me as a client.”

“And all because of this video?” Maddie asks.

“Yep.”

“Why don’t you talk to this producer guy for Chloe?” Maddie questions her brother. “I’m sure a good word from you will help. He does represent you, after all.”

“We don’t see him much,” Axel explains. “And, from his reputation, he’s not one of those types who takes kindly to requests. He’s not a fan of nepotism.”

“I’ve always wanted to achieve things on my own anyway,” I say. “Without the help of my brother being in one of the biggest bands on the planet.”

“That’s a noble trait,” Maddie remarks, nodding.

“Trust me, Chloe,” Axel tells me. “A single word from Mickey Miller can make or break someone’s career.”