Chuckling, I say, “Or something. Take a good look, Veronica. The four people sitting at this table are now the owners of IRL.”
Her face contorts into an ugly, mutinous expression. Then she laughs. “This is a joke, right?”
I push my copy of the sale agreement over to her. She leafs through it, disgust emanating from her every pore. She looks up. “How?”
“It doesn’t matter how. The four of us own the company and that’s a fact.”
With a flick of her wrist, the contract is flung across the table. “I suppose I’m fired now?”
“Believe it or not, no. You have Niles to thank for that.”
“So you’re keeping me around to torture me? Some kind of payback?”
The corner of my mouth twitches into a wry grin, because there’s nothing I’d like more. “Not exactly, but if that’s what floats your boat.”
“Maybe I’ll just quit then.”
“You won’t. You’re making a killing off us. Nobody in their right mind would give that up.”
Her eyes perk up. “So you admit you need me.”
“We need each other, Veronica.”
Her lips pucker. She’s hates it when we call her that. “If you wouldn’t mind, I prefer Ronni.”
My insides are bursting with laughter, but I hold it together. I swear to God saying those words was like eating a forkful of dog shit for her.
“No problem, Ronni.”
“I’m not going to kiss your asses, you know.”
“We don’t expect you to. But you will treat us with respect, as you do Niles. Just as you would any superior. And we won’t tolerate you telling us whom we can and can’t look at, date, marry, or fuck. Is that clear?”
“If you think I’m calling you Mr. Campbell, think again.” She’s trying not to show it, but I know this is killing her. She takes another look around the table. “Why isn’t Brad here?”
“He’s leaving Reckless Alibi,” Garrett says.
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Since when?”
“He told us a while ago.”
“And you’re just telling me this now?” She turns her back to us and gazes out the window. She’s obviously trying to hold it together.
“He’s staying on until we can find a replacement,” Crew says. “We’ll start looking soon.”
“I have a list of candidates for every single one of your positions in a folder in my office.”
The four of us shake our heads. “Of course you do,” I say. “You are free to submit names to us, but we’ll be the ones choosing Brad’s replacement. You’re welcome to a vote. But let’s face it, it won’t hold nearly as much weight as it would have yesterday.”
I watch her throat as she swallows hard. “Is that all, or do you want me to fetch you coffee?” she says sarcastically.
“I think that’s it for now,” Bria says. But before Ronni reaches the door, she adds, “Oh, and you can call me Bria from now on. No more Brianna unless we’re in public.”
Ronni exits without another word. I twirl my chair around a few times. She was right. This does feel like Christmas.
Chapter Fifty-two
Ella
Watching Liam onstage is my favorite thing to do, but he’s been different this last month. Since the incident with Don, he scans the audience for more than just me. He’s looking for him. Even though he’s paying a pretty penny for round-the-clock surveillance, he’s afraid Don might show up.
Tonight is one of Reckless Alibi’s last club performances. They have two songs in the top 100, and their albums are getting more popular every day. From here on out, they’ll only play larger venues or make special appearances. Despite Ronni being a royal pain in the ass, she has come through for them, and they’ve gone ahead with planning another tour. Although I’m less than pleased they kept her on, they’ve assured me she’s the best at what she does.
I sit at a table in front with Jeremy, wondering what it will be like when they play for thousands of fans, not hundreds. When they won’t be able to walk into a restaurant without being recognized. When my greatest claim to fame will be that I’m Liam Campbell’s girlfriend.
Sometimes I wish things could stay the way they are. I worry about what fame could do to someone like Liam, with his sordid past. He’s no stranger to drugs and alcohol. On the other hand, I want him to get everything he’s worked so hard for. I made a promise to save him if he ever needs saving.
He gazes at me during the final song, and I wonder if he’s