by Maxa,L. P.
Jacks hung his head. “Maybe if I could have talked to her, maybe I could have… I would have wanted the baby, I would have. I mean, shit, I could have at least held her hand.” Bryan put her arm on Jacks’ back and he turned to her, hiding his face in her neck.
I was at a loss. I didn’t know what to do, what to say to make it all better. I tilted my head back, searching for direction from Luke. But his sad eyes were on his bandmates, grieving these things with them. When I looked across the room at Lexi, I found her eyes already on me. They weren’t sad or jumbled like everyone else’s. They were fierce and determined.
“What’s our next move?” Lexi asked between gritted teeth. “Assuming all this is true and the label has been paying people off left and right and not letting y’all defend yourselves, or mourn your losses. What do we do?”
“We fucking make a call and drop our label.” Dash stood up and reached for his phone.
“No.” Lexi put her hand over the top of it, still looking at me. “Lo. You tell us what to do. You know him better than anyone else here.”
It was ridiculous that I did know him better than anyone here. I’d barely spent any time with the man over the last nine years, yet he was so damn easy to read I knew exactly what to do. “We get dressed and we go to the gala.” A smile spread over Lexi’s face and I couldn’t help but mirror it. “We go to the gala and we honor Riffraff Records.”
***
The New York City Business of the Year gala was held at the premier event location: the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A place I hadn’t visited since I was a child. The band looked amazingly rock star chic in their custom-fit tuxes. Luke especially. I was having a hard time keeping my hands to myself around him.
“Easy, Pix. First we destroy your father and then we go find a hallway.” He nuzzled my neck in that way he knew drove me crazy. “Please tell me that you aren’t wearing anything under that sexy dress.”
The dress I’d picked for tonight was skintight black lace with slits up both thighs and no back. “It’s literally impossible to be wearing anything under this dress, kid.”
He growled and headed off to the bar when he saw my father walk in the door. He spotted me immediately and stalked over. “What are you doing here?”
I raised an eyebrow. “I’m here with my boyfriend. You remember him from this morning, right? His name is Luke.”
He glanced down. “What the hell are you wearing?”
“A dress.” I patted his arm. “Are you okay, Dad? You seem really confused.”
“I thought I told you to stay away from Matthews and the rest of those deviants.” He was talking to me, but his eyes were searching the room, looking for someone to schmooze. Story of my life.
I sighed. “See, that’s so weird, because I thought I told you to fuck off.”
He grabbed my arm, digging his fingers into my flesh. “I won’t have any daughter of mine dating some drug-addicted low-life rock star. Do you know how that looks?”
“You own a record label. If you think so poorly of musicians, why did you devote your life to making them rich?” I was starting to get a headache.
“Don’t be naïve, Harlow. The label was a good investment, but it was your mother’s idea and her inheritance that started it. Once I got her to step away I began to turn a profit. All those stupid hippies she signed were dragging us down. I’m in this business for the monetary value and for that only. And you were right. The Devil’s Share has made me a lot of money, scandals and payoffs aside. But either—”
“Why did you keep all that from them? Why didn’t you go to the band, go to the guys and give them a chance to defend themselves? To tell their truths?” I needed to know. I had to know just how big of an asshole my dad was. How far gone his morals had fallen for the sake of greed and power.
“Hard-core partying rock stars sell out stadiums and crash iTunes when their records become available for download. Rock stars with babies strapped to their chests and their consciences working overtime don’t.” He shook my arm slightly. “Which is why you drop him, or I’ll drop them all.”
I knew my father was distant and cold, I knew that he valued assets above people. But everything I learned about him today had made me sick to my stomach. I gave him a sad smile. “Good-bye, Dad.” I left him standing there and headed to join the band. He’d sealed his own fate.
Luke was standing, waiting for me. “You okay, Pix?”
I nodded. “I’m fine.” I looked over at Lexi. “He knew everything, and he manipulated the band from the beginning. Go ahead, take him down.”
I had wanted to be one hundred percent sure we were doing the right thing, and after talking to my dad just now, I knew we were. My father had hurt more people than I could even count on his rise to the top—the first two being me and my mom—and it was high time someone knocked him back down where he belonged.
I sat between Lex and Bryan as the guys headed up to present Riffraff Records with the Business of the Year award.
Chapter Forty-one
Luke
Dash stepped up to the podium, clearing his throat to address the large black-tie crowd. I stayed in the shadows with our special guest of honor. “We are all here tonight to honor a New York institution, Riffraff Records.” He waited for the applause to die down before he continued. “Growing up, like a lot of kids, I dreamed of being a musician. I dreamed of being in a band and traveling the world with my friends. And in that childhood dream, Riffraff Records was the label we strived for. They were edgy and hip and outside the box. They built their reputation on these really amazing artists who had something to say, had a voice that needed to be heard.” He looked over at Miller and let out a sad sigh. “But over the years, Riffraff changed. The halls are filled with more suits than musicians, and focus strayed from art to money. A New York landmark lost its heart, and its soul followed closely after.” He straightened at the podium, gripping the sides. “Which is why tonight, I am so fucking thrilled to welcome back the pulse of Riffraff Records. Please join me in celebrating the return of the label to its original owner, Daisy Davis.”
Harlow’s mom put her hand on my cheek, giving me a big smile before heading out onstage. I looked across the room, spotting Henry Miller. He was standing stock-still, drink in hand and his jaw to the floor. He wouldn’t dare rush the stage and make a scene. Lucky for us, that would have been beneath him.
***
“Mom, you looked so beautiful up there tonight.” Harlow rested her head on her mother’s shoulder. We were in a limo, headed back to our hotel, all sipping on the champagne that Dash had popped a few minutes ago. It was a night to celebrate. We’d taken down Harlow’s asshole of a father, we’d saved our futures at Riffraff Records, and we’d given it back to the one person who actually wanted it for the right reasons.
“Well, thank you sweetheart.” She patted Lo’s thigh. “I love your dress by the way.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Sexy.”
Jacks put both hands in the air, palms out. “I can’t believe you guys pulled that off.”
Daisy reached over and gave Jacks the high fives he was waiting for. Smith peered across the dark limo at Lo and her mom, who were almost mirror images. “How did you pull that off?”
“Explaining to Luke that my parents started the label together really got me thinking. I knew my mom kept her stock, and I knew I still had some lying around somewhere too. Once Riffraff went public, my dad had to spread a big portion of his to shareholders. In the end, my mom’s stock combined with mine was more than my dad’s.”
Daisy held her empty glass out, letting Dash refill it. “Once I made an emergency conference call to the shareholders and Dash explained the things Henry had been up to—the payoffs and the lies—it was easy it get them to call for his resignation.”
When Lo had Skyped her mom from our hotel room to ask if she wanted her label back, I got to meet her for the first time. She was just like Lo, full of light and laughter. How she stayed married to Miller for as long a
s she did, I’d never know.
Harlow added, “And it helped that you guys told them you’d leave the label if my dad didn’t step down.”
Our new album was predicted to go double platinum, and that was money those greedy suits weren’t willing to lose. They’d sent the company jet for Daisy and she’d arrived just in time to hear Dash’s speech. The crowd had been confused at first, but Lo’s mom was so charming and her excitement so contagious, that they’d been cheering for her by the end.
Harlow and her mom had both grown to resent Riffraff, because they didn’t like the man behind it. But it turned out that Daisy was more than happy to take her company back.
Bryan was snuggled against Jacks’ side. “What now, Ms. Davis? Will you stay here?”
“Call me Daisy, sweetheart.” She smiled. “This label, Riffraff, was my baby. When we started it, I didn’t think there was anything else I would rather do with my life. But then Harlow was born and I realized how wrong I was. Being a mom, being with my girl, became my reason for living. I let Henry take over because nothing was as important to me as Harlow.” Lo threaded her arm through her mom’s and hugged her tight. “Now my baby is all grown up and starting a life of her own. And although I am loath to admit it, she doesn’t need me as much anymore.”
Daisy looked around the car. “It’s been a hell of a long time since I ran a business, and the learning curve is going to be steep. But I’m sure as shit going to give it a shot.”
Chapter Forty-two
Harlow
“I destroyed Dad’s life tonight.” I was sitting on the edge of my mom’s bed, tucking her in and telling her good night before I went back to Luke and my room.
She shook her head. “Oh sweetie, you didn’t destroy his life.” She reached for my hand. “Your father has had a good run, he has plenty of money and a hot young thing to warm his bed. I’d hardly call his life a hardship at this point.”
“Are you happy, Mom? Did you really want the label back?” I was second-guessing what we’d done. I was so mad at my dad when I’d suggested doing all this to Lexi. I was hurt, for them, for the band. He made decisions, made choices for them that weren’t his to make. Jacks had cried when I told him about the abortion my dad paid for. Seeing the guys like that, shocked and hurt, I’d acted out.
“I did, Harlow. I really did.” She sat up higher against her pillows and snuggled Louie to her chest. She said she wanted to spend some time with her granddog. “I’ve been thinking about going back to work for a while now, finding something worthwhile to fill my days. This was all meant to be, baby. It was time for me to take it back.”
“The band all said they’d help you with whatever you needed. Scouting, promotions, anything to help you get your legs under you.” The guys were all so excited about the changes my mom had outlined. They were crawling all over each other, offering help and full of suggestions. Tons of suggestions.
“Actually, I was going to ask if you wanted to throw your hat in the ring. You have great taste, Harlow, and an even better heart. Two things this label is going to need.”
I chuckled. “Are you asking me to come work for you? I love you, Mom, but I think that might end up being a disaster.”
“I was thinking you might want to head up the new Austin office.”
My eyes went round. “What new Austin office?”
“The one your father and I had always argued about opening.” She played with Louie’s floppy ear. “I’d wanted to expand down to Texas, but your dad didn’t think it made sense financially. He’d wanted to head west to California and I let him have his way because I had you at that point. I was on my way out.” She pursed her lips. “Now it doesn’t really matter what he thinks, huh?”
“I know nothing about running a record label.”
She waggled her eyebrows. “I bet that smokin’ hot boyfriend of yours would be happy to help you learn.”
***
“Hey, Pix.” Luke grinned at me from his sprawl among the pillows. “Your mom and Louie doing okay?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “They’re good.” I stopped at the end of the bed, my back toward him. “Would you mind unzipping me?”
I giggled when I heard Luke scrambling to untangle himself from the covers. “Fuck yeah, I’ll unzip you.”
His hands on my bare back caused chills to dance down my spine. Slowly, he dragged my zipper down until my dress slid down my body and pooled on the floor at my feet.
“Don’t turn around.” His words were a whisper against my skin as he moved my hair to the side and placed soft kisses on my neck. “You are so fucking beautiful, Pix. So kind, so good.”
“Luke…”
His hands skimmed my sides and he stood behind me, spinning and bending me at the waist. “Do you have any idea how hard I’ve been all night? Watching you walk around in that dress, knowing there isn’t anything underneath? It’s been the best kind of torture.” He rubbed the head of his cock through my wet folds. “Put your hands on the bed, and tilt that gorgeous ass up in the air.”
I followed his every command. I wanted what he was asking for. I wanted it as bad as he did. I never knew sex could be like this, could be so tender yet so rough at the same time. Luke was the perfect balance.
He grabbed my hips and slid inside me as far as he could go, grinding against me without pulling out one inch. “Fuck, baby. You feel so fucking good. I’m so deep like this.” He put one hand on my upper back, pushing me farther toward the bed. He didn’t start hammering into me like I expected him to. His movements were lazy and controlled. Everything seemed to be in slow motion.
“Luke…”
“I fucking love it when you say my name like that.” He trailed kisses down my back, his grip on my hips tightening with every grind of his hips. “I need you to come for me, baby. You feel too perfect like this, I don’t know how much longer I can last, and there’s nothing between us right now.”
I moaned and pushed back against him, seeking out more. I loved it when he talked to me, his voice always quiet and rough.
“You like that, Pix? You like knowing I’m bare inside your tight pussy?” I dropped my forehead to the mattress, unable to form the words to answer him. “Fuck, baby, yes. Stay just like that.” He reached around and rolled my nipple between his thumb and finger, sending shock waves to my core. “Milk my dick, baby.” His words swirled in my head, his cock so far inside me I could barely breathe, his hands on my body—it was all too much. I screamed his name and shattered around him. “Holy fuck. Yes.” He started pounding into me, lasting only another few seconds before he pulled out, coming all over my ass.
I straightened a little, my back starting to hurt. “You okay, kid?”
He rested his head on my back, panting, trying to catch his breath. “I think you’re my favorite person.”
“In New York?”
I felt his lips pull into a smile. “In the world.”
Epilogue
Three Months Later
Harlow
It’d been three months since my mom had taken back her label. And it had now been three days since Riffraff TX was fully functional. It turned out that my smokin’ hot boyfriend wasn’t the only one who wanted to help me run the Austin office. Lexi was in charge of the art department; she’d hired some really brilliant people over the last week to help her, and she had a nursery set up right next to her office. Jacks turned out to be a mathematical genius, and he was working closely with our bookkeepers and accountants. Dash had hit the ground running as soon as the press tour was over. He’d spent the last eight weeks hanging out with some of the state’s most talented producers, getting all our soundboards and equipment in order. Smith was like our artist liaison; he spent the most time with the musicians we were talking about signing. Getting to know them, handing out advice, he was like the big brother of the label. He’d been through enough in this life to relate to pretty much anyone. Luke and I did most of our scouting, going from dive bar to dive bar, looking for undiscov
ered talent. It was my favorite part of the whole process.
“Hey, Pix. You ready to go?” Luke walked in, looking sexy as hell in jeans and a ball cap.
I looked down at my watch, surprised that it was already seven o’clock. “Yeah, sorry, I lost track of time.” I clicked off the lamp on my desk and took his outstretched hand.
“No worries, I just got done with Landry’s lesson a few minutes ago.” He kissed the back of my hand and then walked with me to the waiting Razor. It was only a short drive from the new Riffraff offices to Smith and Dylan’s house. My mom and I had decided to purchase the land right next door to the band’s compound. It made for a really great commute to work.
“Louie ate another set of drumsticks.” Luke helped me into the vehicle and then walked around to the passenger side.
“That’s the third set since we’ve moved in, why do you keep leaving them lying around?”
“I don’t. I have no idea how he keeps finding them.” Luke slung his arm over the back of my seat. “Hey, did you talk to Daisy today? She said your dad came up to the office and tried to take her out to lunch.”
“What? That’s ridiculous.” My dad had gone down swinging, trying everything he could think of to get back control of the label. But my mom wasn’t having it.
He chuckled. “I know, right? She called security and had him removed.” My mom and Luke hit it off instantly, and I was pretty sure he talked to her more often than I did. Well, him and Smith. My mom and Smith were super tight. “Wanna take bets on why Smith and Dylan invited everyone over for dinner?”
“Knocked up or engaged?”
He rubbed his chin. “I’d say knocked up.”
“Me too.” I looked down at the sparkling oval-cut diamond on my finger. “Should I take this off? Wait until tomorrow to tell everyone you proposed?” Luke had asked me to marry him this morning. He’d made me breakfast in bed and then called Louie up next to us. There was a little Tiffany blue pouch attached to his collar. I started crying the instant I saw it. Real tears. Luke had gotten down on one knee, and I’d said yes. We’d only known each other for a few months, but every day was better than the last. And I couldn’t wait to be his wife.
