Bach

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Pacing through the building, I glared at my phone once again. Violet's rapid messages stared back at me:

Still waiting at airport.

She's not here yet.

No word.

Won't answer her phone.

Something is wrong.

Yes, something was fucking wrong; my world was falling apart, and the one flicker of hope had gone missing somewhere inside of LAX. I crossed my office, then back again. Fuck it.

Shoving my phone deep in my jacket pocket, I took pointed strides out into the hall. I can't take this sitting around. I'd go to the airport myself. It was the only thing I could think of. I was a man of action, often to a fault.

Too impatient to wait for the elevator, I jogged down the stairs. All of the swimming I did kept me in good shape. I reached the balcony that overlooked the lobby in record time. I put one heel onto the top step, then froze at what I saw below. Are you kidding me?

There was always foot traffic in my building. People loved taking tours here to view all the signed records on our walls, plus, there was the hope of running into someone famous. Even among all the bustling bodies, it was easy to spot her.

With the sunlight brightening the room through the floor to ceiling windows, her tan skin looked like gold. Black, glossy hair tickled past her curved ears that were free of any jewelry. She was wearing torn jeans and a zipped up yellow hoodie that was clearly too warm for the weather. Her basic sandals showed off her un-pedicured feet.

Amina looked more out of place than a cat at a dog show.

And yet...

She had an energy that said she didn't mind. Her poise, the casual tilt of her head and the way she bent one knee—all of it translated into making it feel like the world was revolving around her.

What an insane thought, I warned myself. She was a normal girl with an abnormal voice; as much as I wanted her to be special, once you stripped the gauze away, she was a nobody. It was my job to change that.

As I drew closer to her, passing the next to last step on the staircase, something in the air stirred. Then she looked at me.

My fingers crushed on the railing, pain lacing up my arm. I was knotting up everywhere, the thread of static passing from her stare into my heart. It was as if the damn woman had stuck my hand in a live socket.

The flash in her vivid gray eyes said she'd felt it, too.

The ache in my lower belly was begging me to peel away every bit of clothing on Amina. I wanted to taste her, smell her, touch her. And fuck, it would be so easy to make that happen. I'd done it before, I was a pro at coaxing anyone I desired into my bed and—Stop it! Shutting my eyes, I sucked air through my nose. Focus. You promised Violet you wouldn't mess around.

Swallowing, I forced my composure back into place and climbed down the last step. Amina hadn't blinked, she focused on me with rising interest. For each inch I came closer to her, the gap between her plump lips opened wider.

The face of a shocked woman.

Or someone who wanted to be kissed.

Offering my hand, my voice came out warm. “You're Amina Richards, aren't you?”

Smiling nervously, she gripped my palm. The silk of her skin thrilled me. “Did my lost puppy expression give me away?”

“No. I saw your videos. I'm—”

“Bach Devine.” Catching herself, she pulled back and laughed. “Sorry. I saw some videos of you, too.”

My smirk crawled up higher. “Nothing too wild, I hope.”

For a second, her breath caught. I saw it stop in her chest, her breasts rising, falling, and taking my attention with them. “I—um.”

Pushing her buttons was already becoming an addiction. I needed to get a hold over myself before our first meeting turned into something... filthy. But I want a taste of filth. If I took her to my office, no one would interrupt. Well, no one except...

“There you are!” Violet shouted, stomping our way. She'd come from outside, she must have just gotten back from LAX. “Amina, thank goodness! I was worried something had happened to you!”

Blinking, Amina rocked side to side. “Sorry, I lost my phone and the plane landed way later than expected. I'm guessing you're... Violet?”

“I waited in the airport for an hour, then I started asking around for you and—never mind.” Dusting her hands on her white pencil skirt, she gave Amina a quick hug. “The important thing is that you're fine.”

Amina disengaged, flushing all over again. “Thanks. I really am sorry, though. I figured I'd catch a taxi here, and then I was going to ask the front desk to contact you.” Her eyes flicked to me. “Mister Devine found me first.”

“Call me Bach.”

Violet reached down, grabbing Amina’s suitcase. “You've had a long flight. How about we get you settled in. You'll love where you're staying.”

Amina went to respond, her strawberry-red lips spreading. “No," I said. That interruption shaped my voice into a razor. “Before she does anything, I want to hear her sing.”

They wore matching looks of disbelief. They didn't understand; they didn't need to. Every moment counted these days. Amina wouldn't be another mistake. She'd sing for me—now—so that I could know if she was worth the effort of bringing her here.

If she wasn’t?

I’d stick her in a taxi and send her straight back home on a plane tonight.

Violet grimaced. "Hmm—how about we let her rest first.”

Meeting her eyes, I read Violet's mind with ease. She thinks I'm being harsh. Or crazy. Maybe both. “She can rest after she proves her talent isn’t some trick.”

There were people milling around us in the lobby. Violet hissed under her breath so only we three could hear. “You watched her video, you know what she can do.”

“A video can hide weaknesses.” My attention flashed to Amina. “Flaws. How long do you want to wait to find out if she’s worthy of our label?”

Curling her hands into fists, my VP stared me down.

“I'll do it,” Amina said. She lifted her chin with purpose, and even though she wore a slightly uneasy smile, I sensed the strength inside of her. There was nothing wavering in her eyes. This woman was as sturdy as a mountain.

Her confidence threw me off. Why is my heart pounding? I hadn't seen such certainly in someone since...

Since my father.

Brushing a hand over my mouth, I turned towards the elevator. “Then let's get to it.”

****

The recording studio was the most expensive room in the whole building.

Amina was behind the thick glass like some majestic butterfly I'd captured. Was I going to set her free, or pin her up on display? I didn't know. I hoped her performance would help me decide.

“Is it necessary to sabotage her like this?” Violet asked. "That's what you're doing. You must know that."

Amina touched the mic, adjusting it to her height while fiddling with the headset. She lifted her eyes to mine; I smiled at her, talking to my VP as I did. "We have one month until the awards. You want to try and teach someone the ropes? If she can't handle a spontaneous show, she'll fall apart in a week out here. Let's figure that out now."

"I still say it's going too far." Violet waved briskly at the singer. "Is it just me, or does she seem really comfortable in there?"

I glanced at the red-head. "Do you know if she's ever recorded anything before, beyond those little videos?"

She shrugged. "I searched for her online, didn't get any hits."

That was good to hear. Launching a new face was always easier than someone who'd made a name for themselves by failing over and over again. Bending forward, I pushed a button on the dashboard in front of me. It opened a connection between us and Amina's headset. "You ready?"

Clasping the headset, she nodded vigorously. "You want me to sing anything in particular?"

My smile was more of a smirk. "Whatever your heart desires. Pick something, I'll put some background music on for you."

She bit the edge of her lip. "No. No music."

Violet and I shared a look. She mouthed, "Acoustic?" at me. I gave her a shrug similar to the one she'd offered me earlier.

"Okay then," I said. "You're all set, Amina." Closing the connection, I sat back in the chair... and waited.

The room had a reddish glow. Amina was a living ruby, a piece of treasure meant to be plucked and held close. Or she's made of plastic, I warned myself. Pretty things sometimes weren't worth a dime.

More than anything, I wanted this girl to prove she was as good as I hoped.

As good as I fucking needed her to be.

In my lap, I'd unconsciously linked my fingers. It looked like I was praying. I saw Violet staring at me from the corner of my eye, but before I could ease up and appear calmer than I was, Amina began to sing.

I forgot I even had hands, after that.

"Whispers," she sighed into the mic. "Fools and ghosts and me in the middle."

All of the air left my lungs. Violet gasped, and if she hadn't been watching me before, she certainly was now.

Her lashes settled on her glossy cheeks as she continued to sing. “I’m scared, and the world won’t believe. But you will... you’ll know me in the crowd. Whisper my name. I will always hear your voice, even if the ghosts swallow me whole.”

The song crept into my body and pulled me from that room. It forced me to think of blue lakes, an expanse of twinkling night sky, and strong hands that held me steady. No music could have been more welcome. Nothing could have been so painful.

"Why?" Violet whispered next to me. "Why would she pick that song?"

My hands were claws; they fought me as I pulled them apart. In the red room, Amina finished the final verse. It was a kick to my ribs to hear her singing those familiar lyrics.

"Bach," my VP urged me. "Why—"

"Shh," I growled. "I don't know." How could I? Of all the songs to pick...

Why had Amina chosen the one my father wrote for me?

Pulling off the headset, she blinked as if she'd been staring into the sun. Through the sheet of invisible wall between us, Amina met my eyes. Her dimples grew, an honest smile forming. She knew she'd sung well—of course she did.

In hindsight, my doubts were foolish.

Amina's smile faltered. Whatever was in my expression had erased her joy.

"Hey," Violet said to me. "Are you alright?"

Shoving the chair back so hard that it tumbled over, I rose quickly. "We need to sign her," I said flatly. "Get the paperwork ready. Amina belongs on our roster."

"Bach?"

But I was already out the door. I didn't look back to see if they were watching me, or what Amina thought of my abrupt retreat. I only knew that I had to get out of there... away from them and everyone and everything.

I'd hoped Amina would be good.

Fuck, I'd wished it.

But I never... not once... thought she could make me feel so much pain.