you filthy whore…” she growled viciously. “You can fuck my husband all you’d like. I don’t care, I haven’t used him for that purpose in a very long time anyway. But I’ve been watching you and your clients, and I’m fully aware that their loyalty is to you. That seems to me like that’s the behavior of a woman who’s either thinking of going out on her own and becoming a competitor to BVR, or who is actually planning to take over the operations of BVR.” She paused briefly, letting that sink in. “That’s right, I’m on to you, you little bitch, and I’ll just leave you with this one reality check…BVR is my bread and butter. You can fuck with my husband, but you had better not even dream of fucking with my checkbook. I’m keeping an eye on you, whore, and if I think that you’re not acting in the best interests of BVR, I’ll have my attorney send these photos to the press. Blake’s reputation will be ruined by scandal and divorce. Did I mention that we have a pre-nup, so that if Blake gets caught cheating on me, I receive his share of BVR?” Cerise paled at the thought. “That’s a precious little agreement that our dads came up with, because they actually understand how business works, unlike my idealistic, pie-in-the-sky husband.”
Constance disappeared back into the shadows leaving a stunned Cerise trying to catch her breath in the parking lot. She was trembling slightly, trying to process the thought that Constance Hamilton had proof that Ceri had slept with her husband and didn’t give a damn. But, the thought that resonated even more strongly was that this high-society gold-digger could potentially thwart her plan. The more Cerise thought, the angrier and more determined she got. Constance Hamilton had to be put in her place, and soon, before she could do any damage to BVR. An adrenalin-fueled plan began to form in her mind, and despite the shock of running into Blake’s leech of a wife, Cerise smiled dangerously as she stuffed the incriminating photos back into the envelope. Cerise Preston loved nothing more than a preemptive strike, and Constance Hamilton wasn’t going to know what hit her. The thought that bringing down the imperious wretch would hurt Blake crossed her mind briefly, but business was business, and if he had to be an emotional casualty for the good of the business, so be it.
Chapter 12
“She’s good, Frankie,” Cerise nodded appreciatively taking in the smooth sounds at the Scat Cat audition. “Who is she?”
“Sarissa Jackson,” the son of the owner of the dive club that tended to produce the best talent in the industry proclaimed. “Just blew into town from Mississippi. I understand she fell into some bad company and had to leave town in a hurry,” her handsome, chocolate-skinned friend confided.
Ceri raised her eyebrows and sipped her iced tea. Frank Sr. and his hard-working son, Frankie always provided a spectacular lunch for her when she came to their auditions, which was only a small part of why she so enjoyed working with them. Between Frankie’s nose for talent, and her connections in the industry, they made a powerful team, one that would grow even more powerful when Cerise took over the Black Vinyl label. “Bad?” she asked, hoping not.
“Nothing we can’t spin in our favor, “he chuckled, flashing even white teeth. Cerise smiled knowingly, nodding and raised her glass in agreement. She pulled young Sarissa aside for a chat after a spectacular audition that made Cerise want to hear more, and was pleasantly surprised that the gorgeous young woman was intelligent, well-spoken and endearingly shy. She gave her all when in the thrall of her music, but was more than reticent one-on-one. Fortunately, Ceri was known for her unique ability to put young performers at ease, and soon had the future star laughing, despite the fact that she was seriously intimidated by the thought of speaking with the
Susan Howatch
Jamie Lake
Paige Cuccaro
Eliza DeGaulle
Charlaine Harris
Burt Neuborne
Highland Spirits
Melinda Leigh
Charles Todd
Brenda Hiatt