Angel (Fallen Angel, #3)(18)

“Viper—” Killian started, but Levi put his hand up.

“It’s fine. To answer your question, Viper, I’m currently managing the last two Grammy winners for Best New Artist. Rayven and Skulker. Maybe you’ve heard of them?”

As I glanced around the table, I saw the recognition spark in both Slade’s and Jagger’s eyes. We’d edged Rayven out for the top spot on the hot 100 chart, and every time I turned on the radio, Skulker was playing.

“Then it would seem like your hands are full,” Viper said. “The last manager we had was spread pretty thin with all the artists he picked up after us. We’re not looking to share.”

Levi nodded. “Understood.”

“Then I guess that settles that,” Viper said, giving a pointed look to Killian, who rolled his eyes, and then Viper went to stand up.

“If I were to agree to take you on, I’d forfeit my position with the others,” Levi said, halting Viper. I tugged on his arm, forcing him back in his seat as Jagger spoke up.

“Why would you do that?”

“I go where I feel inspired, and I like a challenge. And I do believe you five would be a challenge.”

“So you’d just drop the others? Not very loyal, are you?” Viper said.

The corner of Levi’s mouth twitched, whether from annoyance or from trying not to laugh at the way Viper continued to jab, I didn’t know. Had it been my first interview, I’d probably be hiding under the damn table, but Levi seemed to be holding his own.

“While we’ve had a successful working relationship, I was brought in on a temporary basis to help build their brands. As you can see, I more than exceeded expectations. I’ll be leaving them both in good hands if I choose to work with you.”

“If you choose?” Viper scoffed. “We’re the ones interviewing you. We’ll decide whether you stay or go.”

“On the contrary, Mr. Neil, I’m the one interviewing you. And I’ll decide whether to take you up on your terms or whether I leave you to settle for someone less than me.” Levi shrugged.

Jagger pointed at Levi, a grin on his face. “I like your confidence, man. But the question is, what can you do for us that we’re not already doing for ourselves? How do you plan to—what’s the word—elevate us?”

Like he’d been waiting for the chance to tell us his plan, Levi launched into a detailed play-by-play. How he’d, as Jagger said, “elevate us,” what he saw for our future, what he’d do on a day-to-day basis, and how he’d manage the tour and upcoming album release.

“And as for you two,” Levi said, pointing at Viper and me, “you need some serious PR work. You’re in quite the situation, and I’ve got just the team to smooth things out before it overshadows all the hard work you’ve done as a band.”

Even if I hadn’t agreed with anything else he’d said—which I had—that alone would’ve sold me. Having to leave my place or Viper’s place every day with a horde of reporters standing outside waiting had me wanting to stay locked up inside, and that wasn’t how I wanted to live my life. If Levi could calm down the press, I was all for it.

But next to me, Viper tensed, his body rigid and his eyes narrowed to slits that looked like they could shoot daggers.

Oh shit, I thought. Here we go.





Thirteen





Viper





I WASN’T SURE where Killian had plucked this Levi guy from, but as far as I was concerned, he could go back there, right fucking now. This interview—so far—hadn’t done jack shit to convince me that he was the right manager for Fallen Angel.

Levi Walker was arrogant, opinionated, and about as subtle as a sledgehammer in both his opinions and his clothes. But none of that mattered to me. Hell, no one would ever accuse me of being subtle either. It was that final observation he’d made, the one he’d aimed in my and Halo’s direction that was really raising my hackles. He could take that comment, and any ideas he had about us, and shove it up his—

“That was actually something we wanted to talk to you about,” Killian interjected. But I didn’t take my eyes off the man who was now eyeing the angel and me as though we were a problem he was trying to decide how to fix.

“No offense, Kill,” I said in a tone that said I was completely fucking offended. “But I’m not about to talk to some stranger about my personal life.”

Halo shifted in the seat beside me, and while I knew he was more than likely wishing I’d shut my mouth, I wasn’t about to sit here and let some random guy offer up an opinion on how we should conduct our love lives.

Fuck. That.

“He’s not some stranger,” Killian said, and rubbed a hand over his mouth. “And I, for one, would really like to hear what he has to say about this. You both knew we’d have to discuss it sooner or later.”

I opened my mouth, about to tell Killian I’d rather it be later, way fucking later, but Halo put a hand on my thigh under the table, and I turned to face him.

When my eyes found his, I could see the request that I listen to what Levi had to say, clear as if he’d said the words out loud. So I covered his hand with mine and gave a nod before we both turned back to Levi.

He smirked, those dark, assessing eyes shifting between us before landing firmly on Halo. “That’s some power you have there. Are you the only one in this bunch that he takes orders from?”