Read Owned (Rockstar Romance) (Lost in Oblivion Book 5) for Free Online Page A

played her cards.
    “When in January?” She tapped her iPad out of sleep mode and flicked to her calendar app. “For how long?”
    “Probably three or four days. Does that work for you?”
    She started to say yes, until she remembered that was the first month Oblivion would be officially back together after a year. Although Nick had kept in near constant contact with Jazz and Gray—to the point that she’d seen Gray in her kitchen almost as often as Nick some weeks, which still surprised the hell out of her considering their past—he rarely spoke to Deacon, and he’d definitely steered clear of Simon, Twitter forays aside. She’d hoped Simon agreeing to go to Nick’s house with her the night Mr. Crandall passed away would be a new beginning for them, but it had ended up being a very brief pause in a much longer war.
    Oblivion getting back into the groove after so long would definitely take some doing. Bottom line, she didn’t want to leave Nick on his own during that first challenging month, job or no job.
    Her priorities might’ve taken some time to fall into line, but she had them straight now. Talking to Tori had just emphasized the reasons she’d called this meeting today.
    She’d called it, not Donovan. Because it was time for things to change. Or else she would just have to find another way to do what she’d grown to love with all her heart—representing artists. Even if the artists she’d be representing going forward weren’t the ones who owned the largest share of her emotional real estate.
    Not just Oblivion. There was Rebel Rage, who she took great pride in despite their cocky, opinionated lead singer, Johnny Cage. Maybe because of. He was definitely a musician’s musician. She wouldn’t be surprised to see him with a picket sign someday, campaigning for artists’ rights.
    There was also Warning Sign, her stepson Michael’s new band with Jazz’s sister Molly as lead singer. The past year had brought more strife than progress, since Molly had come in to their arranged set-up and expected to be given carte blanche. Not so much. Then there was the fact that they didn’t have a dedicated drummer.
    One recent positive—at least so far—was that Nick’s sister Ricki had joined as a secondary guitarist, which reduced some of Ryan’s efforts to fill in all the holes in the lineup as well as handle the arrangements. Ricki was super green, though, and more than a little unsure. They’d also hired a bassist, if he stuck around. The guy was having serious trouble jiving with the others. Now they had to find a dedicated drummer.
    She represented other bands for the label too, either in a lead role or supporting. Some were just finding their feet. Other bands she’d signed were blowing up in a major way, like Brooklyn Dawn. She wanted to ensure the single they’d just released stayed at the top of the charts, so that by the time their new album dropped later next year, their name would be on the tip of everyone’s tongues.
    Hello, Swiftys, your new band—with extra added edge—to glom has arrived.
    If she had her way, she wouldn’t be leaving Ripper Records for a damn long time. But ultimately, that was up to Donovan.
    “I have to be straight with you.” Taking a deep breath, she folded her hands over her iPad. “I’m living with Nick, and I have been for months.”
    Donovan leaned back in his chair. “I’m guessing I’m not supposed to know this already.”
    Prepared to launch into her preplanned speech, she nearly missed what he said. “You, uh, what? Huh?”
    His light laughter took her by surprise. “Lila, I’d like to think we’re friends along with work associates. Is that true or am I off-base?”
    “If by work associates, that’s your delicate way of saying you’re the overlord and I’m a pawn, then yes, yes we are.”
    His smile faded. “That’s not the case. I always tried to make sure you understood how much weight I gave your opinion. Are you telling me that I’m