“Has anyone bid on that trip to the Italian villa?” Luke came up beside them, sans date, with a big grin on his face. “Sorry I’m late. Had to handle an issue at Cheshire.”

  Will really didn’t know what he wanted to bid on. It wasn’t necessarily the prize that appealed to him, but rather giving back.

  “You two duke it out over the trip and the yacht,” Will told them. “I’m going over here to get this framed print of one of Willie’s original lyrical notes.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Hannah growled.

  Will turned to see Hannah standing at the display of guitars. He crossed to her and started to reach for her...but caught himself just in time.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  She simply pointed. “That’s mine. I left it at Cheating Hearts because she said she wanted to keep it hung in the lobby for decoration.”

  Will wasn’t surprised Mags had lied. The woman was ruthless and did anything she wanted without worrying or caring who she pissed off.

  “I’m so glad I’m out of there,” Hannah added.

  “Want me to bid on this for you?” Cash asked.

  Will glared at his brother and Cash held his hands up. “Excuse me,” Cash muttered.

  “I’ll get it,” Will vowed.

  “No, that’s silly.” Hannah shook her head. “I’m just ticked she lied to me. I would have donated anything to the auction had she simply asked.”

  “Excuse me, Ms. Banks.”

  Hannah leaned around Will to see who was requesting her and she instantly smiled. There was no hint that she’d just been upset or angry.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt,” the young man said. “My name is Alan and I’m new with Country Life magazine and I was hoping to get a few photos.”

  “Of course,” she said, beaming. “Where would you like them?”

  He shrugged. “It’s so crowded in here. How about something toward the back of the house?”

  “That would be fine.” Hannah shot Will a look. “Don’t bid on anything for me. I’ll be right back.”

  Will watched her follow the man out the wide doorway and disappear around the corner.

  “Something going on with you two?” Cash asked.

  “What?” Will asked, noticing Gavin and Luke gathering in close like little old gossipy ladies. Gavin’s date seemed to still be surveying the auction items.

  “You and Hannah,” Cash clarified. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m her new producer.” Will hoped stating the obvious would work. “That’s it.”

  “You seemed pretty territorial a minute ago.” Cash crossed his arms over his chest. “I haven’t seen you like that with any other artist of yours.”

  “Hannah isn’t like other artists,” he told Cash. “She’s just come from Mags’s label and is trying to grow her career in a new direction.”

  “That has nothing to do with you offering to get that guitar for her,” Luke chimed in. “She can afford it if she wants it back.”

  Great, now he was on his brothers’ radar. He seriously had to watch himself. He’d let his emotions overtake common sense a moment ago and that could prove to be a problem.

  “Listen,” he began as he shifted to face them all. “If something was going on, don’t you think you all would know?”

  Cash’s lips quirked. “I’m pretty sure we all know now.”

  Will looked from Cash to Gavin to Luke and all three of them had that smug grin that said they knew.

  Well, damn it.

  SIXTEEN

  “Let’s try in here,” Alan said.

  Confused, Hannah stopped. They were outside a door and she had no clue what was on the other side.

  “I thought we were doing something candid,” she said.

  “We are,” he assured her. “Mags said I could use this room.”

  Something seemed off and she wasn’t sure what. Even though there was a house full of people, that didn’t mean a crazed fan hadn’t gotten in, and now she was technically alone in a hallway with him.

  “I’m not so sure,” she told him. “How about we go into the foyer and get something on the steps or even me with a few of the other stars that are here.”

  The door opened and Mags stood there with a smirk. “Thank you, Alan. That will be all.”

  The young man looked at Hannah like he wanted to apologize, but he ultimately nodded to Mags and walked away. Hannah didn’t like being set up.

  “You could have just asked to talk to me,” Hannah said, still remaining in the hallway.

  “We needed privacy,” Mags told her. “Come in.”

  Hannah sighed. “I don’t have time for games and I’m not coming in. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m getting back to your party.”

  Mags reached for Hannah’s arm before she could turn away. “Oh, you’ll want to hear what I have to say if you want to protect your man.”

  Her man? A chill went down Hannah’s spine. What did Mags think she knew? Hannah and Will had been completely private. She hadn’t said a word and she knew Will hadn’t, either. Maybe Mags was just assuming or trying to trap Hannah.

  Regardless of whatever Mags did or didn’t know, Hannah couldn’t just walk away. If she had something on Will, Hannah needed to know.

  She took a step toward Mags, causing the woman to step back. When they were in the room, Mags closed the door and Hannah found herself in the library. She’d been to this house several times over the years for various parties and business meetings, but she hadn’t ever been in the library before.

  Hannah didn’t bother looking around or taking in anything. She really wanted Mags to get to the point so they could go back to the party.

  “When you left Cheating Hearts, I assumed it was because you and I had a slight disagreement on your music.”

  Slight disagreement? More like Hannah was done being controlled, but she chose to remain silent.

  “I had no idea you were sleeping with Will to get what you wanted.”

  Hannah laughed. “What on earth are you talking about? I’m not sleeping with anybody. I’m too busy, but thanks for your concern with my love life. If that’s all—”

  “Lying won’t make this conversation end any sooner.”

  Mags went to the small ornate desk in the corner and pulled something from a drawer. When she came back, she handed Hannah some photographs.

  “I have these,” Mags stated. “And all I have to do is release them to any media outlet. I’m sure anyone would love to know your deepest secret.”

  Hannah looked at one photo after another. They were images of her and Will on his landing from the other night. When they’d been talking, then kissing, and when he’d lifted her into his arms.

  Damn it. Mags had to have had someone following them with a hell of a camera that could catch these from such a distance.

  “So what?” Hannah hoped her calm demeanor would take the wind out of Mags’s sails. “We’re adults. We can do what we want in our spare time.”

  “Is that how the public will see it?” Mags countered. “Or will they think you are sleeping your way into a new chapter? Will they think Elite is dirtier than their squeaky-clean image portrays? How do you think this will look for your career or for Will’s label?”

  Fear started building within her and Hannah wanted to run from this room and go warn Will. Who knew if Mags would do anything with these photos—or maybe she already had?

  “So what do you want?” Hannah asked. “I assume that’s why you showed these to me. You want to blackmail me.”

  Mags’s smile widened, her eyes sparkled. The damn woman was sneaky and she got off on making people miserable to get her way.

  “You were my biggest star,” Mags stated. “I want you to come back to Cheating Hearts.”

  Hannah waited for the rest or for Mags to say she was kidding, but the woman stood there, completely serious, and Hannah’s stomach sank.

  “I can’t just return,” she exclaimed. “I signed with Elite. I have started recording. I have a tour scheduled with Cash.”

  Mags waved a hand in the air as if Hannah was speaking nonsense. “All of that can be taken care of. I pay my lawyers a hefty sum.”

  No doubt her lawyers were crooked because Gavin had always refused to work with Mags. Gavin might be ruthless, but that’s because he studied the law and knew it inside and out. He could make things happen, but in a completely legal manner.

  “Why would I come back to Cheating Hearts?” Hannah asked. “Because you have a few photos?”

  “Because once I release these with an exclusive story that my number-one star confided in me her real reason for leaving, who do you think people will believe?” Mags asked. “You’ll come along with some story after, but the damage to your name and to Will’s name will already be out there. You’ll just look like you’re making excuses.”

  How could Hannah get out of this? Mags had her in a tough spot, but there was no way Hannah could let Will get hurt or put a black mark over Elite’s reputation.

  “Think about it and you can let me know in two days.”

  Hannah pulled in a deep breath. “How do I know you won’t send those pictures out before then?”

  Mags shrugged. “The same way I know you’ll make the right decision.”

  Hannah didn’t want to look at the conniving woman another second. She turned and let herself out of the room, then made her way back down the hallway. She ran in to Alan, whom she had to assume was the one who’d taken the scandalous pics. He wouldn’t meet her gaze and Hannah wondered just how much he’d been paid for those images.

  She finally found Will where he was standing with Cash in the ballroom on the other side of the house. By the time she found him, she wasn’t shaking quite as much. But she still had that unsettling fear and worry.

  How could she protect him? Was that even possible? Mags was right that if she hit the media first, her story would be more believable than anything Hannah or Will shared after.

  So what if she and Will released the story first? That would completely remove the control and power from Mags. She wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. Yes, Hannah had been wanting to keep their affair under wraps, but hadn’t she just realized she loved Will?

  She’d tell him how she felt, put it all on the line, and they’d go public. She had nothing left to lose.

  Now was the time to write the story their own way. No more waiting.

  She stepped between Will and Cash and pasted on a smile. “Did I miss anything?”

  Will handed Hannah a glass of wine he’d apparently gotten for her. She could use it right about now.

  “Just Gavin and Luke battling it out over some auction items and your gram smiling for pictures and schmoozing the crowd,” Cash said, then his eyebrows drew in as he studied her. “You were gone a while. Did that guy get the pictures he needed?”

  Hannah hated lying. She hated the guilt, but now was not the time to tell anyone what had happened—she wasn’t even sure she’d ever tell anyone. But she was hoping to tell Will she loved him and that would solve everything. At least, she hoped.

  “Oh, he got what he wanted.”

  No doubt a hefty pay from Mags for doing all her dirty work. Hannah really needed to process everything and figure out what to do next.

  What if Will didn’t feel the same way about her? What if he didn’t want to go public?

  What if Mags did get the one up on them?

  “Look at this trio.” Mags sidled up to them with two drinks in her hand. “I believe you need one of these, Mr. Sutherland.”

  She handed a drink to Cash and smiled. Hannah clutched her own glass and used every ounce of her willpower not to walk away. She had to remain strong, she had to somehow not let Mags win this fight. Hannah had finally gotten to a point where she might actually get to perform her own music. Will had been interested and he’d told her the songs were really good, but he hadn’t yet committed. Surely, he would.

  And surely he would respond to her confession of love with one of his own, or at least a willingness to see where this could go.

  Alan came up with his camera, but wouldn’t meet Hannah’s eyes. “How about a shot of this group?”

  “Perfect,” Mags declared with a wide smile. “Let’s gather in.”

  Thankfully Hannah was between Cash and Will and Mags had to stand on the other side of Cash. This was one of those times when Hannah was glad she’d perfected her fake smile. She certainly wasn’t feeling very festive right now.

  “Perfect,” Alan said as he glanced to his screen. “Thanks.”

  When he moved on, Mags turned to face them once again.

  “I’m so glad you all could come. I assume you placed some bids.”

  “We did,” Cash confirmed. “Hannah actually wants that guitar back.”

  It took everything in her not to ram her elbow into his side to shut him up.

  Mags’s eyes landed on Hannah. “Oh, darling, I assumed when you told me I could keep it, you wouldn’t mind that I put it in the auction.”

  “I would have donated it had you asked,” Hannah replied. “Assuming things can get you into trouble.”

  Mags’s eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second before she shrugged and took a sip of her wine. “I’m not too worried about my assumptions. I tend to be right and everything works out as it should.”

  Mags turned her head and waved to someone across the room. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to see some other guests and I simply must find time for a photo with Eleanor. Stay as long as you like and enjoy.”

  Yes, Hannah was sure Gram couldn’t wait for that photo opportunity.

  Once Mags was gone, Hannah was more than ready to go. She’d had enough “fun” for one night and a headache was slowly settling in. She needed to talk to Will now, somewhere they wouldn’t have an audience.

  “What was all that about?” Will asked her.

  “What?”

  He shifted so he stood in front of her now. “Seemed like you and Mags were talking in code or something. Care to share?”

  Hannah shook her head. “No code. She’s just being her arrogant self.”

  Will didn’t look like he believed her at all, but she wasn’t about to say anything more. She drained her glass and placed it on a tray as a waiter walked by, then grabbed her clutch from beneath her arm.

  “I’m getting a headache,” she told Will. “Do you mind if we skip out? Or I can call a driver and you can stay.”

  He seemed to study her once again with that quizzical stare. Damn it, she loved him. He cared about her and Hannah truly believed he wanted what was best for her.

  Nerves consumed her and she nearly felt ill from the worry of telling him her true feelings and asking him to go public. There was so much on the line...and her heart was the most important.

  Will had to be on the same page so they could get to the media before Mags tarnished their names.

  “Let’s go,” Will said, giving Cash his empty glass. “You’re looking pale.”

  Yeah, and she suddenly felt sick to know that if Will didn’t love her, if he didn’t agree to take their relationship public, then Hannah would to have to hurt him to save him. She’d have to leave Will and Cheating Hearts and her dreams of her new look and sound behind.

  “Do you want me to do anything?” Cash asked.

  Will shook his head. “Just tell Gavin and Luke I’ll see them later.”

  And with that, Will placed his arm on her elbow and escorted her out of the ballroom...but not before Hannah caught Mags flashing a smirk their way.

  SEVENTEEN

  The car ride back to his house was completely silent. Will didn’t press, but he knew something was wrong. He also didn’t attempt to take her back to her place because he wanted to be alone with her...and that was before he realized something had happened at the party.

  Now he had to figure out who the hell had upset Hannah, because she’d left for pictures and come back a totally different person. And she’d been lying when she’d said there was no secretive talk between her and Mags.

  Likely Mags had gotten to Hannah, but what had the narcissist mogul said?

  Once they were inside, Will reset the alarm and turned to Hannah.

  “Talk.”

  Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

  “Tell me what’s gotten you so upset.”

  She blew out a sigh and rubbed her head. “I’m not upset, Will. But I have been thinking.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her. “What about?”

  “Us.”

  “Professionally or personally?”

  She blinked and dropped her hands. “Both.”

  He said nothing because her tone and her stance told him nothing good was going to come from this conversation.

  “I care about you, Will. More than I should and more than I wanted to, but there it is.”

  She cared for him? They hadn’t planned on this, but part of him wanted her to tell him more. He wanted to know where she thought they should go or if she just wanted to get that off her chest. He needed more information.

  But she went on.

  “We need to go public with what’s going on between us.”

  Will waited a second, wondering when the punchline came for this joke, but Hannah just continued to stare at him.

  Then he laughed and shook his head. “What the hell are you talking about? What did Mags say to you?”

  “Leave Mags out of it,” Hannah demanded. “This is between you and me.”

  Confused, Will took another step forward. “She said something that upset you. Is she blackmailing you? Talk to me, Hannah.”

  The worried look in her eyes had him realizing just how concerned she was.

  “I just think our relationship is moving in a new direction,” she told him. “We went on a date, you surprised me with a picnic, and now you know I have feelings for you. Why shouldn’t we go public? It would boost presales and we wouldn’t always have to sneak around. Maybe we could go out in public for coffee or just a walk around the lake. Will, I know it’s not what we’ve been doing, but I need this.”