The Sibyl Read Free Page B

herself into Elliot’s arms for a hug.
“You’ve come back home! It’s so good to see you!”
    “Misty, this is Eva McRayne.” Elliot
disentangled himself and turned to me. I bit my lip as I nodded at
the woman. “We’re here to see Connor.”
    “Oh, of course you are. The entire office has
been talking about the return of the prodigal son.”
    “Does she even know what that means?” I
hissed against Elliot’s arm as she returned to her side of the
wooden desk and started chatting into the phone.
    “Play nice.” He nudged me in the ribs to keep
me quiet. “She’s been here forever.”
    I tried to keep my face neutral, but it was
hard. The image of that harpy throwing herself at Elliot was
playing on repeat in the back of my mind, but I was adding things
to it. Satisfying images like how I could have jerked her off of
him.
    Elliot leaned against the desk until the
harpy put down the phone. She was simpering like a puppy for my
friend’s attention. “Connor said to come on in. He’s in Conference
Room Four.”
    “Thanks Misty.” Elliot awarded her with
another smile before returning his hand to my back. “This way,
Eva.”
    Elliot led us through an impressive maze of
cubicles until we reached a thick wooden door. He stopped, took a
deep breath, and knocked.
    “Come in.”
    A man’s voice filtered through. I had the
desire to grab Elliot. Beg him to return to Georgia with me where
our lives were simple. I wanted him back in the place where I’d met
him. Come to know him.
    It was much too late for such protests.
Elliot opened the door to the meeting room where his future would
change forever.
    I could do nothing more than follow.
     
     

Chapter Three
     
    Connor Garrison reminded me of every sleazy
salesperson to ever appear in a Georgia car ad. He was all oiled
hair and slick smile as he bounded around a large conference table
with his hand outstretched in Elliot’s direction.
    “Elliot! So glad you could make it. Welcome
home, son.” He shook Elliot’s hand and clapped him on the back.
“We’ve been waiting for this day to come for a long time now.”
    “Have you?” Elliot dropped the man’s hand as
two other men approached. “I don’t realize my homecoming was so
imminent.”
    “Of course it was.” Connor’s smile grew even
wider. “No one escapes L.A. forever.”
    Elliot stepped aside and let me step forward.
“Connor Garrison, meet Eva McRayne. Eva, this is Connor.”
    “Pleasure.” I murmured as the little man
turned his unfortunate attentions to me. He reached out to take
hold of my arms instead of shaking my hands. I only interrupted
when he started to turn me around. “Excuse me, but what are you
doing?”
    “You’re right, Elliot. She’s fantastic.”
Connor stepped away from us and nodded. “Small. Blonde. Athletic.
She’ll do nicely.”
    Before I could ask if he wanted to check my
teeth and measure my waist, one of the other guys in the room piped
up.
    “Elliot, Eva. Would you like some water?
Coffee?” The man waved from behind Connor. “We might be here for
awhile.”
    “No, I’m good, Joey.” Elliot visibly relaxed.
“So are we ready to get this started?”
    “Indeed we are.” Connor ushered us all over
to the conference table. They all took seats across from us, and I
started to feel outnumbered. Once we were seated, Connor took the
liberty of introducing me to the other two men at the table.
    “Ms. McRayne, it is truly a pleasure to meet
you.” He cleared his throat. “I want to introduce you to Joey
Lawson and Bryan Trotter. Joey will be your cameraman. Bryan is a
member of the Theia Productions’ legal team. He’s here to go over
the contracts with you.”
    I nodded my hellos as Connor took out two
separate folders. He placed one in front of me and the other in
front of Elliot.
    “Your father’s lawyers have already looked
these over.” Connor leaned back in his chair. “All you need to do
is sign.”
    “Wait a minute.” I opened the folder