Bear Treble (Highland Brothers 4) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers Page A

stood facing her producer.
    “He said by the weekend.” Billy tried to offer her a cup of coffee. She knew when she was being managed. “Sunday at the latest.”
    “I’m supposed to start a winter tour. I have to have this album finished before I go out on the road. What am I going to promote?” She shoved the cup away. “I thought Dylan Highland was supposed to be the best,” she fumed.
    “He is, Layla. He’s given you half the album.”
    “I want the other half.” Her green eyes flared. “Now.”
    “The man is in high demand. He’s easily written twenty songs this year, plus the six you have. He’ll come through. I know him. He won’t let you down.”
    She turned her gaze on the producer. “And if he does? What then? I’ll only have half the songs.”
    Billy shook his head. “Won’t happen. The man’s an artist, but he’s also a professional. He won’t default on the contract. I guarantee it.”
    “All right. A few more days, but that’s it.” She walked toward the door. Her bodyguard was waiting on the other side.
    “Why don’t you go that new spa in Palm Springs? I could have Anna call the jet for you and make all the reservations. Sounds like a good way to revv up for the album.”
    She glared at him. “I’m not taking off with the album in the middle of production.”
    “Don’t worry, Layla. You’ll have it. You’ll be back in the studio Monday ready to go with the rest of the tracks.”
    She hesitated by the door. “I’m looking forward to hearing what he comes up with. Where is he by the way?”
    Billy shrugged his shoulders. “I think up at his family cabin. You know he’s one of the Highlands don’t you?”
    She had made the connection when she first heard Dylan’s name. Every popular artist knew his name. He had as many Grammy Awards as she had pairs of boots—and that was a lot.
    “He’s Hudson Highland’s cousin, right?”
    “Mmmhmm. Talented family.” The producer nodded. “We’ve been friends for years.”
    “Thanks, Billy. I’ll see you Monday with the new songs?”
    “Absolutely.”
    She closed the door behind her and smiled at her bodyguard.
    “Would you like me to pull the car around, Miss Love?” he asked.
    “Sure.” She twisted her full lips together. She suddenly had an idea. There might be a way to get that album faster than Billy’s timetable.
    When Hal pulled up in front of the label with her SUV, she slid into the backseat. “Can you take me by my place?”
    “Of course.” He merged onto the road.
    She did a quick online search on her phone for the Highland family cabin. Although, there wasn’t an address online, she had a way of getting her hands on it. She called the head of her security.
    Dylan Highland was about to find out how songs were made.

3
    Dylan
    H e pulled the cup of coffee to his lips. It was almost dark and the woods hummed with the sounds of nightfall. His ears perked at every snap of a twig or bird flapping its wings. No matter what he did, he couldn’t turn them off. He couldn’t silence his bear senses. He couldn’t dial down the hearing or the sense of smell. And lately, his bear was becoming more demanding.
    He wanted to run free. He wanted his fur to feel the night air. He wanted to climb a tree, and run through the Highland woods. Dylan refused to give in to him. Every time the sensations tried to claw him from the inside out, he chained his bear, yanking hard against the impulses.
    The rest of his family had embraced their animal nature. The Highland Clan was strong and powerful in this part of the country. The rest of the world thought they were an unusually talented family of artists and writers, but had no clue underneath the art they were shifters living double lives.
    Dylan wanted to be different. He wanted to live as a normal man. Not some kind of beast, beckoned by primal nature. He snarled at the thought of shifting, but scolded himself as soon as he felt his bear cling to the sounds he made.
    He rested