Mogul by Ginger Voight Read Free Book Online Page A

publicized breakups and
controversy.
    Shannon nodded. “We’re hoping to make a
difference with this show. Make a statement. It’s not going to be a
train wreck just for ratings. I don’t want any part of anything
like that, and neither does Dixie.”
    “I understand,” he said. “I’ll approach him
about it. We talked earlier today about opportunities that kept him
local for the foreseeable future, and he did mention that he would
like a project that he could be proud of. I really think this could
be it.”
    When they presented the financial
compensation they were willing to offer, Graham’s eyes widened.
There was no way Vanni could walk away from an eight-figure
payday.
    They all stood and he walked them to the
door. “It was such a pleasure meeting you, Shannon,” he said as he
warmly shook her hand. “Thank you for thinking of my label for this
project.”
    She smiled. “We always seek out the best,”
she said. “And you’re the best in the biz.”
    He gave Gwen another hug before he shut the
door behind them and turned back to Maggie. She was already on her
feet to help him back to his chair. It had been a tiring day and he
was showing definite signs of fatigue – signs he’d successfully
hidden from the women who had just left his office.
    He only showed his weaknesses to Maggie.
    “Sounds like a great project,” she said as
she stretched out his legs. “Think he’ll go for it?”
    Graham shrugged. “I don’t know what to make
of Vanni these days. He might just surprise us all.”
    Maggie wasn’t convinced, especially that
evening when Graham perused through the DVD of auditions Shannon
had left behind for his consideration. They weren’t kidding; some
of these contestants did fit outside the traditional pop mold. But
they could definitely sing their butt off, specifically a
fresh-faced eighteen-year-old girl from Iowa named Jordi Hemphill.
She was short and stout with a smile that wouldn’t quit and a voice
that practically blew both Graham and Maggie off of the sofa. She
sang the National Anthem, and her near-flawless five-octave range
had “diva-in-training” written all over it.
    Her skin was alabaster, but her voice was
pure soul.
    Graham was especially impressed by her
confidence. She moved her larger body around with fluid grace, one
that did not apologize for her size or shrink from the limelight.
In fact, her attitude was one of, “Sit back and let me show you
what I can do.” He had a feeling she had more than a few doors
slammed in her face, but she seemed to know if she opened her mouth
and let that first note fly, she’d make a believer out of
anyone.
    He was an immediate fan.
    He sent the DVDs over to Vanni’s house the
following day after they had a brief video-conference about the
show. Vanni wasn’t completely sold at first.
    “A judge? I don’t know. Sounds a bit like a
tombstone for my career, like I’m admitting the best is behind me
as a performer.”
    “Not necessarily,” Graham said. He ticked off
notable exceptions from recent memory. “You can’t tour and this
keeps you in the immediate memory of all your fans through the
duration. Not to mention it introduces you to a whole new audience
that gets to know you based on who you are as a person, not just a
front-man for a rock band.” He left out any kind of slam that might
hurt more than it helped. He wasn’t entirely convinced that Vanni
could keep up the charm for five months. His only proof there was
anything of any value there at all was the fact Andy still loved
him after all this time. She wasn’t a dumb girl; she had to be
hanging in there for more than some long hair and six-pack abs.
    “Besides, they’re willing to offer you ten
million dollars to do it. In fact, several sponsors are holding off
endorsement until they know you’re attached. It’s a win-win for
everyone involved, especially the people who could get their big
break because of it. You’ve been there. You can offer