Page 65 of The Bitter Words

Leon’s gaze flits to my ma and Uncle John. “I’m going to let your mom and John explain the situation to you since it appears they failed to keep you in the loop of how this was supposed to pan out.”

“You know, Leon.” I fluff a pillow and lie down as if I haven’t a care in the world. “You should’ve been an actor with all the constant flair and histrionics you put on.”

His face turns red. “I can always give you another lesson to teach you how to stay in line. Is that what you need?”

Ma responds for me. “No, Leon. He’s just…a boy who got caught up in something he didn’t realize was going on.”

“Exactly. So why don’t you explain it to him and figure out a way to get this all back on track?” Leon motions for Uncle John to join us. “You too. Cash needs to understand just what it is he screwed up.”

They find places on the sectional couch to sit and tell me all the ways I went wrong. My pops and Leon worked together and had a falling-out.

There were a lot of threats, none of which have been revealed yet, but there’s still time.

My pops promised Leon all the royalties from his music if he would leave my family alone. He agreed and all the funds went to Leon until the day my pops died.

When that happened, the money started going into an inheritance that only I had access to. It was stipulated that when I turned eighteen, I could use the money to live.

I guess my pops thought I’d be mature enough at that age to handle that kind of responsibility. Or maybe he thought Leon would be long gone by then.

The problem was, Leon was out his dough. He went to my ma and John, and a new contract of sorts was offered.

Not only did he want my pops’ money, but word on thestreets was his son was an even better songwriter and performer, which is when I was made part of the deal.

They told Leon they would consider it, but until I was eighteen, there was nothing they could do. Leon kept his distance since there was really no way to get what he wanted from us. We’ve never had much money.

Sure, my ma and uncle tried to steer me away from Leon, but when he heard I was unhappy with Ur Boyz and wanted to make a name for myself, he made sure I got fed information by people in the industry about how great it was to work with the famous Leon Baker.

He could make all my dreams come true. He knew his influence and power would lure me in. Now I understand why he calls mestupid boy.

After he watched me perform, he saw all the dollar signs a man could want. That was long before New Year’s Eve when he drugged me the first time and forced my uncle to help him do it.

When I went to my uncle and asked him to help, he knew I’d sign on with Leon one way or another, with or without him.

Uncle John figured he could keep an eye out for me if he was involved and that’s when he reached out to Leon and told him they would agree to the new terms.

Of course I was about to be eighteen, so the time had come. They all knew the writing on the wall. Leon had been counting down the days.

He pressured my family until Ma and Uncle John agreed to get me to sign some papers giving the rights back to Leon. Then I would join with Leon’s label, giving him most of my royalties.

Now I have a few questions of my own.

I push up off my pillow, sit straight, and study my ma and Uncle John. “What are these threats he has over you? Whyagree to let me work with a predator? Why would you do that?”

Leon laughs under his breath. “As the old adage goes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“Fuck off, Leon. I was talking to them.” The pills I took are hardcore kicking in, so I don’t give a shit about pissing off anyone.

Ma and Uncle John trade glances. Ma gazes down and a tear trickles down her cheek.

“We didn’t know you would change the course of your life by getting your business and trusts set up. It was supposed to come across like we messed up by being bad managers.” My ma chokes on her words. “We thought we could give it all to him and you would remain safe.”

Uncle John swallows hard. “He promised he wouldn’t do to you what he did to us. All of us.”

I have to think about that statement for a second. My brain function is slow right now.

“You know the saying, Cash.” Uncle John shakes out a tremble. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I thought we could take care of everything and you would get the fame and recognition you want. Leon would get what he was asking for and things would?—”

“Wait. What do you mean, what he did to all of us?” My heart starts to race. I glare at Leon. “What you did to me, you did to them? Who are all of these people you’ve put your sick hands on?”