Page 112 of A Tragic Melody

“Bail is set at $500,000. We will schedule the next date for a month from now. My clerk will give you the exact date and time before you leave. If both parties reach a plea deal, I will hear it then. Until then, Mr. James, I suggest you stay out of trouble.”

“Yes sir.”

Once back at the prison, I’m not taken to my cell, but to a holding room. It’s similar to the one I met with my last lawyer in, so I don’t panic. I’m a little excited to meet my new lawyer, and hopefully get some information.

She strolls in, waving off the guard.

“Sorry about all that,” she says. “Veritas took a moment to pick sides.” She rolls her eyes. “Anyways, I’m Darla Kelly, your new lawyer. I’ve been informed on almost everything, but if there is anything you think I need to know, I’m all ears.” She doesn’t sit, just stands looking at me.

“I was going to plead guilty and beg for mercy during sentencing. The last guy figured I’d get a lesser sentence if I admitted guilt, and angled for the hero act.”

“It won’t get to that,” she says, tucking a short strand of her hair behind her ear and pulling a packet out of her bag. “Unless you refuse to sign this, that is.”

“What is that?” I ask as she drops the package on the table. I don’t move to reach for it. I’d rather hear what she has to say first.

“Hendricks will drop all charges in two weeks max. We will settle with the city, and if they push back you may have to do anger management classes or some community service, but I doubt it will even come to that. All you have to do is agree to the terms Veritas set up.”

“His label is offering me a deal?”

“It’s never been his label.” She rolls her eyes. “CEOs come and go. Whatever power he thought he had disappeared when the pretty little blonde spilled all his secrets. That girl may be a train wreck, but the end of the crash left a decent size dent. Changes everything.”

“Is she okay?”

“She is spending some time in rehab, but she will be fine.” Darla shrugs. “Career-wise, at least. Can’t speak on the emotional damage, but let’s not focus on her. You have an offer you need to consider.”

“What are the terms?”

“Your musical soul, for your freedom.”

“They want my music?” I laugh. Why does it always come back to my music?

“Yes. You’ll write them a thousand songs or however many you can write in your lifetime. Whether it’s for a band of your own, or producers, or what is to be decided, but either way, you’ll be team Veritas Records for the rest of your life. Bow to their feet and kiss their asses, but you won’t have to spend the next ten to fifteen years behind bars.”

“And what happens to Tuesday?”

“Is she worth ten to fifteen years?” Darla studies me.

“Maybe.”

She sighs. “She has her contract. They couldn’t drop her if they wanted to. She is woman of the fucking year now, taking down the big bad wolf. She is the savior of the music world. Fans are rallying behind her. Record sales have been through the roof, and you—you’re her knight in shining armor. She will be fine. You can be fine, as well, just have to sign on the dotted line.”

She flips open the package, turning to the last page. Sliding a pen on the table, she taps at the line.

I know better. Always read the fucking fine print, but I don’t care now. I pick up the pen and sign away my life, because playing music is better than rotting in prison.

And you can’t save the girl behind bars.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

I never set out to be the demise of a whole company. Destroying one of the top record labels wasn’t on my bucket list, but watching Hendricks go up in flames was a little nice.

Of course, Veritas only fell so far before damage control protocols started and there was a power grab. For a moment, I didn’t think there would be anything left, or at least not a place for me, but companies like these always find a way to stay alive. I’d be disappointed if I was left out on the street.

But that didn’t happen. Surprisingly, I’m being made out to be a hero, a savior, a warrior. They call me brave, strong, and celebrate my victory.

While all hell broke out between the powers of the label, I was mostly untouchable. Whatever they did to me would’ve only done more damage to their reputation. It was kind of nice, to just sit back and watch the chaos unfold, knowing I was part of the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Wyatt once said I had a lot of control, but until now, I didn’t realize how much control I had. I doubt even he could’ve predicted this.