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The question was undeniably heavy and laced with accusation. Straight on he looked at me waiting, holding the silence around us hostage while he prepared to launch an attack pending my answer.
“No, I asked her to come. She didn’t want to…”
“But she’s here so she didn’t fight you on it either.”
“There’s no intention so stop digging. That’s not who she is.”
He laughed dryly. “You don’t have a clue who she is. You’ve known her for what, five minutes and…”
“This isn’t some elaborate come up, Drew. She didn’t know who I was when we met…”
“You don’t know that for sure, do you?”
“I fuckingknow, Drew.” I jerked my fingers through my hair and tugged at my beard in frustration.
“My job is to protect you. Sol. You have the luxury of trusting. I don’t. If we both turn a blind eye then you lose. You’ve worked too damn hard to get where you are. I will not let you throw it all way for a woman that could be here today gone tomorrow.”
It took all the restraint I had to keep from telling him what I really felt. She wasn’t going any fucking where and I would stand by that decision. He was doing his job.
I trusted Drew more than anyone on this earth but he was wrong about this, wrong about her. He had every right to be cautious but he would have to trust I knew what I was doing when it came to Cadence and Gracie.
“I never fight you on much, Drew. You’re always on your shit. She’s here because I want her. Not because she’s using me or taking advantage of an opportunity. Whatever plan you have will have to include Cadence and Gracie. If it blows up in my face, so be it. That’s a risk I’m willing to take, forthem.”
“And what risk is she willing to take for you, Sol? You’re the only one who loses if this goes bad. She can walk away no worse off than she is now.”
I shook my head. “That’s where you’re wrong. She’s already been to hell and back. That’s the only reason she won’t lose now. She’s already lost it all. You have no idea what they took from her.” Thoughts of what could have happened to Cadence that night had my jaw flexing. “She’s already given up enough. She doesn’t have to risk anything for me.”
“Gold and Staxx are signed with Privilege.”
Gold and Staxx from Paper Chase…
“That supposed to mean something to me?” My brows twisted in anger at the mention of their names.
“Unfortunately yes. It hasn’t been made public yet but it will be soon. That will make you labelmates.”
Labelmates with men who potentially raped the woman I was arguing with Drew about.
“I don’t give a damn about that. I don’t do label shit nor do I do industry shit. Never have, I’m not about to start now. We already have a plan. I finish this last album, give them the tour I owe, and I walk.”
He stared at me with a heavy sigh as he shifted his stance, locking his arms across his chest. “Youwere a promise made to get them to sign the contract.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Roland promised them two features on their upcoming album.”
“No, fuck no. Nobody asked me shit.”
“Because they didn’t have to. We asked for certain provisions with this last contract which they gave but with promises made by us. It’s in your contract. Features. You don’t get to pick and choose who and when.”
Realization slammed my mind with understanding and Drew followed with, “Now you see how her being here not only compromises your image but it also complicates your relationship with the label. They’re not going to like this.”
“Then find a way around it. I’m not budging where they’re concerned.”
“Sol…” he pleaded.
I shook my head. “I’m not budging.”
This time it was him jerking a hand through his hair in frustration. Drew had allowed his hair to grow also but had it cut into a Caesar. I would have mentioned the new look but was too damn annoyed with the man rocking it.
