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“Got it,” he responds.
“And how are things going with keeping Cliff occupied with BNE’s legal mess? I heard Booker went after him when he saw the pictures we sent of Cliff snorting cocaine from the underage waitress’ ass at one of the busiest clubs in the city. I’m assuming Booker is trying to get him under control for the sake of his image. Everyone knows how close Cliff and Booker were when Ocean was with BNE.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I want him nowhere near Ocean or her performances. Where is he currently?”
“Mr. Townsend is trying to get repercussion payments from Cliff, but I think he must have something on Mr. Townsend because BNE isn’t pushing much. They seem to be trying to sweep it under the rug for Cliff rather than slapping him with more fees for breach of contract. And as of this morning, Mr. Heart is still in California. As far as we know, he has no intentions to travel this week.”
“Good. Keep on his whereabouts. I want to know if he leaves the state.”
“Anything else?” Caleb asks, and I shake my head no. He leaves and I push back in my chair.
Grabbing my phone, I pull up my latest conversation with Kyle. The poor guy probably deserves a raise for all the double work he does: keeping Ocean safe and managed and reporting everything to me while helping me protect her as well. His last message was updated information on her stage set. I hadn’tmeant to upset her when I told her the previous set-up was dull, dark and basic. If she was my client, I would have told her to her face while being able to explain. With her being out of reach, the message didn’t get across like I had expected. According to Kyle, she cried and spent a whole day just doing design work when she should have been recording. She needs to get her new record out soon. After this tour, her audience will want a new album. I’m hoping she’ll also have a collaboration song on there like she’s always wanted. I just need to keep dropping the crumbs for Mason to pick up on. If he makes the offer then she’ll have to accept.
Me
Send me a picture of it when you can. And don’t forget her chai-tea today. She’ll be in the recording studio a lot.
I have her schedule memorized. She’s never deviated far from what I set up for her. I built it entirely around her moods and when she works the best, so it’s not surprising. What was surprising to learn about was the skipped meals and energy drinks. All of which I blame on the stress from her previous situation and my not being there for her. It's all changed now and I’m happy to see some of the life coming back into her eyes and watching her focusing naturally again.
Kyle
Already on it. She booked the studio tomorrow too.
I didn’t want her pushing herself too much in her down time, but I also wanted to respect her work ethic. Rosen Records’s clients were all doing everything they could to keep the tour alive and the focus on the artists.
Caleb
Mr. Namara wants a word with you.
Sighing, I type a quick response to Caleb to let him in. After all, I need to keep him happy to get what I really want. The end goal is always going to be Ocean in my life. In my bed. And wearing my ring on her finger.
Mason Namara walks in a few minutes later, looking like he just walked out of the gym. His shirt is drenched and his long black hair is wet. At twenty, he barely has any facial hair, but a dusting of a five o’clock shadow is present.
“Mr. Hamilton.” He greets me with respect, which is always a bonus for this kid. Despite his reputation, I’ve never had a complaint about him and I suspect it had more to do with previous company trying to paint him in a bad light.
“Mason. What can I help you with?”
He shoves his hands into his pockets. “I saw that an additional three press meetings were added this week. I also heard that The Kid is taking a huge hit because of his record label.”
My eyes narrow on him. “And?”
He shrugs, “I’m just letting you know I’m on board to help drum up more publicity to help divert. He’s a great artist and I hate that they’re all taking a hit.”
I lean back in my chair, my fingers turning my phone over and over. I study him, wondering if he just gave me the answer I had been looking for. “They are all being hit with bad publicity because of this. How about a collaboration with one of the artists?”
His eyes widen and he runs his hands together. “I don’t think The Kid usually collaborates much.”
“I was thinking of Ocean Heart. You two on a track with a music video possibility.” My brow rises.
“Ocean Heart? Like the…Ocean Heart?” His face lights up, and for a second I forget he’s my client. His interest in working with her strikes a chord in my gut and I hate his enthusiasm.
“The one and only,” I answer, keeping my voice even and bored.
“I’m interested,” he jumps in, “Let me know what you need from me and when. Thanks, Mr. Hamilton.”
“Just call me Ezra, Mason,” I direct him. He smiles and practically dances out of the room.
That went better than I had anticipated and the fact that Mason is willing to help out makes things somewhat easier. I send another message to Caleb, letting him know the plan, before bringing up the contract to Rosen Records for Ocean and sending that off. My plan is falling into place. I’ll make myself indispensable in her life. I’ll help further the career she wants. I’ll be her protector and eventually her lover. She’ll have all the success she wants and needs, and at the end of each day, the man who loves her, craves her, would kill and die for her, is waiting at home.
Standing from my chair, I fix the lapels of my jacket and adjust my tie. The plans are in motion, which means I have a lot of work to do. I refuse to let any more time go by where Ocean isn’t seeing and thinking about me. I’m keeping her safe and she’ll repay me with her unconditional love.
