“Stay outta what you don’t understand.
“That’s what I’m here for.
“Let me keep this fuckin’ place standin’.”
His stare doesn’t waver,
it turns me into a statue here.
Raymond’s gift: you never see where the fatherly CEO ends and the soft touches begin. The lines blur till you forget which hands were holding you still.
“Speaking of pullin’ your weight?—”
He says it offhand, back to business.
“Had a big meeting yesterday. This next artist could take this place to a whole new level.” Snide disappointment creeps acrosshis face. “The board’s startin’ to notice, baby. Future CEO’s gotta clock in sometime.”
A laugh breaks in my throat.
“Your idea of‘whole new level’is what's gonna bury this label in ten years. 'Cause you don’t sign talent, Raymond. You sign trends. Fast money.” My gaze flies across the room, the truth literally written on the walls. “This place used to be a label. Now it’s a fuckin’ playlist.”
A chuckle slips out of him,
humorless air as he edges closer.
His fingertips brush my shoulder,
his touch trapping me under it.
A reminder of how simple it was for him to take control then.
And how simple it still is now.
“Baby,” he murmurs, gentle. “Still the same soft heart hidin' behind big talk. Always did fall apart when it counted.” Heat pours off his hand, soaking into my shoulder. “Seem on edge. Ben not doin' it for you anymore?”
“Not on edge, Ray. I’m in control.”
And I’ve never lied harder in my life.
Which is also a fucking lie.
“I know that look, baby.
“I’m just askin’ ‘cause I?—”
“Don’t.” My pulse blows through my throat.
“Don’t what?”
His thumb brushes my cheekbone,
pressing memories into my skin.
“Don’t love you? Don’t look after you? The only reason you held it together is because I held you together.” His hand slips to my waist. “System not enough?”
Love.
An old-fashioned word that means:
