“Nah, that’s too much work. We don’t know anything about running a place like that. Permits and shit. Dealing with the city. We’re barely clean but we both know there are open cases out there linked to all of us. Even if they don’t know our names, they know our work. I’m not trying to take on that type of commitment or a problem like that,” Asao confirmed.
Street smart meant doing dirt and not getting caught. That translated to staying off anyone’s radar. It wasn’t likely their past could catch up with them, but where Asao, Niles, and Dom came from, you didn’t chance it. Dealing with the city meant dealing with legal shit Asao didn’t want to touch.
“Let me worry about that part. I’ll make it work and keep it out of your way. Music, that’s all I need from you. It’s a good look and I think we need to consider it,” Niles offered up.
Asao eyed Niles for a minute before shaking his head. “Let you worry about it? You take some business classes and shit that I don’t know about? We getting an invite in the mail to watch your big ass walk across a stage at community college?”
One of those rare moments occurred when Niles smiled, sort of. More like his face eased up.
“Maybe. I’m telling you I will handle the business side. I know a few people, but think about it like this, it’s a good space and easy money. We can turn the back into a little studio for Dom. Get maybe two or three booths back there. Then there’s the main area and the stage. Live performances and shit. Charge at the door and the bar.”
“Still not interested.”
“You’re not hearing me. We bring in a few artists. You know how many run through Cap’s looking for a break just because it’s where you got your start. We make that happen. Your name holds weight. If they have talent, we put ’em on and get a cut.”
Amusing. Real fucking amusing.“That sounds like a label, or at the very least, artist management. Nothing I want any part of,” Asao said.
Niles shrugged then said, “It is but it isn’t. How many times you catch somebody trying to get put on and run down all the shit they’re doing wrong? Why not help them out and make a little money doing it?”
“Because that’s not my thing. I’m focused on me and what I’m doing. I don’t want my name in rotation connected to anyone else.”
It was true. The city embraced Asao and he was certain that backing a few artists would be well received but he couldn’t mentally process how that would work. He couldn’t imagine finding the time to get it done, and if his name was on it, he would need to make sure the process was thorough. That would require investing time.Timewhich Asao barely had enough of as it was.
“Sao, you need to do this. You’re good at what you do. You’re fair and you won’t ever fuck people over. I know you’re thinking about all the negative shit connected to it but consider the positive. All these youngin’ are already out here following your lead. Why not do it in an official capacity?”
Niles’s argument was strong but…
“Let me think about it. What Dom say?” Asao asked.
With a shrug, Niles glanced at the TV. “It’s money. He can produce and get credit but you know he’s not gonna sign on until you make the final call.”
With a nod, Asao confirmed his understanding. It seemed easy but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to take on that type of responsibility. Music was serious to Asao. As good as the money was, it was not where his heart felt the pull. He didn’t want to lose the rawness of why he was in it by getting caught up in the wrong things. This felt like the wrong thing.
“Stop overthinking shit. You’re never gonna change.” Niles’s voice made Asao look his way. “You’re solid, Sao. Always have been. What you do and how you do it will always be grounded in that.”
“Get the fuck out my head.” Asao chuckled and Niles offered his version of amusement via a barely there smile before switching up.
“We’re in the club tonight. We can do it lowkey. I know you don’t like the spotlight and shit. We let you slide last night and Dom damn near cried like a little bitch. You owe him.”
The business talk was done just that quick. Niles had moved on. There was no need to pressure Asao because he would make his own call. Niles would roll with whatever Asao decided regardless of his feelings. Another reason they fucked with each other heavy.
“He can get that,” was Asao’s last thought before he finished his burger. He would revisit the deal with Cap later, but right now, he was about to handle something else. “Cheek this out though.”
With his phone in hand, Asao pulled up the tracks from last night and tossed it over to Niles. Seconds later his voice filled the room and their heads simultaneously bounced in rhythm with the beat. This was what it was all about. This was the muthafuckin’ reason for it all.
After he filledhis stomach and had a few hours to burn, Asao decided to meet up with Dom at the studio. When inspiration hit and he needed access to a full blown studio that surpassed the needs of the one he’d thrown together at his apartment, this was where he spent his time. It was a simple little spot not far from his building but well worth the money spent. A grip had been paid for a space devoted to them. Asao was big on energy and didn't want anyone else's vibes fucking with his, so as a business expense, Niles cut the owners a check once a month to make sure the space was exclusively theirs.
With his attention on his phone, Asao stepped off the elevator on the second floor and immediately lifted his eyes upon hearing male voices toward the end of the hall. A quick inspection had his temple throbbing from agitation.
Not one word had been sent his way but it wasn't necessary. The sight of this clown ass man disturbed his entire soul. The snarky smile that eased onto the man’s face further set Asao off. When Asao’s eyes left Cobra and moved over to Dom, he offered the same annoyed look that Asao knew was now on his face.
Dom’s stance was defensive. His legs set wide, chest open, and hands resting just above his belt. He kept a burner at all times, always sitting on his left side, so his positioning was purposeful.Stay ready.
"Sao. The man I want to see.” Cobra's conniving smirk inched higher but only on the left side. It was just enough to expose the gold cap lining one of his teeth.This muthafucker is clown as fuck.
"The hell you need to see me for?" Asao positioned himself to the left of Dom, mirroring his stance. Asao wasn't strapped. There were only certain times he kept his burner on him and now wasn't one, but his hands were nice as hell. He possessed a speed and quickness generally unheard of.
His mind moved fast so his hands had to follow. He could peep the most simple details others overlooked. It was a skill Asao relied on. Like now, Cobra was nervous. He was out of his element in the presence of two well-known hittas who had a penchant for not giving a damn about how they moved. Cobra’s money wouldn't allow him the privilege of escaping a foot in his ass if deemed necessary.
