"This muthafucker needs someone to go in his jaw," Niles growled.
"He's about to get it but first I need her release."
"She's talented as hell, Sao. How do you plan on making it about her and not the music."
Asao shrugged nonchalantly. "I'll make him think we're fucking and she's done with music."
Dom chuckled. "Not a far stretch from the truth. The fucking part, that is. I knew when you left with them, you were on some bullshit. What's up with her girl…"
"Married with a kid and Samari's best friend. So she's off limits too."
"Damn, why do all the fine women travel in packs?" Dom smirked and brushed a hand over his head.
"That's what you like. Everybody in the group fuckable because you like fucking groups." Niles shot him a knowing look and Dom grinned.
"I do. The more the merrier."
"Aight, so we're buying Cap out and taking Cobra’s artists?" Dom nodded. "I need to smoke something because shit is about to get crazy."
It was but that wouldn't deter Asao from getting things done. His soul had been linked with Samari’s after last night and hehad to have her. Having her meant being her safe space and protection, which would start with giving her what she wanted most. The thing that had been taken, her voice.
"I assume she still wants to do music?" Niles asked, standing.
"Yeah, she does, and she will after we get her from under Cobra," Asao offered coolly.
Niles nodded. He could see Asao’s mind working but it was Dom who spoke. "You need her on some tracks. That would be dope as fuck and if you're trying to get her out there…"
"That's not what this is. I'm just trying to help her find her footing again. I don’t need to be connected to her music."
Niles grunted. "Get her over here with us. Your words, Sao. I see exactly what this is. You want to be connected to her pretty ass anyway you can.”
Asao smirked because he wasn't with the shits. "Is that a problem?"
"As long as she understands that fucking you over is not a move she wants to make, no."
"She didn't ask me for shit. I volunteered. This isn't about her looking for a come up," Asao made clear. He hadn’t caught any vibes from Samari that she was trying to use him.
"Then there's no problem." Niles moved toward the door. "I'm out. I want to get on this before Cap talks too much and somebody else thinks it's a good idea to put an offer in on his place."
"Like you won't convince them it's not."
Niles shrugged. "No point in playing my hand when I don't have to."
He left and Jo let Dom know he was ready to record. Asao put his focus on the kid, thinking about what he had just signed on for.
By eight,Asao left the studio after sitting through two more sessions with Dom. Both were artists he wanted Asao to work with. He didn't interact with them, just observed and listened to what they could do. Both had something to bring to the table. A female rapper who’d studied a few popular artists too closely but she had talent. If she was coachable and would be open to settling into her own style, she had a chance. She couldn’t write though, so that posed a problem.
The other was a guy, late twenties, who could write because his lyrics were on point but he wasn't a rapper. It would take too much coaching to get him decent. He wouldn't have that natural thing, which meant he would always require coaching and that meant time invested which would cost money. They could use him as a songwriter but that would be about it.
On his way to the crib, Asao decided to make the call he had been avoiding all day. When she answered, Asao found himself smiling a little too fucking hard.
"Hey…." Her soft voice flowed through his line, communicating directly to his dick. It sounded more like a moan than a greeting and he knew that was just her voice. Nothing intentional. He didn't have a plan until this very minute. He knew exactly what he wanted.
"You busy?" Asao asked.
"Not really, what's up?"
"Can you come by my place?"
