Niles’s brows pinched, trying to explain himself without giving away things that needed to come from Asao. His pastwasn’t Niles’s story to tell but seeing how he was moving with Samari was an eerie reflection of how Asao used to be with Na’Mya. If shit went bad, Niles wasn’t sure how that would play out. An unstable muthafucker was a problem. An unstable man with a broken heart was lethal.
The way the three of them had painted the city crimson wasn’t anything nice but the problem was no matter how many bodies they dropped, the result was the same. She wasn’t coming back and seeing his boy in that space had been hard. It had taken years for Asao to get those demons off his back and they couldn’t afford for him to find residence in that space again.
“I’m not using him,” she stated firmly.
Niles laughed arrogantly. “You couldn’t even if you wanted to. Asao isn’t the type of man who will ever be anyone’s fool.”
“Then I don’t get what you’re saying.”
“I’m saying he’s giving freely because he fucks with you. If this is just about the music, then make that clear. Otherwise shit can get fucked up and you don’t want that.”
“This is bullshit,”Cobra growled, slinging the stack of papers across the table.
“And this is a crime,” Raaj Armond stated coolly. With clients who filled his roster, mostly artists and athletes, Raaj had pretty much experienced every possible legal dilemma that existed. Scandals were his forte but the current situation he was handling for Asao had Raaj making Cobra’s take down his personal mission.
After reading through the contracts his artists were being held hostage by, Raaj wanted to ensure they were no longer legally bound to the shady label just as much as Asao.
“Crime?” Cobra’s eyes darted between Asao and Raaj before he smiled smugly. “We agreed to the terms. He signed it. The contract is binding. I’m not delivering the masters until I receive my payout from the sale of the VIP tickets. I’m not understanding what the issue is.”
Asao hadn’t said much since Cobra walked in the door. The meeting was set up at Raaj’s office and Cobra walked in with his ego on display, feeling as if he had the upper hand. Unfortunately his ego would be the least of his worries by the time they were done.
“My client has proof of funds for the ticket sales. We can have the money released immediately. You were supposed to deliver Ms. Sellers’s masters within twenty-four hours of finalizing the contract. Your signature is on it as well as my clients. My office has no documentation for delivery of the masters. Is there a problem?” Raaj stated smoothly, already knowing there was.
Asao watched Cobra, taking in the increased labor of his breathing, the twitch of his jaw muscles, and the way he began nervously bouncing his legs.
“I can call and have them sent over…”
“I don’t want a copy. I want the original project files. Your label used the process of cataloging them analog, so I want all the hard copies. I also need the written contracts from anyone who touched the project. Producers, engineers, hell, the gotdamn bank you used when your team purchased the samples to make the tracks. The contract says I own the masters, but if you can’t produce a chain of title, there is no deal. I want every fucking detail in place down to the invoices and receipts for studio time and production along with the split sheets thatclearly outline any previous ownership between you and the creators.”
Cobra’s nostrils flared and his hands balled into fists. “You think I don’t know how to do business?”
Asao smiled cockily. “What I think is irrelevant. What I know is what you need to focus on.”
“WhatIknow is I want my money or you can see me in court,” Cobra sneered.
A large tatted hand lifted and smoothly brushed over Asao’s freshly cut waves before he dropped it into his lap and his expression turned deadly. He removed the gun from his side and placed it on the table. Raaj groaned but didn’t say anything because he knew his client. Cobra’s eyes dropped to the gun and he tried his best to keep his cool.
“This isn’t hood shit.” Cobra glanced at Raaj who didn’t speak.
“You said I don’t want to meet you in court. I’m just letting you know I don’t have a problem with that. I’m the muthafuckin’ judge and jury. Here’s my gavel, muthafucker.” Asao’s tatted hand covered the gun. “You want to toss out threats? I’m game. Court is in session.”
Asao stood from his chair, lifted the gun, and chambered it as he rounded the table. Cobra shuffled his feet clumsily, attempting to make a run for it, but the barrel of the Glock pressed into his forehead before he was able to stand.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Cobra rushed out.
“We’re having court. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Do something?” Cobra cut his eyes at Raaj but he stood and adjusted his coat.
“I’m going to step out and let you gentlemen handle this. Let me know when you’re ready to continue.”
Sweat misted Cobra’s forehead when Raaj reached the door. “Wait, hold on. I need more time.”
“Time?” Raaj said smoothly, focusing on Cobra like his client didn’t have a gun pressed to a man’s head.
“Yeah, time. The documentation you’re asking for is going to take some time…”
“Aight, let me get the masters then.”
