Page 76 of Love U Down II

“Alright. Well, thanks. Tell Drix he had a great pitch.” Kevo climbed to his feet and I looked away when I felt my dumb ass lip tremble. Kevo did a double take. “Are you okay?” he asked slowly.

“The honest answer is no. I genuinely don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. This label is Drix’s baby and I’ve been in his seat for less than two hours and am losing him artists.”

“That’s not on you. That’s on him.”

“Except he didn’t make his dad sick but he did make me his business partner, so…” I exhaled and climbed to my feet. “I do want to thank you for even considering us though.”

“His dad is sick?” Kevo repeated and collapsed back into his seat.

I looked from him to the contract and lowered my arm.

“Yeah, and uhm, obviously he does most of this and the second most qualified person is his sister, but she is also with her father.” I forced a small laugh and sat back down. “The issue with a family business is that when there’s an issue in the family, there can’t be any business.”

“Yeah.” He looked away for a brief moment. “And no lawyer?”

“His email is saying he’s out of office.” I shifted in my seat. “Look, I appreciate you trying to be accommodating, but I genuinely don’t think I can do anything today. I don’t want to waste your time, but I also would rather lose you as an artist than come between this time with Drix and his family.”

“I get that.” Kevo exhaled. “Look, I can give you twenty-four hours. I’ll extend my hotel stay and take my wife out tonight and come back tomorrow. But if there isn’t an accurate contract, I can’t stall anymore. I let my old contract go off the strength of what was promised to me, and if y’all aren’t going to deliver, I’ve gotta go to someone who will.”

I nodded immediately.

“I understand and I can handle that. Thank you so much.”

“Don’t mention it.” He climbed back up. “And ay, don’t sound so shaky. I let you make it, but there are artists who are sharks out here and will eat you alive, Mrs. King. If you’re going to run this company, run it. Don’t forget that.”

I nodded. “I won’t.”

“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He put his toothpick back in his mouth and pivoted.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I emailed the lawyer and Zamir in case he didn’t get back to me soon enough.

If you’re going to run this company, run it.

I exhaled and plucked my phone up, immediately pressing the call button for the assistant’s desk.

“Yes, ma’am? What can I do for you?”

“Start with never calling me ma’am again please.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“No problem. Can you arrange a label wide meeting? There’s only like ten artists or something like that. Tell them it’s anemergency and I want to do it early tomorrow morning if possible.”

“Okay.”

“I don’t want you to email or text them either. I want you to call and can you include Charm and Alan in that count?”

“Sure. I can do that.”

“And I’ll call Allison myself, so don’t worry about her, okay?”

“Got it.”

“Thank you, Steven.”

“You’re welcome.”

I hung up, exhaled, and turned back to Drix’s computer so I could look up a few different businesses. I grabbed a sticky note and pen and called Allison.