Onyx Kiddrick is nothing like I imagined he would be. True, I’d never met him before, but I’d heard the rumors. I had glimpsed at his pictures in the tabloids and magazines. The man that walked into my office, though, is not the laid-back rapper who favors a black baseball hat and hooded sweatshirt and is always wearing a signature smirk. This guy is intimidating. His dark hair is closely cropped to his head, making the tattoos around his neck and temple visible. His skin is pale, which makes his dark eyes almost look black. A definite nod to his name. His navy blue, designer suit molds perfectly over his tall, athletic frame, and let’s be honest, the man is so built, it’s almost scary. He towered over me when he first arrived at my office, and while most men do, there is an air about Onyx that breathes danger down my spine. And now he’s across my desk, poker-face strong, and asking to join my label company…with one major stipulation.
“You’ll sign with Rosen Records if I take Ms. Lennon on as well. As what exactly?” My brow quirks while my stomach flips restlessly. My eyes dart from Onyx to the door, half-expecting some dolled up woman to come flying in here and drape herself all over him. I hadn’t heard that Onyx was tangled up with groupies, but I need to remember that anyone can surprise you.
“Jade is a great dancer. I’m sure you’ll find room for her as a back-up dancer for my shows and on a tour, when we get to that point.” His gravelly voice explains his plans for Jade Lennon, detailing exactly what he wants before singing his contract.
“And where is Jade? Is she willing to do this?” I question, finding it odd that someone wanting a job with the record label wouldn’t actually be here. That her boyfriend, or whatever their relationship is, since he didn’t come right out and call her his girlfriend would be negotiating for them both.
Onyx may shrug it off like the whole exchange is normal. Except that I’ve done my homework on Onyx Kiddrick, since Tabbi first heard that he was interested in finding new representation. I know every member of his band. Every singer and dancer who has ever been on tour with him, especially the ones called back. I’ve never seen his name associated with Jade Lennon.
I sit back in my chair, twirling my pen around my fingers, while I try to keep my poker face strong. I don’t like this. Something feels off. If this girl really wanted a job with the record label, why isn’t she here negotiating on her own?
“Is Jade okay with this arrangement?” The question comes out of nowhere, except for a small inkling in my consciousness that something feels off.
Onyx’s body goes rigid and his eyes flash briefly. “Jade is interested in dancing, and since my intention is to sign with your label, it’s her interest too.”
“I need to meet her when we sign,” I tell him, keeping my voice nonchalant. “I don’t sign with anyone without meeting them first.”
Onyx smirks and rises with his hand outstretched. “We’ll both be ready. Have the contract sent to my lawyer, and we’ll be back tomorrow to sign.”
“Tomorrow?” I question, as I shake his hand.
“Rise Above leaves for New Jersey after today, don’t they?”
“Yes, that’s right.” I nod, impressed that he really has done his homework as well. And here I thought the few days in New York were going to be boring and filled with painful memories. The minute we touched down and arrived at the hotel, it has been nothing but eventful. When Tabbi had called and said Onyx wanted a meeting today, I was shell-shocked. Talking about working together was one thing, but he’s ready to sign a contract tomorrow. Onyx has never met me or seen how I run my business. Becks and Spyder would have reached out if he had contacted them to ask questions. Needless to say, the conversation we just had is unusual in this business.
My eyes track Onyx as he leaves with his right-hand man, Terrance Taylor, the one person who has been with him from the beginning. Making sure the door closes behind him, I whip out my phone and call Tabbi.
“OHMIGAWd! I’ve been waiting to hear from you!” she screeches on the line, “how did it go? Is he interested? Should I send the contract?”
I chuckle lightly, because, really, this is another highlight of my career, if I’m being honest. It’s almost too good to be true. “Chill woman.”
“Mia, I have been waiting forever. It’s three in the morning here, and I waited up to get this ready for you, ASAP.” She huffs, and I hear her typing away on her computer. There is a muffled noise and what sounds like a man’s voice.
“Tell Manning, I said hey.” I sit back at the desk in the hotel suite and grab my own laptop.
“Mia says hey, babe,” Tabbi says, and I hear Manning grunt in return. I can’t help but smile. He probably hates when we do business at times, especially with the time difference. As I pull up the document, I watch as Tabbi makes the necessary changes. My mind goes over every and all scenarios I might be faced with tomorrow. I really want to sign Onyx “The Kid” Kiddrick. Every label is after him, and he draws a huge crowd. He also has a Grammy under his belt as well as a VMA award.
“Why are you hesitating then?” Tabbi responds to my unspoken thoughts.
“I just feel weird about Jade Lennon. Something feels off,” I tell her, my fingers drumming against my forehead.
“Do you know anyone who could vouch for him or her? I’ve read his music articles in Rolling Stone and talked to an insider at his last record company but no mention of Jade. There has also been nothing to suggest he’s a terrible client or difficult to work with…” she trails off.
“Just the gossip rags that claim he has family in the mafia,” I add, and I hear her hum in response. That’s my worry too. I could care less about his mafia connection, as long as it doesn’t interfere with my business, but I’m worried that Jade is, somehow, being coerced into this. I pinch the bridge of my nose and exhale. “York would probably know.”
Tabbi is silent on the other end of the phone, but I can hear her tapping away on her laptop. “I would never push you to consider it, but maybe this one time…for your own business.”
I sigh and the steady thump of an oncoming headache builds in the front of my head. “I swore I wouldn’t reach out to them or involve them in my business.”
“But you aren’t asking him to represent or vouch for your business. You’re simply making an inquiry to see if said rap star is shady or not,” Tabbi reiterates the important points, and I realize she’s right. Plus, York has been vying for some sort of contact from me. Granted, he’s been more subtle and lets me take the reins as opposed to his bestie who invades my space and pushes his way into my life.
“I’ll do it.” I commit to calling my brother and now there is no way to get out of it.
“Okay,” Tabbi responds, her voice soft, “I’ll send the contract for Kid and Ms. Lennon. Let me know once you talk to York, and I’ll schedule a meeting with Kid’s lawyer.”
We hang up, and I pace the floor of the hotel room. My cell dances between my hands while I start and stop a dialogue in my head of how to approach York. I don’t want him to think I need something from him. I’m just curious about Onyx’s ties and background. “Just do it, Mia,” I whisper to myself and pull up York’s name in my phone. The day of the funeral, he stealthily programmed it and I haven’t had the heart to remove it. The phone rings twice before he answers.
“Mia?” His voice is strong, and in a way, it reminds me of how our dad sounded. Tears spring to my eyes but I quickly blink them away.
“Hey, York,” I try to sound cheerful, “did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Ah, no, actually. I was just wrapping up for the day.” I hear some papers shuffle.
“Okay,” I clear my throat, feeling my face heating, “I won’t keep you. I just had something or someone rather that I wanted to ask you about. I can call back at a different time, though, if you’re busy or leaving the office, I guess.”
“It’s okay, Mia,” I hear him chuckle lightly, “I’m not in a rush. Nothing really to get home to tonight. What or who can I help you with?”
A small feeling of regret hits me in the stomach, followed quickly by sadness. My brother mentioned living alone, but I guess I thought he likes it that way. Judging by his words, he almost sounds lonely. I give myself a mental shake because it’s not my fault he pushed his family away. If he’s really lonely, he can call Zander.
“Onyx Kiddrick.”
“I heard a rumor The Kid was looking at being represented by your label,” York replies, “I would assume you’re worried about the gossip pertaining to his family.”
“I’m not so much worried about him having mafia family ties. As long as he doesn’t make it part of my business. I also saw nothing in his history that reflects negatively on him in this regard. He’s never been busted for guns, drugs or any type of sexual misconduct,” I tell my brother, while my teeth worry my bottom lip. Tabbi and I have done our homework. We searched thoroughly.
“I know the gossip isn’t far off, but he isn’t actively associated. It’s decades old family drama for him. I’ve met The Kid once, and he didn’t give me or Zan any sleazy vibes. He cuts his business very close to the chest, if you’re with him, it’s for the long haul.” York goes over his experience. “I think the fact that he wants to be on your label is a business opportunity you can’t pass up.”
I nod my head, even though he can’t see me, because this is my assessment too. Onyx’s previous label is currently embroiled in an embezzlement scandal, which is most of his reason for leaving. Anyone could look it up; it’s public knowledge. He didn’t leave because of Jade or their refusal to take her on. “He won’t sign unless I offer a contract to a dancer. A friend of his, I think.”
York inhales on the other end of the line, and I can hear him exhaling slowly, something he always did growing up while crunching information in his brain. “What’s her name?”
“Jade Lennon,” I answer quietly. While York is brainstorming on his own, I return to the desk and grab the list of dancers, backup singers, performers, DJs, and sign-language specialists Onyx has ever worked with in his career. Jade’s name is not on it. Not even a name close to hers. “She’s never been mentioned anywhere in his past paperwork.”
“You want my honest opinion?” York asks, a small chuckle falling from his lips.
“I want your professional opinion,” I remind him, and this time, he fully laughs.
“I say go for it. Offer them both the contract and add a small stipulation that even if he ends with you, she gets the choice to continue or leave because then you are presenting her an option. My gut tells me she isn’t being forced. He might not date anyone seriously, but he does keep his circle close. She is important somehow,” York explains his reasoning. I mull his words over in my head and can’t find any fault in his logic. If she’s important, so is the contract.
“Thank you,” I manage to get out, my own excitement bubbling in my chest. “Uh, anytime you might need some advice or something.”
York laughs, the sound warm and rich in my ear. “Mi, how about just responding to a how are you text every once in a while? Not every time, don’t feel obligated, but just once every now and then, so I know you’re alive?”
A small smile tugs at my lips with his goading. “I think I can manage that. Please don’t charge me for the consultation fee.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, sis,” York jokes back, but him calling me his sister hangs between us for a few painful seconds. “Get some rest, Mi.”
“Bye,” I answer with as much-forced happiness as I can muster. As far as conversations go, this is the first real one I have had with York that wasn’t about our grandpa’s will. I haven’t talked like this with him or heard him laugh since I was a teenager, before the contract, before they broke me. A small flutter of hope blooms in my chest; I don’t know if I’m mad about it or relieved.
I’m not on my game this week, apparently. Much like Onyx Kiddrick, Jade Lennon is not at all what I expected. Maybe I had been a little harsh with my initial thought of her being a groupie, or since The Kid is not known to have ever had a steady relationship, an upscale escort. Jade is neither of those things, and I can tell she knows that is exactly what I had been expecting. In truth, since the minute she walked into my office, two steps ahead of Onyx, and had actually read her contract, she’s been a breath of fresh air. She made her own introduction to me, giving Onyx a slight dig for talking about her yesterday without including her. I can see the tension radiating off her as she puts some distance between Onyx and herself. Jade is also gorgeous, and everything I wish I looked like. Beautiful, flawless tanned skin, bright green eyes, and a body to die for. I can see from her curves and her posture that she is, in fact, a dancer; however, she is not thin or toned like a ballerina. Her black hair shines under the lights of the hotel room, and she plays with the ends of it while holding her contract. Onyx is either oblivious or ignoring the attitude she is throwing his way.
“Onyx, you can sign here.” I point to his line, after giving him a minute to look things over. His fingers grab onto the pen I offer, and it’s the first time I notice that even his fingers are tattooed.
“Ms. Lennon,” I turn to Jade, and she almost startles at my use of her surname with respect. “Are you in agreement to this contract?”
Her brow arches and her eyes slide to Onyx before she gazes back at me. “He said you think I’m being forced. It’s more like I’m being bribed and coerced.”
“Jade,” Onyx says her name in a low tone that raises goosebumps on her skin. My eyes fly to her face, expecting a look of fear, only to find her pupils blown and her cheeks pink.
“Yes, Ms. Rosen, I am in agreement to the contract,” Jade answers me, her expression now weary.
“I told Onyx if you aren’t in agreement, I won’t take either contract. This is all up to you.” I glance at Onyx and see an equal amount of respect on his face as well as annoyance, probably for me butting into whatever type of relationship squabble they are having.
Jade sighs then gives me her first genuine smile since she entered the room, before picking up her own gold pen and signing her name on the dotted line. We all shake hands before they leave, and I make a plan to meet with Onyx next week to go over his schedule for the upcoming weeks while we set up his recording time. Jade is quiet during the process, but she does give me another smile when they leave.
My phone vibrates a minute after, and I smirk when I see the caller. “Tabbi.”
“They signed…”
I scream and whoop at the same time, doing my own happy dance. “I can’t believe it!”
“Believe it, babe! You’re soaring to number four already on social media searches. Mia! This is it. Rise Above and The Kid are on your label. Girl, this is the dream.” Tabbi’s excitement blends with mine over the phone. I’m laughing and crying, ready to open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
I hang up with Tabbi and check my newsfeed, and, sure enough…
The Kid has signed with the all-new, female-powered label, Rosen Records.
The newsline grabs my attention. Number four and trending up. My cheeks hurt from smiling. My dream is coming true. I grab my cell and text the guys to get over here. We need to celebrate. I will never forget that this dream is also theirs and would not be possible without them.
Becks: On our way 🙂
Spyder: Pop the bubbly, beautiful!
These guys. This job. New York is no longer a bad memory of heartbreak to me. Standing in the snow and feeling my heart break in two has led me to this moment. New York was where I made the decision to change my fate. New York is now the place where my dream is being made.
