Page 39 of The Bitter Words

My breathing kicks up. “I’ll find a way to make it work without all these veiled threats.”

“There are no threats. Just cold, hard facts.” His icy stare holds mine. “Like I said earlier, we’re getting off on the wrong foot. Let’s enjoy our drinks and get to where we can move forward with an understanding of who’s running the show.”

“More warnings?”

“These so-called threats, the bitter words you’re alluding to, are the truth you need to hear. Deal with it.”

I fake a laugh. “Sure, Leon. Let’s pretend we’re friends, share a beer, and make it seem like this will all be worth it in the end.”

“The problem with you, Cash, is you’re exactly like your father. Stubborn and foolish. I’m not your enemy.”

“No? Then what are you?”

“Someone whowillget what I was promised years ago.”

“Cut the bullshit.” I shove his heavy hand off me. “Tell me what you really want.”

Chapter Nine

Then

Gate Codes & Uncashed Debts

She looks like temptation, but the room hums like I already signed away my soul.

My hands shake as I punch the code into the Hemings property gate and wait for it to open. I’m in such a shit situation and need someone who can guide me, and that someone can’t be my fucking uncle.

The metal fence slowly opens and I wanna scream while I wait for it to clear my path. Once it does, I tear down their driveway, screech to a stop, and march into their house.

“Hey, it’s Cash. Anyone around?”

“I’m in the kitchen,” Mr. Hemings’ voice chimes in.

“You’re just the person I’m looking for.” I storm into the room and find Mr. Hemings and some guy sitting at the far end of the area at the dining room table.

“What can I do for you?” Mr. Hemings focuses on my expression. Whatever he picks up on causes him to nod and stand. He gestures to the large dude sitting next to him. “Thisis Jaxon Crowne. We’re going over some paperwork for a closing on a home he’s purchasing.”

“Hey, Mr. Crowne.” I step forward and hold out my palm. “I’m Cash Mayze. You backed our band a while back. Thanks. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Good to meet you, too.” He rises to his feet and shakes my hand. “You’re trembling. Is there something Greg and I can assist you with?”

I step back and shove my hands into my pockets. “I know you two are doing your own thing. This can wait. It’s just business.”

“Cash, Jaxon is one of the most savvy venture capitalists I know.” Mr. Hemings gestures to Jaxon. “He’s thirty-one and has more than double the money I do. If you want some advice, there’s an opportunity standing right in front of you. Take it if it’s being offered.”

I glance at Jaxon. He gives me a dip of his chin.

“Fuck it. It can’t hurt.” I pace the space before them. “I had a meeting go sideways and now I’m afraid I blew up my life because I need this guy.”

“Is it something you can rectify?” Jaxon returns to sit. “If so, let’s see how we can help.”

“My pops worked with this person. Now he thinks he has some kind of claim on my inheritance.” I huff a laugh. “The crazy thing is I just found out on my birthday my pops left me one. How does this prick know?”

Mr. Hemings takes a seat across from Jaxon. “Leon Baker is powerful and he’s been in the industry for a long time. If he worked with your father and thinks he’s owed something from your father’s estate, that tells me it was planned long before your dad died.”

“That’s what Leon said.” I find a chair between them and settle into it. “Is there a way I can stop him from getting his hands on it? I was gonna get my ma set up and take care of some other things. I don’t want Leon to take that away.”

“Let me ask you something, Cash. All I know about you is you’re a singer and songwriter.” Jaxon rests his arms against the table, leaning closer to me. “Artists still need to treat their work like a business. Is that something you do?”