Chapter 9

NINE

I mute the interview I'm rewatching, wondering idly if Fallon made it home yet and saw the present waiting for her. I smirk as I imagine her reaction, but then I grab my phone. "Elijah, put me through to JN Entertainment."

"Um, Kage?—"

"Now." My tone borders on cruel, leaving no room for argument, and he sighs.

I wait, drumming my fingers on the table, and ten minutes later, after a panicked secretary answers, I address the CEO. Having a name and fame like mine really does come in handy in moments like these. Before, no doors would have opened, never mind phone calls being answered.

"Kage, it's so good to hear from you?—"

"Fire Henry," I order without a greeting.

There's silence and then a cough. Obviously, he wasn't expecting that, nor is he used to anyone giving a man like him demands. It matters little to me what he likes or is used to. In my world, Fallon always comes first.

"Sorry?"

"You should be. Fire Henry and offer Fallon a public apology." My tone is lethal. I'm barely able to restrain my anger, but I try for her. She doesn't need me to fight her battles, but I won't sit back and let her be insulted like that.

"Kage, look—" His voice is slick and slimy, but I refuse to cave.

He underestimated just what I would be willing to do for her.

"No, you look. If you ever want me on any of your shows or gigs, you will do this. If not, I will never mention or work with any of JN again, and I will make it widely known why."

"Is that a threat?" he asks.

"No, it's a promise. Fire him publicly and apologize to Fallon." I hang up and wait.

Nobody disrespects my girl, and although she might have dealt with him, I saw hurt in her eyes, and I refuse to let anyone else hurt her ever again.

My phone rings a moment later. "What did you do? JN is calling me, panicking."

"Ignore them. How's it going on the search?" I ask instead.

"Impossible. What you want me to find is impossible," Elijah mutters.

"I don't care, find it. I'm off to the studio. Speak to you later."

By the time I make it to the studio, the news of Henry being fired has already spread, and there is a public statement from JN condemning his actions and apologizing to Fallon while standing with her.

Helen is waiting for me, ready as usual, knowing I hate to be kept waiting. I smile at her and embrace her in a side hug. "Hi, K." She grins. "Good to see you back in a studio, a nice one too."

"Better than the London one?" I tease.

"So much better." She's right. This one is so much nicer. It has a fridge, sofas, and seats to lounge in. It's cozy and warm, and the booth is huge, with every instrument I could need, not to mention the state-of-the-art recording equipment .

For a boy who started with a microphone and not much else, it can be daunting at times.

"Are you ready to make magic?" she asks as she sits next to a worker who nods at me.

"Always." I grin as I strip off my oversized hoodie, leaving me in a white crop top and loose blue jeans. I keep my beanie on as I head into the studio and turn my phone on loud just in case. It won't matter anyway. Every other person and notifications are silenced except for her.

Putting the headphones on, I lift my fingers in an OK sign as we test them. "Did you get the rhythm I messaged you?"

"We got it. Are you sure?" she asks with a deep frown. It's different than my other upbeat rock, but she knows well enough to trust me, and when I nod, she keys it up. I listen to it, my fingers tapping on the mic along with the beat. The lyrics work through my head, and when she plays it again, I start to sing.

Blue like the ocean.

Cold as ice.

I just want to be your paradise.

Melt me, freeze me, never leave me . . .

"Let's try again." I stop, and we rewind, and this time the chorus works like I want.

Taste like cherries with lips so sweet, I want to fuck them every day of the week ?—

My phone rings, and my heart leaps in joy. I remove my headphones despite being mid-recording.

Ignoring the producer's confused shouts, I step out of the booth, smiling as I accept her call.

"Hi, sweetheart."

"First the flowers, now this. Stop it," she starts.

"Stop what? Spoiling you?" I tease.

"Kage." Helen sighs. "Every minute in this studio is thousands of dollars."

I pull my card without looking and throw it at them. "Then bill me." I turn away, grinning. "Do you like it? "

She sighs heavily. "The painting is beautiful, but Kage?—"

"Just say thank you." She waits, and I smirk. "Say thank you, Kage."

"Thank you." Every word is pulled from her, and I chuckle at how pained she sounds.

"You're welcome. Dinner tonight?"

"No." She hangs up, but I'm grinning.

I'm getting to her. I know it.