Page 36 of Intentional Foul
I stood from my seat. “Absolutely not. Divorce is the only option we have here.”
Tyrus and Malcolm both provided me with their undivided attention.
“Jhae baby, let me help you,” Malcolm offered.
“An . . . null . . . ment,” I said, breaking up the words for him to understand.
Malcolm chuckled at my request without taking me seriously and diverted his attention to Tyrus.
“Music Note is having a hard time accepting our union. Tyrus, give us your guidance,” Malcolm said as he reached for me, but I dodged his hand.
“Jhae, let’s talk about this. You’ve been wanting to break free from the label. This could be your opportunity. Let’s hear him out,” Tyrus said.
He touched my arm to guide me down, something he had done several times.
“You don’t have to touch her. Jhae knows how to sit down. If she wants to stand. Let her stand,” Malcolm said, and Tyrus snatched his hand back.
“Sweetheart, if you want to stand, that’s fine,” Malcolm said to me.
My nostrils flared, but it didn’t bother Malcolm. He gave me a blank but loaded expression. I gripped the back of the chair and retook my seat.
“The record label will not clear KC’s request for your bridge. They have frozen Moe’s money. They want the fake relationship. Purchasing your masters is no longer on the table, and your label idea with their backing is gone. They’re going to shelve you and the album,” Tyrus said.
Mad tears flowed down my face as my eyes found Malcolm’s again.
“Listen, after the fake relationship, I fully commit to this marriage,” I said in an attempt to bargain with him.
Malcolm’s jaw flinched after I finished my sentence, and he scowled.
“They don’t value you. If you are willing to do it once, you will do it again. I’m standing here with a blank check, ready to fund your freedom. But you can’t see it because you’re afraid of a little heat from my mother. No man is faking a damn thing with my woman. Stop bringing it up,” he said, elevating his voice on the last sentence.
The sternness in his voice triggered a jerk reaction from my body.
“Without her masters, the label can continue to make money off her name, sue her for a breach of contract and stop her from releasing music. She is in a three-album deal with Midwest Records,” Tyrus said.
We sat in temporary silence as Malcolm shook his head and I processed the information.
“I can get her out of the deal and secure the masters. How much money do we need for the label to get off the ground and to send Moe?” Malcolm asked.
Both Tyrus and I gave him tense expressions. Davey wasn’t going to hand over my masters without a fight. I made more money than his entire roster of artists. From writing credits alone, I should own the label.
“Malcolm, if you can get me out of this deal and secure my masters. I’ll cuddle with you every night,” I said with sarcasm.
A slow smile inched across his face. “Anything for you, Mrs. Shaw-Jefferies,” he said, and something told me I'd fucked up.
Malcolm
As Tyrus tried to convince Jhae this could work, I texted my auntie.
Me
In Kansas City.
It took five minutes, but she texted back.
Restricted
Loose Park. Thirty minutes. Have a seat. I will find you.
