Rockstar Savages

by Dixon, Ja'Nese

  Jamal’s phone rings. He steps away and Gabriel sits in front of her on the coffee table.

  “Talk to me La.”

  “Now what? We finally, finally secured the funding to get Crescendo back on track and he goes and does this. I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do.”

  Carmela pulled her knees to her chest blocking out Gabriel and Jamal talking. They made phone calls and like wildfire the media grabbed ahold of Richard’s rants. Nicki arrived and even she was baffled.

  “What happened to him?” She said to no one in particular. But it felt like the weight of the world landed on her shoulders and she was tired of trying to outrun standing in the crossfires of Richard’s actions. “Men anpil chay pa lou.”

  “What does it mean La?” She turned to see Jamal, he kissed her. “Is it another water one?”

  She shook her head.

  “What about a roof?”

  She fell into his arms.

  “Sweetheart you have to let us help you. Please let us help you.” He kissed her head holding her tight. “What does it mean?”

  “Many hands make the load lighter.”

  “Do you believe that? That sharing this load will make your burden lighter.”

  She shook her head no. She didn’t want them to carry it. But her mother had spoken again. She was right about Jamal. She was right about her needing to address the issues of their business. She had to believe her mother was right again.

  Carmela sat up. “What do I need to do?”

  “Let’s get to the RSE office.”

  * * *

  They entered the RSE office. Carmela felt embarrassed down to her toes. People she’d only met yesterday were scrambling to save what was left of her reputation from her own father.

  She stopped in the lobby not sure she could face them until Brione stopped out of the conference room. “Ladies.” She called and the RSE wives followed from the back and engulfed her with love.

  “Go talk with crazy brother before he puts a hit out on the man.” Imani told Jamal. “We got her.”

  Jamal hesitated.

  Sydney stepped forward, “Jamal, we have her. Go handled the guys.”

  He nodded with his eyes on Carmela. She stepped forward and cupped his face. “I’m sorry,” she whispered over his lips. She started this.

  “I’m not. Because I would have never found you.” He mouth was on hers, telling her without words she was loved. She pulled him closer telling him she loved him back.

  “Are you two serious?” Damian called from behind them. “I’m trying to bluff the news stations into pulling this ridiculous ass story down and y’all are having a make out session in the lobby.”

  The movement in the office stopped and a burst of laughter covered the gloom in the room and her heart. Imani went over to calm her agitated husband down and Carmela decided to let her new friends and family assist with the weight on her shoulders.

  She kissed Jamal again and he dashed off. The RSE women took her to the conference room and comforted with stories of how their men were official dragon slayers. Then she felt bass move through the room. She glanced around.

  “What is it La?” Nicki asked.

  “Where’s the studio?” Carmela asked Eliana.

  “Around the corner.”

  Carmela popped to her feet. She rounded the corner. She waited for the recording light to turn off and she entered.

  Bruce turned around and smile. “You’re not one of the dragon slayers?” She joked.

  “Nah, I leave that to the fellas. The booth is yours if you want to pass the time. ”

  Carmela had died and gone to artist heaven. The equipment was state of the art. She stepped inside and all of her worries felt small. For once, she had someone she trusted to help her do what she couldn’t. She lowered her purse to the floor and grabbed the headphones. She placed them over her ears staring at Bruce in the studio.

  “Tell me the tempo, the mood, and I’m sure I have a beat to accommodate you. Do you need a pen or paper?”

  “No, give me a Lil’ Wayne like NOLA beat.”

  “Coming right up.”

  Carmela grabbed her journal from her bag and turned to her lyrics for “Savage.” He played a few tracks in her headset. She recited the chorus.

  “Aaahhhh…let me add a little to this. Give me a second.”

  Carmela looked out and saw the crowd enter behind Bruce. “Yo La, Syd would love to hop on the chorus.”

  “Hell yeah!”

  The crowd laughed and Sydney entered with Marques behind her. “Y’all ain’t leaving me out.”

  How could her heart be so full on the worse day of her life? She watched as they took the mics to her left and right. She gave them the chorus again. The two played with the harmonies. Then Bruce came in on the headset.

  “Tell me what you think about this.”

  “I love it.” Carmela wanted to scream in the man’s ears.

  “I can make it better.” Marques added.

  “What’s better than my beat?” Bruce asked.

  “Isaac, I need you on the base.”

  Carmela didn’t know who Isaac was and she didn’t care. She looked into the studio and saw Jamal. He done this. He came when she wanted one of the Carters.

  “Just a second y’all.”

  She took off the headphones headed straight to her man. He opened his arms and she fell into them. Carmela kissed him.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Gotta go.”

  “Hey La, I guess you won’t be retiring.”

  She laughed all the way back to the book. Bruce hit the track and she flowed on it rapping about her savage of a man. He came in and did what he wanted. He said he’d change her life and he did. He said he had her, and he did.

  Nah, she wasn’t about to retire she had too much music left in her. But she was changing management. Then she’s have to find a way to forgive her father.

  Epilogue

  Two years later….

  Carmela sat next to Jamal outside Crescendo reliving their first meal together. The building is up and tomorrow is the official ribbon cutting ceremony. She piled their plate high with food.

  They turned corners until she recreated the moment that Jamal changed her life. She leans over and kisses his lips.

  He lift the shades from his eyes. “What was the for?”

  “For being you.” She passed his plate and Jamal sat up looking at the building.

  “This will be the last time your place is this quiet.” He laughed.

  “You mean, our place.”

  He shrugs. “This is your baby. I’ll gladly do whatever you need but La you need to let stunt on em tomorrow.”

  “Stunt on em?” She pushed her shades back. “Who are you and what did you do with my blue suit wearing, Ivy League educated man?”

  “He go himself a NOLA chick.”

  “You are so lame.”

  He laughed at his own joke. She shook her head because this was her life. She signed with RSE as their first hip hop artist. Cameron and Gabriel co-managed her career while she and Jamal planned to run Crescendo together.

  “I got these for you too.” He passed a few pictures. “Add them to your dad’s letter.”

  She dropped them in the picnic basket. Richard found himself engulfed in a legal battle after the smoke cleared. His gambling debts caught up with him and now he’s behind bars for another year. He was receiving group support and allow them to call his dad again.

  “You ready for tomorrow’s performance?”

  “I am. I just can’t wait to see the halls filled with kids.”

  “You deserve it, you stuck it out even when it seemed impossible.”

  “Thanks babe.”

  “So what’s next? Another album, another tour, after Savage topped the charts the world is yours.”

  “I may have to sit the next round out. We have a special delivery in about six months.” Her voice broke. She’s been
waiting for the right moment. They were constantly surrounded by staff and construction workers.

  “What do you mean?” He popped up from the blanket.

  Carmela smoothed the oversized shirt away from her belly and placed his hand on top.

  “You’re lying? How? When? You’re not the only one with a surprise.” He pulled out a ring. “Marry me? Please be my NOLA chick for life?”

  “Yes!”

  She feel on top of his kissing all over his face. Then his mouth covered hers. His willingness to do whatever for her made him her man, her love, and her savage.

  “I love you La.”

  His love filled her, happiness filled her. “You betta because we’re about to turn up bay-bay!”

  The Men of Rockstar Entertainment

  Rockstar Entertainment (RSE) is the center of the Forbidden Chord Series.

  Forbidden Chords follows the drama of five rockstars heading Rockstar Entertainment. This indie record label makes more magic between the sheets than on the tracks.

  The music is cutting edge. Their love lives are hot as sin. But if they aren’t willing to choose between the two, they’ll risk everything they’ve worked their whole lives to pursue fame and fortune on their own terms.

  Family over fame is their motto...now sit back and watch them blaze a trail to the top.

  Bruce Daniels

  Caramel Surprise [Ready for Love Book 1]

  Love’s Hope [Ready for Love Book 2]

  Hidden Desire [Ready for Love Book 3]

  Damian Hughes

  As You Wish

  Andrew “Marques” Carter

  Rockstar Secrets [Forbidden Chords Book 1]

  Cameron Carter

  Rockstar Sinners [Forbidden Chords Book 2]

  Jamal Washington

  Rockstar Savages [Forbidden Chords Book 2]

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  Millions of adoring fans dream of having one night with him, but only she has access to his heart.

  Born with three commas in his bank account and melodies in his veins, Marques Carter is the rising prince of R&B. But not even his family name can guarantees success.

  Brione Allen is a smart woman that made a dumb decision: trusting the wrong man. He blackmailed her family and now she’s bound by a debt they knew she couldn’t pay.

  A chance meeting at his concert leads to an encrypted proposal: One week, one hundred thousand dollars, one incriminating secret. But when extortion and family ties expose them to the worst of the limelight, which secrets will they keep…and which will threaten their small light of hope?

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  or Read in Kindle Unlimited!

  Chapter 1

  The same time every week for three years and the call got no easier. Brione Allen sat on the couch and blew out a deep breath. Dial the number. Ask for Kayla. But the knot in her stomach told the utter truth. Nothing about this was easy for her.

  She tapped the numbers by memory, adding it to her favorites was something she couldn’t stomach, not after all they’d done to her.

  “Hello.”

  “Good evening Mrs. Bradley is Kayla around?” She stopped asking to speak with her hoping to gain a sense of control in the situation, but they held her captive with a vice grip on her heart.

  “Hello to you too Brione.” Her dusty voice held an air of censorship. “I’ll call for her.”

  Kayla had a nanny, private school, and just about everything a little girl could want.

  “Brione.” She cringed at hearing his voice.

  “Stewart, I was holding for Kayla.”

  “She’ll have to call you back.”

  “But today is my—”

  “Talk to you later.”

  The line disconnected and Brione screamed. No one heard her, and no one cared. Alone in her fancy plush prison, she’d gladly trade for their freedom.

  She fell back on the couch and stared at the ceiling fan and her cellphone rang. She popped up anticipating the sweet sound of Kayla’s voice. But the screen displayed another welcomed caller.

  “Eliana Marshall. To what do I owe this honor?” Laughter flowed through the phone, Eliana was the only person she let close. The only person she trusted. The only person who knew the truth.

  “Let’s see…I’m your best friend. So I need no reason to call other than to hear your wonderful voice.” Brione smiled. “Second, I’m flying into town, and I refuse any excuse you make for not seeing me.”

  Brione gripped the phone to her ear as she toyed with the hem of her blouse. She’d rushed home from work for nothing.

  “I apologized a million times. But you plan to milk it dry,” she joked pulling her stocking covered feet beneath her body and relaxed.

  “I plan to milk it until it turns to powder if that will get your butt out of that condo. I will not take no for an answer.”

  “Milk it dry and add in a level of guilt to the recipe.”

  “You got it.” They laughed. “How are you?”

  “I’ve been better.” Brione looked around the room, furnished with the finest, reeking of their wealth. “You’re heading here for the weekend?”

  “No, I’m heading back indefinitely. Bruce and his wife are expecting twins, and they're keeping a close watch on her. We're planning to hang out in Houston until the babies arrive. Her doctor and family are all there. So, it could be a couple of months or longer.”

  “Yay!” Brione sat up, excited. “It will be nice to have you in town for a while.”

  “Just know I plan to pop up on your doorstep and drag you to a party or two while I’m there.” Brione shook her head knowing they would have a battle ahead.

  “How are you enjoying your job?”

  Brione listened as Eliana shared her love of working for Bruce Daniels. She bounced around from Atlanta to Houston and back as his assistant.

  “I can’t believe the luck I’ve had with getting this job. It is stressful but fun. I’ll be assisting Marques for a while too.”

  “Who is that?” The name sounded familiar, in a fuzzy, vague way.

  “What rock do you live under?”

  “The law school rock.” She snickered. “I don’t have time for anything but class and studying. Well, that and my side gig.”

  “Side gig?”

  “Eliana, who is Marques?”

  “Oh, yeah. How do you not know who he is?” Her amazement was evident by the squeak in her voice. “He’s a caramel dipped…tall, muscled…god in living color.”

  Brione lifted a brow at Eliana’s description. “All that?”

  “Yes, he’s the epitome of sexy. Too bad he’s my boss.” She let out a sigh. “Anyway, he’s an R&B singer from Atlanta. I guess you wouldn’t know him since he’s more underground.” She was all business. “He is the flagship artist of Rockstar Entertainment. We’re preparing to release an EP then his debut album.”

  Brione tried to picture this caramel sexy god. Her failed attempt morphed into her last dalliance that turned her life upside down, inside out, and left Brione estranged from her family.

  “That sounds like a lot of work.” Brione didn’t listen to the radio and rarely watched TV. Her sights were set on securing an associate's position with a major law firm. Fun took a backseat.

  “It is, which is part of the reason for my call.” Eliana said.

  “Oh, it wasn’t just to hear my wonderful voice?”

  “Of course.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Spill it, Honey.” Brione walked to the kitchen and opened the freezer, pushing around the contents until she found the frozen lasagna.

  “Do you still help with events?”

  “Yes, what’s up?” She peeled back the corner of the lid and popped the plastic bowl into the microwave. Then she leaned a hip against the counter.

  “B
ruce’s anticipated maternity leave and Marques’ EP has opened a lot of doors for me. They’ve asked me to oversee the launch with hopes of promoting me to A&R.”

  “Congrats!”

  “Thanks, but hold it for now. I still need to get through this project.”

  “So, basically it’s an interview.”

  “Exactly.”

  “How can I help?” Brione dropped her head and chuckled at the faint sounds of Eliana’s clapping. Eliana could make it happen without her, but Brione wanted to see her friend succeed. “I didn’t say yes yet.”

  “But you will.” Eliana blew a kiss through the phone. “I want to host a release party in Houston, and I’d love to bring you in. It pays good, and I’m almost certain I can get you the gig.”

  “Really? But I’ve never done a music event.”

  “Don’t worry about that. Your work is impeccable, you’re organized, timely, and you work well under extreme pressure. Are you free Saturday?”

  “Yes, how about ten?”

  “That’s perfect. Get together your portfolio and let’s meet at the cafe on Saturday. I’ll try to get either Bruce or Marques there too. That way I can cross two tasks off my list at once.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “You would, Miss Planner Chic. I maintain, where you thrive. One day, I’ll grow up to be just like you.”

  Brione shook her head as if Eliana could see her. “No, ma’am. Grow up to be like you, and you’ll be just fine.”

  “The thought of peanut butter and honey back in business is enticing don’t you think.”

  “Houston ain’t ready for us," Brione added.

  Eliana’s robust laughter rang through the phone. “Girl, if only they knew! And for totally selfish reasons, it would be a lifesaver to have your help and get to spend time with you without you skipping out on me.”