Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
I clamped my jaw tightly and vowed not to speak for fear of saying the wrong thing.
The nightmarish LA traffic made everything worse, dragging out the drive to the office in central LA longer than necessary. Thankfully, Micki filled the silence with chatter. She had updates on my recording schedule with Jude and the rest of the artists we’d gathered in a few days, feedback from the European shows, questions about whether I was willing to do the missed New York interviews virtually this coming week, updates to the final touches on the recording contract renewal I was due to sign soon, and finally information about what the label wanted to discuss so urgently that they’d called an impromptu meeting the minute I stepped off my flight.
“It’s no big deal,” Micki said with a little eye roll. “A tempest in a teapot. They’re changing some of their policies and wanted to go over them with you. It involves signing paperwork, which is why it needs to be done in person.”
I noticed Bear’s jaw clench.
“Paperwork? This isn’t the contract renewal, is it? Are my lawyers going to be present?”
“No, not the contract yet. This is their own internal policy stuff. They just need your agreement.” Micki glanced at her phone and swiped through a few messages she’d received while we’d been talking. “It’s my understanding the attorneys have already reviewed and approved everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ellis wants to discuss the renewal, too, but that’s not the point of the meeting, and we’re certainly not signing that today.”
I’d had a great experience with the label and had been happy with the contract negotiations. This time around, I was in the strongest negotiating position possible, and they’d acknowledged it by making a strong offer.
What’s the point of any of this?
That question continued to rattle around in my head as we pulled up to the building that housed the record label’s corporate offices. Miguel and Paul were already waiting to open the door of our vehicle, and Bear hopped out quickly to join them.
Heads turned as people realized there was someone of interest getting out of a vehicle. Before I could curse myself for forgetting to throw on a ball cap, one was plunked on my head by someone behind me, and my protective scrum hustled me through the crowd and into the lobby of the building.
We made our way up to the tenth floor, where we were quickly welcomed into a luxurious conference room overlooking downtown Los Angeles and offered refreshments. I declined, but Kenji took a small plate of food, and Micki accepted a cup of coffee.
Within moments, three executives entered the room and greeted me warmly. I’d been working with the same team for several years now, so it didn’t take long before we were discussing how they’d spent their Thanksgiving vacations a couple of weeks earlier.
“I’ve lost track of time,” I admitted with a laugh. “I usually hate missing Thanksgiving back home, but this year, I hardly realized it was happening. It’s been a whirlwind. I have to admit to being happy I’m off the road for a bit. I could use some downtime.”
Ellis Alberda gestured for me to take a seat. Everyone else filled in around me while Bear remained standing somewhere behind me. I hated not being able to see him, but it was nice to know he was there in the room. I could just make out his reflection in the window glass, enough to know he stood with his hands clasped casually in front of himself.
“Thanks for coming in, Zee,” Ellis began. He flicked his eyes over my shoulder. “Your personal security isn’t needed in the room, if you wouldn’t mind having him wait outside.”
Bear didn’t move.
Micki shifted next to me. “Actually, Ellis, the current security protocol necessitates Zee’s security team be in the room with him when in company. As we’ve discussed, there’s an active security situation right now. I don’t think it’s a good idea to send Ryan out of the room.”
She was right. There were at least three faces in here I didn’t recognize, two assistants and an attorney. There was no way Bear would agree to leave me without a fight.
I was beginning to understand why he’d insisted on being the one to come here today.
“Understood,” Ellis said easily. “I just thought it might be awkward for Zee, considering we’re discussing his personal security.”
I noticed every time Ellis didn’t treat Bear like an actual human being in the room, and it set my teeth on edge. I didn’t even think he realized he was doing it.
“What’s the issue?” I asked, feeling the same nerves return from earlier.
“In light of recent news related to a high-profile celebrity and her close protection officer, we’ve taken the opportunity to reassess our policies in regard to securing high-value clients. The company has drafted new conduct agreements as part of this reassessment, and we need all of our clients to sign them for our records.”