“And he used my email address,” Serenity pointed out. “That narrows things down a lot, doesn’t it? I never give that out anymore. I hardly use it at all.”
“But you did use it, didn’t you? Personal correspondence? For the things you didn’t want to get lost in all the noise?”
She nodded slowly. “Yeah, I did,” she admitted. “Including the people named in the first email. Do you think maybe it could be Nick? He’s tech-savvy. He built his whole platform by himself across social media. He edits his own videos—at least he used to when I knew him. Maybe he heard something about me getting signed on to the movie, and—I don’t know—he snapped. Maybe he’s been angry with me all this time and just needed a reason to take things to the next level.”
Logan made a thoughtful noise before clearing his throat. This meant he was about to say something that made him uncomfortable. “Serenity, we have reason to believe that the person who is doing this had a relationship with you at one time. It didn’t have to be anything serious but enough for them to feel like they own a part of you, like they’ve been closer to you than almost anyone else ever has. Does that fall in line with the relationship you shared with Nick?”
She wasn’t so quick to answer. Braxton knew then that she’d lied when she said she’d never slept with this Nick guy. Undoubtedly, Val would already have a thick file on him, along with the other two who were named in that first message. He wished more than ever that he was back at headquarters so he could easily access that information.
After a few silent moments, Serenity nodded. “It only lasted a couple of weeks. He was mad at me. He threatened to go on his channel and tell everybody what a fraud I was, how I only used him to get to his audience. I swear that wasn’t what I intended. I always assumed he was intimidated by how driven I was. He was always more casual, just sort of having fun and seeing where it led him. I always had plans. He didn’t like that. He was the one who broke it off, not me.”
Logan nodded slowly. “Thanks for being honest,” he murmured. “I think it would be a good idea for at least one of you to go visit this guy.”
“He’s living in Bali now,” Serenity added. “At least, that’s what I heard a couple of months ago. He packed up everything and went overseas. So even if this is him, it’s not like he can hurt me. Right?” She looked around, hope shining in her eyes. She saw a light at the end of the tunnel and went straight for it. It was almost sad to see it happen.
Logan sighed. “I wish I could say you’re right about that, but from what we understand, he’s been back and forth over the last month. Don’t forget we’ve done our homework. Besides, it’s entirely possible that he expects this move to Bali to be his cover. He would expect you to immediately discount him as the person responsible for this since he’s been out of the country. I’m sorry to burst your balloon like that.”
She shook her head, smiling wide. Too wide. “No, that’s okay. It was just a thought.”
“We’re going to pursue this. Don’t you worry about it. Is there anyone else you can think of? Someone who you parted on bad terms with?” When Serenity winced—he hated to see her wince like that, to think there might be more skeletons in her closet, more victims of her ambition—Logan added, “There’s no judgment here. Believe me. I would much rather you be honest and completely open to make sure we know exactly what we’re dealing with. Everybody has things in their past that they’re not proud of.”
“It’s not that I had a physical relationship with all these different people,” she explained, “but I sort of, you know, acted like something might happen if somebody did me a favor. You know, like I’d meet somebody at a party and find out they worked for an agent. I’d flirt with them and make them think we could go on a date if they got me a meeting with their friend. That sort of thing. It happens all the time. Everybody does it.” She was practically babbling by the time she finished, so quick to defend herself.
“I have no doubt,” Logan agreed. “And I’m sure it usually goes a lot farther than that. Well, if there’s anyone whose name you can remember, make sure you let me know or let someone else on the team know right away.”
“I wish I could be more help,” she whispered. “I feel like there are so many possible answers here, and I’m embarrassed.”
“Don’t be,” he insisted, even if Braxton didn’t quite agree. He hated himself for not agreeing. She had only done what she felt like she had to do, a girl from nowhere whose father almost killed her when she was a baby, whose mother killed him to protect her. She didn’t have to say it out loud for him to know her grandparents had resented her even though they’d raised her.
They wouldn’t have needed to say it out loud. It would’ve shown in their actions and how strict they were with her, how little affection she was probably shown. No wonder she was willing to date a cheater and pretend like she didn’t know he was probably cheating all along.
Which reminded him. He raised his voice, leaning in a little so Logan could see him standing behind Serenity. “What about this Ben? What do you have on him?”
“We’re looking at him as well.”
“Not Ben,” she insisted, shaking her head. “He’s as dumb as a rock. He could never pull off something like this and not get caught right away.”
Logan snickered. “Just the same, we’re looking at him. We can’t afford to discount anyone—even if they are as dumb as a rock.”
The opening of the front door startled all of them, and Braxton positioned himself in front of Serenity to protect her against any threat.
And it was a threat, only not the sort he’d assumed. Melody looked up from her phone to find the four of them standing there around Serenity in a protective huddle. “Um, hi?” she whispered, looking around. “We have a meeting in an hour with the film’s producer?”
Of course, because no matter what happened, the speeding train that was Serenity’s career would not be stopped.
Chapter Eighteen
“I feel like somebody needs to pinch me.”
Melody pinched Serenity’s arm. “There. See? You’re awake. You aren’t dreaming.”
Yes, this was real. She was really, truly, standing in the lobby of this gorgeous old building, waiting for the elevator that would take her straight up to Paul Bergman’s office. He sat at the top floor like a god looking down over his creation. It was a dream, working with him.
She should have known that not everyone in their party would be quite so excited. “What’s the big deal about this guy anyway?” Braxton grumbled from behind them.
“You know, you’re the one who insisted on coming with us. If all you’re going to do is complain…” Melody shot him a dirty look.
Serenity found herself scrambling to smooth things over between them. “He was only asking a question,” she reminded her manager. “It’s not a crime to not know these things.”
Melody only shrugged, looking away. She was still a little sullen after their argument, and Serenity was willing to eat a little crow and be extra nice as a result.
She turned to Braxton just as the elevator chimed, signaling its arrival on the ground floor. “He’s produced five of the last eleven best picture award winners,” she explained in barely more than a whisper as they boarded the elevator car. “He’s pretty much the reigning King of Hollywood right now.”
At least he didn’t sneer or smirk or shrug this off like it didn’t mean anything. “I would’ve worn better clothes if I knew I’d be meeting royalty today.”
Melody huffed, but Serenity cut her off. “He’s only kidding,” she whispered. When did she become their nursemaid? Weren’t they supposed to be there for her, not the other way around?
It all started when Braxton announced he’d be coming with them to the producer’s office. “Where’s Luke?” Melody had asked instead, looking around like she expected to see him.
That had been the first mistake. He had basically closed off like a clam at the mention of Luke’s name.
Frankly, so
had she. After that little tantrum he’d thrown—which Serenity had made sure to tell Melody about—he wasn’t too high up on her list of favorite people. As far as she was concerned, he had a lot of apologizing to do.
This train of thought led her to remember the kiss. They hadn’t had a minute alone since then, which was probably a good thing. Either one or the other would probably try to explain away what had happened, which would only make things more awkward, or they would try to jump each other. That would make things more awkward too, just in a different way.
In other words, it was a mistake all the way around. She definitely would’ve felt better if she knew how he felt about it. The uncertainty was enough to tear her nerves to shreds, and they were already well on their way to being shredded by the time the elevator car reached the top floor.
It was like that bell set something in motion inside her. Her shoulders rolled back, her chin lifted, and instead of racing out of control, her pulse slowed. She had a goal in mind: she would charm Paul Bergman, make sure he remembered her. She’d make sure he would cast her again and again because whatever he touched turned to gold.
And she knew from experience how charming she could be when she put her mind to it. Men weren’t really that difficult to understand or to get around. She’d been doing it her entire life but in more subtle ways than her friends. That was why watching the girls try to flirt with Braxton’s teammates made her so uncomfortable.
At least, that was what she told herself.
Melody strode ahead, all smiles as she approached the desk and the assistant who sat behind it. While she murmured something about her appointment, Braxton turned to Serenity. “I don’t like this,” he whispered, looking around.
“Don’t like what?” she whispered back. She definitely liked what she saw, the understated luxury of what was nothing more than a waiting area. The building had been constructed during the Art déco period, and a lot of the lighting fixtures and plasterwork had been preserved. It was like stepping back into a more elegant time, and she could’ve spent all day there.
Clearly, he didn’t share the sentiment. “Any of this. I have a bad feeling.”
Her hand shot out like she wanted to touch his arm, to assure him there was nothing to worry about. She stopped herself in time before she managed to do something that would only embarrass both of them. “Don’t be so worried,” she settled on whispering with what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “This is just a business meeting. Nothing more than that.” And considering where they were and just how much hinged on this meeting, she decided not to badger him for worrying too much about her personal life. That sort of thing could wait until the meeting was over. She needed to focus on how well this was going to go, not on her overprotective guard.
“Mr. Bergman will see you now,” the assistant announced in a voice that was both soft and firm at once. How many such meetings had she witnessed? Hundreds, maybe thousands. This was just another day at work for her.
Which was probably why she didn’t hesitate to stand in front of Melody when she tried to move forward. “He doesn’t expect to see you,” the girl explained without a drop of sympathy or apology.
Serenity held her breath as Melody absorbed this. “I’m her manager.” It sounded sort of lame, sort of weak.
“Mr. Bergman understands that, but he only wants to see Miss Starr today. I don’t make the rules.” She barely lifted her shoulder in a halfhearted shrug.
She then looked at Braxton. “He won’t be seeing you either.”
“Then he can keep his eyes closed,” Braxton fired back. “She’s not going in there without me.”
“Excuse us for a second, please.” Serenity tried to smile at the girl but had the feeling it probably came out as more of a wince.
She pulled Braxton aside, desperate. “Can you please not do this right now?” she begged, one eye on the assistant. “This could be really big for me. Please, remember once this is all over, I still need to have a career. This could make or break me. Please, just go along with it. He’s probably the last person either of us wants to piss off. Okay?”
It didn’t look okay at all, not even a little bit. Braxton glared at her, his nostrils flaring. He didn’t like to be told what to do—well, neither did she. Just another thing they had in common. Lucky them.
Choosing to take his silence as agreement, she stepped around him and offered an apologetic smile to the girl holding a tablet across one arm and tapping her foot in impatience. “Sorry. I’m ready to go in.” She tried to give Melody a look of apology as she passed her, but her manager looked too wounded to care very much just then.
Wasn’t she the one who was supposed to have an ego problem, who everybody had to be nice to and agree with all the time? Why did it feel like more and more often lately, she was the one guarding everybody’s pride?
This went through her head as she stepped into Paul Bergman’s office. The first thing her gaze settled on was the row of shiny, gold awards sitting in a place of prominence on his bookshelf. She practically salivated at the sight and understood that this was exactly why he’d put them where he had. He wanted people to see them right off the bat, to remember immediately who they were dealing with and how much power he wielded.
If this was anybody else, she would’ve resented that move. She might even have been deliberately difficult just to prove to him how little she cared about his ego.
But this wasn’t just anybody else. This was the Paul Bergman, the one and only, and he was standing up and smiling broadly with his hands outstretched as he walked around the desk to greet her in the middle of the room. “There she is,” he beamed. “Our new star.”
She laughed softly. “You have a lot of faith in me,” she teased. “I mean, not that I don’t hope you’re right.”
He laughed. He had an easy-going sort of laugh, not the fake Hollywood laugh she had come to identify in so many other people over the years. “Believe me, sweetheart. You know how they say faith can move mountains? When I have faith in somebody, I can move the world.”
He showed her to a chair, gesturing for her to take a seat. She did, smoothing her dress over her knees. They were knocking together. She made a conscious effort to stop that, to at least appear like she wasn’t scared half out of her mind.
“Can I get you something to drink?” he asked, all warmth and smiles. He was just as handsome in person as he was in pictures—tall, with a thick shock of black hair and light gray eyes that looked like steel. He’d started off as an actor in his early days and had parlayed the money he’d made on a string of successful horror movies into a career as a producer. That was where he’d really shone, and he’d been producing steadily over the three decades since then.
“Just a water for me, thanks.” She was desperate for it, in fact, her mouth having gone dry.
He chuckled as he crossed the room, stopping at a bar on wheels. “Come on, you don’t have to play the good girl around me. I won’t tell anyone if you like to have a little something to drink in the afternoon.”
Part of her wondered if maybe she should just accept the drink and get on with it. She didn’t want him thinking she was a goody-two-shoes or that she thought she was better than him because she wasn’t asking for a scotch or a bourbon. “No, really. I don’t want to get puffy-faced when we’re about to go into rehearsals.”
It was the right thing to say since he looked at her over his shoulder with a wide, appreciative smile. “That’s what I like to hear. You strike me as someone who’s very serious about her work.”
“I am,” she assured him, sitting up a little straighter. “I know what this role could mean for me, and I won’t do anything to mess that up. I promise you that.”
“And I believe you.” He returned to her, the glass of water in one hand and a glass of amber liquid in the other. She wasn’t a big bourbon drinker, but she’d smelled enough while living with her grandfather. That had been his drink of choice, though she doubted he’d ever drunk anything as f
ine as what Paul Bergman could afford.
He took a seat across from her, studying her as he lifted his glass to his lips. She was used to being studied. It was something she’d been putting up with her entire life. For once, she felt that the man in question actually had a reason to study her the way he was. After all, he was investing in her.
“So,” she grinned. “What can I do for you? Did you want to talk about the movie? Get to know me a little bit? I can totally understand that, of course—I’m a nobody, unheard of. And I know I’m only billed fourth, but—”
He waved his glass a little, making the ice rattle against the sides. “Remember the old adage. There’s no such thing as a small part.”
“Oh, no!” She blushed furiously. “No, I didn’t want to give you the idea that I think the part is small. It’s an amazing role! I’m so lucky to be cast, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Why the next thing he did came as a surprise, she didn’t know. She shouldn’t have been surprised at all. She wasn’t a child. This wasn’t her first turn on the merry-go-round.
But when he leaned forward and touched her knee in a caress that most definitely wasn’t accidental, a warning flag waved itself in her head. No wonder he’d wanted her to take a drink.
Stupid her, assuming he had good intentions.
“You have nothing to worry about,” he murmured. His tone was intimate, and it made her skin crawl. Just like the feeling of his eyes roaming over her made her skin crawl. He was a lecher, nothing but a dirty old man pretending to be middle-aged for the sake of his image and his desirability.
“I’m glad to hear it.” She forced a smile and pulled her knee away as casually as she could manage. Maybe she could still salvage this somehow. “Anyway, I can’t wait to work with everybody. It means so much to be given this opportunity. I want you to know I’m going to work really hard.”
Wolf Shield Investigations: Boxset Page 37