by Nadia Lee
“You can’t do this!”
Anger thickens her voice, gives it a screeching volume. Still, she can barely stand up, her balance precarious.
Pain sears me. I can’t look at her anymore without hating myself for being so blind. I walk out without a backward glance, letting the door slam shut.
The apartment burned down that night. The Mexican fireman found a single female body inside. The autopsy revealed that the woman died from smoke inhalation, although she also had enough cocaine in her body to kill her. The investigators said that she must’ve caused the fire when she knocked a lit candle over. They had to break down the door to get to her because it had jammed.
Even though I hated her at the end, I wish I hadn’t left the way I did. I wish I’d called somebody so they could watch over her. Maybe even the police, so she could spend some time in jail. Mexican jails suck, but at least she wouldn’t have died.
People who don’t know all the details will say she got what she deserved. But I know I’m responsible for her death. I was the sober one. And I slammed that door shut.
I tell Paige the dirty and sordid details of that night. I’ve never told anyone, not even Elliot. He knows Lauren caused me a lot of grief, but he doesn’t know all the details about her relationship with Anthony, her drug use or the way she died. Dad knows as much as Elliot at best; I’m pretty sure of it. But—good old Dad—he always pretends to know more so he can stick the knife in and twist it.
“That’s the story of Lauren,” I say.
Paige’s voice is so soft I almost don’t hear her. “That’s terrible. No wonder you jumped to conclusions.” She lowers her gaze, then reaches over and holds my hand. “You should tell Anthony. He needs to know the truth and stop blaming you.”
I pull my hand out of hers. “It’s too late. We’ve said and done too many things over the years. And he crossed the line when he put his hands on you. Nothing I tell him is going to make things right between us.”
Her eyebrows are pinched together until they form a sharp V. “Not even punching each other out the way you both just did can change that?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well…you know. That’s what happens in movies. Two dumb guys break each other’s noses and they’re best friends again.”
I can’t help but give a short laugh. “This isn’t a movie, Paige.”
She is silent for a moment, then suddenly gasps. It’s not a surprise gasp; it’s a pain gasp.
“Ryder.”
“What?”
“I think you need to…pull over.”
She turns bloodless and doubles over.
“Do you want to throw up?” She hasn’t shown any signs of morning sickness, but maybe it’s starting now.
“I don’t know. I don’t feel good.”
I pull over to the shoulder.
She opens the door and stumbles out of the car. Then I see it. The red stain on her skirt and the seat.
Panic bursts through my veins, and every hair on my body bristles as fear and adrenaline flood my bloodstream. What I don’t know about pregnancy could fill a data center, but I know bleeding is bad.
I rush out of the car, going around to reach Paige. She’s on her hands and knees on the sidewalk, panting. Sweat beads along her hairline.
She clutches her belly. “Ohmygod. It hurts.” She moans, then clenches her teeth.
“Okay. Hang in there.” I crouch and cradle her in my arms. Her skin feels cool and clammy against mine. Jesus.
I pull out my phone and dial.
“Nine-one-one. What’s your emergency?” comes a brisk voice.
“It’s my fiancée.” My hand shakes. “She’s bleeding.”
——
Thank you for reading A Hollywood Deal. I hope you enjoyed it! Ryder and Paige’s unforgettable love story continues with A Hollywood Bride.
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Titles by Nadia Lee
If you want to receive notices about my latest books, please join my new release alert at nadialee.net or send a blank message to [email protected]!
——
Billionaires’ Brides of Convenience Series
Book 1: A Hollywood Deal
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 2: A Hollywood Bride
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
——
The Pryce Family Series
Book 1: The Billionaire’s Counterfeit Girlfriend
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 2: The Billionaire’s Inconvenient Obsession
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 3: The Billionaire’s Secret Wife
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 4: The Billionaire’s Forgotten Fiancée
US :: UK:: Canada :: Australia
Book 5: The Billionaire’s Forbidden Desire
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
——
Seduced by the Billionaire Series
Book 1: Taken by Her Unforgiving Billionaire Boss
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 2: Pursued by Her Billionaire Hook- Up
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 3: Pregnant with Her Billionaire Ex’s Baby
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 3.5: Romanced by Her Illicit Millionaire Crush
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 4: Wanted by Her Scandalous Billionaire
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 5: Loving Her Best Friend’s Billionaire Brother
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
——
If you want to receive notices about my latest books, please join my new release alert at nadialee.net or send a blank message to [email protected]!
About Nadia Lee
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nadia Lee writes sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Born with a love for excellent food, travel and adventure, she has lived in four different countries, kissed stingrays, been bitten by a shark, ridden an elephant and petted tigers.
Currently, she shares a condo overlooking a small river and sakura trees in Japan with her husband and son. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading books by her favorite authors or planning another trip.
To learn more about Nadia and her projects, please visit www.nadialee.net. To receive updates about upcoming works from Nadia, please visit www.nadialee.net to subscribe to her new release alert.
A Hollywood Deal
Copyright © 2016 by Hyun J Kyung
For Sale on Amazon
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever wi
thout the prior written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.
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