by Lisa Rinna
She headed back to her trailer. By the time she’d washed off her makeup, her new agent, Dan Jacobs, was there, holding a sheaf of papers.
Susie smirked when she saw him. “Jeez, news travels fast. What do you want?”
“The network has a proposition for you, Susie. Obviously, the incident on the set isn’t one that any of us would like to see hit the media.”
She nodded grudgingly.
“Good. Glad you’re in agreement. So here’s the deal. If you sign this agreement and keep to its terms—in other words, keep your mouth shut about what will forever be known to those on the inside as ‘the incident’—in return, you get a lump-sum check for a quarter of a million dollars.”
Susie shrugged. Hell, if she’d known that she’d get that much, she would have smacked Burt years ago.
“However,” Dan went on, “should you ever speak of the incident—to anyone—Burt will sue you into oblivion.”
“Ha. Sure, OK. I can live with that.” She grabbed the pen out of his hand and signed all four copies of the agreement with a flourish. Then Dan scampered out of there as quickly as he could without saying another word.
She’d just finished putting on her own clothes when there was another knock on the door. It was a PA with her script for the next day’s scenes.
Susie had only one. In it, she was decapitated in a freak accident. That’s when it hit her like a lightning bolt: I’m being written off the show. No! This can’t be happening.
She dove for her cell phone. Dan’s number was on speed dial, and he picked up on the second ring. “Hey, bring back those papers! I’ve rethought this deal.”
“Sorry, Susie. I’ve already turned the contract over to Burt. The network was just couriered a copy, too—”
She slammed the cell shut.
This was the end. Her career was over, unless Richard would stand up and protect her. She had to see him—now.
She dialed his direct line, and when he picked up, she sobbed. “Richard, it’s your Pink Precious. I need you so badly. I can’t take it any longer! It’s Mac—he beat me. I can’t believe I’m still alive. I’m asking him for a divorce. I was so upset that I messed up really badly on the set today, and now Burt is writing me off the show! Well, at least I’ll finally be all yours, Richard. Can we meet? Yes! Our usual place, in an hour.”
Chapter 34
MAC HAD TO see Tally. He needed to tell her he realized he’d fucked up royally, that he had been wrong about them, that he’d been a fool to listen to Susie all along, that he loved her and knew now that he couldn’t live without her.
He tried to call her, but she had changed her number, and he didn’t know who her agent was now that Josh was gone. Then it hit him: Sadie would know how to reach Tally.
He dialed Sadie’s cell-phone number. When she picked up, he apologized for disturbing her during this time of grief and asked her how she was doing. As he listened to her talk, her pain was obvious in her voice, despite her attempt to sound normal. Having lost someone he loved very much, too, his heart broke for her.
When it seemed as if she’d talked through all of her anguish, he casually asked, “So, how’s Tally doing these days?”
Sadie was so silent that Mac thought she’d hung up on him. Finally, she said, “It’s about damn time you got around to asking that question, Mac Carlton.”
He exhaled. “Well, at least you didn’t slam the phone down, then call her and have a good laugh at my expense.”
“I don’t think Tally would laugh, Mac. To her, what you two had was never a joke.”
That was all Mac needed to hear before begging for her phone number. His next call was to the love of his life.
It was dusk when he got to her place. As he drove through the gate, the memories of their times there flooded back to him. His heart was beating quickly, and he had to clear his throat a few times to remind himself that he could still talk.
Tally greeted him at the door dressed simply in jeans and a white V-neck T-shirt, and he noticed she was barefoot. She looked even younger than he remembered her. Certainly younger than her age. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, he marveled.
She took his hand and drew him into the living room. It was just as he remembered it, cozy and inviting. Then they walked out to the pool. He was surprised to discover she’d made dinner for them, just as she’d done on their first date in Paris, and the food was laid out on a table between the chaise longues, where he’d asked her to marry him.
He hated the thought that he’d wasted the last three years without her and silently vowed to spend the rest of his life making up for that.
She looked at him with tears in her eyes, and he yearned to kiss her. But he knew better. Instead, he said, “It’s nice of you to see me, Tally. I’m hoping you’ll consider working with me—”
She put a finger to his lips, silencing him. “First things first.”
She kissed him for a long time, then pulled back.
“Why did you leave me?” she asked quietly.
He thought back through the fog and pain of the past three years, during which he’d buried his hurt with work and with down-and-dirty sex with Susie. And yet all that time, he’d fantasized about the woman standing before him.
He supposed that by doing all those things, he was somehow punishing Tally. And at that moment, he remembered why he had wanted to punish her. She wanted to know why? OK, he’d tell her.
“Gabriel.”
Her eyes grew wide with surprise. “What about Gabriel?”
I can’t believe she’s acting so surprised, he thought.
“There was a video of him—with you.” He closed his eyes wearily. He was done playing games.
“Seriously, Mac, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Tally, come on, already, fess up! The video must have been taken a couple of nights before our wedding day. It was shot in your trailer. You were in a bathrobe, and he went inside with you—”
“Gabriel, with me? Oh! I remember now. He came over, desperate to see me, right after work one day. He was so hopped up on pills, he fell on top of me. I took him inside so he could sit down, and I went to get him some water. By the time I got back with it, he’d taken off.”
She’s lying, Mac thought. What a mistake this was! “Oh, yeah? That’s not what I saw.”
“What did you see? When?”
“Susie had a video of you.”
Hearing her rival’s name, Tally raised an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? Tell me more.”
“I’ve already told you. It was you and Gabriel.” He choked out the words. “You were straddling him. Just what a guy wants to see before he’s getting married!” Mac ran his hands through his hair. The thought of her with her ex just before their wedding day still made his blood boil.
Now Tally was angry, too. “I swear to you, that never happened. Are you sure it wasn’t Susie with a wig? Considering she had something to do with you seeing it in the first place, I’m guessing that would be more likely.”
“The video only showed you from behind.” He sat down slowly. “My God, are you suggesting that she faked that whole thing?”
“Knowing Susie, I’d say that’s a likely possibility.” She looked him right in the eye. “But I’m guessing the video she sent me on the night we were supposed to get married—of the two of you screwing—was the real thing. In fact, I still have it.”
His silence spoke volumes.
“Thought so.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “Even after seeing that, I hoped you’d come to your senses, that you’d come to see me so we could talk. I believed you would—until I saw your wedding photos in People.” She looked down into the pool. “After that, I was so upset I had a miscarriage.”
“You were pregnant—with our baby?” It felt as though his heart had just been pierced.
“Yes. I was going to tell you on our honeymoon.”
When he took her in his arms, she didn’t fight him. Instead, she leaned into him, a
s if speaking of their lost child had finally released her from the pain she’d felt over the past three years.
His eyes misted over with tears. “I’m an idiot. That conniving bitch played me like a stupid schoolboy. If I’d had any sense, I would have confronted you first.”
“She was betting that your ego would stop you. And she was right.” Tally stroked his face with her finger. “Mac, listen. What’s done is done. We can’t change the past.”
“You’re right. And we’ve got the rest of our lives to make up for it.” He cradled her face in his hands. “In fact, I’m serving her with divorce papers tomorrow. Wait. Did you send me the video of Susie?”
She smiled. “You know what they say, all’s fair in love and war. When I heard what she was doing to you … I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let her get away with that.”
He sighed. “Don’t apologize. You did me a favor.”
“Does Richard know yet?” Tally was almost afraid to ask.
“I told Susie she’d better inform him. My guess is that she’s doing that right now.”
“Mac, why do you think she went after him?”
“In her tiny brain, he’s the next rung up on the power ladder.” He frowned. “My poor mother. I guess I should get over there now, to console her when she finds out. Which she inevitably will.” He stood up. “Tally, I know my mother treated you miserably, and there is no excuse for her doing so. Still, if you could stomach it, I’d appreciate your company on the ride out there.”
“If you need me, I’m there.”
Mac believed that more than anything he’d ever heard in his life.
Chapter 35
“I NEVER FIGURED YOU to be a submissive. Are you sure about this?” Rosanna, whom Susie had not seen since the night they’d framed Burt Tillman at the Chateau Marmont, was poised to strike Susie across the back with a leather whip. Usually, Rosanna was on the receiving end, and needless to say, she was worried about what Susie might do in retaliation.
Susie was getting exasperated. She needed to make good on her lie to Richard about Mac beating her. “It’s not brain surgery, you dumb bitch! Look, Richard will be here any minute. A couple of stripes across the back is what we’re going for here. Now, just do it!”
Rosanna slapped the whip across Susie’s back and winced as Susie cried out in pain. She did it harder the second time, and Susie yelped again.
Then again.
“Damn it!” Susie was sobbing. “Enough already!”
Rosanna got in one more quick strike before she untied Susie, who was moaning in agony. She grabbed Susie’s cash and was almost out the door when the vase Susie threw at her missed her head by six inches. To Rosanna, it was worth it.
It took three very long hours to convince Richard that tonight was finally the night to leave Elizabeth. Or, as Susie put it, to “take me away from Mac, that brute son of yours.”
The tears helped, as did the hot sex. But it was the lashes on her back that put him over the top.
“My son is a monster!” Richard fumed. “Of course, you have to divorce him.”
“And you’ll divorce Elizabeth?” Susie let loose with a new stream of crocodile tears.
Richard’s shrunken shoulders caved in even more. “Yes, Susie.”
She smiled angelically. “I’ll ride over to Pasadena with you. I think we should break the news to her together, don’t you?”
She couldn’t wait to see the look on that old witch’s face when he told her. She also wanted to be there to make sure he didn’t back out on their agreement.
Mac and Tally were already in the living room with Elizabeth when Richard and Susie pulled up.
When Susie saw Mac, she grabbed hold of Richard’s arm. “Please make sure he doesn’t get anywhere near me,” she whispered melodramatically.
Mac looked at her as if she were crazy. “I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole. In fact, considering all of your extracurricular activities, I guess now is as good a time as any to ask when was the last time you were checked for STDs.”
“There—you see what I mean, Richard? Do you see what I have to put up with?” The tears started to fall again.
“I’m warning you, son. Stay away from my future wife.”
“So, what Mac says is true. You’re here to ask me for a divorce?” Elizabeth cut in. She was holding the ever-present Bacarat tumbler filled with gin. Her voice trembled, but she looked Richard in the eye.
Richard seemed to deflate a little. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth, but yes.”
“I see.” Elizabeth slowly sank onto the settee. “And when do you plan on marrying?”
Susie smiled triumphantly. “As soon as possible. After my divorce with Mac is final.”
“Well, yes, dear. Otherwise, you’re a bigamist.” Elizabeth looked at her with disdain. “From what I’ve gathered already, you are a lot of things—bitch, trollop, whore—but not that. At least, not yet.”
“Mother, my attorney files tomorrow. From what I gather here, Susie isn’t contesting my action.” Mac gave Richard a pitying look. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
Richard hesitated just long enough for Susie to nudge him from behind. “Yes. I haven’t loved your mother for years.”
“You’ve had enough whores to prove that to me, Richard.” Elizabeth’s eyes swept over her husband angrily. “Oh, don’t look so shocked. Of course, I know about all the women! I still have friends at the studio, too, you know. If this is what you want, there’s nothing I can do to stop you.”
Tally suddenly remembered what Ben had said about Garfield. He must have been her gossip conduit, Tally thought.
Elizabeth raised her head high. “When I learned of this betrayal—of both me and Mac—I asked my attorneys to file for legal separation this morning.”
“Good,” Richard said, clearly relieved. “Then it’s settled. I’ll have my attorneys get in touch with yours. I’ve no doubt you’ll want this tomb of a house, and I’m willing to give it to you.”
“That is truly generous of you, Richard. Then again, you wouldn’t be able to afford it anyway, since you’ll be out of a job.”
Richard frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
It was Elizabeth’s turn to smile. “Then I presume you’ve forgotten that I own the largest share of Royalton stock.”
Richard did a double take. “But—but that stock was only put in your name for tax purposes! Besides, it’s not enough to swing a vote with the board of directors to have me ousted.”
“No,” said Mac, “but with her block, my block, and my producing partner Elena Hahn’s block, we’ve pretty much got it covered. In fact, I just got off the phone with Elena. She’s having her attorney draw up a proxy for me to cast any way I see fit.”
Richard turned white.
“The fact that you’ve sunk so low as to take your own son’s wife—I’m sorry, Richard, but that is unforgivable.” Elizabeth shuddered. “Your things are being packed and placed in the limo as we speak. Your driver will take you wherever you want to go, but he has been informed that you’ll no longer need his services after tonight.”
Susie couldn’t believe her ears. “Wait, you’ll no longer be head of the studio?” She looked from Richard to Elizabeth to Mac and finally to Tally. “You! You sent that video around, didn’t you? Why, I ought to—”
She lunged for Tally, but the younger actress was too quick for her. Tally delivered an uppercut under her chin, and Susie collapsed on the floor.
Standing over her, Elizabeth scrutinized Susie’s jaw. “Ah, well. She was due for a chin job, anyway. Up until now, I was too polite to say anything, but those saggy jowls are so unattractive in profile.”
Chapter 36
IN TALLY’S OPINION, the best time of day in the honeymoon suite at the George V was right at daybreak. Particularly after a vigorous night of lovemaking.
As they stood at the terrace’s French doors, taking in the most beautiful sight in Paris—the sun’s first rays
striking the Eiffel Tower—Tally leaned into Mac and breathed a contented sigh.
“Happy?” he murmured in her ear.
As if he needed to ask. “The only thing that would make this any more perfect is if we could stay just one more week.” She nuzzled his neck lovingly. “But I guess there’s no chance of that, Mr. Big Shot Studio Head.”
“I’d quit in a second if that’s what you wanted.” He sounded as if he meant it.
She smiled but shook her head. “It’s the job of a lifetime, and you’re just the man for it. You’ve been in training for this role all your life.”
“Here’s hoping I live up to our stockholders’ expectations as well.”
“Mac, your track record speaks for itself. Don’t you read Variety? According to the trades, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Royalton Studios—and it was a long time coming, too.”
“I think what really made them happy is that Royalton now has a first-look deal with Oscar-winning actress Tally Jones’s new production company.”
Tally laughed. “You can thank my new manager for that! Who knew Sadie Fletcher was such a brilliant negotiator?”
“We all did. Even Josh, God rest his soul, knew she was the real power behind that throne.”
He pulled her down onto the bed with him and kissed her. After lying side-by-side silently for a moment, Tally sat up, sensing something was bothering him.
“Mac, is something wrong?”
He sighed. “I was just thinking about my father.”
Tally lifted his chin so that they’d be eye-to-eye. “Your father made some pretty bad mistakes, most of them at his stockholders’ expense. With you running the studio, you can right his wrongs, and he’ll make money whenever you do. He still owns a lot of stock in Royalton. And as for Susie, well, getting dumped by her was the best thing that could have happened to him.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He looked at his watch. “Well, we should get going. How gauche would it be to be late to your own wedding?”
“Yo, juicy Susie, are you ready for your close-ups?” By that, Susie’s new producer, Jerry Conover of Dandy Candy Productions, meant the ones that were to zoom in on the various male organs she was currently handling.