by Dee J. Adams
“Then we stipulate the terms in a contract. I’m not playing ‘What if’ with you. We could go around for days with that,” Quinn argued. “Besides, once it’s out of our hands, I can let go. But I, personally, can’t sell it to the man who stole from us. I don’t see how you can either.”
“Look.” Mac said. “What goes around comes around.” He got off the director’s chair, set his script on the seat and faced him. “C’mon, you mean to tell me that you wouldn’t feel some satisfaction knowing how much money was coming out of Gerhardt’s pocket for FRD?”
“That’s not the point.” Quinn dragged a hand through his hair. “I want satisfaction knowing that he didn’t get our company.”
Mac nodded. “I understand, Quinn. I really do. But I also see the advantages of selling to him. I think we need to weigh all the options.”
“You are unbelievable.” Quinn’s volume shot up and few people turned their heads. He didn’t care if the whole world heard him.
“Keep your voice down. This isn’t the place for this,” Mac warned. “Look, I understand why you couldn’t keep yesterday’s appointment, and I’m glad you and Elle are okay, but I’m also glad I heard Gerhardt’s proposal. Especially since you failed to mention some of the more pertinent facts.” Mac checked his watch. “Meet me at the trailer after lunch and we can talk.”
Finally. “Just remember, my clock is ticking, which means so is yours.” Quinn headed away with no destination in mind. He spotted the craft service table and realized he hadn’t eaten in twenty-four hours. Jesus. Nothing. And now he was too pissed to eat. At the moment, all he wanted to do was hit something. Someone. Preferably his brother.
A new nagging tickled his nape as something else dawned on him. Shit, Ellie hadn’t eaten either. That worried him. But he didn’t see any sign of her. And goddammit, he didn’t want to worry about her. Didn’t want to care about her. When the fuck had his priorities changed? If he didn’t snag this window of opportunity to sell FRD, they’d never get this amount of money. And no way in hell would he waste more of his life in a place he didn’t want to be.
Quinn stalked to a strip of grass on the outskirts of the set and sat under a willow tree. He needed to cool off before facing anybody or security might toss him out when he made a scene. He had no doubts that he’d make a scene.
He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.
“Am I interrupting?” Ellie’s soft voice intruded on his bad mood and Quinn’s pulse galloped an extra beat as he glanced up. Sunlight glinted off her blond hair, making her look like an angel. “May I…” She indicated the spot next to him.
“I don’t know that you want to. I’m pretty pissed off at the moment. Not too much fun to be around.”
“I’ll take my chances.” She sat down.
With the glare of the sun out of his eyes he saw her clearly. She had a plate of food in her hand. A couple of hours ago she’d looked tired and worn-out. Now…he didn’t know how it was possible, but she looked stunning. Her face glowed with vitality, her green eyes shone with life and the circles underneath were nonexistent. “Wow, you look great,” he said.
“Thanks. Lucia saw me and about had a heart attack. She made me sit in her chair and she fixed me.” She handed over the plate. “I made you a sandwich.”
His heart turned over at the same time his mouth watered ferociously. The huge sandwich had been sliced in quarters complete with toothpicks in the middle. “Thanks.” He couldn’t remember the last time a woman made him a meal. Any type of meal. Sandwich included. Seemed like he was always expected to wine and dine them.
“I thought you might like some of these too,” she said, waving a small bag of potato chips before tossing them on his lap. “What’s a sandwich without chips…”
She was nervous. Couldn’t meet his gaze. “You know what they say…the quickest way to a man’s heart…” Things had changed between them and Quinn didn’t like it. He wanted the fun. The make-out sessions. They’d been on the verge of something spectacular and now they’d taken three steps back. He wanted to feel her skin under his hands and see her eyes sparkle with laughter and burn with desire. With him. For him.
Besides that, he wanted to make sure she was all right. Here she was taking care of him. “Did you eat something?” he asked.
She nodded once. “I did. I indulged in a waffle when I got here.”
That was better than nothing, but still not enough. Quinn handed over a quarter of his sandwich. “Eat,” he ordered. He took a bite. Sandwich heaven. Closing his eyes, he chewed. “Oh my God,” he said, his mouth full. “Who said a turkey on rye isn’t nirvana?” Six bites later, he’d demolished the whole thing. “God, I needed this. Thanks.” He crunched a chip and she smiled.
“I figured I owed you,” she said, swallowing her last bite.
Owed him? She’d saved his life yesterday.
He shook his head. “You don’t owe me any—”
“Just shut up and let me talk,” she said. Her smile didn’t waver, but a steely look had her green eyes growing darker. “Not too many people would do what you did last night.”
“That’s not—”
She made a sound and stuck a finger in the air to quiet him. “Most men would’ve run as soon as the toilet seat hit the tank.” He grinned at the picture. “But you stayed. And you made sure I was okay.” She looked away before meeting his gaze. “I have to apologize again.” She sighed. “For…for…I shouldn’t have…” she swallowed, “…attacked you the way I did last night.”
“You had the rug pulled from under you yesterday. That was a shock. You don’t have to apologize.”
“Yes, I do,” she insisted. She twirled the ring on her finger mercilessly. “Do you think I’ve ever…I’ve ever thrown myself at someone like I did yesterday?”
Nope. Never. “I’m betting not,” he said, popping another chip in his mouth.
“Well, you’d win that bet.” She stared off in the distance. “Look, I’m embarrassed and I want you to know that I’m sorry I put you in that position.”
“Is everything okay with you and Mac?” she asked with a quick subject change. “I heard you guys arguing.” She glanced up, looking as guilty as a child caught with a handful of forbidden candy. “It’s my fault, isn’t it? Because of yesterday. You were with me and you were supposed to be meeting Mac.”
Shit. Nothing like a smooth segue into a topic he didn’t want to discuss. Between the sandwich and Ellie’s company, Quinn had actually lost the bad mood he’d started with. He shook his head. “No, it’s not your fault. He’s been treating me like this for years.”
“Like what?” She tipped her head to the side and the sun lit her hair like gold. No doubt about it. With the delivery of one sandwich and a bag of chips, she’d become his personal angel, complete with halo and big heart to boot.
“It’s hard to explain.” Quinn crunched another chip. How could he make sense of his relationship with Mac? “I’m less than. I’m not worthy. I’m the little brother he’s always taken care of and I have no brain, no thought process. No feelings.” After hearing that pitiful confession, she was bound to keep her distance. Way to go, ace.
“Has he always been like that?”
Thinking back, Quinn sighed. “I remember one specific time,” he said, “and it pretty much went downhill from there. I was about twelve and Mac was teaching me to change the oil in the car. He was all over my case about the oil tray. ‘Don’t take the tray out until you’ve completely finished the job,’ he said. ‘The whole job.’” Quinn shrugged. “I heard him. I got it. After the old oil drained, I had to empty the tray. I made sure nothing was leaking. Everything was fine. I slid out from under the car, opened the new can, dumped it into the well and started cleaning up the garage. I went inside for something and came out to find oil running across the cement.” He shook his head. “I’d forgotten to screw the cap on. All the oil ran onto Dad’s brand-new garage floor. For the next six years all I heard every time I change
d the oil was not to forget the goddamn tray. Like I hadn’t learned that lesson on my own the first time.” Quinn glanced at Ellie and shrugged. “That was pretty much the beginning. Dad got back from his trip and I had to come clean. He said it was just a floor and as long as I learned a lesson then we all had to move on. Mac always had a tough time trusting me after that.”
“He trusted you to run the company,” she pointed out.
“Sink or swim,” Quinn replied. “I think Mac liked to think of it as tough love.”
Pursing her lips, she nodded stoically. “Well…that sucks.” She smiled at him, but that was probably because he was grinning like a fool. It did suck. Big time. The fact that she understood him instead of trying to analyze him went a long way in his book too. “I can completely relate to it,” she said.
He doubted that. “C’mon…look at your job. You’re in a position almost every day where you risk your life. You work with mostly men who obviously respect you. They think highly of you. You’re smart, you’re quick. You’re everything I’m not.”
She laughed. “Okay…my bullshit meter just went off the chart.”
That stunned Quinn. “You think I’m bullshitting you? Why would I bullshit you? What could I possibly gain?”
Her smile faded. She knew damn well if he was trying to get into her pants, he’d had his opportunity. Maybe that dawned on her. “God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just so…you’re so off the mark. You really are.” Her phone jangled and she looked at the screen before flipping it open. “It’s Mark,” she told him. “Hey, what’s up?” she said into the receiver. “I’m here by the big willow tree.” She waved over her shoulder and Quinn followed her gaze. “Uh oh. I see them.” She listened and thanked him before flipping the phone closed.
Two men came toward them, both wearing suits. Quinn spotted a shoulder holster when the breeze lifted one man’s blazer. “Cops?” he said.
“Detectives,” she corrected.
More like Mutt and Jeff. One extremely tall guy looked as if he should’ve been playing in the NBA and the other shorter blond should’ve been an actor in the movie. “What do they want?” Quinn asked as they both got to their feet.
“I have no idea,” she said, brushing off her ass. “Mark said they were looking for me.”
“Did you rob a bank recently?”
“No.” She smacked his arm. Her eyes had that playful spark that he hadn’t seen in a day. For a moment, he had her back. For a second, the thing between them came to life and Quinn’s breath stalled in his lungs. But the police closed the gap, Ellie gave them her attention and the moment disappeared.
“Ellie Morgan?” the tall cop asked. He stuck out his hand when she nodded. “I’m Detective Patrick. This is my partner Detective O’Kelly. We’d like to talk to you for a couple of minutes if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” She introduced Quinn and he shook hands with both men. “What can I do for you?” Ellie said.
“We need to ask you a few questions about the accident yesterday. We got your name from the officers on the scene.”
The crime scene tape flashed in Quinn’s head. Jesus. The collapse had been intentional.
The blank look on Ellie’s face morphed into suspicion. “Are you saying the accident wasn’t an accident?”
“We’re not sure. Probably not,” Detective Patrick said. “We know security was breached at the construction site. We have a construction worker with a concussion, a woman in a coma, another woman in the morgue and a handful of injured pedestrians. It’s looking less like an accident and more like criminal intent. We’re talking to a lot of people, hoping to come up with a lead.”
“Wow.” Ellie huffed out a rush of air. The need to protect her, shield her, flooded Quinn’s veins. She shook her head. “What do you want to know?”
“For starters, do you have any ex-boyfriends or know anyone who’d want to hurt you?”
“Me?” She seemed truly stunned by the question then she glanced at him shyly before focusing on the cops. “No. No exes to worry about. No enemies either, at least no one who’d want to bury me under a mountain of scaffolding. I can say the same thing for Ashley. I’ve known her since junior high. She’s great. She’s… No. She would’ve told me if she’d pissed someone off.”
The cops nodded and the taller one looked at Quinn. “Mr. Reynolds, what about you?”
Quinn shook his head. “I just got to town last week. I doubt I’ve pissed off anyone besides my brother and he’s not the killing type.” His attempt to lighten the mood fell flat.
The detectives shared a glance and the short one, O’Kelly, handed Ellie his card. “It’s very possible that the suspect didn’t have anyone particular in mind, but if you think of anything, give us a call,” he said.
“Of course. Yes.” Ellie took the card. As they watched the cops walk away, she shook her head. “I can’t believe someone would do something so horrible on purpose.”
“The world is full of crazies,” Quinn said.
“Yeah, I guess,” Ellie agreed. “If someone did do this intentionally, it wasn’t anyone Ashley or I know. It’s just not possible.” Any worry he may have had about this news upsetting her evaporated with the absolute certainty of her tone. Though she might’ve been thrown off balance for a minute, she’d bounced back with unwavering strength.
After a brief pause, she exhaled another deep breath and looked toward the set. “I should be getting back. Walk with me?”
“Hell, yes,” he said. She looked up with smiling eyes and he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless, right in front of her coworkers, under the blazing sun.
He wanted her more fiercely than ever, but he didn’t want to take advantage of her and didn’t want a quick screw. He wanted her alone for hours. A lot of hours where nothing existed but just the two of them. And he didn’t see that happening.
Yes, he was truly, royally fucked.
Chapter Sixteen
Walking back toward the set, Ellie and Quinn moved in comfortable silence, their steps in tandem as they’d been on the beach. It seemed odd to be so in sync with a man who’d stormed into her life only a week ago. She would’ve paid money for him to haul her against him and kiss her. She wanted to feel all the electrifying sensations he sparked in her body. She wanted his hands on her skin and his tongue in her mouth. Talk about a complete turnaround.
She’d pegged him totally wrong. Suddenly it didn’t matter that he wasn’t staying. Even knowing his time in L.A. was temporary and despite breaking all her rules, she was ready to be with him.
One night with Quinn. The possibilities abounded. A night with Quinn’s arms around her and feeling him deep inside her body might keep her going for the rest of her life.
Contrition and guilt swept through her in a sick wave. How could she even think about being with Quinn when Ashley was in coma? There was something seriously wrong with her. She needed to focus on the most important thing and right now that was her best friend, not her sex life.
Ellie dismissed the idea that someone targeted either Ashley or her. A person had to have a serious enemy to go to that kind of extreme and she couldn’t think of anyone who might fit that bill. Besides, everyone loved Ashley. She was the good-time girl. Women loved her because she was a true friend and men loved her…for many, many other reasons.
Mark and some of the guys surrounded Ashley’s car. It was the perfect time to ask the favor she needed. “I’ve got a proposition,” she said, including all four men in front of her. She dangled the carrot most likely to work with any one of them. “I’ve got a steak dinner and a cold six-pack for anyone willing to drive to Barstow tonight to drop Ashley’s car with her mom. I need someone to follow me in my car so I can get home.”
The second AD, Teri, brought a crowd of extras as she readied the next shot. Two dozen strangers milled about and Teri waved wardrobe over for a last check.
“You’re not getting to Barstow tonight,” Brett said. “The
re’s a twenty-car pileup that’s got Interstate 15 gridlocked. I heard it’s not clearing up any time soon because of multiple fatalities.”
Great. Ellie sighed. “Okay, so who wants to follow me tomorrow? I’ll even add a six-pack to go.” She gave them her hopeful puppy dog eyes.
“We can help you take both cars home tonight,” Mark said, gesturing to Brett. “It’s on our way. But I can’t help you out tomorrow. I told my cousin I’d help him move.”
“I can’t either,” Brett said. “Football game. Sorry.”
“I’ll follow you?” Quinn said, his jaw clenched tight. The man looked brittle enough to snap in two. It wasn’t as if she could ask him for more help. He’d done plenty already.
“What about your brother? I thought you needed to talk to Mac,” she said.
“I do. But half the day isn’t going to change things. I can follow you in the limo and we can ride back together.”
“No more limo.” She shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, Quinn. I just like to drive. I’ve hardly been in my car for days and I want to cruise with the top down and enjoy the ride.” She stepped closer to him and lowered her voice. “Look, I know you don’t like to drive, and—”
His brows snapped together. “What makes you think that?”
“The fact that you rented a limousine and a driver for the duration of your stay was my first clue. I don’t blame you,” she said. “Los Angeles can be a bitch of a city to drive in if you’re not familiar with it. But I certainly wasn’t going to ask you to come along with me.”
“Just because I don’t drive doesn’t mean I can’t drive.” He rubbed his fist and Ellie got the impression she’d slighted him.
The stuntmen around her had dispersed…taking her limited options with them. “You seriously haven’t had enough of me, yet?” she said to Quinn. “I thought after yesterday, you know…you’d want a break.” Yesterday when she’d had intimate conversations with the toilet bowl. Gads.