by Dee J. Adams
“Querida.” He sounded worried. “It’s been all over the news. Helicopters have been circling your house. The pictures...” He stopped as if he couldn’t find any words to express how he felt. “It looks like a war zone,” he finally managed.
“I know. But my mom and I are okay.”
“I’m so glad. So, so glad. I don’t want you to worry about the movie. It’s yours. You have the role.”
Julie’s heart leaped a foot in her chest. After everything she’d gone through and all the time and meetings she’d spent, it took a car bomb to get her the role of a lifetime. She was no dummy. The publicity this whole incident would create would give the movie an even bigger boost. Ari knew business and giving her the role at this point simply meant good business.
“Well, great,” she said, doing her best to sound sincere and not pissed. It shouldn’t have taken a car bomb for her to get this part. A piece of her wanted to tell him to shove his movie up his ass, but America’s Sweetheart wouldn’t dare say anything so rude. “Thanks, Ari. You won’t regret it.”
“I know. I’m sorry it took me so long to get you the decision. It was between you and your friend Carrie Ann. She’s very good, but you...you are the best.”
Well hell. That information could’ve gone in the Do Not Ever Need to Know file. Cal was going to be crushed to learn she didn’t get the part.
“We’re starting production immediately. I hope to begin shooting three weeks from now.”
“Wow. Kind of fast isn’t it?” Julie asked, shifting on her leg because it was beginning to throb like a bitch. Luckily, the stitches in her thigh would be out next week. Wardrobe would have to work around the scar.
Great. Another scar. She hadn’t even thought of that. Three months ago she had one small scar at her hairline from chicken pox that no one ever noticed, and now she had two bullet scars and a shrapnel scar.
You’re lucky to be alive. Her conscience was good at keeping her abreast of the important things in life.
“Yes,” Ari agreed. “It is fast, but Henri’s schedule changed again and if I do the film now I can have him.” Henri, his director of photography.
“Three weeks sounds good. I’ll be ready,” Julie said.
“Brava!” Ari sounded thoroughly pleased. “It will be so good to work with you. I cannot wait.”
As long as he knew she planned only on working with him and not sleeping with him. “I’m looking forward to it, Ari. I have to go, but I’ll talk to you soon.” Julie disconnected and looked at her mother. “I got the part.” She’d lobbied so hard for this role and now it seemed anticlimactic. Funny how one car bomb could change a girl’s perspective.
“So I heard. Congratulations, honey. I’m happy for you.” But she didn’t sound that happy. Or even look that happy. Julie had inherited most of her mother’s facial expressions so she knew the smile her mother now gave her lacked sincerity.
“As my manager, I’m wondering why—aside from the fact that you nearly got your head blown off by a bomb—you aren’t so happy with this decision of mine to do this movie?”
“It’s not about you, honey. It’s about Ari. I don’t like him. I understand this film is a great role, but there are other great roles and I don’t think you should put yourself in his world for too long at a time...and...”
“And a movie is going to put me near him. Mom, I’m fine. I can handle myself.”
“Three weeks,” Troy said. He almost made the words a question. “You’re giving the police only three weeks to find the man responsible for this? That’s unrealistic.”
“It’s life,” Julie informed him. “What if I take this little vacation and the police never find who did this? Do you think I’m going to stay in hiding my whole life?”
He clenched his jaw but didn’t say anything, which proved her point. She looked at her mom. “I’ll go for two weeks. It’ll give me time to heal and time to work on the part. But I’m coming home to shoot the film. Deal?” She looked at her mother, then Troy, and back to her mother.
“Deal,” Elena said. Her gaze moved to Troy. “Take care of my daughter.”
Troy nodded once. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh my God,” someone said behind them.
Everyone turned to see Cal in the doorway, taking in the scene. The officers blocked her path as she tried to step in. Wearing a pair of khaki shorts with matching platform wedges and a white T-shirt, she looked dumbstruck. How much had she heard?
“I don’t believe this,” she whispered.
Chapter Thirteen
Oh shit. A mini-panic hit Julie and her face got hot. She hadn’t had a chance to figure out how to tell Cal about the movie role and this was the last place and time she wanted to do it.
“She’s okay,” Julie told the cops and they let Cal through.
“Are you two all right?” Cal asked, launching into the room. She hugged Elena gently, then did the same to Julie.
“We’re okay. How’d you know we were here?” Julie asked.
“It’s all over the news,” Cal said. “I figured you’d be here since it’s the closest hospital.”
Julie had occupied way too many hospitals the past couple of months. “You guessed right,” she murmured.
“Are you seriously telling me that your car blew up? And you’re not dead? Do you know what kind of a miracle that is?”
“Uh...yeah?” Julie shot back.
“Now, Julie,” her mother scolded. “No need for that tone.”
Cal’s lips quirked up in a half grin. “It’s okay. She’s pissed. She has a right to be.”
“Thank you,” Julie snapped. She scrunched her face up. “Sorry, Cal. I don’t mean to take this out on you. I just really am pissed. You are so right.”
“Hey, I’d be pissed too if someone blew up my car. The important thing is that you and your mom are okay.” She squeezed Elena’s hand. “So what were you saying about a film?”
Julie closed her eyes and searched for her courage. It had possibly blown up with her car. The silence killed her, and she finally sucked it up and faced Cal head on. “Ari called me. I got the part.” Cal stared at her before her shoulders dropped. It seemed all the air came out of her in a gust. “I’m so sorry, Cal. I guarantee it was because of this incident. It’s going to be that much more press for the film when it comes out.”
Cal’s eyes widened. “What?” she whispered. “This is what tipped Ari into the decision? Did he say that?”
“Well, no, but you know how Ari is. Remember how he used that whole incident with Trace Bradshaw’s brother-in-law during Dangerous Race? He used real-life drama to hype the movie. He’ll do it again with this.”
“Holy fuck,” Cal whispered. She looked totally beaten down.
“I’m so sorry, Cal. He told me how great your audition was. He thinks you’re terrific. I know he’ll keep you in mind for another project.”
Cal closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. “Can’t win ’em all, I guess.” She gave Elena a watery smile. “What about you? When do you get out of here?”
“Oh, sweetie,” Elena said, squeezing Cal’s hand. “This business just sucks rotten eggs sometimes. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. Let’s not talk about it.” Cal wiped her eyes and turned toward Julie. “What about you? Are you staying the night too?”
“No, they didn’t admit me, but Mom’s staying the night. She’s got a concussion.”
Cal glanced at Elena and winced. “Ouch. That’s not fun.” She faced Julie. “Looks like I’m taking you home then. Should we go now so I can get you into your bed?”
“No need,” Troy said. “I’m taking her.”
Clenching her jaw, Cal moved her gaze to Troy. “I’m sure Julie would rather I take her home, but thanks anyway.”
“It’s okay, Cal. Troy and I talked about it. I was going to call you on the way home. I didn’t expect you to show up. He can take me.”
Cal ran her hand through her short hair
. She looked ready to pop a gasket. “Fine. I guess losing a part to my best friend...” she paused and Julie readied herself for the word again, “...also means my best friend doesn’t need me anymore.” She headed to the door. “See ya later.”
“Don’t, Carrie Ann.” Julie called her that only when she wanted her full attention, and it worked. Cal stood in the doorway and watched her. “Don’t blame me because of this. I didn’t plant a car bomb and I didn’t do anything to sway Ari in my direction.”
“Gee, maybe if my car blows up he’ll fire you and hire me.” Cal covered her face with her hands and exhaled a hard sigh. “God! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry.” She dropped her hands and the regret in her eyes made Julie’s heart ache. When her best friend hurt, she hurt. A situation like this only strained their friendship more. “I’m so sorry, Jules. Sorry that you have to go through all of this. Sorry I’m being such a pain.” Cal shook her head. “I just need a little time to process...all of this.” She waved her arms to encompass the room. “I’m sorry. I’ll give you both a call a little later, okay?” Without waiting for an answer she disappeared down the hallway.
* * *
Troy stuffed some clothes into a duffel bag on his bed. “Two weeks,” he murmured to himself. No way would the cops find this asshole and arrest him in the two weeks they’d be gone. The detectives didn’t have enough evidence. Not even a fucking fingerprint. They continued to pick through her fan and hate mail and were still trying to track down the online florist company.
So what was the point of even leaving town?
Because if something happened to Julie during this time, he’d never forgive himself. He had to trust the cops to do their job and find this guy. In the meantime, he’d keep Julie safe. He had one place he could go, one place where no one would ever find them. It was also the one place he’d sworn never to return in his life.
His stomach turned just thinking about it. Julie would hate it. It wasn’t new or pretty or even clean. But it was functional and it was hidden, and that’s what he needed right now.
Julie had spent more time with the detectives at the hospital, answering questions about her past, her neighbors, her car, where she’d driven the past week, her fans, her mother’s life and anything and everything under the sun that might give them a lead. Troy cleared the decision with the detectives, who liked the idea of Julie being out of sight. Being gone meant she was one less thing for them to worry about, and they didn’t need to waste manpower watching her house or protecting her at a safe house. They already had Julie’s contact information, and now they had Abbey’s for extra insurance.
Troy came out of his bedroom to find Julie still sitting on his sofa. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d brought someone to his condo. It had the bare minimums required because he hardly spent any time here. Although he called the place home, it acted as more of a shelter. He wouldn’t have considered bringing her here, except that he didn’t plan to let her out of his sight for the foreseeable future.
The scratches on her cheek and chin stood out on her pale face. Her eyes had that bruised quality of exhaustion and stress. He wanted to hold her and make it all go away. He wanted to give her the tender love she deserved and make her forget about everything that had happened today. Getting out of the hospital had been crazy. Dodging paparazzi had taken the spunk out of her. She was tired of the game. Tired of the attention. Anyone who paid any notice this afternoon could see she hadn’t gone into it for the fame.
He should let her sleep tonight. Let her get used to the idea of splitting town for two unplanned weeks, but he wanted to get gone as soon as possible. Wanted to make her disappear as quickly and quietly as he could, and the longer they stayed in town the more the press was bound to hound her anywhere she went, including her house, which now that it had been plastered on the news was under serious scrutiny. The footage from the helicopter had newscasters all over the city talking about which canyon she lived in. By this time, cars were driving by getting a look at the house and hoping for a Julie sighting. Nope, he had to get going before her stalker had time to regroup. Leaving tonight meant he could get a few hours’ sleep in Vegas before attacking the road for real.
Yeah, he liked this plan. He set his duffel by the front door and checked his watch. It was later than he thought. Julie could crash in the backseat of his car and keep her leg up. It all sounded decent. All he had to do now was get her back to her place to pack a bag and it was go time.
“We really have to leave tonight?” She gave him the sad face he’d seen on her show and it felt strange to be looking at it in person. Was she sincere or playing him? He felt like a scumbag for even thinking that question. The lady was as genuine as it got and she didn’t play games in real life. She was in-your-face honest and forthright.
“Yeah.” Troy nodded, crouching in front of her. “I think it’s the smart thing to do. We’ll stop by your place next and pack a bag, then hit the road, spend the night in Vegas, then head out in the morning.”
“Where are we going?”
“As far away as we can.”
She snorted. “That’s the East Coast.”
He nodded again. “Yep.”
Her jaw dropped open and her eyes widened. “You can’t be serious. You don’t plan to drive to the East Coast.”
He checked his watch and took the spot next to her on the sofa. Under the faint aroma of smoke, he still smelled the intoxicating scent of her. “Not only do I plan on it. I plan to get us there in record time.” He calculated the numbers in his head. “I figure eight hundred miles a day, give or take a dozen, should have us in Maryland in four days.”
“Eight hundred miles a day! Are you crazy? That’s like fourteen hours a day.”
“I don’t plan on going sixty. I can cut hours off that time going eighty or ninety.”
“Eighty or ninety?” She threw her hands in the air. “Hell, why not go one-twenty and get those eight hundred miles done in six hours.”
He grinned. Loved her sarcasm. “I might just do that.”
She shot him a look. “If you go a hundred and twenty, I’m getting out at the first opportunity and I’m not getting back in your car. I don’t have a death wish.”
The words seemed to clarify the whole reason for the escape and Julie closed her eyes and sighed. “I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe my mom is in the hospital and I’m running out of town like a wimpy chicken.”
“Your aunt is there. She’ll take care of your mom. Besides, she’ll be out of the hospital tomorrow. She’ll be fine.” Troy stood and reached a hand out to Julie. “C’mon. Let’s get to your place so we can bug out of town before anyone realizes it.” When she placed her hand in his, a sense of partnership washed through him. He didn’t take it lightly that she trusted him and it made him want to protect her that much more.
As Troy suspected, news vans were camped out across the street from Julie’s place and filled the road. Yellow crime tape surrounded the burned-out driveway. Fuck it. He parked in front of her house, a clear no-parking zone, since he couldn’t find anything closer. Still on crutches, Julie couldn’t move too quickly and her pace only made it easier for photographers to snap more pictures. Their flashes lit up the night and put spots in his eyes.
“Julie, can you tell us what happened?” someone yelled.
“Who was hurt?” someone else shouted.
“How serious is your injury?” came another question.
At the door, Julie stopped. She fished out her keys and handed one to Troy. “That’s for the front door,” she said. Then she pasted on her famous smile and turned. “I know you all can understand that this has been a really tough day for me. I’ll send out a statement as soon as I can, but right now, I just want to forget about it, put my leg up and crash. I’d really appreciate the peace and quiet. You guys can all come back tomorrow and bug me then. How’s that sound?”
Troy unlocked the door. He admired Julie and her outright lie. Ame
rica’s Sweetheart was tired of playing by the rules and he didn’t blame her.
Miraculously, the group dispersed. Maybe they saw the strain in her eyes, the unnatural pale complexion of her skin marked by scratches. She’d had a hell of day and she looked it. More likely, they had the pictures that showed her scraped, battered and bruised and were happy to go broadcast those as quickly as possible.
Once inside, she hobbled toward her bedroom. Troy had never wanted to help someone as badly as he did right then.
“What can I do?” he asked, keeping a slow pace behind her. She wasn’t great on the crutches and Troy stayed close in case she toppled over.
“I called Abbey from your place and she’ll get my signed contract to the producers. I guess you can pull out my suitcases from the garage.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Speaking of the garage... Did you arrange to have the opening boarded up?” She must have heard him on the phone at the hospital. He’d made a few calls while she’d been getting stitched up.
“Yeah. I know a guy who owns a plywood business.” He’d actually located the guy’s father, but he couldn’t spill that bit of news. Bodyguards didn’t locate missing people; private investigators did. “Where are the suitcases? I’ll get them,” he said to avoid more questions.
Julie directed him to the suitcases and he came back five minutes later to find her sitting on her bed. The bed they’d thoroughly wrecked last night making love more times than he ever had before in one night.
The whole day had gone by and neither had mentioned one word about it. True, it had been one hell of a crazy day and they hadn’t had a lot of time to talk. She’d been so quiet in the car, he’d been afraid to broach the subject. What the hell would he have said anyway? He doubted she’d want a repeat performance, at least not now with her stitched-up swollen leg to contend with. Maybe not ever. Wasn’t last night a fluke? He’d be stupid to think otherwise.
But one thing made him think otherwise.
“Do I really have to go?” She looked up with those expressive haunted blue eyes. Without saying more than those few words, he got how badly she didn’t want to leave her home, her mother or her friends.