Fire and Honor

by M. S. Parker

  DeVon didn't deny it or try to sugar-coat it. I liked that.

  “You're casting for a new action movie and I want Jason Cooke to star in it.”

  Jake chuckled. “I hope you like blunt and straightforward, Krissy, because your boss always tells it like it is.”

  “Jason's a rising star,” DeVon continued without acknowledging Jake's comment to me. “He just needs a shot at carrying a film.”

  Jake rubbed his chin as if he were considering it. “I don't know. The role calls for someone a bit older than Cooke. We're thinking the James Bond type.”

  “But isn't James Bond a sex symbol?” I angled myself so I was facing Jake. “You want someone with charisma, good looks and that special something that makes women weak in the knees.”

  Jake nodded, letting me go on.

  “Jason has that, plus the acting chops to give him that maturity.” I slowly uncrossed and re-crossed my legs. “You'll get the older women drooling over the forbidden fruit, younger ones who can ogle without feeling like they have a daddy complex, and he's a man's man that guys will relate to.” I leaned forward slightly and watched Jake's eyes flick down to my breasts, then back up again. “DeVon wouldn't have suggested Jason if he didn't think our client could deliver.”

  “I'm still not sure,” Jake said, but I could tell he was wavering. “We were thinking of getting a big name to headline.”

  “I'm sure your movie is brilliant enough to draw a crowd with someone who isn't quite as famous as one of your blockbusters.” I took a sip of water and licked the excess moisture off of my lips. “Put a clip in the trailer of Jason Cooke without a shirt and you'll get plenty of people coming for the eye candy.”

  Jake laughed again. “She's good,” he said to DeVon. He drained his coffee and stood. “All right. I'll take a sit down with the kid.” He looked at DeVon. “And he better be as good as she just made him out to be.”

  “He is,” DeVon said as he stood and reached for Jake's hand.

  When Jake shook my hand, he lingered a bit longer than necessary, but not long enough to make me uncomfortable. Wow, he really was good at this.

  “I look forward to seeing you again.”

  “Likewise.” I smiled as I watched him go. I glanced at my phone. “I should probably be getting back if I have any hope of getting through those manuscripts.”

  “You did well,” DeVon said. He leaned down and scrawled something onto what I assumed was the bill. “And you're right. We should return to the office.”

  We walked out to where the valets were waiting. They went to get our cars, leaving us standing on the sidewalk, an awkward silence between us.

  “I am having a party at my house Friday night,” he said suddenly. “You should come.”

  I stared at him, unable to hide my surprise at the invitation. What the hell was he playing at?

  He held up his hands, palms out. “Strictly business. After the way you handled yourself in there, I think you should attend. Jake will be there and we can solidify any details if he hasn't contacted me about meeting with Jason. There'll also be a few other casting directors there, along with some of our biggest clients. Including Jason Cooke.” His eyes sparkled.

  “I should probably know what he looks like since I was talking him up, right?” I smiled. I'd wondered if he'd realized I'd been skirting the truth, making it seem like I'd known Jason when I didn't.

  “You were very careful to never say anything that was an outright lie,” DeVon said. “Everything was an implication. That was very much a lawyer thing to do.”

  I shrugged. “You know what they say about taking the girl out of the city, right?”

  “So you will come?”

  I hesitated. I wanted to go, partially because it'd be good for my career, but also because I was curious to see how DeVon handled a room.

  “You can even bring a friend.”

  “Okay,” I said, unable to conceal how excited I was. I had absolutely no idea who I'd bring, but if I had to, I'd go alone. I wasn't going to do anything that could screw this up for me.

  “Excellent,” he said. He gave me a once-over. “It's semi-formal, so wear something similar to that, but not in black. I'd like to see you in something with color.”

  And with that statement, he climbed into his car and left me wondering what he'd meant, if it had been my boss telling me a way to dress for clients...or something else.

  17

  I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I settled into a routine at Mirage. Tracy was a tremendous asset and made sure I knew what I needed to know. Client lists, protocol, filing systems. She was so good at it, I wondered why she wasn't an agent herself.

  I met other colleagues, some of whom were as welcoming as Tracy, but a few who still gave me dirty looks that I assumed meant they thought I was sleeping with DeVon. George, at least, had kept his distance. I still saw him every once in a while, shooting glares in my direction, but he never approached me, so I was fine with it.

  At the end of the week, I scheduled my first client meetings. I hadn't yet met with either woman in person, but I'd been doing some work on their behalf, calling places, pulling strings, and I had good news for both. At least, I hoped they'd take it as good news. There was always the chance that either or both thought they were above the auditions I'd booked, but everything I'd heard about them both had been good.

  Cami Matthews was a petite, delicate-looking blonde in her late twenties but could easily pass for eighteen. I'd gotten her an audition for a small role as a victim on a well-known crime show, a network television drama for the part of the free-spirited middle sister, and a movie based off of a book about nuclear war where she'd play the little sister to the main character.

  Lena Dunn was a tall, striking brunette with caramel-colored skin. She was older than Cami by six years, but she actually looked like an adult, so there were no college roles for her. I'd found her auditions for a small role as a reporter in what would probably be a summer blockbuster, a romantic comedy for the role of the bitchy new girlfriend, and a guest role on a cable medical show where she'd play a nurse who was having an affair with a doctor.

  In both meetings, I introduced myself and then presented them with their auditions. When Cami squealed with delight and launched herself from her chair to hug me, I felt a lot better about my work. I didn't expect the same reaction from Lena, and while I didn't get a squeal and a hug, Lena did thank me profusely, telling me that she'd just about given up hope of ever getting another job.

  By the time Lena left, I was on cloud nine. Part of me wished the front walls to my office weren't glass, because I would've done a happy dance right there. As it was, I couldn't stop from grinning.

  “I'm guessing that smile on your face means that things went well,” Tracy said as she came into my office with a small box of what I assumed were manuscripts. She set them on the edge of my desk, next to the slowly dwindling pile already there.

  “They were both excited about the auditions,” I said as I sat back down behind my desk. “I was worried they wouldn't think the parts were big enough or they'd be mad that I couldn't just get them a role.”

  Tracy gave me the smile I'd come to know meant I'd shown my ignorance of the industry. “Trust me, even the big name stars have to at least do a read through for a studio quite often. Getting them each three auditions after only having their files for a week, and none of the parts were commercials...that's a big deal. Not many of our agents could manage that.”

  As Tracy left, the first thought that came to me was that I couldn't wait to tell Carrie. And then I remembered that Carrie was settling into her new job and her new place just as much as I was. She was probably busy right now. If I'd been in New York, I would've just called and told her to meet me for lunch so we could share stories. A pang of homesickness went through me.

  I needed to do something to celebrate or I was just going to keep thinking about how I wished I could tell Carrie about how good things had gone. I glanced at the cl
ock. It was almost time for lunch. That would be my treat, I decided. I would go back to that amazing restaurant in Sunset Plaza. The weather was beautiful. Having a salad and sandwich on the patio would be a perfect way to reward myself for a job well done.

  I was looking over the menu when I heard someone say my name. I looked up and saw the last person I wanted to see at the moment.

  “Krissy, I've been trying to get ahold of you.”

  I was about to ask Taylor if he was stalking me, but then I realized that he was wearing a uniform. He wasn't staking the place out, hoping I'd come for lunch. He worked here.

  “Look, Taylor, I just want my lunch.” All of the good feelings I'd had about my morning evaporated. I didn't want a reminder of what DeVon had done.

  “Please, Krissy, let me explain,” he pleaded. His blue eyes were wide and sad. I couldn't say no.

  “You've got two minutes,” I said.

  “DeVon promised that Mirage would sign me, take me on as a client if I took the role, but now he won't even talk to me. And he did more than ignoring me. He must have made some calls or something because I can't get anything now, not even as an extra in a cheap commercial.”

  I gave him an expectant look, waiting for him to finish. I felt bad that DeVon had screwed up his career, but I couldn't forgive him for the part he'd played in the deception.

  “Look, Krissy,” he continued. “You have to understand that it was a part I was told to play, but when I met you...what I feel for you is real. I was just supposed to flirt and see if you took the bait, but I fell for you. I was a total shit-head for doing this to you, and I understand if you never want to speak to me again, but I needed you to know that, past those first few minutes, I wasn't acting. I really wanted to be with you.”

  I wasn't entirely sure how to respond to this announcement, so I didn't say anything. Something dark passed over Taylor's face and he started to turn away.

  “I'll get someone to swap tables.”

  “Wait!” I blurted out the word. “It's okay.”

  He turned back towards me, a cautious hope in his eyes.

  “I understand why you did it.” And I did. He was doing a job. He didn't know DeVon's full plan, and he hadn't known me. I couldn't say I wouldn't have done the same thing if I'd been in his place.

  “So we're okay?” he asked.

  I smiled. That sweet guy I'd first been attracted to was the real Taylor. I was sure of it. What I'd disliked about him had been how pushy he'd been, not taking 'no' for an answer. That could all be explained away by DeVon’s instructions.

  “We're very okay,” I said.

  As I gave him my order, an idea popped into my mind. It was perfect because it'd piss DeVon off to no end, getting some vengeance for me and Taylor, and it would be fun. Taylor was hot and liked to have fun, the perfect guy for me to invite to DeVon's party this weekend. Taylor would get the chance to meet with Hollywood big-wigs and DeVon couldn't do anything at the party without looking petty or like he didn't know what his protege was doing. Plus, it'd be nice to see him off balance for once, because there was no way he'd ever guess I'd bring the guy he'd used to deceive me. And since Taylor wasn’t a client of Mirage after all, I wasn’t breaking any rules.

  “Taylor.” I gave him my most charming smile. “How would you like to come to a party with me tonight?”

  18

  Tracy had given me the keys to a different BMW and I actually liked this one better. A little bigger than the other one, it had a more elegant feel. I was definitely leaning towards buying this model for myself. I'd never been a woman who was impressed by flashy cars, but I did like driving this one.

  I left my hotel room with plenty of time to get to Taylor's house, giving me the opportunity to scope out apartments on his side of the city. I still hadn't found one I liked yet. The moving van with my things had broken an axle in Nebraska, so it wouldn't arrive until Monday – they were knocking a third of my bill off so I wasn't going to complain – and I planned on spending the weekend looking for a place. I wasn't quite sure what I was looking for, but I'd know it when I saw it.

  Taylor was waiting outside when I pulled up and he was looking very nice in his black suit and tie. I'd done as DeVon had asked and gone with something other than black. I'd been tempted to have Carrie ship me my green 'ribbon' dress just to see what reaction I could get out of DeVon, but I'd decided against it. I still needed to seem professional. My dress had a modest enough neckline and hemline to be considered professional, but hugged my curves enough to draw admiration. Its emerald color was a nice contrast with my skin-tone.

  “You look amazing,” Taylor said as he climbed into the passenger's side of the car.

  “So do you.” I smiled at him before starting back down the road. I hadn't been paying close attention the last time I'd gone to DeVon's, so I concentrated on following my GPS, making small talk until we reached the house.

  If Taylor was surprised to see where we were, he didn't show it. Instead, he hurried around to my side of the car to open the door and help me out. I handed off the keys to the valet and slipped my arm through Taylor's before heading up through the gates.

  DeVon was standing near the entrance and his eyes met mine. His gaze flickered over my outfit and I saw approval for a split second before he registered who was standing at my side. Mister Big-Shot actually faltered, his face hardening. His mouth flattened into a thin line and I saw the anger flash across his eyes. All of this happened in just a few seconds, and no one who wasn't watching him closely would've seen it.

  Before anyone else could notice, he had his professional smile on again and was coming towards Taylor and me.

  “Krissy, Taylor.” He held out his hand, first to me and then to Taylor. “Good of you to come.”

  “Thank you for the invitation.” I kept my voice cool and polite, immediately returning my arm to Taylor's once the hand-shaking was done.

  “Jason,” DeVon called over his shoulder without taking his eyes off of me.

  I wanted to squirm under that gaze. I'd had men look at me before and had known that they wanted me, but there was something different about what I was sensing from DeVon, and I couldn't quite place my finger on it. I liked it, though, and I hated myself for liking it.

  Fortunately, I didn't have to suffer through it for much longer because a handsome man with dark hair and a winning smile was holding out his hand to me.

  “Jason Cooke, meet Krissy Jensen, the newest employee of Mirage Talent and the reason you have a sit-down with Jake Morris on Tuesday.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Jason said.

  “You, too,” I replied.

  “Krissy here is going to make sure Jake keeps his promise.” DeVon gave me a pointed look and I knew exactly what he was saying.

  I was going to have to keep flirting with Jake. I nodded to let DeVon know that I understood. He motioned with his head and I followed the direction. Jake was standing with a couple men in suits and hadn't yet noticed I was there.

  I looked up at Taylor and he nodded. I was suddenly glad I'd brought him. He understood that I couldn't act like we were there together. I had to be available, even if I'd never cross that line with Jake. Taylor knew how the game was played and I was learning fast.

  “Mingle,” I said softly. “Make connections while I work.”

  He nodded and released my arm, giving my hand a quick squeeze before he headed off in a direction opposite Jake. I put on my best sultry smile and made my way over to the executive.

  “Krissy!” He sounded pleased to see me. “You're looking exceptionally lovely this evening.”

  “Not so bad yourself,” I said as I accepted his kiss on the cheek. “I was just talking to Jason Cooke and he's looking forward to speaking with you on Tuesday.”

  Jake laughed. “Listen to her, gentleman. Business, business.”

  The other men chuckled, two of them giving me an appreciative once over. The way the other one was checking out Jason told me that it wasn't the dre
ss he didn't like.

  “Always business before pleasure,” I teased. “But now that's out of the way, which of you gentlemen are going to get me a drink?”

  I was surprised at how easy it was to work the room. I was used to the flirting without promising follow-through, keeping it teasing but never stepping over that line into purely sexual, but these weren't men at a club looking for some hot twenty-something to take home. I hadn't been sure I'd be able to pull this off for a second time, but it wasn't much different than what I'd done before.

  I made subtle innuendos, kept my remarks light and teasing. I used gestures to draw attention to my mouth and body without being overtly sexual. I didn't touch Jake, but I'd get close, letting my hand rest near his arm without actual contact, and when he tried to touch me, I'd playfully laugh it off. I'd gotten my glass of champagne, but had only sipped at it, needing to stay clear-headed. I had to read every minute expression on Jake's face, make sure I wasn't teasing too much that he'd get angry when he realized I wasn't going to sleep with him, but that I was stroking his ego enough to keep his attention.

  When he asked me to dance, I agreed but kept just out of reach as I led the way to the dance floor. Taylor was already there, dancing with a pretty blonde I'd seen on a toothpaste commercial. We shared, alternating between me dancing with Jake, with Taylor and then the blonde and I dancing together. She and I weren't as comfortable as Carrie and I were, but it was enough to keep Jake's attention on us. I was able to play it as a tease with both the woman and Taylor, then claim I needed a drink when Jake tried to take over. I had to make sure I stayed in control of the situation.

  When a buxom brunette captured his attention a quarter of an hour later, I politely excused myself. I'd been talking and joking for over two hours and needed some air, but I didn't want it alone. I found Taylor finishing a conversation with a woman I recognized as a character on a drama I watched from time to time. She smiled at me as I grabbed Taylor's hand and pulled him towards the back patio.