Harts of Arizona Series

by Yahrah St. John

  “Why can’t you just do as you’re told?” The words were out of Eli’s mouth before he could think about what he was saying. And when he saw the furious look on Chynna’s face, he knew he’d misspoken.

  “I bet you’re wishing the old Chynna was back,” she responded, “the one that did your bidding and did whatever she was told. Well that Chynna has left the building, Eli. I have my own mind and will speak whatever I damn well choose. You got that?”

  Eli swallowed and tried to regroup. “I’m sorry, that didn’t come out as I intended.”

  “Oh, yes it did,” Chynna replied. Kenya had told her how Eli had been browbeating her because he thought Chynna was a pushover. She was determined that things were going to change.

  “Chynna,” Eli said, softly, “I’m on your side here, as we all are.” He glanced at Deacon and Fiona, who were on their cell phones setting up the press conference. “I want you to get free of this mess so we can move forward with the tour.”

  “Speaking of the tour,” Chynna said, “I will finish the tour, but after it’s over, I’m taking a sabbatical.”

  “Say what?” Eli’s eyes grew large with fear.

  “You heard me,” Chynna said. “I’m taking a much deserved break.”

  Eli was momentarily stunned into silence, but Deacon ended his call and asked the burning question, “For how long?”

  Chynna shrugged. “I don’t know. However long it takes.”

  Eventually Eli regained his composure long enough to ask, “And the movie? Or have you forgotten about that?”

  “Eli’s right,” her assistant Penelope chimed in. “You are due back on set today at ten a.m.”

  “Shit!” Chynna had forgotten about that. But it was time to face the music. She would have to meet with Carter Wright, and she didn’t look forward to it one bit. “I’ll go get ready. Penelope, why don’t you come with me, and you can walk me through the rest of my schedule.” She headed toward the door, but then turned around long enough to say, “In the meantime, Fiona, you set up that press conference.”

  “I’m on it!” Fiona replied.

  As soon as Chynna had left, Eli turned to Deacon. “Does she have any idea the amount of hot water she’s in right now?” He was furious with how flippant she was being about her career, her brand. Does she honestly think I’m going to just let her walk away from it all because she’s found a good-looking cowboy and wants to go back to playing house?

  “Chynna’s a tough girl,” Deacon replied. “Probably tougher than we give her credit for. She’ll figure this out.”

  “But a sabbatical?” Eli paced the floor. “That’s lunacy! She’s hot right now. She has to strike while the iron is hot. She can’t leave when she’s on top of the charts.”

  “If she got there once, she could do it again,” Deacon said and walked over to the table to help Fiona with the press conference.

  Eli stared at Deacon’s back. He couldn’t believe Deacon and Chynna’s naiveté that it was that easy to get back on top once you weren’t in the public eye. He just wasn’t going to allow it.

  Just then, Chynna’s cell phone buzzed on the counter nearby. She must have had it on “silent” thanks to all the phone calls Eli was sure she was receiving.

  Eli glanced at the screen. It read “Noah.” Eli paused for several seconds. It had to be Noah Hart, the man Chynna had been carrying on with for weeks and the source of his problems. It didn’t take him but a moment to grab the phone while Deacon and Fiona were turned with their backs to him, and he answered it as he walked out of the kitchen. He found a quiet spot in the foyer and pressed “Answer.” “Hello?”

  Noah was surprised when a masculine voice answered Chynna’s phone. He hadn’t been expecting that. After sleeping on it, he’d finally taken Rylee’s advice and called to check on Chynna to see how she was faring. He should have done it yesterday, but his pride had been wounded when she’d been ready to leave him without a word. Having a man answer her cell this early was a bit disconcerting, but there was no way she would have hooked up with a man in one night, not after what they’d shared. “Um . . . may I speak to Chynna?”

  “I’m sorry, Ms. James is busy right now.”

  Noah glanced at his watch. It was fairly early in the morning, and he was certain that if she knew it was him, she would take the call. “Can you tell her it’s Noah? Noah Hart?”

  “Mr. Hart,” Eli said. “Ah, I should have known.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You’re the reason Ms. James is in such hot water. You’re the reason the press is camped out at her doorstep.”

  “I’m sorry if our relationship is causing her any trouble,” Noah began, but then cut himself off. Why was he explaining himself to a stranger? “Wait a minute, who is this?”

  “This is the owner of her record label,” Eli responded curtly, “whom you are costing millions of dollars thanks to her reckless behavior with you.”

  “Reckless, wait just a damn minute. You have no right—”

  “I have every right,” Eli said on the other end, “because Chynna has asked that I relay a message to you.”

  “And what message is that?” Noah asked. He was really starting to get upset by the gall of this man. If he could reach through the phone, he would grab the guy by his shirt collar and throw him against a wall.

  “That she wants nothing to do with you.”

  “What?”

  “That’s right,” Eli said, relishing the words. “Chynna wants nothing more to do with you, said you’ve caused her enough trouble.”

  Noah couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It didn’t make any sense. He was sure Chynna would want to speak with him, would be expecting it. “Well, I would like to hear that from Chynna.”

  “Are you dumb or dense?” Eli spat. “Or maybe you’ve fallen off a horse one too many times. Chynna wants nothing to do with you. Don’t you get it? It was fun while it lasted, because Chynna’s the good-time girl, but your affair was never going to last. Chynna is a mega-superstar with legions of adoring fans, and you’re what? A cowboy who owns the ranch? You two couldn’t be further from incompatible if you looked the word up in the dictionary.”

  Noah sat back in the chair holding the phone in his hands. He was flabbergasted by what he’d heard, not just by what the man had said, but because there was a ring of truth to it. “I, I—”

  “Mr. Hart, get this through your thick skull,” Eli said. “Chynna is finished with you. Done. Finito. She’s moving on with her music and movie career. Best of luck to you.”

  Seconds later, the phone line went dead. Noah was stunned and held the phone in his hands, staring down at it, perplexed. Was it really over between him and Chynna? Was it that easy for her to go back to her life without a second thought to their relationship? Because it sure hadn’t been that way for him. Since she’d left, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind from the way she smelled to the way she tasted as his tongue had swirled in her mouth or how tight she’d felt when he was buried deep inside her wet heat.

  Oh, God, that’s when it hit him. He was in love with Chynna James. The realization was like a gut punch because Chynna wanted nothing more to do with him.

  Eli smiled as he ended the call. He’d successfully nipped Chynna’s relationship with Noah Hart in the bud, just as he’d done when Lamar had gotten in his way. And now his wayward songstress could focus her energies on what he wanted: her career. Sure, she would hurt in the short term, but Eli knew that nothing fueled Chynna better than heartache. He would ease off Chynna for now and allow her to do what she wanted, but soon he would have her right back in the palm of his hands.

  Chynna didn’t relish the task of facing Carter Wright. She was sure Carter was furious with her. First, it had been the Blake debacle and now switching places with Kenya. She could only guess that he was fit to be tied, so she girded her loins in
preparation for the tongue lashing she knew was sure to come.

  His reaction was the exact opposite. Carter knew it was her the moment she walked onto the set at ten a.m. that morning.

  “Well, if it isn’t the infamous Chynna James,” Carter said tritely.

  Chynna took a deep breath and walked toward him. “You know who I am? But you didn’t before.” She’d been ready to explain herself and offer the reason why she’d gone through the charade, but Carter’s calm equilibrium threw her off-balance, especially when the director was known for being a hothead.

  Carter laughed. “Surprising, isn’t it? Because I should have known it the moment Kenya walked into my office and blew me away with her performance after the Blake incident. I should have known it wasn’t you.”

  “Excuse me?” Chynna was taken aback.

  “Kenya has a self-confidence and ease in her own skin when she’s acting that you’ve been missing since day one.”

  Chynna folded her arms across her chest. Carter sure knew how to go for the jugular. There was no reason for him to be mean. “Is that right?”

  “That’s right, Ms. James. Because you, my dear, just don’t have what it takes.”

  Chynna knew she wasn’t a great actress, but his words were hard to hear. “Are, are you firing me?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m doing,” Carter replied. “I’ve been waiting for you to come so I could do it in person.”

  “I suppose I owe you this much, so go ahead and humiliate me,” Chynna said, glancing around at the people standing nearby that were watching their exchange. She was sure they’d seen the papers and know the situation.

  “I don’t want to humiliate you, Ms. James,” Carter replied. “I’m sure the press will do a bang-up job of that. What I do want is for you to ensure Kenya gets her butt back on set within the hour.”

  “What did you say?” Chynna asked as she stared at him in bewilderment.

  “You heard me,” Carter said. “I’m firing you and keeping Kenya. Because as you and I both know, Kenya is by far the superior actress.”

  “Y-you want Kenya?”

  “That’s right,” Carter replied. “I don’t have her phone number since she’s been playing you, or I would have told her myself, so if you wouldn’t mind relaying the message.” He turned and began walking away.

  “Wait.” Chynna rushed behind Carter, who was already talking to the director of photography, sound mixer and boom operator. “So that’s it? I’m off the movie and Kenya’s on?”

  Carter glanced around. “That’s right, doll. Because that’s Hollywood for you: One minute you’re in and the next,” he said, snapping his fingers, “you’re out. Perhaps you should think of that the next time you want a break from your life. Alright, people,” he said, clapping his hands, “let’s get the first scene set up.”

  When he saw she hadn’t moved, he said, “Chop, chop, Chynna. I need Kenya on set in an hour.”

  “What did you say?” Kenya asked from the guest bedroom of Chynna’s home. It was after nine a.m., and she was still in her pajamas and hadn’t gotten out of bed until she’d received Chynna’s call on her cell.

  “Carter wants you on set,” Chynna said on the other end.

  “He does?” Kenya didn’t understand. “Chynna, this doesn’t make any sense. He does know you’re back, right? And that I was only acting like you?”

  “Carter knows all of it. And you did such a bang-up job of portraying me that Carter is impressed with your acting abilities. He wants you to play Yvette permanently. I’m out. And you’re in, kid.”

  “What?” One of Kenya’s hands flew to her mouth in utter shock, surprise and joy. Joy that the acclaimed director wanted her to play Yvette over her superstar sister.

  “It’s true, Kenya,” Chynna said. “He said what we all know, which is you’re a great actress and much more suited for this role than me. He wants you on set in an hour. I’ve already called Deacon and a car will be at the house in twenty minutes, so you don’t have much time to get ready.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Kenya asked. She knew that this movie was a big deal for Chynna, and as much as she wanted to work with Carter, she didn’t want to step on her sister’s toes.

  “Absolutely!” Chynna said. “This is your time to shine, Kenya. Go knock ‘em dead.”

  Kenya ended the call, threw down the phone and rushed into the bathroom. Was this really happening? Was she really about to star in a major motion picture?

  Kenya glanced at herself in a mirror. She was still the same person with hazel eyes and a round face, except she had honey-blond hair. And for the first time in her life, she was finally about to move from behind Chynna’s shadow and become the successful woman she’d always known she could be, and it felt amazing. She would have to call her agent, of course, and see if the series couldn’t work around her schedule while she finished filming the movie.

  After a quick shower and change of clothes, Kenya was ready and walking down the staircase when she ran into her least favorite person: Eli.

  “Eli.” She nodded curtly at him, eager to get away from the egomaniac. There was something about him that made her want to go shower afterward.

  “Kenya, Kenya,” Eli said as she made her way to the foyer.

  Kenya rolled her eyes. “What do you want, Eli?”

  “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” he asked, glancing at her stylish attire, which she’d borrowed from Chynna. Although she wasn’t acting like her sister anymore, she didn’t have any of her own clothes and didn’t want to be caught by the press poorly dressed. She’d dressed in a faux fur belted vest, tank, leggings and thigh-high boots.

  “I’m off to the movie set.”

  Eli’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about? Have you been playing your sister for so long, you’ve forgotten she’s returned?” he asked. “Chynna is playing Yvette.”

  Kenya smiled smugly. Eli didn’t know. Chynna must not have had time to inform him yet. It gave Kenya great pleasure to apprise him of the latest facts. “Not anymore.”

  The honk of a horn sounded outside. It must be the car Deacon had sent for her, Kenya thought.

  “What do you mean not anymore?” Eli huffed, folding his arms across his chest.

  “Carter fired her!” Kenya responded gleefully. “He wants a more seasoned actress to play the role. Have a nice day now.”

  Kenya gave him a quick wave before opening the door and walking out into the morning sun.

  Eli fumed from the other side of the door.

  Fired! This was not supposed to be happening. Chynna getting fired from the movie was not part of his plan. Sure, he’d wanted a little bad press to teach her and her bitch sister a lesson, but not this. He’d crafted how he intended Chynna’s brand to go and starring in a blockbuster movie was number one on his list. He intended to call Carter now and stop this travesty. There was no way he was going to let Chynna’s wannabe sister upstage the main act. No way in hell.

  Chapter 10

  Lucas awoke bleary-eyed, lying on the black leather sofa in his office that morning. He’d slept there the night before because when he’d tried to return home the previous evening after his confrontation with the James sisters, the press had been staking out his penthouse. He’d immediately turned his vehicle around and headed for R&K Records’ offices. He was sure the press assumed it was late and he would be returning home. They would never assume he would go back to the office at such a late hour. And he’d been right. The offices were quiet when he arrived, with only the janitorial company completing its nightly service.

  He’d spent much of the night drinking himself into a stupor thanks to the Malt Scotch he kept in his right-hand drawer for special occasions. He’d consumed all of it, and now he had one helluva hangover. He blamed it on Chynna. No, it was Kenya, Kenya and her lies did him in. She made him look like a
fool to the world for not realizing she wasn’t the real thing.

  Why had he ever believed that Chynna would somehow morph into a confident, outspoken woman who refused to be pushed around, acted like Meryl Streep and actually sang to disenfranchised children? He must have been out of his mind. Or in lust, he told himself. That was the culprit. He’d been led around by his other head, and now he was the laughing stock of Hollywood. He only had himself to blame for not seeing the truth sooner. Hadn’t Eli warned him that something was off with Chynna? But had he listened? No, because he’d so wanted to believe she’d changed that he’d ignored the signs.

  Slowly, Lucas rose from the sofa, clutching his head in his hands as he walked over to his wet bar and unscrewed a bottle of water. He took a generous gulp before heading to the restroom inside his office. Once there, he went straight for the medicine cabinet, removed the ibuprofen and took several tablets. He downed them with more water.

  When he emerged, Lucas returned to the sofa and began thinking about what would come next, and that’s when Eli came bursting through the door.

  “You will not believe what that bitch has done!” Eli shouted as he began pacing Lucas’s floor.

  “What bitch?” Lucas said. “And can you lower your voice?”

  Eli glanced over at Lucas, and he must have looked a sight because Eli said, “What the hell happened to you? You look like death warmed over.”

  “The James sisters happened to me.”

  “Well, the woman you’ve entangled yourself with over the last few weeks has just stolen Chynna’s thunder.”

  Lucas sat up straight. He knew exactly who Eli was referring to. “What do you mean?”

  “Carter has fired Chynna from the movie and wants Kenya to play the role instead.”