Deceptions
by Annette Broadrick
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
One
“Please don’t ask me, Adele,” Lisa pleaded, her anguish apparent in her voice. “I couldn’t bear to do it!” She jumped up from the comfortably padded chair in front of her agent’s mammoth desk and agitatedly strode to the window.
“But, Lisa—” Adele Benton attempted to say.
“Surely you can understand that I can never make another movie with Drew Donovan!” She stared out the window at downtown Burbank, California, fighting to keep her composure.
“Lisa, listen to me. The role is perfect for you—it could have been written for you.” She didn’t want to admit the part had been written for Lisa. Not yet.
“Sands of Sierra will be filmed on location near Cuernavaca, Mexico. The hacienda is gorgeous. You’ll be staying there as well as using the property for part of the filming. It will make a relaxing change from that hectic schedule you’ve been chasing.”
“Fine. Then let them get another leading man. Anyone but Drew.” Lisa continued to stare out the window.
Adele rose gracefully from her chair and quietly approached Lisa. “The producer wants both of you, Lisa. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. These period movies are chancy at best, and they need bankable stars to ensure the public will at least turn out—even if it’s only to see the two of you on screen together again.” She waited for the diminutive actress to absorb the information she was hearing. Lisa’s black, almond-shaped eyes stared at her, the pain within them causing Adele to suffer a twinge of guilt until she recalled what she was trying to accomplish.
“There is no way I can work with Drew again. Please don’t ask that of me.”
Adele studied her for a moment in silence. Lisa’s midnight black hair tumbled around her face and over her shoulders, almost touching her waist. The woman was beautiful—and fiery—and a damned good actress. But she was also sensitive and extremely vulnerable, particularly where Drew Donovan was concerned.
Adele recognized that Lisa was that rare and intriguing person practically extinct in Tinsel Town—she was real, with no pretensions and no desire to be cloaked with the aura of a star. She was a professional in her field—dedicated, nontemperamental, a worker. She accepted her sultry good looks as a tool to be used in her career but never as a means to manipulate. It was no wonder to Adele that everyone with whom Lisa came into contact loved her. Drew Donovan most of all.
“Lisa,” Adele said softly, “all I’m asking is that you consider co-starring with Drew in another picture. I’m not asking you to reconcile your marriage.”
Lisa spun away from the window, her movements as rapid as a hummingbird’s, and started pacing.
“I thought you understood what I’ve been going through, Adele. I really did.” Her hair rippled around her shoulders as she turned away. “I’m finally functioning again—on a limited basis, maybe—but I’m managing all right.” Her eyes pleaded for understanding. “But I’m not ready to see him again, Adele. I’m not even sure I’ll ever be able to be comfortable around him.”
Adele had never understood the reason for the breakup. All she knew was that shortly after their baby had been stillborn, Lisa had left Drew. A few months later she’d filed for divorce. That had been six months ago. She had refused to discuss her actions with Adele, either then or now, and Adele no longer expected to find out her reasons. But she could see that Lisa was still suffering, and she knew Drew wasn’t doing any better.
Adele had decided that something had to be done for those two people. They had been a perfect couple, loving, sharing a strong love for acting, supportive of each other and loyal to their commitment to each other—all very rare qualities in any profession, but practically unheard of in the acting profession.
Once again Adele followed her client, this time taking her hand and patting it. “Sooner or later you’re going to have to quit running, Lisa, and face yourself and Drew. Why not now?”
Lisa’s eyes filled with treacherous tears. Adele was right. Sooner or later she would have to face him. But not now. Please, dear God, not just yet. During the past twelve months she’d spent her time everywhere but the West Coast. She’d done a film in Greece, then spent several weeks traveling in Europe—trying to come to terms with her own feelings and how she intended to survive the rest of her life, because Lisa Renee was a survivor. She’d worked hard perfecting her craft, spending years with lessons from the most famous of teachers. After her first major role, in a movie ironically named Destiny, Lisa had never looked back.
She’d been a star when she met Drew Donovan. So had he. They had met on location while filming Red Sunset five years ago.
Red Sunset had been a roaring success. And why not? The sensual current running between the two stars had been carefully documented by the all-seeing eye of the camera. Lisa had viewed the rushes and blushed. It was a wonder the celluloid hadn’t melted during the love scenes!
Adele interrupted her thoughts. “The producer seems to feel that the public wants more romance these days. He wants to please them as well as make a few bucks. What’s wrong with that?”
“But a historical?”
“It’s time for a new trend, my dear. We need some swashbuckling heroes and dashing heroines to applaud—and villains to hiss. This script has it all.” Adele unobtrusively watched Lisa’s reactions. In this business, timing was everything. Adele hadn’t gotten where she was today without knowing that. Twenty-five years in the business had taught her a lot. She’d helped make stars, Lisa included. But Lisa was special to her—the daughter she’d never had or was ever likely to have, because Adele was successfully married to her agency.
She wanted to see Lisa happy again. In her heart she knew this was the only way. Drew and Lisa had to see each other again, had to spend time together in order to work out their problems. The new script had been a godsend.
Lisa sank into her chair once more. Her decision to leave Drew and to allow him to get on with his life without her had been the most difficult decision Lisa had ever made. She had since discovered it was a decision equally difficult to live with. But she had no choice, not if she loved Drew. The one constant in her life, the one unchanging factor that she lived with, was the knowledge that she would always love Drew Donovan. She loved him enough to set him free.
She stared at the silver-haired woman across the desk from her. What would she have done without her sensible agent’s sage advice over the years? Adele seemed to have a sixth sense about the movie world, and Lisa had cause to be grateful for her guidance. But at the moment, Adele didn’t realize just how vulnerable Lisa was—particularly where Drew was concerned.
“I can’t.”
The two words floated around the room, expanding and contracting, telling of lost dreams and hopes and the fear of further pain.
Adele walked around her desk and sat down behind it once more. She adjusted the glasses on the end of her nose, patted her perfectly coiffed silver hair, then folded her hands on the desk blotter in front of her.
“I’m not supposed to tell you.” She kept her eyes on her hands.
Lisa looked up from pleating and unpleating the silky material of her skirt. “Tell me what?”
“Morey swore me to secrecy when he told me.”
Morey Arnett had been Drew Donovan’s agent since he’d first moved to the West Coast. It had been a profitable association for both of them.
Lisa gripped the armrests of her chair with graceful hands and carmine-tipped nails. She’d never heard that tone from Adele before and she knew it was bad, whatever it was. He’s dying! Lisa thought. Something’s wrong with Drew and I’m
not supposed to know. Her heart suddenly gained twenty pounds and sank in her chest. With a tortured expression, she gazed at Adele’s carefully composed face.
“Tell me.”
Adele’s keen blue eyes finally met Lisa’s. “It’s not my secret.”
“Tell me, Adele! What’s wrong with Drew?” In her agitation she leaped up from the chair once more.
With slightly lifted brows, Adele stared at her until Lisa meekly sat down. Drew had often pointed out that she was too intense, too volatile—that she needed to learn how to relax and enjoy life as it came. Lisa agonized—from the time she first read a part and wanted it, during the time Adele was keeping her posted on negotiations, right up until the time she signed the contract. Then she agonized over learning her part, getting into the role. In short, Lisa was a worrier.
Such as now. “He’s sick, isn’t he?”
“Who, Morey? No, I don’t think so. We had lunch together on Tuesday, and I thought he looked fine. He’s even lost a few pounds.”
“Adele, you know very well I’m not talking about Morey. What’s wrong with Drew?” She leaned forward in her chair.
“Hmm. Drew. Yes, Morey did say it was all very unfortunate.”
“What is, Adele?” she pleaded. “You’re driving me out of my mind. Please tell me. What’s wrong with Drew?”
Adele fixed her steady gaze on Lisa. “I have never divulged a confidence in my life. You don’t last long in this business that way.”
Lisa leaned even farther toward Adele so that she was perched on the edge of her chair, in real danger of sliding off completely except for the tight grip she had on the armrests. “I would never repeat anything told me in confidence. You know that, Adele. You’ve known me for ten years.”
Adele continued to study the anxious expression, the fear in the eyes. Yes. It was time.
“Drew needs this film, Lisa.” Lisa stared at her blankly. “It seems that Drew made some heavy investments earlier in the year that didn’t pan out and he needs a successful movie right now. As I explained earlier, each of you will make substantial salaries as well as a tidy percentage of the profits. He’s hurting, honey. But the producer is adamant. The pair of you—or nothing.”
Lisa continued to stare at her agent in shock. Drew needed money? Drew Donovan? The only thing he took seriously was his money. He’d taught her all she knew about finances and diversifying—cautioning her to remember the unpredictability of their chosen profession. He was the most financially conservative man ever to set foot on the gold-dust trail toward cinema glory.
“Drew’s broke?” she finally managed to whisper.
Adele gave a tiny negative shake to her head. “Not broke, my dear, just hurting.” She unfolded, then carefully refolded her hands. “You know, a good vehicle is hard to find out here. And when you find a good script it can be hard to find backing. Sands of Sierra is one of the best scripts I’ve read in months, and the money’s there—for the team of Donovan and Renee.” It was time to draw the curtain. Adele briskly rose from her chair.
“Think about it, Lisa, then give me a call in a day or two.” It was clearly a dismissal. “You’ve made it clear to the world that you no longer care anything about Drew. Well, now you have the chance to ruin him if you wish. He’s at your mercy.”
Lisa didn’t remember leaving Adele’s office, but found herself standing on the sidewalk staring blankly at her car. What was she going to do? How could she possibly work with Drew again? The pain would be debilitating. Could she see him, be around him, treat him as just an acquaintance?
Impossible.
Luckily traffic wasn’t so heavy that Lisa had to be attentive on her way home, because she was distracted by memories of another time, another place. When she reached her condominium, Lisa wandered through the empty rooms, remembering five years ago, when she’d first met Drew….
Lake Tahoe was as beautiful as Lisa had always heard. She felt very fortunate to be filming on location there. Red Sunset was a Western, her first, and she was co-starring with Drew Donovan, also a first for her.
She stared out over the vista spread below the restaurant terrace of the hotel where the cast and crew were staying. The scenic mountains surrounding the emerald lake touched a responsive chord somewhere deep inside her, and Lisa basked in the quiet tranquility of the scene.
“Beautiful place to make a movie, isn’t it?”
The sudden voice speaking directly behind her caused Lisa to jump, and strong hands clasped her shoulders to steady her. She spun around and faced the man who’d spoken.
Of course Lisa recognized Drew Donovan. Most females old enough to watch a movie screen would. He was a perfect specimen of virile manhood—tall, broad-shouldered, muscular, with hips and thighs that looked great in whatever he wore, whether he was dressed for a Western or in another period costume. With his firm jawline and well-defined brows, his face was too strong to be labeled handsome. Drew’s mouth saved him from looking austere—a humorous tilt usually lurked around its corners. The friendliness gave an openness to his appearance that everyone found appealing.
Although she’d been in the business long enough to become established, Lisa was still nervous about making this film with Drew. She’d never met him and had been experiencing definite qualms. Her fears were definitely justified. How would she ever be able to concentrate on her lines around him? Up close he was devastating.
He tilted his head slightly while he watched her, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Did your mother warn you not to speak to strangers, Lisa Renee? Then let me introduce myself. I’m Drew Donovan, your co-star for the next several weeks.”
The top of Lisa’s head barely reached his shoulder. Standing so close to him, she was forced to arch her neck in order to look him in the eye.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” she murmured, distracted when he took her hand and held it between both of his.
“Not half as pleased as I am. I refuse to admit the number and amount of bribes I’ve offered to have the chance to do a film with you.”
Lisa blinked in surprise. “Are you serious?”
His sherry-colored eyes sparkled. “Oh, yes. I’m very serious. I’ve enjoyed your films very much.”
“I feel the same way about yours.”
“Great. Then our mutual admiration society is off to a good start.” He glanced around at the cluster of tables on the terrace. “Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Why don’t we find a table and get acquainted?”
Bemused, Lisa allowed him to lead her to one of the tables.
“I want you to tell me everything about yourself. I’ve already ascertained the most important statistic—you aren’t married.” Drew picked up the glass a waiter had just filled with water and toasted her. “The most obvious question is why not?”
Is this really happening? Lisa wondered. Drew Donovan sat across from her, his arms leaning on the table, studying her intently. It had never occurred to her that he would even know of her existence. Why should he be so interested? It was a well-known fact that he had never married, but she would never be so bold as to ask why. Obviously he preferred a single existence.
“I’ve never really tried to explain my reasons,” she finally said. “I love my work, but it is exacting. I’ve been spending all my energy building a career. If and when I ever marry, it will be more than a matter of convenience. I want a strong, supportive marriage, like my parents have.” She wished he wouldn’t stare at her quite so intently. It was only her stage training that stopped her from fidgeting under his scrutiny.
“Tell me about your parents. Do you come from a large family?”
Lisa smiled. “Three older brothers and a sister two years younger than me. My folks have a large farm in Missouri. My brothers are all married and have big families. My sister is an attorney in St. Louis.”
“How did it feel to grow up in a large family?” Drew asked wistfully.
“I take it you didn’t have
one, or you’d never ask.”
“No. I have no family.” He glanced up at the waiter, who was ready to take their order. After giving him their selections, Drew deftly changed the subject. “How long have you lived in California?”
“I moved out here six years ago.”
“You must have been a baby.”
“Not quite,” Lisa admitted dryly. “I was twenty.”
“That’s still quite young. You seem so untouched by all the hoopla that surrounds the industry. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to meet you, to get to know you better.”
“One of the reasons? You mean there are more?”
“Certainly. But I never give away all my secrets at the first encounter.” He leaned back in his chair and studied her. “When can I see you again?” he asked abruptly.
Lisa felt herself growing warm. “We start shooting tomorrow.”
He nodded. “I know. So how about having breakfast with me…and lunch…dinner…”
“Drew!” Lisa started laughing. He was really outrageous.
He leaned toward her, his face solemn. “I’m serious, Lisa. I want to get to know you. I want you to get to know me. It’s important.”
Lisa gazed into the warm depths of his eyes and saw the sincerity there. If this was one of his lines, it was certainly effective. Actually, it was positively lethal to her peace of mind.
Lisa felt as though she was stepping on a carnival ride when she answered. “When do you want to meet for breakfast?”
By the time the location shots for Red Sunset were completed, Lisa felt that Drew had always been a part of her life. They had most of their meals together. Drew took her hiking; they went swimming, rented horses and went exploring through the mountains. At times Drew treated her as though he were her older brother. He seemed to delight in teasing her and playing jokes. His humor was contagious, and Lisa often found herself convulsed at some of his antics.
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