“You crazy son of a bitch,” Phoebe screams. “You’re delusional!”
“Shut the fuck up,” Seth shouts and pulls out a gun of his own. He points it right at her, and I feel a blanket of cold wash over me at the sight of her on the other end.
I’ve never been afraid when it comes to losing my own life, but the thought of losing her? It scares me more than I ever thought possible.
“Let her go, man, and we can talk. Just you and me.” I point the gun at the ceiling. “I’ll even put my gun away if you do the same. We don’t have to do anything crazy. We can work through this. Just let her go, Seth, and we can talk about it. We’ll go somewhere else where she won’t be around. We don’t ever have to see her again.” I’m babbling now, and I’ve never babbled in my life, but I find I’m willing to say—to do—anything to save her.
Seth is shaking his head, his gun still pointed, unwavering, at Phoebe. “It’s too late for that, now, isn’t it? I tried to warn you. I tried to tell you she’d be just like Allison. If you hadn’t chased after her, this all could have ended quietly.”
I keep my gun up, unthreatening, but if he doesn’t work with me, I’ll have to get myself in the line of fire. Phoebe sees me shifting closer to her and begins to move my way in tiny, shuffling movements.
“You were just trying to protect me,” I say cajolingly to the guy I thought was my best friend. “You only wanted what was best for me. You always have. You’re the only one who has ever been there for me.”
Seth finally focuses on me instead of Phoebe. “You’re damn right I have. I’ve been there for you through everything. If it weren’t for me, you’d still be doing stunts for crap pay.”
“Because you protected me. Like you protected me from Allison.”
At this, Seth frowns. “She was going to go to the press. Tell them all the sordid details about your relationship. The stupid bitch was going to sell her story to the highest bidder. She would have ruined your shot with Arthur. She deserved what happened to her.”
“So that’s why you killed her. You rigged the accident. Made it look like I’d fucked up the stunt, and she paid the price.”
“You left me no choice. You couldn’t see how bad she was for you. Besides, even bad press is good press. All the tabloids were talking about you. Everyone in American knew your name because of me. Me. It was working. Until you met this one.” He jabs the gun in Phoebe’s direction. “If she hadn’t shown up, everything would have been fine.”
I’m nearly at Phoebe, within a few feet of her position by the couch. If I had to, I could throw myself in front of her and maybe make it in time to shield her. But who am I kidding? I may be fast, but I’m not faster than a bullet. Sweat beads on my forehead. I have to get her out of here before Seth really loses it.
“You’re a sick bastard,” Phoebe says. Her mouth. That’s going to be the end of me, I swear to God.
“You’re a good friend, Seth,” I say over her, hoping he stays focused on me and doesn’t hear her. “You were only trying to help. You were trying to scare her away with the break-in and those creepy messages.”
He lets out a relieved breath. “Yes, you understand. I knew you would. I’m just trying to think of what’s best for you. I promise it’ll all work out. You don’t need her when you have me.”
I want to think I could talk him down. He may be crazy and delusional, but he’s been my friend for a long time. But the moment Seth flicks off the safety, I know what I have to do. Before he can pull the trigger, he’s on the ground, blood and brain matter dripping from the hole in the side of his temple.
In the next moment, I have Phoebe’s shaking body tucked against my side, and I’m leading her out of the apartment before either one of us really realizes what happened. It’s as if my brain skipped over the few seconds it took me to reach her and pull her to me. As if it skipped over the fact that I just shot and killed my best friend in front of her. I’ve killed people before, but never a friend. Never someone I cared about.
She’s trembling—or maybe it’s me, but my hand is steady again when I pull out my phone and call the police. As I end the call, I press my face into her hair and try to keep from hurting her even though I want to crush her into me and never let go. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean anything I said.”
Tears are streaming down her face. “I was going to chase after you to tell you that you couldn’t leave me, but he was at the door when I opened it.”
I crush her to me. “I’m never leaving you again, I promise. I promise I won’t. You’re stuck with me.”
“It isn’t your fault.” When I don’t say anything, she takes my face in her hands. “It isn’t. He was sick. There’s nothing you could have done. You couldn’t have known. He was your friend.”
I close my eyes, trying to blot out the memory. “That’s what makes it worse. I won’t ever be able to stop thinking about him standing over you.”
She tilts my head down until I look at her again. “Then we’ll just have to make a million more happy memories until you don’t have room to think about him at all,” she says firmly.
I pull her close as sirens grow louder. “I love you, Phoebe. I don’t care what happens after this. I almost lost you. I don’t want to lose you again. Move in with me,” I demand impulsively.
“Don’t you think that’s being a little bit reckless? We’ve only known each other a few months,” she answers.
“Reckless is my middle name,” I tell her. “Now, tell me you love me, too.”
“I love you, too, Griffin,” she repeats with a smile.
Chapter Nineteen
Phoebe
“I can’t believe you’re making me do this.”
I straighten the line of his suit jacket. He looks just as good in a suit and tie as he does in jeans and a T-shirt. Cocking my head, I wonder if I can convince him to put on his old uniform so I can get a mental picture of him in that, too. “You promised.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think this would be what I’d have to do to get you to agree to move in.” He doesn’t know it, but it would have taken me much less to move in. If he’d asked again, I probably would have jumped at the opportunity. But this way, I get a few more interviews out of him without him complaining. Much. “Anything else. I’ll do anything else.”
“You promised. The terms are non-negotiable. Besides, it’ll only be thirty minutes, and then you get a lifetime with me. It seems like a good deal. I don’t know why you’re reneging.”
A lifetime with him.
Once upon a time, the thought of a lifetime with anyone would have sent me running in the other direction. Who would have thought Griffin would be the one to make me change my mind? Better yet, who would have thought he’d be the one to stick around?
After Seth was killed, he wouldn’t hear of leaving my side and made it part of his return to the film that I not be penalized for our relationship. Oswald blustered, and Catherine wasn’t pleased, but in the end, Griffin naturally got his way. Even Theodore Brown capitulated under the pressure of public opinion. Once the press got ahold of the story and the truth about Allison, Griffin was a hero in their eyes. A bankable hero. And if there’s anything that holds sway in Hollywood, it’s dollar signs.
“McNalley! Are you going to wait until I’m in my grave? C’mon, let’s get this over with.”
Arthur Oswald hasn’t changed, but his brashness is starting to grow on me. I like to think Griffin is growing on him, too. Arthur frowns from the interview couch and lifts his cup of coffee to his lips. I’m starting to believe he survives on insults and caffeine—at least half of which I can relate to.
Griffin looks at me as if to say, “Don’t you see what I have to put up with?”
Smiling a little inside and trying to hide it, I say, “You’ll be fine. Besides, I think he’s finally beginning to like you.”
With a choked laugh and tone full of disbelief, Griffin says, “Like me? On the last day of filming, he told me I
had less talent than the fake corpse we were filming with. What part of that makes you think he feels anything other than complete and utter loathing for me?”
I put a hand on my hip and raise my brows. “The fact that he didn’t hesitate to take you back to finish the movie.”
“Don’t look at me like that. That’s only because he didn’t want to go to the trouble of recasting and reshooting my part.”
“I wouldn’t look at you like this if you’d stop being so cynical. If Oswald didn’t respect you, he would have turned you down flat for causing him so much trouble.” He opens his mouth to speak, and I talk over him, “And he wouldn’t have offered you a role in his next film.”
Griffin shakes his head, then kisses me swiftly on the lips. It’s only a second, but it sends a flash of heat through me. I forget to care if anyone is watching. “Babe, I love you, but you’re delusional. That’s just business.”
I smack him on the arm. “Go do your job so I can do mine. Be nice to the reporters. And to Arthur.”
“No promises,” he answers with his trademark wicked grin.
I scowl but then smile when he turns away. He likes to complain about the interviews and about Arthur, but the two of them are finally getting along. Griffin isn’t getting his hopes up, but the festival circuit is already buzzing with good feedback.
“Isn’t this excitin’?” comes a familiar female voice. “A real Hollywood interview. Ben, look at this. Isn’t it amazing?”
I turn to see my parents arm in arm. My mom is practically glowing with pleasure and pride, and my dad scowls in Griffin’s direction. No doubt he caught the kiss at the end. “Shh, keep it down. They’re about to start.”
Mom giggles and puts a finger over her lips. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, we’re just so happy to be here.”
“I know you are. I’m so glad you could come. Here, let’s take a seat out of the way so we can watch. When we’re done, Griff and I will take you out to lunch.”
Despite the glitz and glamour behind the scenes and on set, Ben Hart still isn’t impressed by Hollywood if his expression has anything to say about it. “Good, I’d like to get to know this man of yours. Marine turned movie star. What makes him think he can take care of my little girl?”
“Oh, Ben, don’t start. This is supposed to be fun. We haven’t been on a vacation in years, so don’t ruin it by interrogating the boy when we only just got here. Save that for lunch.”
“No interrogating at all,” I warn. “Play nice. Griffin will have enough of interviews once today is over.”
As though to punctuate my statement, the set is shushed by assistants, and they begin rolling. The talk show host, a pretty brunette with a sharp eye, turns to Griffin and Arthur and begins the general lead-in: introducing the movie, asking questions about their inspiration and background, and touching on highlights of their careers. I’m about to release the breath I was holding when I see the host turn to Griffin with an all too familiar gleam in her eye. My heart sinks, and I wonder if I can distract my parents and pull them outside before it’s too late.
“Now, Griffin, I heard there was excitement during production. As we’ve all probably heard, filming was halted when your assistant threatened and attacked one of the publicists on the film . . . can you tell me anything about that?”
“Attacked? Honey, what are they talking about?” Mom whispers, pressing a hand to her chest. “They aren’t talking about you, are they?”
“No, of course not,” I hedge. “There are a lot of publicists involved with the movie . . .”
Because of Mom’s question, I miss his answer.
“C’mon, don’t be shy,” the host continues with a flirtatious grin. “Sources also say you and the victim of the stalking, a Miss Phoebe Hart, are now involved in a relationship. Can you confirm that?”
Griffin meets my eyes as my mother gasps and my father harrumphs. I sigh and frown at him, wishing I’d put my parents off their visit until after the hubbub died down.
“I can confirm we’re in a relationship,” Griffin says, and I forget about my momentary panic.
The reporter giggles. “I’m sure your female fans want to know how serious it is.”
My parents’ questions and demands fade to the background as Griffin answers, “Well, one of these days, I hope to convince her to take the risk and marry me.”
THE END
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Acknowledgments
First, to Corinne and Crystal, thank you for everything.
To Afton—who puts up with my incessant need to write at all hours of the day. I promise to try to be the mother you deserve.
To Mom—who has always given so much. I hope you know how much I truly appreciate all you’ve done for me.
To Charlie—for your encouragement, support, and inspiration. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future brings.
To Melissa Fisher, Terry Lawrence, and Gina S.— thank you for your eagle eyes! I can’t send you enough love. You’re the best!
To my Knockouts! I love you guys.
To all the bloggers who’ve helped, who’ve reviewed and pimped and Instagrammed—you’re angels. Each and every one of you. Thank you for doing what you do. I couldn’t do this without you!
And finally, to my readers. I’ve always wanted to be an author. Teenage me would like to thank you for making a dream come true. Each day I get to do what I love, and it is largely because of your support. Thank you for reading, for cheering me on, and for enjoying my stories.
Books by Nicole Blanchard
First to Fight Series
Anchor
Warrior
Valor
Box Set: Books 1-3
Survivor
Savior
Honor
Box Set: Books 4-6
Traitor
Operator
Aviator
Captor
Protector
Armor
Reckless
Friend Zone Series
Friend Zone
Frenemies
Friends with Benefits
Friend Zone Series Box Set
The Lost Planet Series
The Forgotten Commander
The Vanished Specialist
The Mad Lieutenant
Journey to the Lost Planet (Books 1-3)
The Uncertain Scientist
The Lonely Orphan
The Rogue Captain
Return to the Lost Planet (Books 4-6)
The Determined Hero
The Arrogant Genius
The Runaway Alien
Saving the Lost Planet (Books 7-9)
Dark Romance
Toxic
An Immortal Fairy Tale Series
Deal with the Dragon
Vow to the Vampire
Kiss from the King
Standalone Novellas
Bear with Me
Darkest Desires
Mechanical Hearts
About the Author
Nicole Blanchard is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of gritty romantic suspense and heartwarming new adult romance. She and her family reside in the south along with a menagerie o
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Reckless: A Salvation Society Novel Page 11
