by Alexa Aston
Cassie spoke up, wanting to be sure Jolene understood what living on Rhett’s estate would entail.
“Jo, you absolutely can’t blab about what you see. We’ll have to sign a non-disclosure agreement.”
“That’s not necessary,” Rhett said.
She shook her head. “No, I’m overruling you on this matter, Corrigan. We both will sign the NDA. I’ll put it on my list and speak to your attorney about it.” Turning back to her friend, she said, “We need to respect Rhett’s privacy.”
Jolene nodded confidently. “Got it. No cozying up to the tabloids. Keep any and everything I see confidential. Don’t pump guests for opportunities. Be invisible.”
Cassie nodded encouragingly. “And?”
Jolene thought a moment. “Watch my pottymouth. Save it for on stage.”
Cassie beamed as she Rhett. “I think we have everything under control at this end. When can we move in?”
“You work out the details. Use the card and get some movers in. Today, if you can. The sooner you get settled, the better.” He thought a moment. “Oh, the place is furnished. The kitchen’s got dishes and pots and pans. Appliances, too. TV with cable and DVR. Wireless Internet. You won’t need much, besides your clothes. Will that be a problem?”
Jolene snorted. “If you saw how little we have, Mr. Corrigan, you—”
“Call me Rhett.” He glanced at Cassie. “I need to get home and try to look and feel human.”
She nodded. “You do look a little uncivilized. Some problem?”
“Yeah. I’ll tell you about it later. Good meeting you, Jolene.”
“You, too, Rhett.” She smiled at him.
Rhett returned to his SUV. He leaned out the window. “I have LoJack. I’ll handle the Rover mess. You arrange the move. Try to get over after that. I have this charity thing I want to talk to you about.”
“Okay,” Cassie happily agreed. She waved as he pulled out from the parking lot.
The minute he was out of sight, Jolene slammed into her, clutching her as a drowning woman might.
“Oh. My. God. We are going to get out of this hellhole. I can’t believe it, Cass.”
Cassie hugged her back. “I told you he’s really nice.”
Jolene’s eyes gleamed. “Really, really, fucking nice.”
“I meant what I said about the NDA, Jo,” she said sternly. “You do know what that is? It’s a legally binding contract.”
“I know what it is,” her friend said, impatience laced in her voice. “ It means we have a confidential relationship that involves sensitive info which we are not at liberty to reveal. Ever.”
“Exactly. What we see. What we hear. What’s discussed. In the short time I’ve known him, what I understand is how private Rhett Corrigan is. This job is an incredible opportunity for me, as well as having housing on his property offered to us at a song. We can’t jeopardize that.”
Jolene sniffed. “You mean that I can’t jeopardize it.”
Cassie hugged her friend. “You know how much I love you, Jo. But you thrive on gossip. You can’t talk to anyone about Rhett. Not just reporters from the tabloids or the paparazzi. I mean anyone. No dropping Rhett’s name in conversation or where we live. No hints regarding anything about him. What he eats. What he wears. Who comes to visit him.”
“So, I pretend I don’t even know him?” Jolene asked.
“Yes. Don’t ever refer to him in any situation. No impressing others—especially strange men—about your slight connection with him.” Cassie paused. “And about men.”
“My track record is abysmal with men,” Jolene acknowledged. “You don’t need to rub it in.”
“You can’t bring any of them back to Rhett’s estate, Jo.”
Jolene’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “Are you serious?”
“This is a dealbreaker, Jo. You have a history of bringing guys back to our apartment. Half the time you don’t even remember their names. That’s got to stop.”
Jolene crossed her arms. “I am not giving up my sex life for Rhett Corrigan. Especially if I can’t sleep with him myself.”
Cassie sighed. “I’m not asking you to become a nun. If you want to hook up with someone, that’s your business. Just take it back to his place. Not Rhett’s.”
Jolene pouted a moment but Cassie stood firm, sternly glaring at her.
Jo caved. “Oh, all right. All sexual escapades will take place away from our new place. Far be it that I sully Rhett Corrigan’s reputation by bringing home strays.”
“Thank you.” Relief swept through her. She only hoped she’d gotten through to her friend. “Remember that the NDA will be legally binding. If you break it, Rhett won’t hesitate to sue.”
“Oh, that would be priceless. He would get such a huge settlement.”
“I’m just warning you, Jo. We can’t slip up. It would cost me this job and we’d be booted from his property.”
Jo grew thoughtful. “Are you sure about the rent? What he described could go for triple what we pay now. Probably more. It’s a hell of a better zip code than the one we live in now.”
“I’m sure. We’ll need to pay on time. I don’t want to take advantage of Rhett’s hospitality. I won’t endanger my job.”
“How’d this come about? Mr. Hero offering us such a sweet deal?”
Cassie blushed. “Remember I told you that he gave me a car to drive? Well, it was a very expensive Range Rover. Who knows how much something like that even costs?”
“I could tell you, honey, but I don’t think you want to know.” Jolene glanced around. “Someone jacked it, huh? Bet it was Ramon. I heard Sammy talking about how Ramon’s into some bad stuff in the laundry room last week.”
Cassie nodded. “I came out and it was gone. Rhett seemed to think this is not the part of town to live in. Besides, I’ll be working pretty long days for him. He said living on his property would make things easier.”
“Just be sure he keeps it in his pants around you, Cass.”
“Jo!”
“I mean it. He’s an incredibly good-looking guy who wields a lot of power in this town. Don’t let him walk all over you. Don’t let him take advantage of you.”
“He’s not that kind of guy, Jo.”
Jolene stared at her. “Honey, he’s male. They’re all that kind of guy in the end.”
CHAPTER 10
Cassie let a grumpy TJ out of his carrier. The cat stepped gingerly around his new surroundings, throwing in a few yowls for good measure. He climbed on the sofa back, walking its length before jumping down to investigate what would be Cassie’s bedroom. She hoped he would find his new litter box, which she already had in place before she let him out to prowl.
She walked into the sunny kitchen and set out bowls of water and TJ’s favorite crunchy food. The cat came running the minute he heard the kernels hit the plastic. He rubbed her legs once for good measure before scarfing down the meal.
Cassie stroked his silky fur. “You better stay in for a while, TJ. Learn this place first, and then we’ll negotiate letting you out. I have no idea how Shep will react to you.”
The phone rang. Cassie wondered who would have this number since the place had been empty for some time.
“Hello?”
“Hey, General. I hear you’re settling in at the fort.”
“Hi, Breck. Yes, I just brought my cat over. Jolene is with the movers now. I think we’ll be moved in record time.”
“Rhett said you guys are going to be busy this afternoon so I ordered a couple of pizzas. They should be here any minute. Come on up to the house and grab a few slices before your strategy session with the boss.”
“Will do.” Cassie hung up and noticed TJ already curled up in a corduroy chair. She left the door unlocked since she didn’t have any keys for the place and figured that she might never need one with Rhett’s security gates.
Passing the pool, she saw a topless Randi sunning. Cassie tiptoed past her, not wanting to speak with the Playmate, much less wait on h
er. She made it to the house unseen and walked into the kitchen.
Rhett closed the refrigerator. “Want a water?” He handed her the bottle in his hand. “Pizza just got here. I’d really like to make it a working lunch if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure. Let me grab a pen and paper. Be right back.”
She went to Rhett’s office and also brought a printout she’d made yesterday of his calendar and a calculator. She believed in being prepared. When she returned, Rhett had plates out, and Breck served up slices.
“I figure you’re the kind that’ll eat anything but anchovies,” Breck told her.
“You got that right. And artichoke hearts. Not too fond of them either.”
“Okay. Ix-nay the hearts in the future.” Breck finished placing pizza on everyone’s plates. “You two have a lot to do and I’ve got calls to make. Nice having you on the property, General. I feel safer already.”
Breck left with his plate in hand and Rhett eyed her questioningly. “General?”
Cassie nodded, her mouth already full with vegetarian pizza. She finished chewing and said, “It’s his nickname for me. We’ll see how long it lasts.”
“I won’t ask how you got it. Everything working out back at your place?”
“Yes. Jolene put the word out we were leaving and she was holding an impromptu yard sale inside the apartment. The movers packed our clothes and miscellaneous items. Jo said she would sell everything else, from chipped dishes to worn out linens. I told her she could keep whatever money she got.”
“You talk to your landlord?”
“He’s fine about it. We were good tenants. He won’t be patching holes in the wall from flying fists. A little paint’ll spruce the place up and he’ll be ready to rent it in a few days. I had the utilities turned off. The cable bill hadn’t been paid in a couple of months, so it was already stopped.”
Cassie paused for a sip of water. “What’s this about a charity event?”
“I’ve participated in several fundraisers over the years but I really want to do more for breast cancer awareness. Seeing how it can strike someone as young as Carreen has totally opened my eyes. I’d like to do some kind of event for the American Cancer Society, specifically linked to breast cancer. Do you have any ideas?”
“You’ve got a decent-sized back yard. You could always hold a carnival like the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation for Pediatric AIDS does.” Cassie saw the pained look on Rhett’s face. “Or not. I forgot the unwritten rule. Privacy is number one. Okay, let’s re-think this.”
She let a few thoughts toss around her head. “What about renting out a theme park? I’m sure we could work with them on the price. It could be after hours and we could do an all-night event. Donate a fee to get into the park. Maybe do an on-line bid and line up stars that would ride certain rides with guests, munch on popcorn with them, snap selfies with fans. We could include families of women with breast cancer and cancer survivors. Hook them up with their dream stars. Hold a fashion show along the main entrance. Have a parade for kids to watch.”
Rhett chewed thoughtfully. “Sounds good. You’re talking awfully big, though.”
“If you want to raise a lot of money, you have to think big. Do you have a target date in mind?”
Rhett flipped open the calendar. “How about late spring? Avoid the holidays and bowl games. Make it before the TV season starts shooting to make more of those stars available. Could you throw something together that fast?”
Cassie told herself not to freak out at his request. If she aimed for mid-May, that would be five months away. She couldn’t begin to guess at all the work involved in a project that huge but she wasn’t afraid of tackling it.
“If you’ll give me a few people you’d really like there, I can pull it off. Throwing your name around helps in getting things accomplished more quickly.”
“Done.” Rhett studied the calendar again. “Let’s aim for the first weekend in May.” He chose another slice and bit into it.
“Do you have anything else big for me to work on? I can tell you that this project will take an awful lot of my time.”
“I have a few scripts that have come in that I’d like you to read but not much else. It always slows down around the holidays. Even the vultures take a break.”
Cassie couldn’t believe Rhett wanted her to read scripts for him. This assistant’s position was turning into a dream job with an incredible amount of responsibility. She would plan a huge Hollywood charity event while combing through scripts, trying to find the one that would be Rhett’s next big hit.
Oh, God. It was overwhelming. She might pass out before she even began.
Cassie dug her nails into her palms and smiled brightly. If you acted confident, you were confident. Isn’t that what all the self-help books advised?
Rhett took the last bite of pizza. “I guess that covers it.”
“I have some interviews set up for this afternoon for housekeeping services,” she told him. “I also lined up a few cooks to meet with over the next several days because I think I’ll be too busy to do much cooking beyond pinch-hitting here and there. I’ll start working on everything else in-between those things. Let me have the scripts. I can read them at night.”
Rhett grinned. “Sounds like you don’t plan on getting much sleep.”
“Like you?”
He rubbed his newly-shaved face. “At least you’re seeing me with hair combed and clean clothes now.”
“You still look tired. What happened? Did Carreen have a setback?”
“No. This involved another sister. Suellen.”
Rhett told her about his potential brother-in-law and how Franz had a tendency to be ticketed for public intoxication. “I think this guy’s just using Suellen.”
“Want me to have him investigated?” she asked.
“Already did it. Franz appears legit but I still think he’s romancing Suellen to stay in the country. I’m going to go call her now.”
“Did you report the Range Rover theft yet?”
Rhett saluted her. “Yes, General. And LoJack located it right away. It should be towed here sometime late this afternoon.”
“I hope it’s in one piece.” Cassie shuddered, thinking the car had been totally stripped of anything of value.
Rhett shrugged. “If it isn’t, we’ll get you something else. I saw what you pulled up in. Is that Jolene’s car?”
Cassie grinned. “Yep. She calls it the Green Monster. Pukey snot color. Nasty to drive. A least it got me here. I hope you won’t be too embarrassed to have it seen pulling through your gates.”
Rhett laughed. “Normally, I wouldn’t let something like that pass,” he teased. “Maybe people will think I’ve moved, which might be nice. Oh, I’ve got keys to the gatehouse for you. I hope it’s got everything you need. Do a once over and let me know if you can think of anything else. Also, let the new housekeeper know the cleaning staff will take care of the cottage, too.”
“The place has every creature comfort imaginable, Rhett. I’m only worried about letting TJ out around Shep.” Cassie glanced down at the dog, sitting on Rhett’s feet under the table.
“Hmm. He’s never been around a cat. I guess we’ll throw them together and see what happens.” Rhett stood. “I’m going to call Suellen and then Carreen and Leo promised he’d squeeze me in later this afternoon since I had to bail on this morning’s workout. I’ll also make a list of celebs that I’d like you to contact regarding the fundraiser. See you later.”
Cassie finished her lunch, jotting ideas down about the charity event. Breck wandered back in with his empty plate and put it in the dishwasher before grabbing a banana from the tree on the counter. He pulled out the chair next to her and sat down as he began peeling the fruit.
“Hey, General. How’d you like to go out some time?”
Cassie looked up from her pad. First Zak Mercury and now Breck? Where were all these guys when she’d spent months being dateless?
“Why, Breck? You could
have anyone in town with your looks and personality. Even Rhett’s leftovers would be nice arm candy. You could even go out with one of Randi’s friends. I’m sure she’d set you up in order to get you out of the house.”
Breck tossed the peel in the trash. “Randi doesn’t have friends. Vipers don’t need them.”
“Again, why me?”
“You’re interesting. Not a phony bone in your body. You remind me of Rhett’s sisters. Not physically or even personality-wise. Scarlett’s almost six feet tall, Suellen’s real flaky, and Carreen is sweet and practical, but they’re all real people. I haven’t been around real in a long time. It appeals to me.”
Cassie’s jaw dropped. “Did you say Scarlett? I’d already heard about Suellen and Carreen. My gosh. They’re all named after Gone with the Wind characters.”
He chuckled. “Nadine—Mrs. Corrigan—is from Atlanta. Her folks moved to California when she was a teenager. She’s mad for that movie and must watch it on DVD at least once a week. I’ve seen it so many times, I can quote lines from it.”
Breck leaned closer, his smile charming her. “About that date? What do you like to do?”
Cassie’s level glance was as even as her voice. “I like to keep work and my personal life separate.” She saw his disappointed look. “However, I do like to go places with my friends.”
He nodded, immediately understanding. “As long as your Rhett’s employee, we don’t have a chance. But we can still be friends?”
“That’s right. How about going to hear a friend of mine at a comedy club tonight?”
“Hmm. Not the usual drugs and dance club. I like it already.”
“I’ve never done drugs. My worst vice is guzzling DP. Dr. Pepper, that is. I need a fix every now and then to keep percolating along.”
Breck stretched out his long legs. “I can drink DP with you. Maybe add a little Jack in to make it pop. What time’s this show?”
“Jolene goes on at nine tonight. That’s pretty early for the comedy clubs. The audience won’t be as drunk then. She may do a later show, as well.”
“When should we leave? Do you have time for dinner first? You know, between friends.”
