Broken Shadows: Shadows Landing #5

by Kathleen Brooks

  Trent saw Karri working on her phone and then turned the phone around. A picture of Olivia filled the screen. She wore a blood-red suit and pristine white blouse. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her lipstick matched the suit. Her blonde hair was blown out, giving her a softness that hid the tough-as-nails interior. “Is this her?”

  “Yes,” Trent told her with a nod.

  “She’s so pretty and nice looking,” Skye said as she studied the picture. Ryker snorted. “You’re sure she—”

  “Yes,” Trent, Ryker, and Tinsley said at the same time.

  “Okay then,” Skye said. “I look forward to meeting her. What do we do in the meantime?”

  “Savannah suggested we stroll downtown and maybe stop at Bless Your Scarf Boutique. She thought you might not stick out as much in some local clothing. The blonder hair does help, but the clothes will too,” Tinsley suggested.

  “Sounds fun,” Skye said as Trent thought about what she’d been wearing. He didn’t know clothes, but he knew she needed at least one University of South Carolina or Clemson T-shirt and also one of those sundresses the women all wore. Then with a hat and some sunglasses, Skye would blend in rather well as a local.

  “I’ll text the girls now. Plus, Darcy found some cool new sunken treasure that has just arrived and said she’d give us first look at it,” Tinsley told them as Skye stood up.

  “I’ll run and change. This sounds fun. We’ll meet you all at the bar at noon,” Skye said before she hurried upstairs.

  “How bad is it really?” Trent asked Karri.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Karri tried to respond innocently, but Trent and Ryker nailed her with a disbelieving look.

  “I know there’s more. So, what’s really going on?” Trent asked Karri again.

  “How could you know that?” Karri was trying to avoid answering Trent’s question and that alone told him there was more to it.

  “When you sit back and watch instead of participate in every conversation, you notice things. Things like the way your fingers tightened on the phone when you were reading the emails before you even got to the one about the photos,” Trent told her.

  “What he said,” Ryker grumbled as he used his teeth to bite off the thread. “Tinsley, take these to Skye and have her wear this bra and these shoes today. They’re all ready for her.”

  Tinsley got up and called to Skye. Now it was just Ryker, Trent, and Karri in the room. Trent crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair waiting.

  Karri huffed as she flopped back in the kitchen chair. “It’s not just Bernie. The whole team is going rogue and I don’t know if I can stop them. I don’t know if anyone can. Rebecca, the head of PR, is telling news outlets that Skye is unavailable because she is in the hospital due to exhaustion. That’s code for drug overdose. That’s how they’re explaining her absence. Then Tony Ketron emailed demanding Skye wax until she’s completely bare down there because she’s too disgusting to be in his movie until she’s quote: ‘shined and buffed.’ Then he offered to do it for her to get it just right for the movie, so they capture the artistic purpose of the movie correctly.” Karri rolled her eyes.

  Trent felt like breaking the table in half. Even Ryker looked affected. Trent looked to his cousin. “Olivia handles it or I will,” Trent said to Ryker through his clenched jaw.

  “She will or I’ll help you take them all down.”

  Trent looked up at Ryker and saw that he wasn’t just saying it. Ryker was ready to take down Hollywood right along with him. “Thanks, cousin.”

  Ryker nodded his head in response and slid back in his chair to stand up. “I have a conference call. Karri, why don’t you tell Castle and Granger of our appointment with Olivia? I’ll see you both at noon.”

  Ryker strode out the door and it was Karri’s turn to pin Trent with a look. “You care for her, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” Trent answered instantly.

  Karri nodded and went to work on her phone. “Agent Castle and Sheriff Fox will meet us at noon. Agent Castle asked for Low Country. What does that mean?”

  “There are two barbeque places here: Low Country and the Pink Pig.”

  “It’ll be hard to beat the Pink Pig. That was really good. But there’s no burger place or something like that?”

  Trent shook his head. “We have the diner. They have a burger, but it’s nothing special. Mostly it’s Low Country cooking. Shrimp and grits, gator—”

  “Alligator?”

  “It’s fantastic. You deep-fry it and put it on a salad and you’ll never be the same again,” Trent told her as they heard Tinsley and Skye walking down the stairs.

  Karri leaned forward and dropped her voice. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re good for each other. You count her celebrity as a negative. And while that’s a refreshing take from a guy, it’s also an inescapable fact of life for her, it’s never going away. You need to find a way to reconcile that if you wish to move forward with Skye.”

  Karri left Trent with a lot to think about as the women went into downtown with Kord ready to trail behind them. Karri was right. As much as he loved being with Skye, he wasn’t experiencing her daily life. She was experiencing his. For him to know if they’d be able to have everything he’d been thinking about, he needed to stop tethering her to Shadows Landing. If he did that, he was just as bad as Lenny and the others trying to force Skye to be something she wasn’t. It was time to let Skye fly and see if they could soar into the future together or if it was just her time to shine.

  12

  Skye had a blast at Bless Your Scarf. She ended up with two dresses, a sweatshirt, cute lounge pants, a college ball cap, and a handful of accessories. The group had grown to include Ellery and Darcy as they went to Darcy’s museum. Kord was with them, but he’d blended into the background and she’d completely forgotten about him until they left the store and he trailed after them.

  Darcy told Skye and Karri about how she met her husband, Trent’s brother, Wade, and how they had discovered one of the largest sunken treasures ever to be found. Skye stared in wonder at the jewels, the ancient trunks they’d filled, and the pictures of the sunken pirate ship. Darcy was a badass. There was a movie right there. While Wade played a role, it was Darcy who was the heroine of her own story. But then Darcy also told them about Olivia Townsend and how she’d helped them.

  “I wonder how she feels about public castration?” Skye mused absently. Ellery snickered and Savannah blinked in surprise.

  Darcy laughed as Karri shook her head. “What is it about you and men’s balls?”

  “I have a better question,” Skye continued as they walked down the street toward Tinsley’s gallery. “I mean, we kick a guy in the balls, roast his balls, cut off his balls, feed him his balls . . .”

  Karri groaned and rolled her eyes, causing everyone to crack up. “Again with the balls. What’s your question? If we can deep-fry them?”

  “Sure you can,” Darcy said with a nod. “What do you think Rocky Mountain oysters are?”

  A collective groan went up among the ladies before they broke out in laughter at the strangeness of the conversation.

  “See, this is my question,” Skye said through the laughter. She was having a great time. She couldn’t remember the last time she had more than just Karri to laugh with. “What about women?”

  Ellery cocked her head. “What about women? Aren’t they busy cutting off and deep-frying said balls?”

  Skye giggled again and shook her head. “I mean, what’s the equivalent for a woman? Deep-fried boobies?”

  Everyone stared at her and Skye wondered if she’d been too much herself with her new friends, especially when Ellery clutched her belly. But instead of chiding her, Ellery laughed. In fact, she laughed so hard, her little rounded belly bounced. Tears sprang from her eyes as she used one hand to grab onto Savannah who was next to her.

  Karri took a deep breath and held up her hands in surrender. “Okay, that was a legit question.”

>   “Right? See, if I want Olivia to go after Rebecca, do I tell her I want her to punch her in the tits? It just doesn’t have the same effect.” Skye looked over at the building that housed Tinsley’s studio and gallery on the first floor and Savannah’s interior design company on the second. Skye glanced inside the window and all laughter stopped. “Is that new?”

  Tinsley looked through the gallery window and nodded before unlocking her door. “I just hung it last night. Do you like it?”

  Skye took in the painting, full of color. It wasn’t fully abstract, but the knifing technique used to provide texture gave it that appearance. She could make out grass, the large oak trees festooned with Spanish moss, water, a vibrant evening sky, and then what looked like a sailboat. Along the shore were people and boxes that shone with jewel tones.

  “Oh, Tinsley,” Savannah gasped.

  “It’s stunning,” Ellery told Tinsley seriously.

  Meanwhile, Tinsley looked embarrassed at the attention. She shouldn’t be. The large piece spoke to Skye and she instantly knew what it was. “This is how Shadows Landing started, isn’t it?”

  “It is,” Tinsley said, opening the door so they all go inside to see the painting closer.

  “It reminds me of one of those live photos where everyone is moving just a little and they freeze for the perfect picture,” Skye told Tinsley, hoping she was explaining it well. “It looks like they’re somehow frozen in motion, if that makes sense. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the tree branches swaying.”

  “Thank you. These were the paintings that sold best in Paris, and I have to admit they’re the ones I have the most fun making. I love being inspired by what’s around me,” Tinsley told the group as they all praised the painting.

  Skye walked around the gallery and was drawn to several of the pieces. The watercolors were in soft contrast to the knifing work, but they both seemed to reach out and grab Skye.

  “Tinsley,” Skye said quietly as she drew Tinsley aside. “When I have access to my accounts again, I want to buy several of these. Would you mind holding them? I can put some cash down for a deposit or I have a watch that’s worth fifty thousand dollars you can hold on to. I have the cash with me now, but I’d prefer to hold on to it since I need to pay Olivia.”

  “You don’t have to buy anything,” Tinsley protested.

  “Tinsley, I know I don’t have to. I want to. They speak to me. They reach out and pull me in. It’s not a choice. I have to buy them. I promise I’m good for the money.”

  Tinsley laughed then and nodded. “I have a good idea of much you make from the papers, so I know you’re good for it. Show me what you want and I’ll put a Sold sticker next to them.”

  Skye put the last sticker on when the sound of an approaching helicopter echoed down Main Street. Darcy looked out the window and then back at the group. “Olivia’s here.”

  “Good, I’m starving and some barbeque sounds delicious,” Ellery said, making a beeline for the door.

  Skye followed the group out the door. Karri looked at the town as if she were contemplating something. “What is it?” Skye finally asked after Karri started murmuring to herself.

  “Nothing, it’s silly.”

  “I talked about balls for ten minutes. Nothing you can say is possibly as silly. What is it?” Skye prodded.

  “I love being your chef, but what was my dream?”

  “To have your own kitchen. I’m sorry. I know I’ve been holding you back.” Skye knew it was true the moment she said it. At first Karri had worked with her to use it as experience on her résumé. But then Skye’s career took off and Karri turned into a full-time chef and a personal assistant. They’d been going nonstop since then and Skye felt like the absolute worst friend for not letting Karri chase her own dreams.

  Karri shook her head. “You know me well enough to know I would leave if I wasn’t happy. However,” she said, pausing and looking around the town, “I like it here. I like the people, the slow pace of life, and the fact that eating apple pie is X-rated. It’s not pretentious here.”

  “No, it’s a lot of things, but pretentious is not one of them. I like it here too,” Skye admitted.

  “There are no good places to eat something besides barbeque and diner food. I wonder what would happen if I asked Harper to let me cook a few nights at the bar?”

  “That’s not exactly fine dining, Karri.”

  Karri shook her head. “I know. L.A. is upscale. Here it’s not about price of the food to show off, but the taste of it. I’ve been flooded with ideas for menus since I arrived.”

  “Then ask her. Or I can ask Trent if he thinks Harper would be up for it.”

  “Let me think on it some more.” Karri looked down the street and her mouth dropped. “That’s your lawyer? She was gorgeous in the online photo, but here she looks as if she should be walking a catwalk.”

  The helicopter was in the intersection at the end of Main Street. Olivia Townsend was strutting toward them in high heels and a tight, royal blue pencil skirt. Her white blouse fluttered in the wind created by the helicopter blades, but her hair didn’t dare move.

  “She sure does.”

  Skye looked over her shoulder to find Kord, Granger, and Peter Castle standing behind them.

  Granger rolled his eyes at his deputy who was practically drooling. “I’m going to laugh my ass off when some woman knocks you on your ass and then leads you on a merry chase.”

  “Likewise,” Kord said with a grin to his boss. “Here, Olivia. Let me help you.” Kord took off at a slow jog to meet the lawyer and take her briefcase from her.

  “Is there romance brewing there?” Skye asked as she then noticed the meaningful glances and blushes flying between Peter and Karri. Well, well, well.

  Granger grunted and opened the door for Skye to walk through. Boy, was Hollywood getting it wrong! Granger was old Hollywood. Back when men weren’t juiced up on steroids or dressed in joggers and loose T-shirts that didn’t look as if they’d been washed. No, the men of Shadows Landing— Trent, Granger, Ryker, Castle, Kord—reminded her of the men of the past; just as the town itself was a throwback to the past. These men reminded her of the old western stars who rode a horse, shot a gun, and escorted a lady across the street while looking ruggedly handsome at the same time.

  Something about that and seeing Tinsley’s painting had all the creative juices flowing. Skye pulled out her phone and did a quick note to herself about some ideas for movie roles to keep an eye open for. Olivia was standing behind her and Trent was next to her by the time she was done with her notes.

  “You looked deep in thought,” Trent said, lowering his voice. “Is everything okay?”

  “More than okay. I’ve been inspired. I know how I want to approach my audition for Gemma Davies’s film. I sent an email to the casting director this morning and should hear back soon.”

  “That’s great. Are you sure you don’t want me to put in a word with my aunt?”

  “I’m sure. I’m going to get that role, and I’m going to get it on my own.”

  Trent nodded his head in acknowledgment before turning to Olivia, who was shaking hands with Ryker. “Olivia, this is Skye Jessamine. Skye, this is Olivia Townsend.”

  “Thank you for coming,” Skye told her. “Before we begin, do you feel capable of castrating any man standing in my way?”

  Olivia didn’t blink. Her eyebrows didn’t so much as twitch. “I have a dull knife I use to make sure it hurts more.”

  “And what about women who are in my way?” Skye asked.

  “I punch them in the tit with rings on so it hurts even more.”

  The men looked uncomfortable, but the women broke out in laughter. Skye grinned and only then did Olivia let loose with a smile of her own. “You’re hired.”

  “Excellent. This is going to be fun.” Olivia took a seat at the table and pulled out a contract. Skye read it over. Her eyes blinked twice at the retainer fee, but if Olivia could fix these problems, she’d pay double. She
signed it and handed it back to Olivia.

  “Excellent. I looked over all the documents Karri sent me. My first question: did you ever sign an agreement with your lawyer? I didn’t see it anywhere.”

  Skye shook her head. “Jim, my agent, hired him. In fact, Jim hired everyone.” Olivia frowned, then pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her. “With your permission, I’ll email this to him immediately.”

  It was a letter of termination of representation. Skye picked up the pen Olivia handed her and signed it. Olivia pulled out a little wireless scanner and scanned the document. Seconds later it was sent.

  “Now, let’s get those photos down and scare the shit out of anyone who published them or is thinking of publishing them. How does a two hundred and fifty million dollar lawsuit sound?”

  Skye blinked at the sum. “Really high.”

  “Not so high when you break down your annual income. It’s all explained in the brief I’ve written.”

  A thick binder was presented to her. Skye opened it and saw her name listed as the plaintiff and a very long list of defendants. “How did you get this done so fast?”

  “I’m the best. You’re not paying for me to doodle. Now, before I file this, read it over and then tell me what happened from the very beginning.”

  13

  Trent read the brief over Skye’s shoulder. It was more than good. It was the ballbusting suit Skye had wanted. It was a take-no-prisoners statement to send a big message in bright neon lights: Don’t mess with Skye Jessamine.

  After reading the entire binder, Olivia asked Skye and Karri to start at the beginning. Skye told Olivia how she was discovered, her move to L.A., how she hired Jim . . . everything. Three hours later, Skye looked up from the revised document. The rest of Trent’s family had gone, but Granger and Castle stayed. They took notes quietly and asked questions occasionally.

  “Where do I sign?” Skye asked after she’d read the revised suit.