by Jillian Dodd
“Are you still drunk? Don’t you understand that Vincent got close enough to you last night that he was able to steal your phone? He. Was. In. Your. House. That should be freaking you the fuck out.”
“I don’t know, maybe. You’re right. I didn’t really think it through. I just know I have to see her.”
I close my eyes shut tight. “Tell you what. I’ll come in a little early and we’ll work out a plan that will keep us both safe.”
“Okay, Keats.”
“Go back to bed, B. I’ll talk to you later.”
I hang up the phone, cover my mouth with my hand, and scream into it.
“A little frustrated?” Cooper asks.
“Is that how you feel when you think I’m doing something stupid?”
Cooper just smiles and laughs at me.
I’m about to collapse in bed when Tommy calls my house phone.
“You weren’t answering your cell,” he says.
“It’s broken. Sorry. Hope I didn’t worry you.”
“I immediately called this phone, so I wasn’t worried yet. Hey, I have a big favor. Could you and Damian run over to Matt’s house and take Bad Kiki for a quick walk? The dog sitter just called and said she’s sick. Probably hung over.”
“Are you back in town?”
“Yeah, Moffet called and requested a meeting with Matt Moran and me.”
“But it’s New Year’s Day.”
“I know, but he’s flying back to L.A. tonight and didn’t want to miss us. And, when the head of the studio requests your presence . . .”
“You get on a plane.”
“Yep. We left Nice at seven am. It’s going to be a long day.”
“We’ll be happy to walk the dog, Tommy.”
“Thank you.”
Damian and I pick up Kiki and take her to Central Park, with Cooper in tow.
Aiden offered to go with Damian, but I’m even more nervous about having him anywhere near either of us in public.
“I haven’t had a chance to check online with all the B stuff that went on, but have you heard anything about the video? Do people like it? Like the song?”
“Yeah, they do. We’ve gotten hundreds of thousands of hits already. It’s going to be huge.” He smirks at me. “I think a lot of the views are guys watching you over and over. Probably touching themselves.”
I smack him on the back. “Gross, Damian. They are not.”
He shrugs.
“More like all the little teeny boppers are watching it a million times and wishing they were me. Listening to your dreamy voice. Pretending to be the girl you take on the perfect date.”
“I don’t care who watches it or what they’re dreaming about. I think this song is going to be a big deal for us.”
“It’s going to be huge for Riley too. I can’t believe how he can take all those pieces and put them together to tell a story.”
“It’s very fresh and fun. The band is pumped. Did you have fun last night—at the party?”
“Yeah, it was a lot of fun. Aiden made me promise to kiss him at midnight next year, though.”
“Peyton said the same thing. It was probably a good lesson for us. Never to get so wrapped up in our public personalities that we forget the moments that matter with the people we care about.”
“If it weren’t for Vincent, I would have said yes but made sure our dates were close by so we could have kissed them.”
“Yeah, I thought about that too.”
“So, we’re not really stupid. I’m hoping between the video being kinda sexy, being seen out with Knox last week, and then being seen kissing you on New Year’s Eve that Vincent is starting to hate me.”
“He didn’t seem mad when he texted you. You said he’s smart. I think he knows you’re playing him.”
“I just need for him to be distracted trying to find me and not messing with people like B.”
“Do you really think B was in danger? Sounds like maybe Vincent just wanted to talk to you.”
“He tried to have my grandma run off the road.”
“I know. I just wondered if he meant to scare her or if he really wanted to hurt her.”
“For now, I think he’s trying to scare me.”
“Is it working?”
“Yeah, it is. Damian, once I take over his company, I’m going back home to face him.”
Cooper, who’s been quiet for most of our walk, chimes in. “No, you’re not.”
“I’d have to agree with Cooper,” Damian says.
“On that note, let’s head back.”
We take Kiki back to the Moran apartment and then carefully work our way back to the loft.
I’m just getting ready to take a nap when Tommy calls again.
“So, the meeting with Moffet went well. He saw the article about you and Knox, the music video, and the number of hits it’s gotten. He wants to strike while the iron is hot and officially announce your role in the movie. He’s having a press release drafted for tomorrow. Are you ready for that?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“What do Garrett and Cooper think?”
“They’re on board,” I say, although I highly doubt they are. I don’t want to lie to Tommy, so I add, “And there isn’t much we can do about it if they’re not.”
“Unless you want to rethink the role. It’s not too late to back out, Keatyn. You haven’t even signed the contract yet.”
“No, but we verbally agreed to the terms. I’m not going to renege on that. I’d never get another job.”
“I’m more worried about your safety.”
“I’d rather try to stay safe being in the public eye than in hiding. I’m not doing it anymore. I told you that. We’ll just have to leave it to the experts. Plus, if he’s focused on me instead of trying to get me to come out of hiding, I’m hoping it will mean everyone around me will be safer. Does that make sense?”
“It’s sort of the opposite of what Garrett originally told us.”
“It is. But that’s not his fault. He did what he thought was right at the time. And I agree that it was. It just isn’t now.”
“So, forgetting about all the Vincent stuff, this is still a big deal. You’re creating the perfect publicity storm. The studio is thrilled. Moffet himself wants to talk to you and Knox about continuing the franchise.”
“Really? That’s awesome! Knox said he thought that might happen, but I sort of thought it was just wishful thinking.”
“No way, baby. You’re going to be a star, just like your mom.”
“Tommy, I can only hope to be half as successful as Mom.”
“I thought you were going to say you don’t want to be like her.”
“I probably would have a few months ago. I didn’t want to be compared to her. I didn’t think I could handle the comparison. But, now, I hope I can. I’m gonna let you go. I need some sleep.”
Vincent isn’t in a very good mood when he goes back to his office. He just had lunch with one of the investors who could tip the voting out of his favor. It didn’t go well. He considers taking a hit out on the man. If he were dead, his son would inherit the shares. His son, who Vincent happens to know loves the movie industry, but who is neither smart enough or talented enough to be part of it. He decides to hold off on the hit and instead offers the son a job.
Because it might be enough to sway his old man.
Besides, he has other things to take care of right now.
He finally has his location.
I wake up to the loft’s phone ringing again.
“Hello?” I answer groggily.
“Guess what, Hotshot?” Grandpa says.
“What?”
“We did it. The last investor called. Apparently, he had lunch with Vincent today and wasn’t happy with the way things went. He didn’t elaborate. Just asked if our offer still stood. I should have lowballed him at that point, but I didn’t. The company is yours. Shall we schedule a meeting for tomorrow morning, so that Mr. Sharpe can get fired by the new own
er?”
“Yes, we should. How about nine o’clock his time?”
“I’ll make it happen. I’ll also be sending you an email with some talking points along with the instructions for logging into the video conference.”
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
“You’re welcome. Just promise me you’ll stay out of California for a while. I suspect Vincent isn’t going to be very happy.”
As Grandpa ends the call, I lean back, throw my arms up in victory, and scream with delight. “Aaaahhhh!!!”
Aiden and Cooper barrel through my bedroom door at the same time. “What’s wrong?”
I laugh, almost hysterically. I’m so damn happy. “Nothing. Everything is going perfectly.”
Later, I text Knox.
Me: The takeover of Vincent’s company went through. I have an online meeting tomorrow to personally tell him the good news. Then I’d like to be seen. You wanna have lunch with the new chairman of the board?
Knox: I’d be honored. I assume you want this lunch to be photographed?
Me: Yes, I do.
Knox: You’re a girl after my heart, Keatyn. I’ll let my assistant know where we’ll be.
Me: Thank you. Cooper and I will pick you up at noon. I’m going shopping at Bergdorf’s after. Maybe we could go somewhere close?
Knox: Do we get to shop together? That would be romantic.
Me: Romantic looking, you mean?
Knox: Of course, sugar. Whatever you say.
Me: There’s hope for you yet. See you tomorrow.
Vincent goes into work as normal this morning. He’s exhausted, though, having worked most of the night at the old man’s house, prepping the set. He also talked the man who lives there into giving him the only key to the safe room, so he cleaned out the shed at his grandmother’s house and brought everything there, and took great care in arranging things.
And the additional effects that will be a part of the grand finale will be delivered today.
It’s almost time to start production.
Meanwhile, Keatyn gets ready for their video conference.
I want to look like my mom did in the movie, so I blow my hair out and finish it with a straightener.
Then I stand in the middle of my closet and look at my clothes. If it was just Vincent and me, I would wear a bikini. But I’ll be speaking to the entire board of directors.
I need to look as professional as possible, so I chose the suit I begged Kym for when I saw it at her studio last week. It’s a violet Oscar de la Renta asymmetrical sheath dress with a matching belted peplum moto jacket. It’s the perfect combination of fashion forward and understated elegance.
I study myself in the mirror, deciding the bold collar and my hair are competing, so I pull it back into a chic bun and add the glossy black enamel flower earrings that Kym paired with it.
Glancing at the clock and knowing it’s almost time, I grab a pair of black suede Alaïa stiletto booties with white dots. I don’t know if they really match, but they make me feel fierce, and I’m going to need that.
“So, what do you think?” I ask Aiden when I walk out to the kitchen.
“You look older. Professional.” He glances down. “Not sure about the little boot things with it, though.”
“I like them.”
“That’s all that matters, then,” he says, giving me a steamy kiss. “Are you ready for this? To face him? To fire him? To speak to a freaking board of directors?”
“Yeah, I’m ready. I’m going to get set up in the dining room. The rest of you cannot make a peep.”
“Can we watch? Listen?” Cooper asks.
“Yeah, you can. Grandpa will be conferenced in, too. I’ll give you the link, but you have to go upstairs.”
“Are you sure?” Aiden asks. “I don’t really need to watch. I can stay down here with you.”
“I appreciate that. But I need to focus. Concentrate like I would on a movie set. I’ve memorized the key points Grandpa sent me and I know what I’m going to say.”
“Well, good luck, then,” he says, first kissing his clover tattoo and then kissing mine. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Aiden. Now, get upstairs.”
I get the computer set up so that I can stand in front of it, rather than sitting down. Grandpa said it will make me look stronger. More dominant.
Part of me wants to laugh. I mean, I’m freaking seventeen and I’m taking over a company? I might be as nuts as Vincent.
I watch the scene in the boardroom start to play out on my computer.
The board members are gathered in the room, greeting each other and chatting.
When Vincent walks in, they all take their seats. I can tell by the way he narrows his eyes that he’s noticed a new face in the room, but he doesn’t comment, just takes his spot at the head of the table.
Once everyone is seated, the vice-chairman of the board, who happens to be the investor who sold us his stock yesterday, stands up.
“Mr. Chairman,” he says, addressing Vincent. “We need to discuss the new ownership of this company.”
Vincent looks confused. “What the hell are you talking about, Mac?”
“Why don’t I direct your attention to the screen at the back of the room. I’ll let the new owner speak for herself.”
This is my cue. I press record on the remote in my hand and stand up straight and proud.
Time to roll the dice.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Keatyn Douglas and I’m the new majority owner of A Breath Behind You Films.”
I glance at the computer screen, which is showing me Vincent’s reaction. Right now, he doesn’t look pissed. He’s looking at me curiously. His head tilted slightly. His eyes focused. He really just looks intrigued.
So I continue. “The board of directors met in executive session last night and determined that it’s time for a change in leadership. They named me the chairman of the board. Effective immediately.”
“What the fuck?” Vincent says, looking around. “Is this a joke? You bring in Abby Johnston’s daughter as some little prank?”
The vice-chairman shakes his head. “I’m afraid not, Vincent. We’ve had a good run, but . . .”
I keep going, “My first order of business is to introduce the new CEO and president of the firm, Chance O’Daniels. Many of you know him as the former CEO of Douglas Oil and Gas.”
Vincent stands up. “You can’t fire me. This is my company. My company, do you understand me?”
“It was until you decided to leverage everything to make the movie you have become obsessed with, Vincent,” one of the board members who didn’t sell to us says. “You left us wide open for a takeover. And now we have a teenager running the company?”
“I may be young, but I’m saving this company from its downward spiral, one which would have taken your investments with it. I didn’t just buy it on whim. I’m very serious about building this company for the future. For my future. And although Mr. O’Daniels doesn’t know the business yet, he does know what makes a company successful. Please welcome him.”
“This is bullshit. Preposterous. I won’t stand for it,” Vincent says loudly. “I’ll fight this.” He turns to the Vice Chairman. “When did you sell? Right after our lunch yesterday? Where you promised to stay on my team?” He gets in the man’s face. “You backstabbing son of a bitch.”
“You better back off, Vincent,” the man replies. “Or we’ll have security escort you out.”
“Escort me out of my own building?”
“It’s not your building anymore, Vincent,” I say, causing him to walk up to the screen and stare directly at me.
“You think you’re so smart,” he says to her. “This will all blow up in your face. Trust me.” He may have just completely spoiled the ending of the new script, but he doesn’t care. If he loses the company, he loses the rights to the film.
She gives him a smile that is an exact replica of her whore mother’s. “Oh, there’s no need for threats, Vincey
. I’m going to honor what you started and make the movie you’re so passionate about. The company has too much invested not to.” She blows him a kiss, but it doesn’t have the effect it usually does on him. He’s too mad at her. She’s standing in his way. She’s going to pay. “What do you think of me starring in it myself? I mean, that’s what you wanted, right? That’s why you were doing the nationwide search for me. Well, I’m here now.”
“You’re playing a very dangerous game, Miss Douglas,” he says, choosing his words carefully. “Our worlds were always going to collide, but now there’s no avoiding it. We’re on a collision course. One you can’t change,” he says, his voice stone cold.
It sends chills up my spine.
“You’re just mad because I’ve written a better script than you. And in my script, Vince will die at the end. Just like in the original.”
“You little fucking bitch!” he screams at me. “No one you love is safe, do you understand me? No one!”
Chance O’Daniels comes back on screen with two policemen. “Please escort Mr. Sharpe from the building. We will pack up his personal effects and forward them to his home address.”
Vincent gives me a fiery, wild-eyed look. One that leaves me knowing I’ve succeeded in pushing him over the edge.
But then his face becomes a mask of calmness.
And calm Vincent scares me way more than out-of-control Vincent.
Vincent turns away from the screen. That’s not his Lacy up there. She would never do this to him. This is some kind of game. Some role.
Although he didn’t expect it to go down this way, it is irrelevant at this point.
