On My Knees: The Complete Series Box Set

by C. J. Thomas

I crossed my arms and felt my face redden. She didn’t have the balls to look me in the eye.

  “You should have seen him after you left.” She laughed. “It was like the clouds parted and the sun came out the moment you were gone.”

  My blood boiled as my pulse raced.

  If she kept this up, she’d find herself on the floor wondering how I managed to rip her hair out at the roots so quickly and make her bleed.

  She turned, finally finding the courage to face me. “I should thank you, you know.”

  I cocked a hip and stared into her with cold eyes.

  “If it wasn’t for your royal fuck up—” Her words popped off her lips to make her point clearer. If she was trying to get inside my head, it was working. “—I wouldn’t have been handed your job.” She projected her voice to assure me she had the upper hand in all this.

  My hand sliced through the air faster than my mind could keep up. Val doubled over, catching herself before she fell, and held her now-reddened face inside her hands. Her mouth hung open as she looked on with terror.

  Everyone turned to look.

  The room gasped.

  Some even saw me slap her. Including the Assistant Production Coordinator.

  There was no sense in trying to hide, so I turned and ran out of the building before I made things worse, once again.

  79

  Nash

  “THAT WAS QUICK,” I said, answering Wes’s call. “Dig up any dirt?”

  “I may have found a connection.” He sounded surprised. “Are you in a safe place to talk?”

  I moved to my door and double checked to make sure that it was securely latched. “Shoot.”

  “My friend, who, may I remind you is a totally reliable source—”

  “That’s why you were the first person I called.” My words were sincere.

  Even through the phone I could hear him grin. “Well my friend discovered a correspondence between your guy and Blake Stone.”

  My head tipped back and I smoothed the pads of my fingers down my throat. I knew it. “And?”

  “And, it appears that Stone promised Ted funding for a film project.”

  My brows knitted together. “When would he do that? He’s too busy teaching. Films just don’t sprout up overnight.”

  “Apparently he put in his request for a sabbatical.”

  Son of a bitch. He was actually going to do it. After all these years, Ted was finally making moves on his script. “He couldn’t get the money anywhere else?”

  “See, that’s the thing . . .” Wes paused. “From what we found—and it’s still early—it doesn’t look like he wanted it from anybody but Stone.”

  I hung my head and tried to make sense of all this.

  My heart skipped a beat when someone rapped on my door with what sounded like a closed fist. Mike from costume burst inside, breathing heavily and sweating, looking like he ran all the way down here just to tell me something urgent. He flung his thumb back over his shoulder and pointed through the doorframe. “You better get out on set quick.” He bent over to catch his breath. “The interns.”

  I covered the speaker on my phone. “What are you talking about?”

  “Their losing control.” He gasped for air. “It’s Alex.”

  My ears perked up.

  “She slapped Val. Everyone saw. Shit’s going to get unruly if you don’t do something to stop it.”

  I lifted my phone back to my ear. “Thanks, Wes.” I stared at Mike. “I gotta go.”

  80

  Alex

  MY THROAT FELT like it was closing up.

  I couldn’t breathe.

  There was no way I could stick around.

  Not after what I just did.

  I ran to the bus, and despite finding myself sitting in an empty seat, I couldn’t stop my mind from replaying how my open palm smacked Val’s face. Over and over I heard the crack, felt the sting, and smiled at the fear I put inside her ugly eyes.

  She was such a dirty little cunt and deserved what she got.

  Even before now I knew she was a bitch, but using my bad day as her way of squeezing herself in to the spot I held? There was no way I’d let her get away with a bitch move like that.

  My lips pinched together as my chest heaved.

  She’d pushed me too far this time and I wasn’t going to sit back and not let her know what a whore she was. Because she was. And I couldn’t take it. Wouldn’t stand for it. I certainly wasn’t about to let her steal what I considered to be mine without letting her know exactly how I felt.

  The bus turned a corner and the next stop was mine.

  I gathered my things and stood at the squeal of the breaks. The door slid open with a horrible screech and I stepped outside.

  I didn’t know how I was going to juggle my life—keeping up with both the internship and possible escorting gig—assuming the Madam took a chance on me.

  I wanted to do both, and do them well. If only to get this debt repaid as soon as possible so I could focus on what I really wanted in life.

  Of course I’d choose my internship over anything else. But what choice did I have other than to put it second in line to survival?

  The building doorman saw me coming and opened up for me. We greeted each other and I moved quickly to the elevator. The doors slid open as soon as I hit the button. I stepped inside, turned around, and watched the doors close.

  I’d hate to think that Val would win this Assistant Director seat just because of my actions today. But the reality of it was crystal clear.

  I didn’t deserve it, and she did.

  Today was one of those days you wished you could take back and ask for a do-over. Luckily I had Nash on my side. He was the only one still believing I had what it took.

  A pang of guilt stabbed my gut and twisted.

  Nash was also the only one who knew just how fucked up of a situation I was actually in. My only hope to make it back on set and back to working with the crew was if we could keep this dark secret of mine to ourselves.

  The metallic hum of machinery vibrated around me and I hugged my chest.

  One problem at a time, Alex, I reminded myself. One problem, one day, at a time.

  The car shuddered as it slowed to a stop. I slid through the doors before they were fully open and hurried down the hall, fumbling for my keys. I couldn’t wait to get inside. Just escape, cry, and maybe even have a drink once I got through the tears that were sure to fall.

  As soon as I opened the door to my apartment, my breath caught in my chest. There it was, lying on the floor.

  An orange packing envelope that was sealed shut.

  I angled my head to the side and read the script. My name was written on it. I closed the door behind me, locked the deadbolt, and bent down to pick it up.

  My mind raced with what it could be, who had dropped it off. I slowly dragged my feet to the kitchen and dropped my things on the countertop. I pinched the corner of the envelope to peel back the tab, brushing my nerves to the side, and finally opening it.

  I peeked inside.

  The glossy paper of a large photograph caught the window’s reflection and I pulled it out.

  Fatigue settled over me as soon as I recognized it to be Nash. He was happily holding a young blonde woman’s hand. Her face radiated happiness, like she was in disbelief to be holding the hand of the infamous Nash Brooks.

  I freed it completely from the envelope and couldn’t help but notice how she kept stealing my attention away from Nash.

  She was short—my height—and curvy. There was a similarity about her that reminded me of . . . myself.

  Naturally, I wondered who she was.

  There were more photos. I pulled them out and began flipping through them. Every single one of them was of the young couple. And I wondered why I should care.

  Then I got to the note.

  Alex,

  You know I’d do anything to protect you, right? I don’t show you these photos to hurt you. I show you them because you�
��re following in the footsteps of this young woman. She was a student of mine, and one of Nash’s interns. Sound familiar? She caught his eye and she fell for his charm. Could be your story, right? Except for one thing. She’s now gone. Disappeared. Left Hollywood without a trace. I tell you this not to spark fear inside you, but to warn you away from the dangers that surround you. Please, watch your back, and if you decide to leave Hollywood, don’t go without first saying goodbye.

  ~Professor Fields

  The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. My skin prickled as my body tremored through a cold shiver.

  There was more.

  Deep in the inside corner was a newspaper article, folded up. I tipped the envelope upside down and let the loose paper float to the floor.

  I crouched and picked it up.

  The date printed in the top corner let me know it was a recent publication.

  My eyes scanned over the title: Nash Brooks, an Abuser of Power?

  I inhaled a deep breath through my nose and wondered if I should continue reading. Nash had been accused and named many things over the years, and now knowing him the way I did, my mind could only guess as to what this article was actually about.

  I scanned over the first few sentences as I moved to the couch. I tucked my feet under my bottom, held the article, and couldn’t read any further.

  My eyes drifted across the skyline as I fought to understand the reason Professor Fields would send this all to me. Even if I decided to read it, could I consider it to be true? The tabloids were known to publish stories more far-fetched than this.

  And what did it matter, anyway? I was stuck. Sitting inside the apartment I lived in that was owned by the man I was being warned to stay away from. Working on the set he directed.

  I ran my fingers through my hair.

  This wasn’t the first warning I’d received about him and I debated who I should believe.

  Nash wasn’t any of these things they said he was. I’d been with him enough to know at least that much. I trusted him. And I didn’t need to know about his past girlfriends, nor did I want to. He never asked about my past and didn’t need to know my history either. Not now at least. The time would come if we ever got to that point in our relationship. The only thing that was of any concern was where we were now.

  Which got me thinking.

  My stomach tightened at the thought.

  I knew that it wouldn’t be fair to stay with Nash if I was given the chance to escort. I couldn’t do that to him. Even if he said otherwise. I made him promise to be exclusive to me, and now, here I was about to set myself up with other men.

  My heart beat for him.

  No one else.

  I dropped my head into my hands and wasn’t sure if I was going to scream, or cry.

  Talk about being pulled in opposite directions. To my right, I was free to roam. And to my left, I was with the man I was falling for—hard. The man I could actually see having a future with.

  My eyes shut and I screamed.

  There was a tug-of-war being fought between my head and my heart and it threatened to tear me in half.

  My phone rang.

  I startled at the sudden sound and I stared.

  It kept ringing.

  I jumped to my feet and padded my way to the kitchen where I dug my cell out of my bag. “Hello.”

  “I’ll give you a chance.” It was Madam’s voice.

  “Just like that? I thought you wanted to meet first?”

  “You checked out.”

  My shoulders slumped forward and I wiped the tears off my face.

  “Meet me at that little French bakery on Rodeo Drive at ten. You know the place?”

  I tipped my chin back and planted my hand on my hip. “I know it.”

  “Brilliant.”

  My mind scrambled for questions I knew I had but couldn’t think of. “Do I need to bring anything? Do I start tomorrow?”

  She laughed. “Don’t worry yourself to death, dear. I take care of all my girls.”

  My knees gave and I caught myself from falling, gripping the edge of the counter so tight my knuckles whitened.

  “Get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow.”

  “At ten.” My tongue wet my lips despite my mouth being parched.

  “Don’t be late.”

  My palms were clammy and I couldn’t find the words to say goodbye. I just dropped my phone and set it back on the countertop.

  I braced my other hand on the edge of the counter, bent forward, and started to hyperventilate.

  Now that it was actually happening, I wasn’t sure that I could go through with it. I didn’t want to escort. I wasn’t a prostitute. I was a filmmaker. I wanted to make a movie.

  And be with Nash.

  Spend time with Kendra, laugh about the silly men she took home. I wanted to act my age, do anything other than pimp myself out to strange men.

  I tucked my hair behind my ear and paced the apartment.

  Tomorrow was a big day.

  There was no going back after tomorrow.

  Everything would change.

  And it all started with letting Mr. Lopez know I’d have the money to him soon.

  BOOK 9

  On My Knees

  The Hollywood Nights Series Vol. 9

  CJ Thomas

  81

  Nash

  THE PEOPLE in charge were tense.

  The interns, quiet.

  And nothing was the same after Alex slapped Val.

  “All right, people. Get in position. We’re going live in ten,” I rooted my hands on my hips and announced over the set.

  Crew members scurried and zigzagged back and forth as they made last minute preparations to get everything in place before our final cut.

  Today was the scene that would get us to Mexico. Nothing could go wrong. Everything had to be perfect. If only things could go my way, then one of my life’s stresses would be eased.

  Wishful thinking, no doubt.

  Alex was still missing.

  And that was what kept my gut twisted and my heart racing. If she wasn’t here, close by my side, where was she?

  I shoved my hand through my hair and suppressed my fears from taking my mind hostage. I convinced myself that she was okay. But Ted’s connection with Blake Stone and his seemingly endless need to dig into mine and Alex’s relationship had me thinking that if she wasn’t with me, then there was a good chance she was with him.

  Ricky came onto set. I moved quickly to catch up with him. “Ricky, you all good?”

  “Like clockwork, Nash. I can’t wait to crush this scene today and get us south of the border.” He smiled and winked.

  “Good.” I slapped his back. “We’ll be under the desert sun before you know it.”

  “Aren’t we already?” He smirked and continued on his way, joining his colleagues to run lines.

  My head swiveled as I looked around. There was a buzz of general chaos that all directors loved. The kind of electricity that filled the air—nervous, pre-game jitters—just before we all put our game faces on and got to work.

  That was just about the only thing I had going for me right now. The only distraction from worrying whether or not Alex was okay.

  The film had to get done and I’d make sure it did, but at what cost?

  I moved across set and headed beneath the tent, catching sight of the director’s chair—my throne.

  I went for the script but stopped. My hand hovered over the thick stack of papers and I paused to give my mind just enough time to hesitate. I wanted to quickly go over it before cameras starting rolling, but because it sat on the assistant director’s chair, I couldn’t stop my mind from visiting Alex.

  My lips puckered with the sour taste of knowing she wasn’t here with me now. It was a sick feeling and something that I didn’t see coming—getting so close to her in such a short amount of time.

  And just to think that maybe Ted was involved in her kidnapping had me walking on shards of glass.<
br />
  Desperate men did desperate things when backed into a corner. With what Wes discovered about Ted, I couldn’t help but think that maybe he was the next ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

  Finally, I picked up the script and flipped to the next page.

  It was impossible for me to be in two places at once. But that was the kind of miracle I needed. I knew I couldn’t abandon my post here, but I also knew I needed to be with Alex.

  She needed me. And I needed her.

  More than ever.

  With the way she’d been talking, I could feel my days were numbered. No matter what I made her promise me, or what she said to try to convince me otherwise, her nerves were all over the place as she worked to settle the score with Mr. Lopez.

  My fist clenched and I turned my head to blow out a hot breath of air.

  “Looks like you could use a massage.”

  I caught her coming out of the corner of my eye.

  Her hand fell on my shoulder and drifted down my back as she stepped around and handed me a folder. “Mexico travel needs to be signed off.”

  We locked eyes and I wondered how she was doing.

  “Look, Nash.” She cast her gaze to the floor. “I’m sorry for everything that went down yesterday. It wasn’t professional and should have never happened.” She clasped her hands together and held them down at her waist.

  I opened the folder and quickly browsed the contracts.

  “And I don’t want to add fuel to the fire, but she’s the one who started it.”

  I glanced up from beneath my brow.

  “She’s not right in the head.” She cleared her throat and looked to the side. “Something’s up.” Her eyes widened when they found mine. “I don’t think that she’s a good person to keep around.”

  I dropped the paperwork to my side.

  “The other interns feel the same way.”

  “What are you getting at, Val?” I turned my attention to lighting. A member gave me a quick thumbs up. They were ready.

  “I’m saying it’s not safe when she’s around.” Her voice jumped up an octave. “You know, for us, for you, even for the actors or whoever else she’s working alongside.”

  I lifted the paperwork and held it in front of my face, continuing to read it over. “Well, lucky for you, Alex isn’t here.”