The size of the house made him go for the truck. His hands weren’t steady. He worried about being heard. Normally, he would be in and out. Slick. Silent. However, his head started to pound. He had been convinced the entire town could hear the thunder of his footsteps. He couldn’t risk being caught. So he skipped the house and put a remote-controlled detonator under the gas tank of the truck. As soon as the man and woman were inside, he would hit the switch.
Any halfway-decent investigator would determine it wasn’t an accident. But so what? No one would trace it back to him — or the Puppet Master.
The plan would have worked. Except he fell asleep. Something woke him. The sound of the front door closing? Whatever it was, James sat up with a start, panicked that his targets were getting away. Without thinking, he reached for the remote and set off the charge. For a second, he forgot his pounding head and the inch-thick coating of fuzz on his tongue. The night was ablaze. Fire. The surge of excitement was familiar — welcome. He let the feeling rush through him. Until he saw something moving on the porch. One body. No two.
Holy Fuck. They were alive.
James didn’t think twice. He started the car and drove. Three hours later, the panic hadn’t worn off. He kept running his mistakes over and over in his mind. One piled on top of the other. He was well and truly trapped beneath a shit-pile of his own making. His head was clear enough to realize there was no digging out. So he did the only thing he could. He kept driving. North. To Canada.
Luck wasn’t his friend. Not that it ever had been. The SUV ran him off the road and into a tree. The crap car was old. Too old for airbags. Goddamn it. His face was smashed up. He could taste the metallic bite of his own blood.
“I fucked up.”
“Yes. You did.”
Michael. From the liquor store. One bullet to the brain. James had one last thought before his life ended.
Fucking Montana.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
NATE WONDERED IF he was the only sensible person left in the world. Or maybe he was on caffeine overload. He was certain the words coming out of his mouth were intelligible. Logical. Yet instead of agreeing, Chuck, the cast, the crew, and even the horses, acted as though nothing had changed.
Lottie had driven Nate and Paige home. It was a bit of a detour on her way to work, but she said she felt better personally seeing that they were dropped off safe and sound.
The trip was uneventful — and silent. Paige wasn’t speaking to him. Lottie — in solidarity — for once kept her thoughts to herself. Nate hated the chill that had settled between him and Paige, but there was nothing to say. He was leaving. Not because he wanted to. It was for her safety. For the safety of her father and her friends.
As they approached the house, he was surprised to see so many vehicles in the driveway. Surely, Chuck had canceled today’s shoot. Word of the explosion would have reached everyone long before now. What reason could they have for being here?
“Looks like a party.” Lottie eased her car to a stop. “I’m sorry I have to miss it.”
“Thanks for the ride.” Paige gave her friend a hug. “Call me later. I could use a girl’s night out.”
“Really?” Lottie glanced at Nate. He shook his head before getting out of the backseat. “After everything? Let’s wait a few days. After…”
“He’s determined to leave, Lottie.” Paige sighed. Her eyes carried a resigned sadness. “I would rather go out with you than sit home and mope.”
“Drinks it is.”
Lottie hated to see her friend defeated. Paige was a fighter. But how did you fight for a man who wasn’t yours and now, never would be? It was her job as best friend to help ease the pain. Tequila shots, loud music on the jukebox, and a sympathetic ear. Lottie would be there to make sure Paige didn’t do anything stupid. Too much to drink? Yes. Rebound sex? Absolutely not.
“It looks like everyone is gathered in the barn.” Paige started to walk in that direction. When Nate didn’t join her, she turned. “Come on. You might as well get this over with. It will be easier to explain yourself to the group. It will save Dad having to do it.”
Nate couldn’t argue. Nor did he want to. He brought this mess with him. It was up to him to clean it up. That meant making those people who had put their trust in him understand that he wasn’t abandoning them. The movie would get made. However, someone else would be stepping in as director.
Nate decided what to say when his phone rang. Wyatt. He looked up to see Paige waiting for him.
“It’s my brother.”
Paige nodded. “I’ll let everyone know you’re coming.”
“What’s up, Wyatt?”
“You tell me.”
Nate could picture his oldest brother. It was after nine. That meant Wyatt was in full producer mode. Italian suit — tailored to perfection. Crisp white shirt. His tie would be straight as a pin. He looked like the perfect young executive. And in many ways, that’s what he was.
“You heard.” Shit. The first call Nate made after the police should have been to his parents. “I’ll call Mom and Dad right away.”
“That can wait a few more minutes. Chuck spoke with Dad a few hours ago. He assured him that you were fine. Mom tried calling, but she got your voicemail. You can imagine how that went over. If Dad hadn’t stopped her, she would be halfway to Montana by now.”
“I turned my phone off while we were giving our statements. I didn’t think to check my messages when I turned it on.”
“The we being you and Paige Chamberlin?”
“That’s right.”
There was a long pause. Nate knew this game. Wyatt was a master of it. He asked a question then waited until the other person spilled their guts. More than once, Nate had caved under the pressure of the excruciating silence.
Not this time. Paige was none of Wyatt’s business.
Nate wasn’t certain, but he thought he heard Wyatt chuckle. Before he could decide his brother dropped some news Nate could have done without.
“My assistant has been fielding questions from the press.”
“Well, shit.”
“I know you hate publicity, but—”
“Goddamn it, Wyatt.”
“Hear me out. Jesus.” Wyatt sighed. “I have three brothers, each more frustrating than the last. You, Nathaniel, have been generating a lot of interest. Over the past few months, you have slowly been losing anonymity.”
“Not by choice.” Nate ran a hand through his hair. He noticed Rollie, her head seeming to beckon him. He walked to the corral and scratched her nose. Silly, but he felt calmer with the horse rubbing her muzzle against his hand.
“I know.” Wyatt’s voice softened. “I wish I could tell you it will go away. You know it would be a lie. First, the accident on the set of your last film. By the way, the theory that it wasn’t an accident is gaining traction.”
“Is that good or bad?” Nate had the feeling he already knew the answer.
“The crazies are coming out of the woodwork. According to one person, what happened to you ties into the Kennedy assassination, Watergate, and Iran-Contra.”
“What time machine did that guy step out of? Hello. Restrict your conspiracy theories to events from the twenty-first century.”
“I had an intern set up a tip-line.”
“It’s gotten that bad?”
Nate exchanged looks with the horse. She seemed as annoyed as he was. It was nice to know she was on his side.
“Yes.” Wyatt didn’t like to mince words. “You are the current social media darling, Nate.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration.”
“Check out the numbers. You have almost one hundred thousand likes on Facebook alone.”
Groaning, Nate rested his forehead on Rollie’s neck. The horse nickered. Sympathy? Nate didn’t care. That was his interpretation.
“Now you understand why this morning’s news has caused such a stir. The Landis name plus everything else? You need to get ahead of this.”
/> “I should give an interview.”
“One,” Wyatt said before Nate could protest. “We pick the time, the place, and the person. You know how it works. Get the facts out there, diminish the interest.”
“The facts?”
“The ones you want to share. The rest you can gloss over. If you want, I can have a press release made up. All you will need to do is be charming and smile, and the world will be happy.”
“Nothing is released without my approval, Wyatt.”
“Jesus, Nate. Really? This is your brother. You think I’m going to screw you over?”
Shit. Nate felt Wyatt’s slap-down from here. He deserved it — and worse.
“I’m sorry. This has knocked me for a loop.”
“Almost getting blown up will do that.” There was an edge to Wyatt’s voice. “I don’t like the idea of losing my brother.”
“I’m with you,” Nate said. “I’m leaving as soon as I can. Set up the interview. I’ll be back in Los Angeles in a day or two. After I check in with the family, I’ll head out again.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know yet. Someplace where I don’t have to worry about anyone else getting hurt.”
“We’ll talk about that when you get here.”
“My mind is made up, Wyatt.”
“We’ll see.”
Nate wasn’t going to argue. He knew what Wyatt thought. The family would gang up on him and convince him not to leave. They could try, but there was no way he would put them in danger. He had almost cost Paige her life. He wasn’t taking any more chances with the people he loved.
Nate froze. People he loved? Paige? It was a slip. His brain was as tired as the rest of him. That was the only explanation.
Rollie gave him a knowing look.
“Keep your thoughts to yourself.”
“What?” Wyatt asked.
“Nothing.” Nate frowned at the horse before turning away. “I need to explain things to the movie crew, Wyatt. Tell Mom and Dad I will call them in a few hours.”
“Will do. And Nate?”
“Yes?”
“Watch your back.”
Nate put away his phone, thinking back to the day he arrived in Montana. Jack Winston had given him the same advice. At the time, it hadn’t occurred to him that someone would try anything this drastic. How did one prepare for this kind of attack? How could he protect himself, or anyone else, from a bomb?
There was only one answer. Get as far away from civilization as possible.
“Nate.” The sobbing call of his name greeted him the second he stepped into the barn.
“Oh, Nate.” A sobbing Jenna threw herself at Nate.
“Calm down.” Awkwardly, he patted the girl’s back. “I’m fine.”
As gently as possible, Nate peeled Jenna’s arms from around his waist and handed her over to her equally distraught friends.
“Cut the blubbering,” Homer said with disgust.
“Oh, shut up, Homer.” Jenna wiped at her eyes, careful not to mess up her mascara. “Go play with your camera.”
“Enough.” Chuck gave the youngsters a warning look. “Nate. Why don’t you take a seat? You look done in.”
“Thanks, Chuck, but I’m fine.”
Nate looked around the room. It appeared that almost everyone was here. Beauty scampered to a halt at his feet, her eyes filled with unconditional adoration. He picked her up, smoothing a hand over her head. Happy to be in her favorite place, with her favorite person, she relaxed with a huge puppy sigh.
“We know the shoot was canceled.” Edith Potter offered Nate a cup of coffee. There was a table filled with the usual assortment of pastries and beverages. When Nate shook his head, she smiled. “Coffeed out?”
Nate nodded. He searched for Paige, finding her in the back. A few of the women stood by her, but her eyes were on him. Nate held her gaze, trying to see past the exhaustion etched on her face. She looked like a warrior returned from battle. It was a fanciful thought, but somehow accurate. His heart twisted. He knew she was angry. And hurt. And he knew he was the reason. The knowledge killed him. The sooner he got away from her, the better.
“We wanted to see for ourselves that you and Paige were all right.”
“I appreciate it, Edith. I’m sure Paige feels the same.”
“Oh, Paige filled us in while you were on the phone. I can’t believe something like that happened here in Basic. Thank God you walked away unharmed.”
“I’m glad you’re all here.” Keeping his gaze off Paige, Nate took a deep breath. He hadn’t realized this would be so difficult. In a short time, he had grown fond of these people. No matter how good the reasons, he hated letting them down.
“I want you to know how much working with all of you has meant to me.”
“Why does it sound like there is a ‘but’ coming after that statement?”
Nate gave Edith a weary smile.
“Because there is. I’m heading back to Los Angeles first thing in the morning. I have a friend who has agreed to take over. He has a lot more experience so you don’t have to worry. The production will continue.”
Nate had expected a few protests. The eruption of angry voices had his eyes widening in surprise.
“We refuse to accept your resignation.”
“Edith—”
“I mean it, Nate. I think I speak for everyone when I say it won’t work with anyone else. You know us. You understand what Erin wanted.” Edith looked around the barn, her eyes coming to rest on Chuck. “Ask him.”
“Chuck. Do you want to risk these people?” Nate shook his head. “Paige could have died today.”
“This isn’t about me, Nate. Not anymore.” As Edith did, he looked around the room. “I’ll admit, when I first started, I wasn’t thinking past my wants. My needs. It was selfish and I’m sorry, Paige.”
“Oh, Dad.” Paige crossed the barn, her arms slipping around her father’s waist. “You weren’t selfish.”
Chuck snorted, making Paige laugh.
“Maybe a little selfish. Why is that a bad thing?” She met his gaze. Brown eyes, so alike, the emotions mirrored. “Mom would love this. Somewhere I believe she is cheering you on.”
“Cheering us on.” Chuck kissed Paige on the forehead. “You see, Nate. You have too many people who want you to stay. Including Erin.”
Nate wondered if the combination of too much coffee and too little sleep was making him a little crazy. His argument was sound. Sensible. Hell, every person here should be pushing him out the door as quickly as possible.
Instead, they used every trick in the book to make him stay. Guilt and sentiment topping the list.
The problem was Nate didn’t want to leave. To his ever-growing surprise, he was having a blast directing the movie. It didn’t signal a new calling for him. However, it was interesting to see things from the other side of the camera. He was getting a little insight into Garrett’s professional life. And maybe, just maybe, he would be more sympathetic the next time a director drove him crazy with unreasonable demands.
And then there was Paige. She was his biggest reason to leave. Her safety. His heart. Shit. There it was again. If he left, his heart would be safe. That made him a selfish bastard — and a coward.
If he stayed, he risked everything. The lives of people he had come to care for. And falling hard for Paige. Correction. Falling harder for Paige. He was on the precipice. Nate watched as she gave her father another hug. The ground beneath his feet was crumbling — inch by inch. The smart thing would be to jump back before he tumbled all the way. When Paige smiled, her eyes meeting his, Nate gave a mental sigh.
Stupid or not, it looked like he had made his decision.
“If I do this—”
Homer let out a whoop of excitement.
Nate pinned him with his best steely gaze. Homer sat down, chastised but still grinning.
“I have to insist on a few things.”
“Name it.”
For the first ti
me in hours, Nate felt like laughing. Homer was all in, the look on his face a lot like the one Beauty had given him. Puppy love. Hero worship. Who knew they were so similar?
“Number one. And this is non-negotiable. Everyone under the age of eighteen? I’m sorry, but the movie set is off limits.”
“But Nate!”
“I’m not trying to punish you and your friends, Jenna. Your safety is my priority.”
“Because you care about me?” Jenna’s friend Wynona jabbed her in the ribs. “I meant us.” Jenna shot her friend a warning look before turning back to Nate. “You care about us?”
“Of course I do.” Nate held his arms open. Five girls rushed in for a group hug. “When this is over and the bastar—” Nate cleared his throat. “I mean the jerk responsible is behind bars, you can come back.” Nate stepped back. “In the meantime, what if I get Colt to send you some autographed swag?”
They squealed, leaving the way they always traveled — bunched together.
“Homer. Will you give the young ladies a ride home?”
“But—”
“We pick up the day after tomorrow. Bright and early.”
“Fine.” With a sigh, Homer waved a hand toward the barn door. “Come on.”
“Poor Homer.” Chuck smiled at the retreating teens.
“Poor me. One mention of my brother and my adoring fan club jumps off my bandwagon.” Nate meant it jokingly. However, he had enough of an ego to feel a bit of a twinge.
“Don’t be so sure.” Edith gathered her purse and jacket. She gave Beauty a pat on the head, sending the puppy’s tail wagging. “They adore you. Trust me; they won’t desert you that easily.”
After that, the barn cleared out quickly. Nate waved as the last car drove away. Then in the distance, a black SUV appeared. Chuck and Paige stood on either side of him as the vehicle came to a stop.
“Mr. Landis?” A man with a military haircut and arms the size of tree stumps stepped out. Tattoos covered every inch of exposed skin. He was tall. Almost matching Nate.
“Yes.”
“Travis Marshall.” He smiled, softening his chiseled features. “Jack Winston sent me.”
Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open (Hollywood Legends #2) Page 22
