He planted his lips on mine and it wasn’t long before I thought that maybe I was an ice cream flavor the way he was kissing me.
“Mmm.” He broke off the kiss. “My favorite. Chloe?”
“Yes?” I was a bit giddy and it took me a moment to focus on him properly.
“Don’t you ever give up on me.” His face turned serious. “I may not be the smartest guy, or the guy that everyone notices when we walk into a room, but I’m your guy. You got that?”
I blinked away the sting of tears. “My guy?”
“Your guy,” he said firmly. “And I’ll do whatever it takes for us to be together. If that means hiring a Viktor or two, I’ll do it. Just don’t give up on me, OK?”
“OK.”
“Good.” He kissed me again, guiding me to the bedroom.
Chapter 34
“Thanks for coming,” I said.
It was the following afternoon and we were gathered in Gabe’s downstairs studio area. ‘We’ were all the members of Gypsy Hour, my brother, and Marc. Viktor stood against the far wall.
While I was at Gabe’s the night before, I’d had the chance to think further about my predicament. OK, so not while we were in the bedroom, but after that. It was what Gabe had said about not giving up that had given me the idea. So this morning I’d spoken to Marc again and agreed for him to come and meet with the members of Gypsy Hour.
“What’s with Mr. Law & Order?” Johnnie said in a low voice.
Gabe shot him an unimpressed look and I hid a grin. It was obvious Gabe still hadn’t forgiven Johnnie and I hadn’t either, but the lead singer had a point. Even dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, Marc Romero commanded respect.
I cast a glance over at Damon. He was sitting beside Emilio staring hard at his feet. Damon wasn’t here because I had asked him. Emilio had brought him along at Gabe’s request. When Damon had seen me he’d scowled and refused to talk to me.
“We have reason to believe there’s a need to increase your security,” Marc announced. “Gabe’s agreed to an on-site presence here at his home as well as hiring a bodyguard. I suggest you all do the same.”
In the beat of silence that followed, Gabe’s fellow band members shot him questioning glances.
“Whoa. Back up,” said Levi, his usual easygoing manner ruffled. He turned to Gabe. “What’s going on, man?”
Gabe straightened in his seat beside me. “Someone’s been watching Chloe and me.”
Johnnie grunted. “Yeah, like half of America. You’ve been all over the papers since Chloe stuck her tongue down your throat at The Sayers. What’s new?”
“What’s new is Chloe has been sent pictures of us together.”
Johnnie shrugged. “Hardcore paparazzi. You’re just not used to it. I am.”
Marc strolled over to stand in front of Johnnie. “You had a stalker before?”
Johnnie regarded Marc with amusement. “All the time. See my bodyguard waiting in the car outside when you came in? Girls can’t keep their hands off me.” He smirked. “Except for Chloe here.”
I glanced nervously at Gabe and saw him clench his hands into fists.
Marc didn’t share in Johnnie’s amusement. “We don’t believe this is paparazzi. We’re running on the theory that it’s an individual who has strong feelings for one of them.”
Johnnie scoffed. “Like I said, story of my life, man.”
“Dammit, Johnnie!” Gabe stood up and I tugged him back down.
“Johnnie,” I said sweetly. “Can you please shut the fuck up and let Marc speak?”
Johnnie’s mouth dropped open and Levi snickered. I think I even saw Damon’s mouth quirk.
“As I was saying,” Marc said. “This individual has followed Chloe and Gabe places the media normally wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, know about. The latest image shows this person is now following other band members, too.”
That wiped the smirk off Johnnie’s face.
“You mean like one of us?” Levi asked.
“That’s right,” Marc said. “Due to the nature of the image, it’s being used as a ransom of sorts. The sender wants Gabe and Chloe to break up or they’ll release the image to the media.”
Stunned silence settled on the group.
Eventually Emilio spoke. “If it’s another sex tape of Johnnie, then I don’t think he’ll mind if it gets released.”
We all laughed, but it felt forced.
“So which one of us is it?” Levi asked.
Gabe and Marc shared a look and Marc nodded.
Gabe stood up and walked over to Emilio. He handed him my phone with the image open on it.
Emilio’s mouth set itself in a long, thin line. Apparently this was Emilio pissed and his band members knew it, because Johnnie and Levi both jumped up.
“What is it?” Johnnie said, striding over to him.
Gabe held up a hand and stepped in front of him. “Give him some space.”
Johnnie looked prepared to fight him on it, but Levi put a hand on Johnnie’s shoulder.
While they were distracted, I saw Emilio angle the phone in Damon’s direction and Damon paled. Emilio switched the phone off and stood up.
“You don’t need to see the image,” he said, “but the PR department won’t be happy if it gets out.”
Johnnie swore. “Dude, seriously? You’ve always been careful.”
“Unlike you,” Gabe muttered.
Johnnie ignored Gabe. “I personally don’t have a problem if it gets out. You know I’m cool with who you are.”
“I know. Thanks, bro.”
Johnnie flashed Emilio a grin. “It just means more ladies for Levi and me.”
Emilio managed a half-smile. “Yeah, I’m over pretending to be someone I’m not, but for the sake of the other person in the image, it would be better if it doesn’t get out.”
Johnnie’s eyebrows shot up. “Damn.”
Emilio nodded. “Damn.”
I sneaked a look at Damon again. His face was so white his all black outfit made him look like a ghost. I wanted to get up and go over to him, but I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. Emilio was protecting him and I would, too.
Marc cleared his throat. “I know the band is going on tour shortly, so I’d urge you to pay attention to your surroundings. You notice anything unusual, let Gabe know and he’ll get in touch with me. And I don’t need to tell you not to do anything that could be used against you.”
Levi nudged Johnnie. “You need to remind him.”
“Hey, that’s not fair,” Johnnie protested. “I can’t help it if I attract headlines.”
Emilio remained focused on Marc. “So what about the ransom?”
I stood up and everyone except Damon looked at me. “We’ve come up with an idea.”
“Uh oh,” said Johnnie. “If it involves me and you in a bedroom together again, sweetheart, I don’t think your boyfriend here is going to be happy about it.”
“Shut up, Johnnie,” Gabe said, sounding tired. “Whoever this is clearly doesn’t like the idea of Chloe and me together. So prior to the tour we’re going to make headlines with our breakup.”
“You’re breaking up?” Levi asked.
I shook my head. “No, but that’s what we want everyone to think. I’m a good actress, so I can be seen around town looking miserable while I go shopping, and then I’ll disappear to shoot the rest of the film in France. Meanwhile, Gabe’s going to be with someone else.”
That was going to be the hardest part of the plan as far as I was concerned. The idea of anyone with Gabe, even if it was pretend, made me feel sick to my stomach. But then, I’d come up with it. Gabe had liked my idea even less, but when I’d talked it through with Marc, he could see the benefits. There was a slim chance that the stalker may not release the image if he genuinely believed Gabe and I had broken up.
It was a chance I was willing to take for Damon’s sake.
The other benefit was that if Gabe and I ‘broke up’, the stalker would reveal more about
his or herself in what they chose to do next. If they stopped harassing me altogether—the preferable option—it would indicate they were focused on me. Or if it was a female intent on Gabe and he was with a new woman, the threats could be redirected to that new love interest.
“Um, I hate to be a killjoy, but isn’t that a bit cruel?” Johnnie asked. “Some girl is going to think she’s going out with Gabe, but it’s really all just an act?”
“I didn’t think you had a problem tricking girls into your bed, Johnnie,” Gabe said dryly. “Don’t worry, the girl will know about it and she’s cool.”
“What sort of girl is cool with that?” Levi said.
“She’s not a girl,” I said. “It’s Faith Martin.”
Emilio blinked in surprise and Levi appeared equally shocked. Johnnie frowned fiercely.
“Hang on a sec,” Johnnie said. “Faith Martin? Isn’t this getting a bit, you know, incestuous?”
“You mean because you’ve already slept with her?” Gabe said.
Johnnie rubbed a hand along his tattooed arm. “You’re not going to sleep with her, are you?”
“Jesus, Johnnie,” Gabe said. “I’m not even going to answer that. Unlike you, I have some self-control and Chloe’s my girlfriend. It will also make seeing Chloe easier while we’re on tour.”
“What do you mean?” asked Levi.
“Turns out our Paris dates line up with when Chloe and Faith are filming there. It won’t look suspicious if I go see Chloe when Faith is staying at the same hotel.”
Johnnie titled his head thoughtfully. “Or you could try a threesome. They can be fun.”
Levi smacked Johnnie’s arm with the back of his hand. “Shut up, you idiot. Chloe’s a nice girl. You been out with any of them?”
Johnnie gave us a goofy grin while Emilio walked over to Gabe.
“Hey, man. You sure about this?” Emilio asked Gabe quietly.
“Yeah. This is what Chloe wants.”
“She wants you to break up with her and go out with her best friend?” Johnnie interrupted.
I ignored Johnnie and stepped in between him and Emilio. “It’s to protect all of us.”
Emilio met my eyes. His dark gaze was tormented but I also glimpsed respect. He knew as well as I did I was trying to protect my little brother.
“Well, I appreciate it.” Meaning he and Damon did.
“I know.” I glanced past his shoulder. Damon was still sitting on the edge of the sofa like a statue. “I hope . . . ” I let my words trail off. I couldn’t speak freely here.
Emilio put a hand on my shoulder. “I know. It will be all good, I promise.”
For everyone’s sake, I had to believe it was true.
Chapter 35
I’d been dreading this moment.
My hands gripped the edge of the leather seat as Viktor drove up the long driveway to Mama’s house. It felt strange thinking about it in those terms, but it wasn’t my home any longer, that was for sure.
With some distance, I saw the estate with fresh eyes. Gosh, I’d become blinded to the grandeur of it over the years, mainly because I’d never known any different. In comparison to Faith’s place, which was still very luxurious, Mama’s house was like something out of a movie. In typical April Allen style, she’d gone for ostentatious above all else. The commanding two-level house looked as if it had been plucked out of the Deep South. Massive pillars wrapped around the entire home, creating generous balconies, and several gable windows sat atop the roof. I recalled, years ago, Mama making a big fuss about wanting a man-made pond complete with alligators, but Viktor had quickly put a stop to that idea.
“Do you think it affected me growing up here?” I asked Viktor.
His eyes met mine in the rear-view mirror. “In what way, Tinker?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. This is hardly the real world, is it?”
“It’s your mother’s world,” he corrected. “Not yours.”
“Perhaps not anymore, but this is all I knew.”
“You knew a lot more than here. All those characters you’ve played, all those places you’ve filmed. You’re more worldly than you give yourself credit for.”
“Then how come Mama doesn’t seem so worldly?” I asked aloud.
Viktor’s eyes hardened and returned to the driveway. “She’s worldly, don’t you worry. So worldly she plays at being the exact opposite to get what she wants. Don’t let her try to convince you otherwise inside, alright?”
“I won’t. I’m definitely moving out, don’t worry.”
Viktor nodded and slowed the car in front of the grand entrance to the house. “You head straight upstairs and get your things packed. I’ll give you half an hour at the most.”
I hopped out of the car, feeling sad. While I was glad Viktor was with me, it didn’t seem right that he didn’t work for Mama anymore. I slipped through the front door, making the least possible noise, glad I’d deliberately worn my Nikes again.
Upstairs, I debated knocking on Damon’s door. It was closed, but that didn’t mean anything. It was always shut, however this time I took that as a direct message to keep out.
With a sigh, I went into my room instead. The sadness intensified. As nice as Faith’s house was, I missed my room. I’d redecorated the space a year ago so it was more modern with gray walls and dusky pink curtains. It was feminine but sophisticated.
I’d have another chance when I got my own place, I reminded myself. I forced myself to walk past my king bed instead of sprawling on it like I usually did after a long day, and entered my dressing area.
For the next fifteen minutes I packed two suitcases with everything I could think of that I might want while I was in Europe. I also added a few things I couldn’t bear to leave behind that I would keep at Faith’s until I found my own place.
“I wish you’d told me you were coming.” Mama’s voice was soft.
I hadn’t heard her come in. Usually April Allen made an entrance, and her restraint was enough of a shock to make me turn.
She was immaculate as usual, wearing perfectly tailored turquoise trousers and a cream top, but I thought I detected dark circles beneath her heavy make-up.
I turned back to my suitcase and hoped she didn’t notice the tremor in my hands as I kept packing. “I won’t be here for long. I just need to pack a few things before I leave for Europe tomorrow.”
“So you’re not moving out then?” Her voice held such hope that I looked up again.
The hope was reflected in her eyes and I felt a sharp pain in my chest and concentrated on my clothes again.
“Yes. When I get back from filming.”
“Is that really necessary, darling? You know I don’t like being all alone in this house.”
Here came the dramatics, the guilt. “You have Damon,” I reminded her.
I heard her sniff. “It’s not the same.”
“Perhaps you should have thought about that before you tried to pimp your daughter to the media.” I hadn’t wanted to talk about it, but the words came out in a rush.
Mama swept over to me. “Sweetheart, you know that’s not how it was! I was only ever thinking of you.”
I inhaled a deep breath. “It’s probably better we don’t talk about it.”
“Of course! Let’s just forget it ever happened, shall we? It was so silly of me to get carried away like that, but I guess I got caught up in the excitement of your birthday party.”
My determination not to discuss it evaporated. “That’s your excuse?”
Mama put a hand to her chest. “There’s absolutely no excuse, I know that. I got everything wrong. I see that now. I thought Johnnie was the one you liked, not Gabe.”
“It still doesn’t change the fact you asked him to have sex with me!” The humiliation reared its head again and my cheeks felt hot, or perhaps that was because of the rage I was doing my best to swallow down.
“Sweetheart, I may have implied it, but only because I thought it would be wonderful if your first
time was with someone you adored so much.”
“My sex life is none of your business, you got that?”
Mama pressed her lips together and, for once, didn’t say anything.
“And it still doesn’t change the fact you wanted it to happen because of the publicity. You make me sick.”
Mama swallowed and her eyes pooled with tears. I was too angry to feel sorry for her and slammed the suitcase nearest to me shut.
“I know. I think I have a problem,” she said quietly.
“You’re only just realizing it now?” I slammed the other suitcase closed.
Mama sniffed. “Can you ever forgive me?”
I didn’t reply and shoved a scarf into the front pocket of the suitcase.
“Chloe?”
I put my hands on my hips and stared at the ceiling, because that was easier than meeting Mama’s eyes. This was her skill. Her ability to be nice to get what she wanted. Johnnie might be an idiot, but Mama had probably charmed him senseless.
With a sense of dread, I realized that’s where I’d most likely learned my sweetness. I just hoped mine was more genuine than hers. All I knew was I was going to choose to live my life truthfully.
“Honestly?” I told her. “I don’t know right now. I need some time.”
She rested a hand on my arm. “Of course, darling, of course. Take all the time you need. Your room is here waiting for you when you’re ready. I won’t change a thing.”
I sighed and stepped out of her reach, then looked at the contents of my suitcase. I had enough to keep me going. All of the important things, anyway. I closed the bag and zipped it up.
I set it on the ground at my feet and met her eyes. “That’s the thing, Mama, sometime things need to change. You can do whatever you like with my room, because I won’t be coming back.”
“REMIND ME WHY I WANTED to be an actress again?” I asked Faith several days later.
“Fucked if I know,” Faith retorted, as miserable as I was.
I would have smiled if I weren’t frozen. Wasn’t Paris supposed to be romantic? Not when you were filming action scenes in a movie.
Faith and I had just spent the last couple of hours diving into a Peugeot again and again. It was part of a scene we were shooting where we had to make a dramatic escape from our pursuers, but apparently Faith and I weren’t diving exactly the right way.
Heartbeat (Hollywood Hearts, #3) Page 20
