Heartbreaker (Hollywood Hearts Book 2)

by Belinda Williams

  We all laughed and Ben’s light blue eyes danced.

  “No, I won’t miss that, but I will miss you guys. It’s been a blast.”

  “Aw, don’t be sad!” Chloe reached over and brushed his arm reassuringly. “You’ll get to work with us again someday.”

  Ben sat next to me and draped an arm across the back of the sofa behind me. Our platonic relationship had continued to grow and I hoped to work with him again, too.

  “Absolutely,” I agreed. “This was your first big production and you’ve blown us all away. It won’t be long until you’re the star.”

  Ben flushed slightly. “Stop it, you two, or I’ll get a big head.”

  “You deserve it,” Chloe told him. “Doesn’t he, Lena?”

  Chloe had revealed to me earlier in the week she’d been impressed with Ben’s acting abilities as well.

  “He does. And it’s not quite over yet. We’ve still got the party tomorrow night. You’ll be joining us, won’t you?” I asked him.

  “Definitely. I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Are you bringing your new gal?” asked Chloe.

  Ben flushed again and Chloe and I shared an ‘isn’t he so gorgeous?’ look. He was seeing a girl about his age who he’d met at the agency he was signed to. He’d been spotted a few times with her at various bars and restaurants around LA, but was trying to keep it low-key.

  “I wasn’t sure,” he replied softly.

  “What? Why not?” Chloe demanded. “Partners are welcome. Lena will be bringing hers. And the media won’t be there.”

  Ben raised his head and gave me a curious look. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone?”

  Chloe waved a hand and shot me a look. “It’s just Nathan,” she said smoothly. “They’re back together.”

  Damn. Marc would be coming and I hadn’t thought about how I’d introduce him. It seemed wrong to keep up the lie of him being Nathan, especially now the media were suspicious of his real identity.

  “Oh, right. I didn’t know. Good for you,” said Ben. To my relief, he didn’t show any indication he was aware of the latest celebrity news, nor did the mention of Nathan seem out of the ordinary to him.

  One of the make-up artists rushed over and played with Chloe’s hair. Chloe groaned theatrically and I knew immediately she was trying to change the subject. “Having curly hair is such a pain.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Ben teased, and we all laughed. His short hair had only the slightest wave.

  Manning called for our attention, and after that the rest of the day passed quickly.

  *

  When I reached my trailer at the end of the day, I saw Marc waiting for me. Dressed in black jeans and a white T-shirt, he was a welcome sight.

  I threw myself into his arms. He caught me effortlessly and swung me around. “Hey, Princess. Everything alright?”

  I waited until he set me down and pressed my lips to his. “It’s even more perfect now.”

  “Perfect? Not just fine?”

  “Yes,” I replied, ignoring his wry grin. “We’re all done and tomorrow night is party night. And I get to spend more time with you for a few days.”

  Marc had taken some time off work so he could be with me before I started my next production.

  “That’s the plan. Ready to go?”

  “Sure. Just let me get changed and grab a few things.” My real personal assistant would take care of the rest now that filming was over. At the thought of my personal assistant and my earlier conversation with Chloe, I gave Marc a sly grin. “You didn’t happen to see the latest celebrity news, did you?”

  His response was to raise an eyebrow. “Don’t even go there.”

  “Oh, but there’s a long list of things I need help with, Nathan.”

  “Like I said, nice try.”

  My smile faded. “Seriously, though. You’re not upset?”

  He shook his head. “No. The only way they’ll know who I really am is when I want them to.”

  I turned to enter my trailer, then paused, my hand resting on the door as what he had just said sunk in. “Does that mean . . .?”

  “I knew they were snooping? Yep. They’re reporters, of course they were snooping. So I gave them something to distract them.”

  I stared at him. “You mean you planted the idea you were my personal assistant?” The man never ceased to amaze me.

  “It seemed better than being your make-up artist.” His face remained completely serious.

  I bit down on a grin and walked back over to him, planting a kiss on his cheek. “I’ll make it worth your while, I promise.”

  His dark eyes smouldered. “I’ve already told you, I like it when you’re in control.”

  At my sharp intake of breath, he tapped me on the butt and directed me back toward the trailer. Inside, I quickly stripped off my outfit. Marc remained outside, which was just as well because I knew we’d be tempted. When I remembered where I was, my smile faded. I’d almost forgotten about what had occurred here.

  It all seemed so long ago, but that didn’t change the sour feeling in my mouth at the thought of my stalker.

  It was all in the past, though. Martin Campbell was no longer a danger to me and I was moving on with my life. And wasn’t that the truth? A fantastic man, a new home, and more exciting productions to come. All I needed to do was look forward.

  Dressed in jeans and a warm jumper—it was cool now it was November—I did one final check of my trailer and frowned. What was that?

  I walked over to the small table, the same table Marc had commandeered as his own personal headquarters a few months ago.

  A white envelope was the only thing sitting on it. I hesitated before I went over and picked it up. I was being silly. It was only a letter, for goodness’ sake. How bad could it be? It was probably just a message from the production company.

  I ran my finger over my handwritten name and something in my memory flashed, like a candle being lit.

  “What?” I whispered. It couldn’t be . . .

  I ripped it open and unfolded the letter, my hands shaking.

  Lena.

  You probably hate me right now and for what it’s worth I hate myself, too. But I had to do what I did. I’m not sure you’ll ever agree with me about that, but I needed the money. I’m dying. Liver disease. My own damn fault and I guess I deserve it, but I had to find some way to pay the hospital bills. I didn’t set out to do it this way. I got talking to a guy in my local bar and it turned out he was a reporter, and before I knew it I’d agreed to the interviews. I know it was a mistake, but now I can afford the palliative care I need until things are over. I’m sorry I had to pull you into this. It was probably the last thing you needed after your relationship with that Duncan fellow ended. I can’t say I’m surprised. He was too old for you and you could do so much better. I hope having a poor example of a father like me hasn’t made things harder for you. Anyway, I don’t expect you to forgive me, I just wanted you to know. I wanted to write that I’m proud of you, but I don’t think it will mean much to you. So I’ll say this instead: your mother would be so proud. The only thing that gets me through is knowing I’ll see her again soon. Please forget about me if you can. There’s no need to see me like this. I’m sorry. For everything.

  Dad.

  Chapter 34

  Marc found me perched on the edge of the table in my trailer, still clinging to the letter.

  He took one look and strode toward me. Ignoring the letter in my hands, he held both of my arms. “Princess. Talk to me.”

  No ‘shh’ or ‘it will be alright’, just a man who wanted me to tell it to him straight so we could deal with whatever it was.

  How ironic. On the same day I discovered I would lose the man who should have been there for me but never had been, I realized there was another man who would be if I let him.

  There was still so much I didn’t know about Marc, but I already knew the most important thing of all—Always faithful.

  The realization was
almost enough to make me weep. I forced myself to inhale a deep breath and instead found a sense of calm.

  Ever since my mother had died, it was like a part of me had been kept dormant. I had so much love to give but I’d been too scared to, in case I got hurt again. Duncan had been an easy choice. All part of the Hollywood act. There’d been no danger to my heart because our marriage had been superficial. I hadn’t known it at the time, of course, but standing here with Marc looking at me like he’d fight demons for me, I suddenly knew what had been missing.

  The right man to give my heart to.

  This man, this beautiful, honorable man standing in front of me was so worthy of love it hurt. And as scary as the prospect of getting hurt was with a man like this, I was starting to see the risk might just be worth taking.

  “Lena. What was in the letter?”

  I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter.” And it didn’t. Not now I had Marc.

  Frustration flared in his eyes. “Yes. It does. Don’t give me any of that ‘I’m fine’ bullshit. Talk to me.”

  I glanced down at the envelope. “My father is dying. He says that’s why he did those interviews. So he can pay for the medical bills.”

  Marc swore and dropped my arms. He moved to start pacing the trailer but when he realized there was no room, he turned back to me. “So he used you?”

  “Yes, I suppose he did,” I replied calmly.

  “Aren’t you angry?” The way his jaw was twitching told me that was exactly how he felt.

  “I’m sad. So sad. I don’t think I’ve got any anger left because it’s all just so tragic.”

  “Fuck, Lena. I’m sorry. You deserve better than this, you—”

  “I think I might go see him.”

  “What?” He stared at me, and it was probably the first time I’d witnessed Marc Romero truly shocked.

  I shrugged. “For my mother. I know she would have wanted me to.”

  “But what about you? I thought you never wanted to see him again?”

  I looked at the letter in my hand. “It doesn’t matter about me. He’s got nobody. Besides, I’d be no better than him if I didn’t go. That’s what he did. He wasn’t there. I was with Mom when she died, did you know that?”

  Marc’s scowl softened. “I figured as much.”

  I was able to manage a small smile. “I think he might be happy soon. He’ll be free of this horrible disease. And I think I’ve spent too many years being angry at him. I need to let it go. It’s not like it will bring my mother back.”

  My words shook me to my core. Was that what I’d been trying to do all these years? Bring my mother back? While my father had drowned his sorrows in alcohol I’d pretended my pain hadn’t existed at all. I’d poured all my emotion into my movie roles, which had left nothing for my real life. Well, it was time that changed and the man standing in front of me proved it.

  Marc let out a deep sigh. “Is there anything I can do?”

  I walked back over to him and put my hand on his cheek. “You’re already doing it.”

  “I am?”

  “Yes. You are.” I love you, I wanted to say, but didn’t. There’d be time for that later and now wasn’t the right moment. “Thank you.”

  “I don’t know what for.”

  I resisted the urge to smooth the two lines between his eyebrows with my finger. “There’s too many reasons to count, but you can start by finding out where my father is. Where he’s living or what hospital he’s at. I don’t know how much time he has left, but it’s probably better I do it sooner rather than later.”

  Marc nodded and I thought I glimpsed relief at being given a practical way he could help. “I’m on it.”

  I kissed him softly on the lips. “Tomorrow will be fine. Now take me home.”

  “Sure thing, Princess. Jay’s waiting in the car. Let’s go.”

  *

  “Oh my gosh, this is amazing!” Chloe clapped her hands together and did an excited twirl to take everything in.

  I laughed, and was secretly pleased by her reaction. I may have gone a little overboard with the set-up for the party. Colorful lanterns had been hung around the pool area of my new home and fake lotus leaves floated in the water. I’d hired a retro freestanding cocktail bar, which we’d positioned beside the pool. Jay stood behind it in his tailored black suit and the sight made me want to laugh harder. There would be no drunken or disorderly behavior on his watch.

  The Beatles played in the background and the waitstaff I’d hired for the night were dressed to the nines. The female staff were receiving a lot of second looks for their cute, cheeky miniskirts.

  Chloe, too. She wore a hot pink mini, knee high boots and a gorgeous white turtleneck.

  “Did Ally organize your outfit?” said Chloe.

  I glanced down at my racy bright red, baby doll dress. “Yes, would you believe she made it in one night?”

  “I would. Is she coming tonight?”

  “Later on, with Jake. I can’t wait to see what they wear.”

  Chloe clapped her hands together again and grinned. “This is so much fun! You think I’d be sick of dressing up for work, but this is way better.” Her grin turned to awe. “Oh my God, is that Ma—Nathan?”

  I followed her gaze and suddenly found it hard to breathe.

  “He dressed up!” Chloe whispered in my ear.

  “Yes, he did.”

  Well, well. Marc Romero was full of surprises. I hadn’t expected him to dress up. I’d been too scared to ask, truth be told.

  He wore a fitted dusky blue suit with a white shirt and maroon tie. He strolled over to us like something out of a 1960s Bond movie.

  “Oh wow, check out the mustache!” cried Chloe.

  My stomach fluttered as my eyes were drawn to his face. He’d shaved his cheeks so they were smooth and the mustache Chloe referred to was so nefarious my toes curled.

  “You’re so lucky,” Chloe said. “Hi, Nathan!” She waved frantically at him even though he was already walking in our direction.

  “Ladies,” Marc said when he arrived at my side. “Chloe, you look gorgeous.”

  “Thanks.” She blushed a little at the compliment. “Anyway, I’m off to get a drink. See you in a bit.”

  “And you,” he said, lowering his voice, “do indecent things to a man.”

  “What?” I said, giving him a coy look. “I’m not showing any cleavage.”

  His eyes wandered to my long legs and hovered on the very high hem of my skirt. “You don’t need to, Princess.”

  “What about you? Bond, I presume?”

  “James to you,” he said, making me laugh.

  I finished with a contented sigh. “This is exactly what I needed. Thank Kaden again for managing the security tonight, won’t you?”

  “You can thank him yourself later. He’s out the front personally greeting the guests.” Marc grinned, making the mustache appear even more wicked. “Relax. He won’t scare them away.”

  “I hope not. Oh look, there’s Manning.” I held up a hand and the director walked over to us.

  He nodded at Marc. “Good to see you again . . . ”

  “Nathan,” Marc finished for him smoothly. “No need to confuse things.”

  “I agree.” Manning’s astute blue eyes looked between us. “I hope there’s nothing new I’m not aware of?”

  “No, Lena’s safe.”

  “Then . . . ?”

  “I invited him as a guest tonight,” I said. “As my plus one.”

  Manning nodded slowly. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”

  “Why?” Marc’s question was a little sharp.

  “You’re the only man I’ve seen Lena unable to keep her cool around.”

  I looked down at my feet and felt Marc’s arm rest on my waist.

  “It was those shorts,” said Marc.

  I nudged him and looked at Manning in horror, but he smiled. “It’s good to see you happy, Lena. And safe. Enjoy yourself tonight. I’m going to talk to some of the cre
w if you’ll excuse me. I’ll catch you later on.”

  When he’d wandered off, I turned to face Marc. “Nice.”

  “What? I can’t let the movie star get a big head.”

  “What would I do without you, I wonder?”

  “You’d survive,” he said it lightly, but the offhand remark made me frown and grab his arm. He looked down at my bright red nails digging into his suit. “Lena?”

  I released my grip. “Yes, I’d survive, but I kind of like having you around.”

  His eyes met mine. “I like being around.”

  Oh God. Was now the time to tell him how much I liked having him around? But what if he didn’t feel the same way?

  “Lena,” he said again. “What is it?”

  I shook my head as if to clear my thoughts. It was party time, not confession time. Professing my love for Marc Romero in front of all these people, when he wasn’t even supposed to be Marc Romero, was not a good idea.

  “Sorry. I guess I’m just a bit scattered tonight with all the preparation. All I was trying to say is that I’m glad you’re here with me tonight.”

  “Likewise.”

  “Anyway, I better play the role of host. Care to join me?”

  “In a while. I might just check in with Kaden and see how everything’s going.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “I thought I wasn’t your client anymore?”

  “Think of me as your overprotective boyfriend then.”

  My heart raced a little at his words. “Are you?”

  “Am I what?”

  “My boyfriend?”

  “I don’t see anyone else sleeping in your bed, do you?” The outdoor area was dimly lit but I didn’t miss the heat in his dark eyes.

  “No. Although that James Bond character is looking rather suave tonight, I must say.”

  He reached up and smoothed his mustache. “Be careful he doesn’t seduce you.”

  “Maybe I’d prefer to seduce him.”

  I saw Marc swallow. “Go play the proper host,” he said, his voice gruff. “You can work on that later.”

  I threw him one of my most brilliant movie-star smiles and saw his Adam’s apple bob up and down again. Was it bad that I liked toying with him?

  “Don’t worry. I plan to.”