“Don’t worry,” Sylvia said. “It’s a fake cake, and we’ll have fans under our feet to blow out the confetti. Ronaldo always wants to make a grand entrance, and this year he chose me and you. I get Ronaldo, and you get his twin.”
“Who’s his twin, by the way?” Andie asked. “What do you mean by ‘get?’”
“Oh, nothing, just hang onto his arm and be his date for the evening.”
“Good, I guess.” Andie’s stomach squirmed at the thought. Had she and Cade had the “talk” yet about dating others or exclusivity? She wasn’t sure, but if it were him with a model hanging off his arm, she would definitely not be okay with it.
“Cade’s not going to be jealous, is he?” Sylvia asked.
Andie swallowed a lump. “No, he’s not coming to the party. He went somewhere and said he won’t be back until late.”
“Anyway, with you being an actress, he’d better get used to seeing you with other men.” Sylvia retouched her lipstick. “It comes with the territory.”
Gag. And to think she’d been so jealous when Declan had other women hanging onto him, except he’d slept with them. Andie had no plans to sleep with any man besides Cade. Guess a little hanging on didn’t count.
“Okay, time to climb into the cake.” Sylvia pushed the cap back on her lipstick. “You better pee, because Ronaldo likes to wait until all the guests are present before making his big splash.”
* * *
Cade sat at the cafeteria of the rehab facility with his mother. She was looking better and had regained some of her coloring. He’d let her eat a few bites before questioning her.
“I feel so useless here,” his mother said. “I miss Bret. Why didn’t you bring him?”
“He’s with Andie’s mom tonight.”
“It’s so unfair. Why do you have me stuck here?”
“Your life is in danger.” Cade tapped his fingers on the table. “I want to know what your relationship to Dick Davis is.”
“What?” His mother coughed on a piece of macaroni. She wheezed and spit it out. “Who’ve you been speaking with?”
“I think he’s behind the heroin gifts.”
“But why? He doesn’t even know me.” She rolled her eyes and wiped her lips with a napkin.
“Apparently, Joanie thinks he does.” Cade stretched the truth.
The skin on his mother’s face tightened over her high cheekbones as she gave him a stony glare. “Joanie knows nothing.”
“Maybe you’re the one who’s in the dark. You know of any reason why he wants to kill you? He mentioned he could put you in jail for embezzlement. Have you ever worked for him before?”
“Never. Why would the owner of the LA Flash have any dealings with me?”
“I agree. Except he’s rich enough to buy the drugs.”
“Oh, come off it, any guy on your team is rich enough to buy me drugs. Then there’s your friend, Ronaldo, don’t tell me he isn’t rich enough. Or Rob, or even Andie with her movie deal. Those packets weren’t that expensive. If anything, they laced it with fentanyl. That was my mistake, thinking it was pure white.”
“You’re blowing smoke, Mom. Throwing me off the trail.”
She grabbed his forearm. “Stop digging around. Isn’t there a party you’re missing? Go, enjoy yourself and leave me alone.”
“Party? Who told you about the party?”
“No one. Absolutely no one.” She crossed her arms and turned her face away from Cade, signaling the conversation was over.
* * *
Cade ticked off the suspects, making a list. Dick, Ronaldo, Rob, Roxanne, Declan, Todd Irvin, Devon Davis, Carmine Carmona. Each of these people seemed to have something against him and had behaved irrationally.
He wrote possible motives next to their names. His mother knew something and was a threat to someone. He only had to dig deeper.
Dick – the cover up with his baby. Why me? Wants me to take the fall for Devon?
Ronaldo – the screwy movie deal. Why did he bring Andie into it? Then mix her up with Declan?
Rob – not been responsive as an agent should. Why would he insist I’m damaged goods? Who is he protecting? Todd or Devon?
Roxanne – the entire baby thing. What’s in it for her? Why pick me to be the baby daddy?
Declan – does he really want Andie back? How would he benefit if my mother was out of the way?
Todd – he wants the starting job. Does he have a separate deal with Dick?
Devon – did he throw away the Super Bowl? If so, who did he help? His father or his rich mother?
Carmine – purposely kicked my hand. Friend of Todd.
He scratched his head, but the answer wouldn’t come. Maybe his mother’s bank account could shed some light. He woke up his laptop and browsed to her online account. He’d already been through it and was unable to tell where she was getting the money. He clicked through her statements and looked through the checks she wrote. Most of them were for utilities, electricity, water, credit card. One of the checks had a memo line written, transfer to savings. He clicked on the back side of the check for the account number.
It was at a completely different bank. No wonder he hadn’t found anything. Cade copied the account number and went to the second bank’s website. He tried the same password and it worked.
Pay dirt. She had almost half a million dollars balance, but the transactions in and out were larger. He scrolled through the trail of money entering and departing the account, but most of them were wired in—anonymous. Dang it.
Large sums of money departed her account. Who was she paying? Again, there was no trail. Cade noted the dates and amounts. Gradually, a pattern emerged.
October and November of last year. That would be either before or when Roxanne got pregnant, since Bret was born early August.
February of this year. Right after he lost the Super Bowl.
June of this year. When Ronaldo and he discussed the King David concept to get Andie to come to California.
A week ago. Right before someone sent her heroin.
But, why would his mother pay off someone to hit her?
Or was the money for Andie’s movie contract? Her so-called promotion to playing Michal? Or could it be for Declan?
The last transfer was two days ago, while his mother was already in rehab.
She couldn’t have initiated this. There were no computers and cell phones, no electronic devices allowed for the patients.
Who was controlling this account?
Cade rubbed his eyes and shut his laptop. Who could he trust?
He’d already run into a brick wall with Rob and Dick. They were too strong to shake. His mother and sister also held firm. The only other weak link was Roxanne.
He texted her, Rox, can we meet up somewhere?
A few minutes later, she replied, I’m at Ronaldo’s party. What’s up?
Really? How was she involved with Ronaldo?
He texted, Didn’t know you were invited.
I’m not, but my date’s one of the stars. She added an excited smiley face emoticon with hearts popping out of her eyes.
Will he mind if I have a few minutes? This is important.
Sure, not a problem. He has to appear on stage with the rest of the cast.
The rest of the cast? That meant Andie was there, as well as Declan.
Cade’s pulse spiked, and he sucked in a deep breath. Ronaldo had gone too far, and he was mired too deep in this conspiracy, whatever it was.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“It’s stuffy in here.” Andie squirmed and dabbed at her nose with a piece of tissue. “How much longer?”
“Shhh …” Sylvia whispered. “No one’s supposed to know we’re jumping out of this cake.”
“So, why are we doing it?”
“Because it’s fun. Imagine the shock and surprise.” She suppressed a giggle.
“What’s everyone doing right now? Where’s Ronaldo?”
Dance music streamed from the speakers
scattered around the property, and people splashed in the pool or chattered in clumps.
“He’s probably waiting for the stars to gather around.”
“I’m glad we have chairs to sit on.” Andie adjusted her weight because her butt was falling asleep. “Where’d they get these miniature things?”
“Some preschool, probably. Shhh … I hear someone.”
Footsteps approached the corner of the makeshift stage.
“Where the hell is Andie?” Cade’s voice growled. “I looked all over for her.”
“I thought he wasn’t coming,” Andie whispered.
“Be quiet. Boss won’t like it if you ruin the cake ahead of time.”
“She’s in good hands,” Ronaldo replied with a chuckle.
“Is she with Declan?”
“Is that all you think about?” Ronaldo sounded amused. “Relax, she and Declan won’t be sharing any scenes. Thanks to you, his jaw’s wired shut.”
“So, what’s the purpose of this party?”
“What’s the purpose of any party? To have fun. Make a big splash. Gain publicity and buzz. Get viral video moments.” Ronaldo’s voice sounded smug and superior, laced with amusement at Cade’s grouchiness.
“Andie’s had enough viral video moments,” Cade grumbled. “She doesn’t need any more.”
What was he talking about? Andie searched her Swiss cheese memory. Had she been at a wild party before?
“Look, she’s going to be a star,” Ronaldo said. “We need to spice up her image and make her a sex goddess. You’re just going to have to step aside and let her pursue her dreams.”
“Except those aren’t her dreams,” Cade said. “You or Declan put it in her mind. The Andie I knew didn’t want to be a movie star. She was scared to take even the research job because she didn’t want to be involved with celebrities.”
“Who told you that nonsense?” Ronaldo’s voice was disbelieving. “Andie jumped at the opportunity. She told Leroy that she’d always imagined herself as Michal, that she and Declan used to go to the historical reenactment guilds as David and Michal. She’s perfect for this job.”
“For this charade,” Cade said, his voice growly and deep. “You and I both know she’s not an actress. She has no experience whatsoever and no talent. She can’t act her way out of a hole.”
What the hell? Andie fanned herself as her blood boiled and her stomach turned. He thinks so lowly of me.
“You mean out of a cake. Keep your voice down,” Ronaldo said. “Let’s go meet my mother. She’s always wanted an autograph.”
“No, you’re not going to distract me that easily,” Cade said. “This entire show is a scam. There’s not going to be a Love Lives of King David series. It’s absolutely the most stupid concept I’ve ever heard, and you’re not going to cast a redheaded David and a redheaded Michal, not after all the complaints about the not historically accurate casting on that last Biblical movie.”
“I’ll cast who I want to cast, and for your information, redheads existed in the ancient Near East. There’s Ramses—”
“Stop changing the subject.” Cade’s voice boomed so loud that Andie jumped. He must be right outside of the cake at this point.
Sylvia pressed her down and hugged her.
“Someone’s paying you big money to put on this production,” Cade continued. “It has something to do with me and the baby. What I want to know is why?”
“You’re delusional,” Ronaldo retorted. “I’ve assembled the best cast, and this is going to be an Academy Award winner.”
“Yeah, right. In your delusions. You’re doing this to get back at me. I don’t know what I ever did to you, and I wish I’d never asked your help in bringing Andie to California.”
What does he mean asking Ronaldo to help bring me to California? Why, that scheming … Andie clenched her fists to control herself from bursting from the cake and tackling Cade.
“You’re digging your own grave, buddy.” Ronaldo tapped on the cake.
“Cut the threats. I’m not your buddy anymore, and I’m going to wring your neck if Andie gets hurt by all of this.”
“You won’t have to,” Ronaldo said. “Because you’re going to wring your own neck first.” He tapped a mic on the stage and the squeal of the microphone feedback made Andie’s ears shudder.
“Time for the unveiling of the cast for the Love Lives of King David,” Ronaldo announced as the dance music segued into a cinematic soundtrack reminiscent of gladiators.
Floodlights shone over the cake, and fingers of light crept through the crevices and breathing holes. Orchestral music, the type that prefaced all epic Biblical movies, resounded throughout the estate.
“He thinks I have no talent, that this is all a fake.” Andie tried to swallow her sobs, while Sylvia rubbed her back.
“If you want to be an actress, you have to prove him wrong. You have to suck it up and go out there with your head held high. Ronaldo believes in us, and he’s born and raised in a family of Hollywood moguls.
* * *
Cade stalked away from his traitorous friend and headed for the bar. Wherever Andie was, she was likely holed away with the rest of the cast. He spotted Roxanne standing next to the stage, holding a gin and tonic. People were starting to gather around, and Ronaldo was showing a video introducing the movie concept.
After ordering a whiskey sour, Cade stalked toward Roxanne and pasted on a smile. “How’s the party so far?”
“Oh, hi Cade.” She stroked his forearm and leaned into him. A swash of alcoholic breath assaulted his nostrils. Roxanne was two sheets to the wind already.
“Where’s your date?” He jiggled his drink and took a swallow.
“He’s the star of the show. Probably lurking behind the stage.”
“Oh, really? I didn’t know there were any other stars but King David, at least of the male persuasion.”
“Hee, hee, of course not, but I traded places with Andie.” She wobbled against him. “She offered Declan to me in exchange for Bret.”
“Whoa, Rox, you’re not making any sense.” Cade steadied her as she spilled her drink on his shoes. “What exchange is this?”
“Simple. Declan wanted Andie to take care of his broken jaw and live with her so he wouldn’t press charges against you. Me and Andie traded places. I’m going to live at Declan’s and in exchange, Andie will take care of Bret. He’s going to sign the divorce, and Andie will sign the adoption papers.”
Cade’s head spun and he put a finger to Rox’s lips. “Adoption papers? What are you talking about?”
“Andie’s adopting Bret.”
“Really? And what does Dick have to say about that?”
Rox twirled her blond hair and rolled her eyes as if she had a hard math problem. “Dick doesn’t have to agree. Bret’s your son, remember?”
“Uh, yes, that’s the plan, but I don’t want any trouble down the line where he comes and claims paternity. Is he going to sign away his rights too?”
“What rights? Why?” Roxanne slurred.
“So he doesn’t cause trouble later.” Cade heaved a sigh. It was useless to talk to a drunk. “Make sure Dick is in on this adoption.”
“Sure, why wouldn’t he be? He’s your father, after all. I’m sure he trusts you. He’s too old to play ball with Bret anyway.”
A million scorpion tails pinched every one of Cade’s nerves. He squeezed Roxanne’s arm, a little too hard. “What did you just say?”
“Ow, stop hurting me.” She sloshed her drink, wetting his shirt.
At that moment, multiple colorful lights flashed on stage, and a large cannon exploded. The top of a giant cake blew off, including the fake paper mâché frosted flowers, and the top tier with the gilded Oscar trophy rendition toppled to the stage with a loud crash.
Two women jumped out of the cake as streams of confetti blew over their heads.
Cade and Roxanne were close enough to be thrown back by the puff of air, and Roxanne almost fell on her behind, had Cade
not caught ahold of her.
She wrapped her arms around him and dropped her drink to slobber a kiss over his mouth.
“Welcome, welcome,” Ronaldo’s voice rose above the noise. “Presenting Silver Studios’s newest actresses, the Princess Michal, Antoinette Marie Wales, and the Queen of the Nile, Sylvia Clare Miyamoto.”
Cade dropped his whiskey glass. It shattered with a loud clink, as Andie’s gaze pierced through him, her smile wide and glittering. She and Sylvia waved to the screaming audience before Ronaldo bent Sylvia back for a theatrical kiss, and another man, dressed in an identical tux as Ronaldo, gave Andie the same treatment—one she seemed to enjoy, by the way she moved, all squirmy and fluttery, kissing the man like there was no tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“This is absolutely insane.” Andie’s mother shook her awake the next morning. “Did you see the news? Dick Davis is Bret and Cade’s father. We better get away from all the fallout.”
Andie groaned and cracked her eyes open. She’d finally fallen asleep in the wee hours after crying her eyes out while sitting up with Bret who also had a bad night. Unable to calm him, she had given up and brought him to bed between her and her mother. The baby was still fast asleep.
“I know, but who’s going to take care of Bret? Did Cade come home last night?” Andie’s shoulders shook from a lingering sob, and her mind was in a dull and painful fog.
The party last night had been hell, but she’d pulled it off like the actress she was becoming. No one had suspected how wounded she was under her skin—well, no one except Sylvia who practically held her hand through the rest of the evening, including meeting all of the famous stars of Hollywood and the big directors and producers.
“He hasn’t come home,” her mother said. “I checked the garage. Look, we can’t keep the baby. Why don’t you call Roxanne?”
“She’s living at Declan’s.”
Her plan seemed to be working. Roxanne was hanging over Cade before the cake explosion, but soon after, when Declan was brought in on a chariot, Rox had stumbled drunkenly onto the stage and thrown herself into the chariot, landing on her knees with her arms around Declan’s legs—ready to play the role of concubine and suck up to the king.
Intercepted by Love: Part Four: A Football Romance (Playing the Field Book 4) Page 13
