by Lila Moore
“What?”
“Louis doesn’t belong to you.”
Oh, boy. There was nothing worse than being cornered by one of Louis’s super fans. Girls were obsessed with him. Some of them were down right delusional. They thought of Louis as their boyfriend or husband. In their eyes, I was the mistress who’d stolen the love of their life away from them. In short, they were batshit crazy.
“I don’t want your autograph. Keep it,” she spat at me.
She threw the magazine in my face. The crowd oohed as if a fight was about to break out. Shonda always says that no matter what happens, keep sweet. That’s my brand. It sells magazines and opens movies to blockbuster box office returns.
It would all collapse like a house of cards if people learned the truth: I’m far from America’s Sweetheart. You don’t get to be an A-list actress by playing nice.
I had to keep my temper in check. Several people had cell phones out. They were recording my every move. I had to play this smart. I ignored the angry tween and pushed on. I managed to make it a couple more feet before being stopped by an energetic girl who wanted to take a selfie with me. I leaned in close, smiled and tilted my head to the right. I wanted to make sure she got my good side.
The camera light flashed. Seeing that one girl got a picture, all the other girls now wanted pictures with me too. As they messed around with their cell phones, I saw an opening. For a brief second, the crowd parted. I made a run for it. I leaped through the opening only to come up short. My path to salvation was cut off by a second wave of demanding teenagers. I fell flat on my face. Even if I’d managed to make it through the crown, I wouldn’t have gotten far. My designer stiletto heels were not made for running.
I groaned and pushed myself up from the dirty sidewalk. The crowd oohed and ahhed. Lights flashed as they took photos of my face plant onto the sidewalk. No doubt they’d be all over the gossip sites within the hour. I tried to get up, but people were bending over me-not to help, but to get a better photo.
I managed to get my knee underneath me and push myself up. I lost my shoe in the process. Someone grabbed me by the hair. Another hand grabbed my leg. I felt a hand slide up my skirt. I screamed.
Suddenly, a strong arm was underneath me, lifting me into the air. I resisted at first, then I looked into the face of Theo. He’d scooped me up into his arms.
“Out of the way,” he shouted. His voice was stern and commanding. The soldier in him came out as he gave orders to the crowd. The obeyed him without question.
I turned away from the camera flashes. Hiding my face against Theo’s chest wouldn’t save me from the ruthlessness of the gossip sites, but for the moment, it made me feel safe. I wrapped my arms around Theo’s neck. I clung to him like my life depended on it.
Quickly, he carried me into the hotel. When I looked up, we were in the elevator headed to my penthouse suite. I still clung to him. My hands trembled. To my relief, he didn’t put me down. The elevator doors opened and Theo carried me to my hotel room. I was surprised to see he had a key. Shonda must have given it to him. Did that mean he’d been through my things? I shook the thought away as Theo gently set me down on the couch.
My hair was wild and my hands trembled. I must have looked frightening.
“Stay here. I’ll be right back,” he said.
He didn’t have to worry about me running off anywhere. I was too shaken up to walk. He returned with a first aid kit. Theo kneeled before me and took my leg in hand. It was then I noticed the large scrape across my knee. I hadn’t even felt it. I’d been too frightened by the crowd.
“Why did you leave me alone with them?” I asked as Theo started to clean my wound. “Was that the dose of reality you wanted to give me?”
My relief at his presence turned to outrage. “They were a mob. They could have…” I didn’t want to think about what could have happened. “Someone shoved their hand up my skirt.”
Theo looked at me sharply. “Who?” he demanded.
“I didn’t see them. I just felt it.”
I shivered. Theo gritted his teeth. The muscle in jaw twitched. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend for that to happen. If I’d been there that son of a bitch would be dead.”
“Yeah? Well you weren’t there. You left me to the wolves.”
“I only wanted to show you how quickly things can spiral out of control. You needed to see that your fans can turn violent, even the ones who look harmless.”
“Lesson learned.” I winced as the antiseptic burned my cut. “Ouch! Careful.”
“Don’t be a baby.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you think that my stalker was in the crowd?”
What if the hand I felt slide up my skirt belonged to him? The thought made my skin crawl.
“No.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I scouted the area beforehand. Almost everyone in the crowd was young and female. Your stalker is a man.”
“There were men there. I saw them.”
“None that fit the profile.”
“What profile?”
“I told you, it’s my job to catch this guy. The reason why I was hired was because I’m uniquely qualified to find your stalker.”
“What unique qualifications do you have?”
He frowned at my tone. I was in no mood for games. I just wanted the truth.
“I told you I was Special Forces. I also spent time working in the intelligence community.”
“Doing what? Spy shit?”
“Yes… spy shit,” he replied sarcastically. “I profiled individuals who may wish harm on the country.”
“You mean terrorists. Did you spend a lot of time in the Middle East?”
“Not since the war. Afterwards, I spent my time profiling domestic terrorists. There are plenty of extremist groups right here in America. They’re all eager to kill the president, or bomb a building.”
“Your profiles stop them?”
“Usually.”
“What do you mean usually?”
“The idea is to figure out who these people are before they strike.”
I waited for him to continue but he didn’t. He must have been too late to stop an attack. It would explain why he seemed less than eager to talk about it. My mind raced back over recent terrorist attacks. There hadn’t been any lately. I wondered what happened to make him quit working to stop terrorists.
“So, why do you work with celebrities now? Am I a terrorist target?” He looked at me like I was insane. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“No, tell me what you’re thinking. If you’re going to work for me I want you to be honest.”
“Honestly, celebrities are some of the most vapid, self-absorbed people on the planet. They think the world revolves around them. Terrorists couldn’t care less about you. They want to make political statements. They’re not interested in bombing the People’s Choice Awards, or whatever.”
“Do you think I’m vapid and selfish?” I asked.
Theo gave me a hard look then turned his attention back to bandaging the scrape on my knee.
“I take your silence to be a yes.”
He didn’t respond. I crossed my arms in front of my chest. I’m not vapid or selfish. I just care a lot about my career. There’s no crime in that, is there? I mean, yeah I’m an actress. Being a celebrity is inherently vain and selfish, but that’s not me. I can separate myself from my celebrity brand. Right?
The door to the hotel room opened. Theo jumped up placing himself between me and the intruder. I didn’t know what to do, so I hid behind him. His fists were balled at his sides; his body tense. He looked like a soldier ready to spring into action.
High heels clicked across the floor.
“Oh good, you’re back,” Shonda said as she entered the living room. “Everything okay?”
“Fine, ma’am,” Theo replied.
“Ma’am?” I said sarcastically. They both ignored me.
“Are you two getting along?” Shonda asked.
/> Theo sighed. “I’m trying to communicate the importance of varying her daily routine to Miss Kelly.”
“Stop calling me Miss Kelly.”
“She has been less than receptive,” he said drily.
“I see.” Shonda leaned against the bar. She drummed her long nails on the counter and gave me ‘the look.’ When Shonda’s pissed, all she has to do is glare at me. It’s like when you’re a little kid and you’re in trouble. All it takes is one look from your mother or father to know you’re dead. Shonda has mastered that look and it has never failed to make me squirm.
“Jamie, you will fully cooperate with Theo. You will follow his instructions.” It wasn’t a question, but that didn’t stop me from opening my mouth to protest. “And,” she said cutting me off before I could argue, “you will follow his directions to the letter. Do you understand? I don’t want to hear about how you snuck off to do whatever. If Theo says ‘jump,’ you say ‘how high?’ Understand?”
“Yes, Shonda.”
“Good. Is there anything I can help you with, Theo?”
“There are a few security changes I’d like to institute.”
“Name it.”
“I want to bring in my people. Her security guards aren’t up to this job. That girl who attacked Miss Kelly last night never should have been allowed to get that close. My guys would have apprehended her before she came within twenty feet.”
“Done,” Shonda replied. “Anything else?”
“Yes, I need to interview Miss Kelly’s boyfriend. It’s important he understands these new security precautions. I’d also like to know if he’s had any threats, or if he’s perhaps noticed a familiar face in the crowd. There’s a good chance he’s seen Miss Kelly’s stalker and didn’t realize it.”
Shonda and I exchanged a look. “That’s going to be a problem,” she said.
“Why?”
“Louis’s… uh… unavailable. He’s busy working,” I lied.
“It will only take a minute,” Theo said. “You have dinner with him every night. I’ll speak to him then.”
“You’re coming out to eat with us? You can’t do that. You can’t come with me everywhere I go.” Panicked I looked to Shonda.
“Yes he can, and yes he will,” she replied.
“But… he can’t.” I gave her a meaningful look. I couldn’t say it out loud, but I was sure she knew what I was talking about. Louis and Theo could not meet. If anyone learned the truth about my relationship with Louis it could lead to a PR disaster.
“I’m afraid there’s no other choice,” Theo said. He looked from me to Shonda carefully. I could tell we’d raised his suspicions.
Shonda frowned. “You’ll have to take him on your date with Louis tonight.”
“But, Shonda…”
“Just make it work.”
Make it work. Easier said than done. I was sitting on a secret that could blow up half of Hollywood.
3
I stepped out of my bedroom flanked by my Glam Squad. They’d spent the last two hours getting me ready for my date with Louis. There were always paparazzi waiting to take pictures of us. I needed to look good.
I wore high heels and a tight red dress. They hugged my curves and had a plunging neckline. It was much sexier than what I normally wear out on dates, but for some reason I wanted to look hot tonight. I walked out to find Theo reading the newspaper and drinking coffee. How would he react when he saw me? I braced myself for a sarcastic comment about how shallow I was.
He glanced up from his paper. His eyes drifted over my long legs. His mouth fell open as if to speak. He quickly closed it and cleared his throat. Theo jumped up from his seat and grabbed his jacket.
“We should go. We’re running late,” he said.
“That’s it? You have nothing to say about how I look?”
Again, his eyes took in the full length of me.
“You look nice,” he said blandly.
“Nice?”
“Let’s go.”
“Nice?” I said looking to one of my new security guards for sympathy. The man gave no indication that he heard me. His face was stern and humorless. Was ‘nice’ seriously the best compliment Theo could give me?
“I bet you’re real popular with the ladies,” I said, turning to Theo. “I bet the panties drop when you bust out compliments like, ‘My, you look nice today.’”
The corner of his mouth twitched like he wanted to laugh, but was trying not to. He handed me my coat. I put it on and followed him to the elevator. He checked his watch.
“Dinner was supposed to start at 1900. But because you spent an extra hour putting on makeup, we’re late. I want to be back to this hotel room no later than 2200.”
“2200?”
“Ten o’clock.”
“Roger. Anything else commander?”
“Yeah. Stop calling me commander.”
The elevator doors opened.
“And,” he said pulling me short as I started to step onto the elevator. “If I wanted your panties to drop, I’d tell you that you look stunning in that dress, like you were dipped in red ink.” He gave my cleavage an appreciative look. “But I’m not saying that,” he finished. “I work for you. It’s my job to protect you. If I’m going to do my job we cannot become involved. Understood?”
I swallowed hard. The proximity of Theo’s body combined with his strong grip on my arm turned me on. It had been a long time since a man made me wet.
“I have a boyfriend,” I said lamely.
Theo stared at me for a second longer before leading me to the elevator.
4
The limo pulled into an alley behind a building a few blocks away from the restaurant. Louis’s car was already waiting for us.
“I don’t understand why he doesn’t just come to your hotel room,” Theo said.
“He’s been on set all day. He’s coming straight from work.”
Louis had been hard at work on his latest movie, a romantic comedy about a guy whose fiancée’s best friend falls in love with him. She tries to sabotage their impending nuptials and convince Louis’s character they were always meant to be together. In the end, her crazy scheme works and they end up married. The movie sounded stupid, but then again the plots to most romantic comedies sound stupid to me.
“Louis and I have to be seen entering the restaurant together,” I said. “It’s easier to time our arrival if we meet beforehand and get into the same car.”
“Can’t you just meet him there? Why do you have to show up together?”
Because it’s in our contract, I thought. But I couldn’t admit to that. It would get me into a lot of trouble.
“It’s just how we do things,” I said lamely.
“Is having your picture taken together that important to you?”
Not really, but I didn’t have a choice. I shrugged. I couldn’t be honest about my arrangement with Louis. Theo didn’t need to know anyway. As Shonda said, ‘Make it work.’
The limo door opened and Louis slid in. “What’s up?” he said.
Ignoring me, his eyes fell on Theo. I watched as Louis checked him out, drinking in every ounce of muscle on Theo’s strong frame.
“Who’s this?” he asked me.
“This is my new security guard, Theo,” I said.
Theo leaned forward and offered his hand. Louis took it and shook. “You’ve got a strong grip,” he said with a smile. “I like that.”
Theo nodded as if he was not quite sure how to respond. “I’m the head of Miss Kelly’s security. I’ve instituted several new rules. First, no schedule. Routines make you vulnerable to kidnappers or anyone with ill-intent. That means no more nightly dinners at the same time.”
Louis frowned and gave me a harsh look. This was not part of our arrangement. It would lead to trouble.
“Why not?” Louis asked Theo. “I mean, she’s got you looking out for her. How’s a kidnapper going to get through a strong guy like you?”
“I can’t be everywhere
at once. Besides, we don’t want to make life easier for anyone who wants to harm Miss Kelly. As her boyfriend, I’m sure you’d agree that her safety is of the utmost importance.”
“Sure, sure… but… I’ve got a grueling schedule. This movie I’m working on is killing me. I’m putting in twelve, fifteen hour days. The only way I ever see Jamie is if we schedule things tightly.”
“You could move into her hotel room,” Theo suggested. “You would see each other more.”
Louis and I looked at each other. The queasiness I felt in my stomach was mirrored on his face.
“Live together?” he said with distaste. He chewed on the side of his mouth like he tasted something sour.
“Louis and I aren’t ready for that level of commitment,” I said, trying to cover.
Awkwardness hung in the air so thickly you could cut it with a knife. Theo gave us both a strange look. He could tell something was off. Anyone who spent enough time with us picked up on it almost immediately. Louis and I knew how to fake chemistry for the cameras but in person it was more than obvious we went together like toothpaste and orange juice.
“I see. Well, my priority is Miss Kelly’s safety,” Theo continued. “You’ll have to find a way to fit dates into your life that does not conform to a set schedule.”
“What does that mean?” Louis asked.
“No routines,” I said.
“That’s right. Your meetings should be sporadic-different times and days. Try to avoid the paparazzi.”
“Whoa! No, no, no. That’s impossible,” Louis said.
“I know it can be difficult. They’re vultures, but-” Theo started.
“It’s impossible because I need them to survive. I’m nothing without them.” He turned to me to back him up.
I hated it when Louis acted dramatic like this. I’d lost the energy to make excuses for Louis’s behavior. I simply shrugged noncommittally.
The limo pulled up in front of the restaurant. I was grateful to get out. We pulled to a stop. Theo jumped out first. We were supposed to wait. He’d already had his security team scout the area, but he wanted to do one last sweep himself before we stepped out.
Louis ignored Theo’s wishes and stepped out right behind him. He pulled me along with him. After having seen how rabid a crowd can be, I was less than thrilled.
