Jack_A Cryptocurrency Billionaire Romance

by Sara Forbes

  “Weren’t you scared?”

  “No. Just hungry, mostly.”

  “Hmm. Did he try to get off the island? I mean, by any other means?”

  “No. There was only the one plane, he said, so we waited for that.”

  “He didn’t contact anyone?”

  I frown at her. “Not that I know of. But it’s not like I was tracking his every conversation.”

  “Here, you missed a bit.” She pats above my left eyebrow with a wad of cotton. “Better.” She sits back and smiles, her makeup barely creasing, if she’s even wearing any. “You know, I’m really impressed with your performance, and I think, considering how young you are, that you’ve got an amazing future ahead of you.”

  “Why, thanks.”

  “Are you looking for an agent by any chance?”

  I give a yelp. Scarlett Keane’s agent is seriously asking me this?

  She laughs and pats my forearm. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to put you on the spot, though with another movie under your belt, you’ll be in my sights officially, oh, maybe this time next year? Until then, perhaps I can be a friendly mentor?”

  “I—I don’t know what to say.”

  “No need to make any hasty decisions. Let’s just make sure to stay in touch, ‘kay?”

  She trots off in her impeccable black silk blouse and skinny jeans.

  I mentally wrap this conversation in a layer of tissue, then another, then store it away in a small treasure chest in the back of my mind and bolt it shut.

  But I’ll pull it out when I need it.

  Because no doubt I will need a confidence boost, sometime in the near future when the industry is tearing my ego to shreds, telling me I’m nothing but a pretty face waiting to expire, like an avocado on a supermarket shelf.

  Or perhaps even sooner—when Aliens is done and I’m back to square one, looking for new auditions, and Jack has to move to some new location for a new movie.

  20

  JACK

  “CUUUUT!” RITA SCREAMS for the eleven-millionth time.

  Scarlett’s lackluster performance on Islas Las Aves has deteriorated to deplorable by day five here at Lake Garda, Italy. What is wrong with her? I mean, who wouldn’t be inspired by these azure mountains in the backdrop? The perfect sky? The $50-thousand-a-day landscape?

  But in a galaxy far away, a certain spoiled, crimson-hued princess doesn’t seem to give a damn whether or not the universe goes to hell in a bucket

  “What do you reckon?” Rita grumbles as the actors trail off the set. “Delayed jet lag?”

  I shrug. “Whatever it is, it’s sure not getting better today. We may as well shut down for the evening.”

  “Yeah. So double work for tomorrow, and that’s assuming she can even hack it.” Rita steps closer and encircles my upper arm with her hand. “Do me a favor, Jack, and take her to dinner tonight. You know what a party animal Scarlett is. Recharge her batteries.”

  Well, this is awkward. Rita doesn’t know I’m seeing her niece. Or does she? She hasn’t once asked what we got up to on the island. She hasn’t made any snide comments that suggest she knows anything.

  “Where the fuck’s that stupid agent when we need her?” I growl.

  “Said she had stuff to do in LA.”

  “Well she should be here.”

  “Please, Jack? Just do it,” Rita begs.

  I nod with a long-suffering sigh. “Anything for my director.”

  She pats my shoulder. “Atta boy.”

  ***

  DINNER’S IN A SWANKY restaurant down by the lake shore that Rita recommended. It’s the understated “grotto” style and nobody seems to know us here—or if they do, they don’t care—and I already forgave Rita for making me do this. The risotto al funghi is to die for. I absolutely want to take Mia on vacation here when the movie’s done.

  “Scarlett,” I address my dinner partner now that the waiters have finally stopped fussing. She’s dressed in a white, flowing chiffon dress that sets off her platinum blond mane. “Do you even want to do this movie? Because it seems to me that you’re less than enthusiastic. And that’ll show, especially when it comes to promo for the thing. It’ll prompt headlines like ‘Is Scarlett tired?’ and ‘Why Hollywood doesn’t want to work with Scarlett Keane anymore,’ and I don’t think you want that.”

  She laughs. “I consider that an insult to my acting abilities, Jack. I’ll be a veritable Minnie Mouse, all squeaky enthusiasm when the time comes.”

  “So, what’s the problem?”

  She puts down her empty wineglass and taps it with her pearly white nails. “Well, for one thing, it’s not quite what I’d hoped for in the story development department. As for character development?” She gives a practiced shudder.

  “It’s a sci-fi retro spoof,” I say, filling wine into her glass before a waiter can spot it and dash over. “And, actually, when you really get into the script and peel back the layers of self-conscious irony, you’ll discover some depth to the underlying themes. I’ll admit the language could be sharper in places, but—”

  She lets out a throaty laugh. “What drug were you doing on that island?”

  “I mean it, Scarlett.”

  She leans forward and brings her heavy-lashed gaze to rest firmly on mine. “Well, something’s rotten, Jack, in the state of Lisk.”

  “I don’t follow.”

  “Hmm, I think you’ve been blinded by your little desert island protégée. Isn’t this her first foray into the big world of acting?”

  “No. And don’t bring her into this.”

  “Ah, but maybe I should. She’s good, Jack.” Her eyes gleam with mischief. “So passionate, so malleable.”

  I sure as hell refuse to comment on that.

  “But not that good,” she adds.

  “I appreciate your opinion,” I say stonily.

  God, is she jealous? Of Mia? How is this even possible?

  “Anyway, I’ve decided,” she says, taking a sip of wine.

  “Decided what?”

  “I want off this movie.”

  I bolt forward in my chair. “No!”

  Several diners turn their heads in our direction and then back again.

  “No, Scarlett,” I say in a more reasonable voice. “Don’t say that. Please. We can’t do this if you’re not in it.”

  “Then don’t?”

  “Wait. I’ll call Cara. We’ll talk this over…and…and smooth out whatever it is we have to smooth out. We can get it back on track.”

  “Cara has no say.” Scarlett’s voice is icy now. “As of today, she’s no longer my agent. Just so you know. My decision’s final. You won’t talk me out of it. I’m already committed to a new project in Dubai as of next month.”

  I’m speechless. Without Scarlett, we’re absolutely fucked. Half of the distributors will refuse to take Aliens in Distress without her in it. The only way out of making a whopping loss is to shut the movie down and collect the insurance.

  All my plans are crumbling around me. All my enthusiasm for the movie. All my hopes for Mia to excel in her role and to show the world what she’s got. How can this be happening?

  “You can’t do this.”

  “I assure you, I can.”

  “Just tell me why then,” I say.

  She shakes her head. “I’ve told you why. I’ll present a formal statement later if required.”

  “You needed to come all the way to Lake Garda to tell me?”

  She nods. “You have to admit the food’s good.”

  It’s all I can do not to shove some of that risotto in her face right now.

  ***

  RITA’S ALREADY HEARD the news when I join her in the hotel bar. Scarlett called her from the restaurant, I guess. I didn’t hang around for dessert. I let Scarlett pick up the tab.

  Rita’s got neat whiskey. It’s seems appropriate. I order the same.

  “Strange times,” she says twisting the glass on the bar top. “I put blood, sweat, and tears into this one.
”

  I nod. “Mostly sweat.”

  “And Mia had such high hopes.” The peculiar light in her eyes makes it clear she knows something.

  I gulp back a mouthful of whiskey. “Look, I don’t know what she’s told you, but we’re seeing each other.”

  “She didn’t tell me, but she didn’t have to. I don’t mind, Jack. But remember, she’s still young even if she doesn’t look or act it most of the time.”

  “I’ll protect her.”

  Rita smiles. “I know you will. But this here—this is going to be a terrible blow for her. I won’t be able to help her when I move on to my next movie in New York.”

  “And you shouldn’t. She can make her own way. At least this will show her how dreadfully fickle the industry can be. And why education is a shield against the vagaries.”

  “Good luck with that.”

  I nod, but I’m not looking forward to the moment when I have to break this to Mia. She was using Aliens to springboard into her career. It’s exactly what I’d have done ten years ago.

  The insurance will pay off my staff and expenses incurred so far. But I’m going to have to take out a loan to pay rent on my apartment. And shit, Felix. I forgot about Felix.

  OK, make that a bigger loan.

  21

  MIA

  JACK DIDN’T EXPECT ME, judging by the frozen shock on his face when I run up to him outside customs and launch myself against his body.

  “Uh, is that good shock or bad shock?” I ask.

  He grips me hard. “It’s so-fucking-good-to-see-you shock.” He swoops down for a kiss and then yanks me out of the path of a man bustling by with a huge luggage trolley.

  “So, you didn’t meet a sultry Italian belladonna who seduced you with her amazing pasta?”

  “Wouldn’t have noticed if I did.”

  I’m almost skipping as we make our way to the exit. I’m crazy for being this excited, but I’ve missed him so damn much. I feel proud, walking with this sexy hunk through the airport, like a bona fide girlfriend.

  “Did you bring your car?” he asks.

  “You know I don’t have one.”

  He laughs. “You’ve planned this so well. Lucky for us, I drove here. But that means you have to stay with me tonight.”

  I can’t help grinning. The very words I’ve been angling to hear. I need some Jack right now. I’m not sure I could have managed another day without him.

  He’s noticeably quiet in the car, however. His usual level of teasing has taken a downturn. His forehead creases into deep frown lines whenever he thinks I’m not looking at him. I get a heavy, dreading sensation in my gut. Did something happen in Italy after all?

  As soon as we get into his apartment, as he settles his suitcases in a cupboard in his hallway, he breaks the news. “Scarlett’s less than confident that Aliens will be a hit. She’s bailing on us, Mia.”

  My stomach plummets. I back away from him, into his living room and fall onto his sofa. “Wait. What? But that can’t be.”

  He sits beside me. “She dropped the bombshell at Lake Garda. She’s not going to change her mind.”

  “But I don’t get it. Why?”

  “She doesn’t like the movie. Never has. And she blames Cara for talking her into it. She may just be trying to prove a point, but she’s pretty mad and doesn’t want Cara as an agent anymore.”

  A wave of hot anger crests inside me. How dare Scarlett do this, when we’re so close to finishing?

  I find my voice. “She’s never liked the movie? Fine time for her to be choosy. Did she say it was crap? Because it’s not, Jack. The way she plays it, maybe, but not the way I’d play it, given half a chance. Not the way we talked about playing it, remember?”

  I’m babbling now, tears prickling the back of my eyelids. I slap the armrest to take his attention away from my face.

  He tilts my chin up and looks deep into my eyes. “There’s nothing I’d like more than to tell you you’re right, that we just have to replace Scarlett and we’ll continue on and make this thing. Everybody would like that. But, Mia, the distributors won’t pay for it if Scarlett’s not in it, because they know it won’t sell and they won’t get their money back. It’s stipulated in their contracts. Unless I can persuade Scarlett to get back in, I have no choice but to stop production and recuperate costs with the insurance. It’s the only way out that isn’t totally ruinous. Believe me, I’ve run though all possible scenarios.”

  He heaves out a heavy breath and moves his gaze around the room.

  I sink my face into my palms, trying to understand. But it doesn’t make sense.

  “But there is another way, Jack. Forget Scarlett, forget the insurance, and keep on going. With me as the princess, I know all the lines, and with Janet as Sola…she’d love it!” I clutch his hands in mine. “We’d work for lower wages, for free, just for the experience. I’m sure everyone on staff will agree with me. Aunt Rita will definitely want to continue if I just talk to her—”

  “Mia—”

  “No, really. It would work, Jack! Why throw away all our hard work?”

  “You don’t understand. Logistically, sure, we could make it. But most of the distributors won’t buy the movie when we’re done. It’s on contract that Scarlett’s in the movie, Otherwise, no money.”

  I stare at him. “But it’s just money.”

  “It’s more than money. Palmer Productions can’t sustain a forty million loss and still be seen as a reputable company. It’s bad enough already.”

  “But you love this movie! You said so yourself. You had all these ideas to improve it. You said this would be my springboard.”

  I can’t continue. I’m too mad, too disgusted.

  “Mia.” He reaches out, but I slap his hand away. He withdraws, folding his arms tightly into his chest. “Movie making is a business, first and foremost. Lose sight of that and you may as well resign yourself to a lifetime in the gastronomy business.”

  He sounds older, like he did when we first met.

  Just as I’m about to ask him what he’s doing to convince Scarlett to come back and do the movie, the phone buzzes against the glass of the coffee table. I slump back on the sofa.

  Jack sighs. “It’s starting. I have to take this.” He grabs the phone and rises, walking toward the kitchen area, leaving me sitting there, staring after him, my blood boiling.

  As the minutes tick by, Jack’s voice is getting harder, his movements jerkier. He’s lost in negotiations, and it’s all about money, money, money, contractual legalese I don’t speak. It’s as if I don’t exist. I feel like a wispy cloud, with no form or substance.

  The awful sick feeling in my stomach tells me I’d pinned too much on this movie. Everything really. Yes, even our relationship. It’s so completely entwined with the movie and with the thoughts of the success it would bring that I truly don’t know where that ends and Jack and I begin. I can’t believe he sees it as a business thing and not the adventure that we lived out together on the island. He wants to give it all up just to make himself look good in the industry. I mean, who cares?

  I fish out a pen from the bottom my purse and scribble a note on the back of a receipt. “Gone home, call you later.” No kisses, no hearts.

  I slip out without Jack even noticing.

  22

  JACK

  AFTER I FINISH the call with the insurers, who demand a concrete date and time for a meeting to go over the finer details with one of their agents, I plod back into the living room, but Mia’s gone. There’s no phone message, no note, no explanation.

  She doesn’t answer her phone, so I send her a text. Where are you? I guess she’s decided to give me the cold shoulder. I won’t hassle her.

  I can understand if she needs time to assimilate the disappointment. I had the whole trip back from Italy to think about it, after all. I sprang the bad news on her too quickly. But I’m here for her when she’s ready. We will get through this.

  Am I doing the right thing? If we went a
head with it the movie without Scarlett would flop so badly, it’d make me and everyone involved look bad in the industry. How can that possibly help Mia? She’s in fantasy land if she thinks it’ll do well without Scarlett. Besides, I can’t afford to pay my staff or Felix’s debtors unless I get the insurance. I can’t take the risk that the movie’s miraculously going to be a success. There’s only one gambler in the family and it’s not me.

  There is, perhaps, another option but it’s too out there to pursue. When I exchanged my Bitcoin for three million dollars, Paul. the nerdy guy who does all the behind the scenes stuff on exchanges that I don’t want to know about, said something along the lines of “Let me know if you ever run through this.” I cockily assured him that I didn’t need more than what I had. Three million seemed like such a fortune then.

  Should I call Egan and ask him to contact Paul?

  Nah, I don’t want to be indebted to them. I know they’re probably extremely rich by now and it would be a drop in the ocean for them, but I didn’t come all this way to be a beggar. I’d rather they remembered me as that guy who become a successful movie producer. Besides, I’m not the first producer who’s had to go down the movie insurance route, and I won’t be the last.

  It’s just business.

  23

  MIA

  I’VE BEEN AVOIDING JACK, but I eventually cave in and let him know that I’m sleeping in my own place tonight. I add that I want to enjoy some quality time with Annie, so he won’t misinterpret my message as an invitation to join me. I’m still pissed off with him for abandoning our movie, for taking the easy way out.

  “Hey, hey, hey,” Annie pushes a bag of poppadums toward me and indicates a bunch of fragrant paper bags of food. “Tuck in. I splurged.”

  Al let us go with July’s wages in our pockets without even having to work until the end of the month, so we’re both slightly more solvent at this point in the month than we’d normally be. Small mercies.

  “Thanks.” I grab cutlery. “What are you reading?” I point with my fork to the tome on her desk. I don’t want to talk about Jack or the movie so I have to keep Annie’s mind elsewhere.