Course of Action

by Gun Brooke

  Synopsis

  A high-stakes romance among the jet-set crowd of actresses, producers, and world-famous entrepreneurs. Carolyn Black – an actress driven by her ambition, desperately wants the starring role in an upcoming film based on a series of famous novels. With a reputation for being willing to do anything to get a part, the actress sets out to impress the woman behind the project. Annelie Peterson – the wealthy publisher with a mysterious past – owns the film rights and will decide who wins the much-coveted role. When Annelie meets Carolyn, the woman she has idolized for years, sparks fly. How far is Carolyn prepared to go for the dream part of a lifetime? And just how far will Annelie bend her principles in the name of desire?

  Course of Action

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  By the Author

  Course of Action

  Coffee Sonata

  Sheridan’s Fate

  September Canvas

  Fierce Overture

  The Supreme Constellations Series:

  Protector of the Realm

  Rebel’s Quest

  Warrior’s Valor

  Course of Action

  © 2005 By Gun Brooke. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-60282-293-1

  This Electronic Book is published by

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, New York 12185

  First Edition: June 2005

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editors: Jennifer Knight and Shelley Thrasher

  Executive Editor: Stacia Seaman

  Production Design: Stacia Seaman

  Cover Photos: Paula Tighe

  Cover Design By Sheri (GraphicArtist2020@hotmail.com)

  Acknowledgments

  I want to give credit to the wonderful people who took time out of their busy lives to help me complete this project. Their input, encouragement, and support made it possible for me to keep going.

  I molded Kitty McNeill after Kat, student by day and chef by night, hailing from Hunter Valley, a few hours north of Sydney, Australia. She writes fan fiction and original fiction when her busy schedule allows, posting it to her Web site http://www.wolf-fic.com. She also will publish one of her short stories in Stolen Moments: Erotic Interludes 2 from Bold Strokes Books. Kat has an incredible sense of humor along with a refreshingly candid way of giving feedback.

  Glynis is an Australian currently living in beautiful New Zealand. She posted a novel of her own, Melting Ice, last year and is now adding her latest, Counting the Cost, to her Web site, http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/glynisgriffinswriting/. This conscientious woman helps me with the hard bits that mean so much—advice about style, grammar, and spelling.

  Wendy, an occupational therapist residing in Scotland, has served me several great ideas on a silver platter. Wendy writes when her muse suggests it, and her sense of humor is wickedly hilarious. Her stories can be found at http://www.gbrookefiction.com/fiction/wendys_fiction/

  Jay, from Canada, and I frequently end up in discussions about what makes people tick. A lot of "what ifs" turned into plot ideas, which in turn developed into Course of Action. Jay's wacky sense of humor and energetic personality have many times helped me focus and keep writing.

  At Bold Strokes Books:

  Radclyffe, author and publisher—thank you, Rad, for believing in me.

  Dr. Shelley Thrasher, editor, went over Course of Action with a fine-tooth comb, teaching me a lot in a friendly, professional manner. Her feedback and editing, delivered with heart and humor, enhanced this story. Shelley's skills and friendship mean so much to me.

  Jennifer Knight, book doctor and editor, together with Shelley took me up a steep learning curve, teaching me invaluable lessons about building plot and characterization. Also, my thanks to Stacia Seaman, production editor, for proofreading and preparing my novel for print.

  Dedication

  Elon,

  Without whom I would starve, literally and metaphorically.

  Malin & Henrik,

  The greatest kids on the face of the earth.

  My Warrior Princess,

  Remember our deal; I keep you safe and you save the world.

  Lotta,

  Your friendship and our sisterhood mean everything to me.

  I love you all.

  Prologue

  “That role is mine! I am Diana Maddox!”

  Carolyn Black planted her hands on her agent’s desk and stared at him like a chained panther defending a bloody meal. The meal in question was the hottest movie role on offer for an over-thirty actress since The Hours.

  “I know you are, and so do all the fans,” Grey Parker tried to reassure his best client. Carolyn had always been goal oriented and ambitious, but she seemed almost desperate over the new Supernova Productions feature. He could understand her agitation; at forty-five, she was staring down the barrels. Most actresses her age were already playing Mom in television movies of the week.

  “You’re my agent, and I pay you a lot of money,” she hissed, abandoning his desk to pace the luxurious office. “I want this role. I have to have it.”

  “We don’t have a script yet,” Grey said in a soothing tone. “They’re not casting until—”

  “Oh, please. They’re casting. Read the goddamned tabloids. Annelie Peterson is taking actresses to lunch. Sylvia Goodman was on E! News dropping hints.” She stopped in her tracks and spun to face him, a signature move from her small-screen days as soap goddess Devon Harper. “I’ve earned this, Grey. I’m the one who should bring Diana Maddox to the big screen. Make it happen.”

  “Don’t you worry about a thing, my dear.” He masked an uncharacteristic lack of confidence. “Consider it done.”

  Chapter One

  Annelie Peterson sipped her champagne and gazed down at the crowd thronging the ballroom below.

  “I think we’re a hit.” She smiled at the boyish-looking man next to her.

  Gregory Horton was the CEO of one of her companies and a trusted friend.

  “Three hundred and fifty guests, a thousand dollars per plate.” He rolled off the numbers with patent satisfaction. “And that’s not counting the auction later. We should see half of that again with those first editions and the paintings. Of course it helps that you’re the hostess—the woman everyone wants to meet.”

  Annelie shot her employee a mock glare. Gregory had worked for her for seven years, ever since she came to Florida, and they shared an easygoing camaraderie as well as a smooth work relationship. In his early thirties, like herself, he looked more like a surfer than a seasoned executive. His unruly blond hair attracted the attention of both men and woman, as did his green eyes and broad smile.

  “We should mingle,” he continued. “It’ll pay to shake some people’s hands before we sit down to dinner.”

  Annelie sighed. The mingling was the tough part. She would never get used to the kind of meaningless exchanges and air-kissing that went on at charity galas like this one. But she had spent six months planning the event for the Nebula Circle, a philanthropic trust she had established several years ago. A little mingling wouldn’t kill her.

  Pulling at the skirt of her ice blue
Ungaro evening dress, she walked through the crowd, smiling faintly as she shook hands. She had met very few of these people personally, as she normally kept a low profile, but most of them seemed to know who she was—A. M. Peterson, the owner of Key Line Publishing Inc., the woman whose empire was growing so fast Fortune magazine had labeled her the next Ted Turner. Annelie wondered if she would ever get used to people regarding her with awe—and if she did, what that would say about the person she had become.

  Certainly the large mirrors lining the ballroom walls confirmed that she looked the part. The softly flowing dress fit her like a glove, and a chignon covered with a white gold web of diamonds held back her long blond hair. Annelie disliked rings and never wore any, but a breathtaking diamond necklace drew attention to her plunging neckline, and a matching bracelet encircled her right wrist. She was taller than most women and some of the men there but kept her head high, a posture she had perfected along with the rest of her carefully constructed public image.

  Annelie continued to work her way through the glamorously dressed crowd. Being used to men staring at her curvaceous body, she ignored their stares yet greeted each man politely. The envious looks from some of the women disappeared when they discovered she was just as friendly toward them.

  When she finally reached the other end of the hallway and scanned the crowd for Gregory, she noticed him talking to a couple and recognized the woman standing to his left. Carolyn Black wore an elegant black dress decorated with a cascade of rhinestones stretching from her left shoulder down around her waist and onto the form-fitting skirt. Her auburn hair was intricately piled on top of her head, with thin tresses caressing her neck. The actress had an obvious, quite overwhelming, charisma, which clearly held all around her captive and made Annelie catch her breath as she approached.

  Gregory performed the introductions, and Annelie shook hands with Carolyn and the man she was with, Jared Garrison. As they exchanged pleasantries, she wondered if the rumors about Carolyn and Jared were true. They didn’t look like lovers, but Annelie wasn’t sure what gave her that impression.

  “We’re delighted your audio version of the Diana Maddox books has become so successful, Ms. Black,” she said, thinking how young the actress seemed. Carolyn’s flawless skin, lightly dusted with freckles, looked satiny smooth. Her steady blue-gray eyes, able to portray any emotion required on stage or screen, swept Annelie up and down.

  “Well, thank you. And please, call me Carolyn,” she said in the low, smoky voice that had convinced Annelie to hire her for the audiobooks. “Of course the role came very naturally to me. I think, in many ways, Diana and I are kindred spirits.”

  Annelie smiled inwardly. The actress might as well have announced her interest in the film role on a foghorn. “Your voice was perfect,” she said. “I knew it would be after I saw you in The Greenhouse three years ago.”

  Carolyn’s mouth stretched into a brilliant smile. “You handled the casting decision personally?”

  “Of course. The Diana Maddox books are pivotal to my company.”

  “And you’re planning to bring them to the screen now. How brave of you after the V. I. Warshawski fiasco.”

  A warning shot? Either Carolyn really cared about the character or she wanted it to seem that way. “Well, I haven’t hired a moron to direct my film or hacks to write the screenplay,” Annelie said coolly. Was it her imagination, or was this actress actually interviewing her—assessing her competence to extend the Diana Maddox franchise onto the screen?

  Carolyn’s expression was serenely self-possessed. “I’m sure, if you can attach the right cast, you’ll have the distributors eating from your hand.”

  “Thanks.” Annelie was aware her voice held an edge of sarcasm. She wasn’t accustomed to having anyone imply she might lack the skills to pull off a project. Mildly irritated, she steered the conversation back to social pleasantries. “I’m so glad you could be here tonight. What are you doing in Florida, by the way? Are you filming here?”

  “No, I’ve just closed a play in New York, and I need a break. So I’m reading a few scripts and spending some quality time with Jared.”

  Apparently Jared Garrison had missed the change of topic. “Do you have anyone in mind for Maddox yet?” he asked Annelie, oblivious to his date’s unmistakable glare. “I hear there’s a lot of interest. Even Meryl Streep and Sally Field.”

  Annelie had to hide a smile. She knew Jared professionally. The good-looking lawyer was a senior partner at a firm that did pro bono work for Nebula Circle clients. Her charity focused on children born with HIV and shelters for women, so they always needed volunteer legal help. She’d had no idea Jared was involved with Carolyn Black until she’d read some gossip recently. For a moment she pitied him. The actress had a reputation for chewing men up and spitting them out.

  Annelie smirked faintly. “I don’t see either Streep or Field as a potential Diana Maddox,” she told him. “They’re wonderful actresses but not the right age, to start with.”

  She could almost hear the wheels turning inside Carolyn’s head, but the perfect face revealed nothing. Sweeping a quick assessing look around, she made an expansive gesture and projected her voice as only a Broadway star could, declaring, “Wonderful night, Annelie. I’m so glad I could come.” She took Jared’s arm. “Now I really mustn’t keep you from your guests. Perhaps we’ll chat later.”

  By some strange magic the crowd parted as she moved through it, people turning to gaze at her, a few even clapping. Annelie was astounded to see even the most sophisticated of her guests looking starstruck at a smile or nod from Carolyn Black. If the woman was trying to make a point, she’d succeeded. She was the consummate performer. A star.

  But was she Diana Maddox? Annelie had her doubts.

  *

  “You look like the cat that ate the proverbial canary,” Gregory remarked as he followed Annelie off the stage after the auction.

  “I’m overwhelmed,” Annelie said, checking her Palm Pilot. “Someone paid $12,000 for those signed first editions of the Diana Maddox books.”

  Gregory grinned. “Yup, and that was none other than Diana Maddox herself, or should I say, Carolyn Black. She must want the part in the worst way.”

  “Gregory! Behave.”

  “Don’t look now, but she’s on her way over here. Don’t make any promises you can’t keep.”

  Annelie turned around and saw Carolyn approaching, this time without her date.

  “Annelie.” The throaty voice seemed to caress her name, making Annelie shiver. “I wanted to thank you for this evening. It looks like all your hard work paid off.”

  “I’m thrilled,” Annelie said. “And everything will go directly to the children we’re supporting. The hotel even donated the ballroom.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “Your bid was extremely generous. It was very kind of you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Carolyn wasn’t going to ask about the Diana Maddox role. Annelie admired the actress’s steely nerve. It wasn’t often she encountered a woman with as much strength of mind as she herself possessed. She could sense that strength in Carolyn and was drawn to it. “How long will you be in Florida?” she asked.

  “I’m due back in New York in two weeks.”

  “Are you staying in the city?”

  “I’m at Jared’s condo on Bal Harbour. I was hoping to swim every day since that’s my favorite way to exercise. But the wind has been too strong.” Carolyn smiled with faint self-deprecation. “I’m so used to swimming pools that I find the large waves intimidating.”

  Annelie reached into her small purse for a business card, an idea taking rapid shape in her mind. “Tell you what. I live near Jared, on Golden Beach. You’re more than welcome to come use my pool. I’ll leave word at the gate that you’re on my guest list.” A small, wry smile lifted her mouth. “Needless to say, that’s a very short list.”

  Carolyn’s eyes widened, and Annelie could hear Gregory cough in surp
rise behind her.

  “That’s very generous.” Carolyn said. “I don’t want to impose—”

  “You’re not. I promise. Any day is fine. My housekeeper will let you in. She’s off on Sundays and Mondays, but I’m usually home till lunch then.”

  Carolyn’s polite hesitance vanished. “So, would tomorrow be all right?”

  Annelie smiled at the unabashed question. Being rather direct herself, she found Carolyn’s manner refreshing. “Sure, why don’t you come around eleven? We could have lunch afterward.”

  “Are you sure it isn’t too much trouble?” Carolyn briefly touched Annelie’s arm. “I mean, after tonight and everything?”

  “Quite sure.”

  Gregory coughed again, but Annelie ignored him.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” Carolyn looked delighted. “Good night.”

  As the actress vanished into the sea of departing guests, a soft male voice behind Annelie inquired, “What are you doing?”

  “Running my business.”

  Gregory seemed unimpressed. “You’re going to offer her the part?”

  “No. I’m going to make it very attractive for her to agree to terminate the audiobook contract.”

  Gregory frowned. “Why? The sales have been huge.”

  “Once I have an actress playing Maddox on screen, we’ll need to rejacket all the print books and redo sound on the audio series for the Diana character. I want the same actress doing everything. It’s the only thing that makes sense, and our marketing people agree.”

  Gregory grimaced. “You can’t seriously imagine Carolyn Black is going to take that lying down. She won’t terminate. She’ll sue.”