He laughs. “It’d better be worth it. Especially since I haven’t eaten properly in three days.”
I wince. “That bad? You didn’t exactly sign up for this.”
He shakes his head. “It’s fine.” He reaches out and trails his fingers over mine. “Anything for you is fine.”
“Thank you.” I drop my gaze, my heart thumping heavily in my chest. “Hey, um, so I was thinking.” I stare at our fingers. “Will this hurt your career at all? Maybe I didn’t really think it through enough when I asked you.”
Callisto pops his hand under my chin and lifts. “Red, I could’ve said no, remember? Don’t worry about that. We have a legal code of conduct, but it says nothing specifically about acting.”
“You checked?” I ask, gazing into his big dark eyes.
“Yeah, and I don’t think it’ll matter much, anyway. Remember, I’m only supposed to look like James. Who’s gonna even notice my name in the credits?”
I chuckle. “Word will spread faster than you think.”
He shrugs and drops his hand. “Let it.” He huffs in a deep breath and squares his shoulders. “Are we ready to do this, Ashana?”
“I’m ready, but no one’s put your colored contact lenses in yet.” I’m drowning in the deep black depths of his eyes.
“Damn,” he mutters, spinning to find his costumer. The frazzled man hurries over, already noticing his mistake.
“This might be the worst part of the gig,” Callisto says, blinking the lenses into place. His dark irises disappear, replaced with James’ lighter eyes. It softens him a little.
“Hey, Calli?” I say, reaching for his hand.
“Hmm?”
“Rickon showed me the roof this morning. I’m stunned, truly. It’s amazing.”
He smiles, melting my heart. “Glad to hear you like it. You’re welcome, gorgeous.”
It’s kinda funny how he calls me gorgeous, when he’s seen everything about my past and the dark, stinking hole I crawled out of. It’s like my filth never fazed him, only made him angry I had to endure it.
I squeeze his fingers. “I just want to let you know, I’m okay with whatever happens during the scene. Anything at all.”
His eyes widen.
Chapter forty-two
Callisto
Red’s words ring in my ears as we climb into the car where the chain of scenes starts. Sweat builds on my palms as the film team adjusts the lighting, hiding half my face in shadow. The angles from here on out can’t show a full view of my face since I’m filling in for their arrested actor.
I’m glad the fucker got caught. I already reached out to the OCB legal team to give suggestions on the case to ensure the charges stick, so the slimy bastard can’t weasel out of them.
But I’m also thrilled his arrest means I can sit here next to this beautiful omega. I couldn’t care less about acting, but answering her shy plea for help? Well, that’s worth more than all the career acclaim. This feels like a precious second chance with the woman I should’ve claimed when I first laid eyes on her.
“Remember to call meAshanafrom here out,” Red murmurs as the staff call the okay on the lighting check.
“All right,Ashana,” I say.
She grins. Even with a bandage on her forehead and baggy clothes, she’s stunning. The makeup gives her a sweet but tired look that tugs on my heartstrings.
“Nervous?” she asks.
“No,” I answer honestly. “I know I’m in expert hands with you.”
She throws me an exasperated look, but her dark lips twitch with humor. I’ve kissed Red a few times in my life, but this feels like it’s about to be the sweetest. Not because of any external pressure, or even our alpha-omega natures. This time, it’s born of trust, and that makes my heart sing.
