“… And Start Getting Real”
I glared at Fortune across our cramped knees, amazed the helicopter was airborne with us both onboard. “So what did Barnes promise you?”
“Nothing,” Fortune answered. “He hired me.”
“Fortune’s officially my bodyguard now. We drafted our agreement at the hospital when Shawn gave me my shiner,” Barnes said, unzipping his thick jacket.
Fortune shrugged. “It’s a good deal.”
“Yeah, I’d say half of whatever I win is pretty damn good,” Barnes muttered.
“I need to up my rates,” Greta tutted from her seat beside me, our escort on the chopper.
I inhaled, trying to focus, retracing the labyrinth of excuses Barnes had made since arriving. He’d alluded to needing money for other lawsuits, which meant funds were coming from elsewhere if he’d share winnings with Fortune. “So this isn’t about the cash, is it?” I asked,remembering PB’s deal. “You care who gets the title, that’s why you’ve been hell-bent onmewinning. Barnes, tell me what deal you made, or I’ll quit right now.”
“Don’t bluff,” Barnes replied. “You’re not good at it.”
“He’s gotten better,” Greta said under her breath.
“See, this is why we’ll never get back together,” I pressed, shifting my tactic. “You’ll never trust me enough not to manipulate me.”
“I trust you more than anyone—”
“Then prove it. Otherwise, what’s the point of whatever stunt you’re pulling?”
He grimaced, debating my words. “They offered me a new show. Of my own.”
“Of course they did,” I sneered. “Let me guess, Troy would have been showrunner?”
Greta eyed me, almost proud. “I told you he’s gotten better.”
“It was $2.5 million for one season, straight-to-series. It didn’t matter if I lostEndeavor,” Barnes explained tersely. “As long as you won.”
“So your whole reconciliation act—”
“I meant every word.”
“You literally just admitted you’re here to greenlight a TV show.”
“Those things don’t have to be mutually exclusive, Luke. I can want my husband back and provide for our family too,” he said, leaning forward.
“Did you tell Troy that?”
“Troy was a pawn, and I’d have ditched him once the ink was dry. Besides, using him backfired plenty. Thanks to his little machinations, the network altered my deal.” He stalled, eyes suddenly so sad. “You’ll never believe anything I say after this…”
“Thisis the last straw?” I asked skeptically.
“I have to win alongside you now. Even then, I’ll only get $50,000 for the new show.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t walk from that deal.”
“If I did, they’d sue me for fraud.”
“And what? This show kicks off the big redemption era? Who’d even watch it?”
Barnes sighed. “The network knows I’m overexposed. That’s why they lowered their financial risk, but they’ll honor the original $2.5 million deal… if you do the show with me.”
I burst out laughing, what Zara had tried to hint at now crystal clear.
