“Sorry. I lied,” Viv said. “Rowan and I have been seeing each other since March. We aren’t telling anyone because…”
“Because of my divorce last December,” Rowan finished. “I don’t think I have to tell anyone here how messy it was.” He smiled softly and stroked Viv’s cheek with the back of his hand. “I don’t want any speculation that Viv’s the reason. It’s the last thing she needs right now.”
“So what does this have to do with Duke Holloway?” Kyle asked.
“It’s…well, it’s ridiculous,” Viv said. “Ever since Duke won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor, he’s let it go to his head. He thinks Rowan is jealous because he didn’t win an Emmy?—”
“Absolutely ridiculous,” Rowan reiterated.
“—and that’s why I’m killing off Caiden. Because Rowan and I are seeing each other and I’m getting revenge for him.” She shook her head sadly. “That decision was made long before Rowan and me, and I’d never be so petty as to do that to anyone.”
Both Rowan and Maddie looked upset.
Kyle nodded. “So you think he’s leaking intel about you. All right. Going forward, we’re switching hotels, tonight. I have one in mind in Boulder. I’m friendly with their security team. Charlie, you’re on twenty-four-seven until HQ verifies Holloway’s the leak or identifies who if anyone on set is feeding information. No more public appearances without advance security sweeps. And Rowan—no more talking about logistics withanyoneoutside this room.”
“Understood,” Rowan said. “Boy, do I.”
Kyle looked at Charlie. “You good with twenty-four-seven?”
She nodded. “Yes, Boss. So long as I can have my girl here.” She leaned down to pet Flo.
Kyle smiled. “Of course you’ll be working with your partner.” He turned to Shane. “You good as back-up?”
“Yup.”
“Good. Let’s pack up and move locations tonight. I want everyone in the new hotel before midnight.”
As they filed out, Shane caught Charlie’s eye and gave her a small nod.
“What?” she asked.
“Thanks for speaking up for Ben.”
Charlie shrugged. “You would have done the same.”
“Yeah. That’s why I’m saying thanks.” He slugged her upper arm the way he used to when they were Swicks. “Sounds like you guys made a great team out there.”
Yeah. Team. I’m just one of the guys.
What wouldBen think if he knew he’d been on a list of suspects, even for a short time? Did he deserve to know?
She could tell him. But once she did, she’d be asking him to carry a doubt that didn’t belong to him. Charlie wasn’t willing to do that.
So long as Shane said nothing, neither would she.
Why does it bother me so much?
Because Ben Massey was one of the most upstanding men she’d ever met. And if he thoughtshe’dsuspected him—of carelessness, of betrayal, ofanything—she wasn’t sure he’d look at her the same way. And that might just break her heart.
Stop with the romance. This isn’tBattleLore and you are no princess. Wanting to be one is a liability you can’t afford.
Charlie met Flo’s eyes again. “All right, girl, let’s go check on Viv.”
Charlie clipped Flo’s leash to her collar and they left the room. She knocked on Viv’s door—two quick raps, pause, then three more, which was their code—and then let herself in with the spare keycard.
Viv gave her a distracted wave. She was pacing angrily back and forth as she argued with someone on the phone.
“No. Absolutely not. We arenotdoing CGI for this. No, you’re not going to change my mind. I want it to look real. CGI is just not going to cut it. Look, I don’t care what showed up at the…”
