‘She was photographed off her face in a nightclub last night. The media’s having a field day with it.’
What? Sweet isn’t just her name, it’s her nature. She came straight out of the Disney Junior Club, for Christ’s sake. Agents were tripping over themselves to sign her.
‘She’s adamant someone slipped something into her drink. I’m inclined to believe her.’
‘Is she ok?’
‘Not great, to be honest. She’s in hospital undergoing blood tests.’ Kim’s tone cracks across the phone. She’s fond of Mia. We both are. ‘She’s had some sort of allergic reaction to whatever substance she ingested.’
‘Fuck.’ I sit bolt upright, raking a hand through my hair.
I might have a reputation for being one of the most ruthless agents in Hollywood, but the one thing I can’t stand is a woman crying.
You can’t save them all.
A niggle in my subconscious attempts to rise to the surface. I squeeze my eyelids shut, forcing it out.
I might not have been able to save Sofia, but I’ll be damned if I don’t see Lula right. Even if it’s costing me more than I ever thought I’d give.
‘There’s more as well. The cops found drugs in her apartment. Enough to send her down.’
‘What? That’s ridiculous. The girl is as innocent as a newborn baby. That can’t be right.’
It can’t be. Because if it is, it means I was wrong. My bullshit radar was off. And that’s simply not possible.
‘Can you come home? The media are all over it. Things are spiralling out of control. The paps are crawling around the hospital and her apartment and even her family home in Orlando. Disney is threatening a lawsuit on top of everything too. It’s a fucking mess.’
Itisa fucking mess. For all of us. If Mia is as innocent as I think she is, someone’s framed her as well as drugged her. And if she’s not as innocent as I think, I’ve fucked up and risked my reputation along with her own.
As much as I hate the thought of leaving Chloe, I have no choice but to deal with it.
‘Ok. Book me on the next flight.’
‘I’ll email you the details.’ Kim exhales a long, deep breath.
‘Send them on to Colton, too. Have him collect me from the airport.’
‘No problem.’
I hang up and kiss the back of Chloe’s hand as I commit the image before me to memory. The woman is a fucking work of art. Every inch of her silky skin begs to be worshipped. I might have to go now, but I’m nowhere near done with her yet.
I know she has this one-night rule, but where’s the harm in extending it a little longer when she’s safe in the knowledge it will end naturally after the tour?
I wasn’t joking when I told her I’m utterly unavailable.
Other than our respective siblings’ wedding, we’re never going to cross paths again. But until then, I need more of her. The sex is other-worldly. I don’t care how busy the tour dates are. I’ve nowhere near had my fill.
‘I’m needed in LA.’
‘Well, it’s a good job you gave me the green light to bull ahead with my extraordinary ideas.’
‘There’s nothing good about it.’ My eyes roam over her nakedness. ‘I need more of you. Of this.’
Chloe gazes at me with an enigmatic expression. ‘Let’s not pretend this is something it isn’t.’
‘We agreed four days,’ I growl.
‘No, you demanded four days. What we actually agreed is that you’d let me take charge of the tour and I’d swim naked with you. Everything else was a bonus. I gave you one night, Jayden, to get it out of our systems. I think it’s safe to say we milked every minute.’
