As I was led through the house and onto the back patio, I saw quite a few people scattered about. There were a couple of other photographers over the back, a few black suited, large guys and two women talking to another woman. I knew Roman was doing interviews today but my research ran dead, and couldn’t find out who it was.I decided I didn’t care. I was here, and I’d got the best job.
This place is huge and so beautiful, I thought as I looked around. I’d never even been to the Hollywood Hills before, let alone inside one of the mansions. As my gaze circled the sights around me at all the people scattered around the place, I was in awe. The guy in the black suit stayed by my side, though. Then I heard the loud clicking of stilettos, and they were getting closer. I brought my gaze back to the front and smiled nervously at the red-haired woman as she approached us. Her face was pretty but stern, and if I was honest, from the way she charged over here, I found her a bit intimidating for her size.
She looked at all the bags in my hand and narrowed her eyes, “Please tell me you’re the bloody freelance photographer, because right now,” she tapped the face of her expensive watch, “she’s twenty minutes late.”
“I am, but…”
“Karen?” she questioned, her eyes narrowed more as she directed her fierce gaze at me and waited, not so patiently.
“Yes, but I wasn’t late,” I quickly exclaimed as softly as I could. “I was stuck outside the front door...” My voice trailed off as I tried to explain my reasons.
“Stuck?” she repeated. She looked around her at the guy behind her.
“Yeahhh.” There went that squeak again.Jesus, get a grip, woman.“I knocked like three times, but nobody heard me.” I dragged my lip into my mouth and squeezed my fingers around the handle of my camera bag. She sounded so much sweeter on the other end of the phone.
“Three times?” Her eyes then widened, and her nostrils flared. I thought steam was going billow from them next. She then turned her angry gaze on the guy that towered over me.
“Where’s Gav?” I sneaked a glance to my right and saw this other suited guy’s hands go up in front of him and shrugged. She huffed loudly, “Why can’t anyone round here do a job right?” she growled. “RHYS!” she bawled across the patio. He turned his head. What the fuck was it with these guys? She crooked a finger at him - just like that, he started across the patio.
“I’m Nikki. Roman’s assistant.” I shook her hand firmly, I hoped to claw back a bit of dignity. “We spoke on the phone.” She smiled through gritted teeth. I could tell she was trying to hide her impatience, though.
“Karen Duncan. Pleased to meet you.” I smiled tightly, “I am sorry I didn’t get in here in time.”
Her gaze softened a tad, “It’s fine, it’s not your fault. We hire morons.”
“I should fit right in here then…” Nikki's gaze softened as she smirked back, they say there’s a time and a place for humour, but her eyes closed and her head shook, a sliver of a snigger fell from her lips, I shrugged and smiled anyway, it seemed I’d just broken the ice.
“What’s up?” The even bigger guy asked, his chin lifted as he switched his gaze between us all.
“Where’s Gav.”Nikki asked as she whirled around and looked up at him.
“I thought he was watching the gate?”
“Fuck’s sake. One job and he can’t even do that.” Nikki’s lips pursed as she stepped up to him, her head fell back on her shoulders and braced her hands on her hips. “No. One sec?”
“Who let you in?” I was about to tell her a shirtless guy who also went by the name of Gav, but then a dark-haired woman rushed up to us.
“Are you Karen?” I’m sure this was Roman’s wife.
“Yes.” I kept my reply short.
“I’m Paisley Dean.” I went to push my hand out to shake, but she moved in and hugged me instead, taking me completely by surprise. “I’ve got her from here, Nik.”
“Good, because I’m going to murder Gavin.” Nikki replied as Paisley hooked her arm through mine and led me toward the journalist she was talking to.
“Don’t mind Nik, she’s actually very nice but she gives the guys what for. Including Roman.” I smirked at her as she tugged me along. “He might be my husband, but he totally deserves her wrath most days.”
I’m so glad I decided not to go home. Turning my head, I smiled. This could be a good day, after all.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Gavin
My suit jacket shrugged into place as I wandered towards the patio. The second I stepped outside, though, the fucking heat hit me, humidity clung to me like a second skin. I doubted I’d ever get used to this. “Where have you been?” Nikki hissed as she marched over to me. I knew that tone. I didn’t even have time to hide from her. I smiled charmingly while her nostrils flared. She wasn’t in the mood.
“I had a shower and was getting dressed. I could've come out here in just a towel.” My brows danced, “I know you’d like that.”
“Get fucked, Gav.” She didn’t even look at me as she sneered. She kept her gaze on the scene that was in front of us. A perfectly trained response. Probably because she told me almost every day.
