“What are you going to tell her?”
He yanked it out of her hand. “You’ll hear for yourself.”
“Mike, think about how much you’ll hurt her. She will never forgive you. You’ll lose her forever.”
“Carolina,” he answered, boring into Andrea’s terrified eyes. “There’s something important that I need to tell you. I wanted you to hear it from me first.”
Andrea shook her head, her jaws clenched.
“Andrea…” God, how much he wanted to tell Maggie the truth. Secrets were heavy. They pressed down and made it hard to breathe. Yet they were so hard and sharp they hurt. And hurting Maggie was the last thing he would do. If he could spare her the pain, even if it meant doing the wrong thing, he would. “Andrea isn’t gonna bother us anymore,” he said.
Andrea allowed herself to breathe.
“Believe it or not, she’s here to apologize. She finally understood that you’re so talented and our movies are gonna be great. Also, we agreed to part on good terms. I’ll sign one last movie with her, as a farewell gift, and we’re all good.”
“You’re right, I don’t believe it,” Maggie said. “She’d never say that.”
“Well, she did. She’s even gonna give us her blessing, not that we give a shit.”
Maggie laughed. “That’s unbelievable. It doesn’t sound like her at all. What did you do to her?”
“Nothing. She just realized she was gonna lose everything if she wasn’t on our side, and you know how much your mother hates to lose.”
“Wow. Should I come over? I don’t think I’ll believe it till I hear it from her myself.”
“You’re gonna have to take my word for it ‘cause she’s already left. Anyway, I know you have to get back to work. I just wanted to tell you the first thing. See you in a few minutes.” He hung up.
“Thank you,” Andrea whispered.
“I didn’t do it for you.” His eyes became level and steady on hers, his features quiet, giving no sign to the psyche underneath. “Listen carefully, if you ever threaten me again,” his nostrils flared, “if you evertouchme again, don’t blame anyone but yourself for what happens. Do you understand?”
She swallowed. “I do.”
“Now get the fuck out of here, and never show me your fucking face again.”
PART FOUR
EIGHT MONTHS OF PEACE
Scene63
Maggie
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
I swiped through my messages as I waited in the VIP lounge, my backpack and carry-on suitcase sitting next to me. Then Mike was calling.
“Superstar.” I smiled.
“You landed yet?”
“Yeah. You here?”
“I’m sorry, vita mia. I couldn’t make it to the airport.”
You’re so full of shit.“Oh. That’s too bad. Why?”
