Page 16 of The Rented Bride

Tomas’ expression sobered. “I’m sorry.”

They headed down a short corridor toward the courtyard entrance. They reached the foyer and Trent opened the door to the small parlor and stood aside as Tomas entered, then followed his friend and closed the door behind them.

“Let’s have that drink.” Trent crossed to the buffet located against the left wall. “Scotch all right?”

“Perfect,” Tomas said.

Trent poured scotch into two glass tumblers then returned to Tomas and handed him the drink. Trent drank half the contents in one gulp, then said, “I have a favor to ask. It’s personal.”

“What’s wrong?” Tomas asked.

He was falling off the edge of the world. “I’m not sure.” He bowed his head, hating the direction of his thoughts, but needing to know the truth. “This is strictly off the record.”

“Anything my friend.” Tomas lifted a brow. “As long as you’re not asking me to kill someone.”

Trent appreciated that his friend was trying to lighten the mood, but said, “Nothing illegal. But I don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position.”

“Why don’t you just tell me what you need?”

“I need information. Information that has to stay between you and me.”

“You have my word.”

“I assume you heard about the merger between Horizon and Blood Silk?”

Tomas nodded. “I did.”

“Did you also hear that Blood Silk signed Lindsey Fremont for the role of Vicky Harris?” Trent asked.

“That movie deal is what attracted Horizon to Blood Silk—though, in truth, that’s what Blood Silk was counting on.”

“What do you mean?” Trent asked.

“My source tells me that negotiations between Ms. Fremont and Blood Silk stalled in its fifth month.”

Fifth month? Trent jarred. That meant—His gut wrenched. She’d lied from the beginning.

“But then Blood Silk approached Horizon with a merger proposal that included a movie deal with Ms. Fremont. That put negotiations on the fast track,” Tomas went on. “Two weeks later, barely long enough for the lawyers on both sides to review the paperwork, both parties signed.”

“Was signing Lindsey Fremont enough to make Horizon take the deal?” Trent asked.

“In my opinion, no. She’s got a good name, made some money for the studios, but she’s not Meryl Streep or even Jennifer Lawrence. She’s not box office gold. Horizon works with mega stars. They don’t have to make many concessions. Plus, they could have signed her for another movie deal at any time—though not the Vicky Lewis movies. Blood Silk owns those rights.

“Are you interested in the studios?” Tomas’ gaze narrowed. “Or the actress?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Let’s just say I know your type. And I heard someone talking about Lindsey being here tonight, although I haven’t seen her.”

Someone was talking about Lindsey being here tonight? They had agreed her presence at the party would remain a secret. They didn’t want the paparazzi getting wind of their relationship. That meant she leaked the news.

He took another drink, then said, “So essentially, Blood Silk got Horizon to back a movie Blood Silk couldn’t afford.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know Blood Silk’s financial, but they can’t be more than one fifth the size of Horizon,” Trent said. “They’ll get swallowed up.”

“Try one tenth the size,” Tomas said. “But Luther Dungate wanted out, and Ms. Fremont wanted in.”