Prince of the Playhouse (20 page)

The chief looked up, as if she could see through the ceiling. “Of course.”

“And I hope you plan to come to the
Hamlet
opening.”

She smiled. “I want to see it.”

“I’ll have my office send you tickets for the opening night. You won’t believe Ru’s amazing costumes.” He shook her hand. “Thank you so much for your help.” He extended his hand to Johns. “Thank you, Officer.”

Johns looked some combination of awed and angry.

Gray let Ru walk out in front of him.
Wow. Talk about knight-in-shining-armor material.
Gray kept up the million-watt smile all the way through the lobby of the police station, but when they stepped outside, the vultures descended. Two TV vans and about fifteen reporters shoved microphones and cameras in their faces.

“Gray, what are you doing in a police station?”

“Hey, Ru, did you really beat up some robber?”

Gray stopped and held up his hand. “Okay, guys, gather ’round.” He glanced at Ru. “What happened is I was having a meeting with my business partner, Ru Maitland. We left his house and were confronted by a man with a gun. The guy wanted to rob us. I was going for my wallet when Ru jumped the dude, disarmed him, and had him on the ground faster than you can say ‘stunt double.’” Pearlie flash. “He’s one helluva hero, but kids, don’t try this at home. Now, we’ve had a bad night and I have a shoot tomorrow, so I’m cutting this short. Thanks.”

Chris stepped in and paved the way for them through the shouting crowd. Most of the questions this time were yelled to Ru. He smiled and raised a hand but practically dove into the limo, with Gray behind him.

Inside, he collapsed against the far door of the car until faces started peering through the glass and fists hammered on the top.
Shit!
Chris climbed in the driver’s seat, started the car, and screeched away from the police station, sending reporters leaping in every direction.
What a mess.

Finally they pulled out onto the street and left the screaming meemies behind. He stared at Gray, who grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

“Shit, I’m the one who’s okay, thanks to you.”

Ru snuggled closer. “Why did you come back? That was insane.”

Gray leaned against the car door, pulling Ru with him. “I realized what a fucking coward I was being. I went back to your house, and your neighbor told me where they’d taken you. She seemed worried.”

Ru nodded. “I may think you’re crazy for coming back, but that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful. Man, that whole thing was ugly.”

“What did the police chief mean about gang activity?”

Don’t tense.
“I’m not sure exactly, but I think your arrival kept me from a night of questioning.”

Chris called, “Gray, we’re almost at Ru’s house. Those reporters are going to be here soon, you know that.”

Ru looked up at Gray. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. I’m afraid you’re going to be their flavor of the week. They have to maintain a certain distance, but they’ll drive you crazy when you come out of the house.”

“Damn.”

“Sorry.”

“Hell no, it’s me who’s sorry for dragging you into this.”

“I’ll send Chris back after he takes me on location. If you still feel up to coming in the morning, he’ll bring you. Otherwise he’ll run interference for you on your way to work or wherever you need to go.” He looked up. “Okay with you, Chris?”

“Of course, boss.”

Ru sighed. “Will you be okay without Chris?”

“Yeah. There are plenty of guards around the shoot. Rest if you need to, or come see me. Either way is good.”

“Thank you.”

Chris’s voice sounded tense. “Better get going if you don’t want to run another gauntlet.”

Gray gave Ru a quick peck. “Sorry. Eyes everywhere. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“Run to your door.”

“Wow. I never dreamed that day would come.” He grinned. “See you.”

“Yeah. And we’ll have that conversation about karate and shit.”

Ru swallowed, nodded, and jumped out of the car. A voice yelled, “Ru. Ru. Can I ask you a few questions?”

He ran for the door, slipped inside, and slammed it closed. After securing all the drapes and making sure the doors were locked just in case, he collapsed on the couch.
Surreal. This whole thing. Jesus, Gray came back. He came back to protect me, even though it meant risking his own privacy—and I still lied to him.
One thing was sure. Having that conversation with Gray about “karate and shit” would sure as hell be shit. Bernardo’s voice on the phone had sounded tense. “Remember,
corazón
, no stinking cops.”

RU DASHED
toward the door of Shazam.

“Ru, a few questions!” The reporter ran toward him with mic outstretched, and two others followed behind him.

“Ru, how did you take down that attacker?”

“Ru, did Gray protect you?”

He grabbed the door, pushed it inward, closed it hard, and pressed his back against it.

The door to the inner studio opened, and Shaz’s red head popped out. “Ah, the hometown hero has arrived.”

“Oh God, I’m so, so, so, so sorry.”

Shaz stepped out and let the door close behind him. “For what?”

“For the total insanity outside.”

“Mmm. And publicity became bad for stylists and fashion designers when?”

“Don’t you think this is a little excessive?”

Shaz raised his penciled brow. “The road of excess—”

“Leads to the palace of wisdom. I know.”

“William—”

“Blake.” They both laughed at their quote of a favorite movie. Ru glanced over his shoulder to see the reporters stalking at the edges of the grass in front of the building. “They’re voracious.”

“Yes, dear. Well, you only distinguished yourself as an offspring of Bruce Lee last night. The furor will die down in time.”

Ru glanced up at Shaz, then down at his sparkly sneakers. He and Shaz had been best friends for years—but he’d never told him. Hell, they told each other everything. Not this. Now he wasn’t sure which thing Shaz would hate him for most—lying all these years or being a gangbanger.

Shaz leaned back against the door. They looked like bookends. “Are you okay, dear? I certainly didn’t expect to see you today. I was waiting until later even to call.”

“Uh, Gray invited me to see him film some action scenes. Chris has the limo outside.”

He sprang upright. “What? Holy hell, darling, what are you doing here? I can’t think of anything more fun. Well, a few things, but none of those can be done in public.”

“It’s okay with you?”

Shaz crossed his arms and approached Ru. “Rupert Maitland, I think the infusion of Anson finances puts you a bit out of the realm of my employee, don’t you?”

“What? No.” He stood upright and stared down at Shaz. “You’ll always be my boss. Besides, I don’t exactly call anything having to do with Gray Anson a sure thing. I could need a job any day.”

Shaz patted his arm. “Trust me on this, darling. Anson or no Anson, you don’t need to be a tailor any longer. So go, shoo.” He flicked his fingers. “Think of it as keeping your investors happy.”

Ru shuffled his feet. Damn, he wanted to see Gray, but discussions about kung fu colored the horizon gray—no pun intended.

Shaz cocked his head. “Maybe you’re too tired? I read the account of your attack in the local paper this morning. You must have been very frightened.”

He nodded. No way he’d say the punk just made him see red. No fear involved.

“Or maybe you don’t want to see Gray?”

“No, I do. It’s just complicated.”

Shaz frowned. “You had to know that before you met him. There are countries with fewer complications than Gray Anson.”

“Tell me about it.”

Shaz waved a hand. “But I must say his infrastructure is fabulous.”

Ru grinned. “You should see his parliamentary procedure.”

“So I gather Mr. Anson is gay as my kimonos and so far in the closet he could find Aslan.”

“Yes.”

Shaz pressed his butt against the door beside Ru. “Tough duty, my friend.”

“Yes.”

“What are his plans?”

“No idea.”

“Intentions?”

“Less idea.”

“Oh, baby.” He wrapped an arm around Ru. “I guess there isn’t an option of saying ‘don’t get involved’?”

He rested his head on Shaz’s shoulder. “That time passed—before I even met him.”

“Ah yes. Obsession doth make cowards of us all.”

“I’m pretty sure the Bard said conscience, but point taken.”

“Be careful, dear. I want all this to end well, to further quote old William.”

He pulled back and looked into Shaz’s warm eyes. “But it could end so badly, right?”

“Let’s just say there are a lot of ways for this train to derail.” He smiled and slapped Ru’s rear. “But get your ass out there and check his choo-choo. This is one dream you don’t want to disturb before it ends.”

Ru pecked a kiss on Shaz’s cheek. “See you tomorrow.”

“I want to hear all about it—and I do mean all.”

“Perv.”

“Oooh, yes. You can come again when you relate the details. Go.”

Ru took a deep breath and raced straight out for the limo, where Chris held open the back door.

Sadly, Shaz only had half an idea how complicated his relationship with Gray actually was.

“JESUS, THAT
stuff tastes bad.” Gray spit the blob of dusty base makeup he’d managed to get on his tongue.

His makeup artist laughed. “Gotta make you look like you’ve been through a war, and you want good tastes?”

Benson walked in. “They’re almost ready for you.”

“Is, uh, Chris back with Maitland?”

“No.” Benson frowned.

Damn, where is he? Maybe he isn’t coming.
Jesus, he wanted to jump up and run outside to look, which was just plain dumb. How had Ru gotten so important to him so fast?

Andy, the makeup guy, patted some powder with a greening tinge on his cheek. “There. Done. I’m going out to watch. This should be quite a stunt.” He waved at Benson and walked out.

Benson hissed, “Speaking of stunts, that was one dumb stunt you two pulled last night.”

Gray’s head snapped around. “I didn’t exactly plan to get robbed at gunpoint.”

“Yes, but I heard you left and then went back. Jesus, Gray, what were you thinking? You were out of it and should have stayed out.”

He ripped the makeup cape off his shoulders and turned to Benson. “What I was thinking was that someone almost certainly saw me and would report to the police that I was there. Terrific publicity. Gray Anson leaves the scene of a crime. Deserts his friend. Lets his friend take the blame.”

Benson crossed his arms. “You don’t know that.”

“Yeah, well, Ru has a neighbor who’s compiling a dossier on everyone who comes and goes on the street. Not much chance she missed me.”

Benson leaped to his feet. “Then what the fuck are you doing there? Stay off that street and away from Maitland.”

“Too late.” The voice came from a small crack in the trailer door. The door pushed open and Ru stepped in.

Gray had to control the smile that wanted to take over his face. “Hey, you made it.”

“I apologize for being late. I’ve become a small, hunted animal in your large jungle.”

“I’m really sorry about that.”

Ru glanced at Benson, then up at Gray. “You saved my ass. I don’t know what I would have been in for if you hadn’t ridden in on your Mercedes charger and carried me away. Probably a night in jail. I’m grateful.”

“Well, as I was about to point out to Benson, there’s a chance you saved my life, so I’m pretty sure I’m still the one who owes you.”

Benson huffed. “My only point was that you’re asking for trouble. If you hadn’t been there, the guy would never have threatened you—or maybe Ru either.”

Ru nodded. “He’s right.”

“Dammit, I get to have friends.” Gray slammed a hand against the makeup table.

“Yes, well—you better get out there. They’re waiting.”

“Come on, Ru.” Gray held the door to the trailer, and Ru walked through, smelling like vanilla and all the things his cock liked. Gray turned to follow him, and Benson grabbed his arm.

“By the way, Ursula is coming out here on a shoot, so I asked her to be your date for the
Hamlet
premiere after-party. The press really likes you two together.”

“Shit, Benson. She’s not just boring, she’s boring in Russian.”

“I don’t have to tell you that now that you’re not engaged you’re even more vulnerable. You have to do this, Gray.”

“Fuck!” He slammed out the door, walked down the steps, grabbed Ru’s arm, and led him to the set manager. “Would you get one of the stunt guys to explain to Ru what’s going on? Thanks.”

Shit. He wanted to hit something, and he wanted to kiss Ru. Which one did he get to do? Fucking nada.

OH MY
God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
Ru pressed his hands against his eyes.

“It’s okay. Honest.” Jerry, the stuntman, laughed and tried to pry Ru’s fingers from his face.

Ru yanked himself away and kept hiding. “No. Not safe.” He separated his fingers and peeked. The stunt coordinators were resetting the shot after the first take with a stuntman in place of Gray.
Holy shit, explosions, fire, car upside down. No way.
He’d known it would be violent, but not like this!

The last of the fire suit and other protective paraphernalia got strapped onto Gray where he stood about ten yards from Ru and Jerry. The car preparation happened about a half a football field away.

“Seriously, Gray’s really good at this. He’s well coordinated but cautious.”

Ru pointed. “That, my friend, is no one’s definition of cautious.” Jesus, he shouldn’t have come. Watching Gray stalk around the stage as the melancholy Dane thrilled Ru. This scared him shitless.

Gray started to walk toward the car. Ru gripped his hands together.

Jerry nudged him. “Hey, you’re really nervous.”

“He’s—he’s my friend.”

Jerry, a scarred and grizzled veteran of years of stunt work, laughed. “Yeah, I watch my friends get blown up every day.”