Thrill! (43 page)

"It doesn't matter."

"Was it Mick?"

"No. It wasn't."

"Anyway, whatever he said, it's not true,"

she muttered sulkily.

"Nothing happened."

"I'd be happy if it wasn't,"

Nikki said.

"But since I know it is here's my decision. I've booked you on a noon flight home to Chicago."

That woke Summer up in a hurry.

"No!"

she shrieked, her blue eyes filling with tears of frustration.

"I can't go back there."

"Yes, you can,"

Nikki said firmly.

"And you will."

"Why do I have to?"

Summer yelled.

" Why? Why? Why?

"Because you're only fifteen, and you must finish school and do what your father tells you. Perhaps next time you visit, you'll behave in a more responsible fashion."

"This isn't fair!"

Summer shouted, jumping out of bed.

"Fair or not, that's my decision,"

Nikki said, her expression grim.

Later that day, she drove Summer to the airport, personally putting her on a plane. In the evening she called Sheldon to make sure their daughter had arrived safely.

298

"What did you do to her while she was in LA?"

Sheldon demanded, sounding pissed off.

"She looks dreadful."

"I didn't do anything,"

Nikki retorted, forcing her voice into neutral.

"You sent me a kid who was out of control."

"Not when she left here she wasn't,"

Sheldon thundered.

Nikki held her temper in check. lPm not the parent figure here, Sheldon - you are. So it's up to you to do something about her."

And that was that. Mission accomplished.

Her daughter was off her hands and now she could concentrate on work.

299

^^^.Jf^ THEY'D BEEN shooting Revenue for five weeks, ^^^PUP^^ and although Lara was tired, she was also exhilarated. It was the most exciting film she'd ever been involved with, even though Mick was insane - his manic energy dominating the set as he raced around encouraging his actors to fly - arms waving in the air, huge glasses falling off his nose. He was truly obsessed, his unbridled enthusiasm encouraging everyone to do better.

Her life was making the movie and Joey, who since the night they'd discussed commitment had been there for her all the way, a constant reassuring presence.

She loved him so much. He made everything easy, cushioning any problems, so that all she had to do was concentrate on her work.

The people who usually surrounded her were not pleased. Cassie was relegated to sitting in the office at home, unless Joey said it was OK for her to come to the set. Nikki was around, but always busy. So her only close contact was Joey.

The fact that he was in the movie was a big plus. They even had scenes together and she loved working with him. They rehearsed at home, running lines, critiquing each other, getting into it. He taught her how to handle a gun - which wasn't an easy thing for her to learn, because it dredged up so many bad memories. However, with his help she mastered it, which was good, it meant she'd be prepared for the upcoming scene where she got to shoot Aiden's character.

300

In return she taught him certain tricks to use in front of the camera, and all about lighting. They made love every night, and each time it got better.

Most evenings they sat up in bed, side by side, watching old movies or Seinfeld, sending out for food, never feeling the need to go anywhere, perfectly content. Sometimes Mrs Crenshaw cooked, and on those nights they ate outside on the patio. Other times they rode the horses along the beach, or played with the dogs.

As far as Lara was concerned, things couldn't be more idyllic. She was making a powerful movie that meant something to her, and she had a man beside her who was everything she'd ever wanted. The nightmares were becoming more and more distant. It was amazing that they'd found each other.

She awoke with a flutter in her stomach, because today they were shooting the rape scene. There was hardly any dialogue, mostly action. Mick had told her he planned on tracking the action with three cameras, so there'd be no mistakes. Still. . . she couldn't help dreading it.

Joey walked in from the bathroom in his new white terry-cloth robe, his jet-black hair damp and slicked back. He sat on the edge of the bed and said,

"Maybe you should smoke a joint - take the edge off."

"You know I don't do grass,"

she admonished, thinking how handsome he looked.

"I know, babe, but trust me, you might need it today."

"Rebecca wasn't stoned,"

she said, shaking her head.

"So /can't be."

He got up and went over to the window.

"I dunno if I should come to the set today,"

he said moodily.

"I want you there,"

she said.

"I need your support."

"If I havta watch those assholes attackin"

you, I'm liable to kill

"em,"

he said, vehemently.

"Tear the fuckers to pieces."

"Honey,"

she said soothingly,

"you're so dramatic. After all, it's only acting."

"Yeah, yeah,"

he said, coming back to sit next to her.

"I still wish you didn't have to go through it."

"That's very thoughtful,"

she said quietly.

301 Tm not thoughtful, but thanks anyway,"

he said, holding out his arms. She fell into them, and they rolled around on the bed, lost in a tight embrace.

"There's somethin"

I've been meanin"

to tell you,"

he mumbled, crushing her until she almost couldn't breathe.

"Somethin"

important."

"What?"

she gasped, feeling so secure and content in his arms, wishing she could stay there for ever.

"You're gonna think I'm crazy."

"I'll let you know."

"It's somethin"

I should've told you before."

" What? she asked, attempting to sit up.

"It'll sound stupid . . ."

"Will you tell me?"

she said, exasperated.

He hesitated for a moment.

"Naw . . . can't."

She struggled into a sitting position.

"Yes you can."

He stared at her, dark eyes fusing with her brilliant green ones.

"OK . . . OK,"

he said at last.

"Here's the deal."

A long beat.

"I guess I kinda like . . . love you."

She caught her breath, taken by surprise.

"You kinda like love me?"

she repeated, thrilled that he'd finally said it.

He frowned.

"Hey - I told you it'd sound stupid."

"Joey,"

she said, gently reaching up to touch his cheek,

"it's not stupid."

"No?"

"No."

"How come?"

"Because . . . since we're being truthful, I ... I love you, too."

A long pause.

"In fact, Joey, I think I've loved you since we first met."

He broke out in a big grin.

"No shit?"

"Joey! Please! This is supposed to be a romantic moment."

"Hey - you wanna see romance,"

he said, easing her nightgown off her shoulders, fondling her breasts until she began gasping with pleasure.

One touch and she was his.

Nikki was right, he did have her hooked sexually, only their

302

f THRILL!

relationship was much more than sex. It was caring and loving and being together.

They made love slowly in the traditional way, and when it was over, she stretched luxuriously, murmuring a satisfied

"Umm that was better than grass any day."

"What would you know about grass?"

he teased, tickling her stomach.

"Oh, you think I'm such a little goody-goody, don't you?"

she

4f said, half serious.

"Let me tell you - there was a time I was wild."

l»,

"What?"

he said mockingly.

"You smoked a joint once - that

"l was wild?"

||

"Joey,"

she responded quietly,

"you don't know everything about

I"

me."

l!

*{

"Why - you got secrets?"

$

"Maybe . . ."

she said mysteriously.

I; He grinned.

"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

*j| She smiled, perfectly happy.

"Whatever you want."

m* But they both knew that neither of them were prepared to

IB share their secrets. Not yet anyway.

w

m
*

mi'"*

jjj> Nikki arrived at the street location in time for an early breakfast.

w. Mick was already there, sitting at a table near the food truck,

IK diligently working on his laptop while shovelling down a huge plate

B| of ham and eggs.

Br Although she considered him a degenerate jerk, she couldn't

B| help admiring his work ethic; he was always prepared, and totally

H| passionate about the film.

K They were both aware that today could be difficult. Yesterday

Hi; she'd sent Lara flowers and a note of encouragement, because

Hi: although Lara was doing a wonderful job, everyone knew today

H§ was the real test.

^^^HP

H| Nikki hadn't heard from Richard since she'd thrown him out.

HI Something had died between them - which was probably the ^K reason he'd reverted to his old ways. In her heart she knew it had

303 to do with Lara and the unhealthy obsession he still harboured. It was blatantly obyious he couldn't stand his ex-wife being in a sexual relationship, so he'd turned to another woman. Ah, yes, Richard's big solution - screw your troubles away.

Hal I should've been a shrink, she thought wryly. Sheldon and I would finally have something in common.

Summer was back in Chicago, which was a big relief. She'd called her a few times over the last few weeks, and they'd had several stilted conversations.

"Maybe you'll visit at Christmas,"

she'd suggested.

"OK,"

Summer had replied, sounding listless.

In a way Nikki was relieved to be by herself. No Richard to get in her way. No Summer to run wild. She was able to concentrate on Revenge and nothing else. As soon as the movie was finished she'd consider her next move. Divorce was on her mind.

"Morning, sexy,"

Mick said, glancing up from his laptop.

"What's goin"

on?"

"How do you feel about today?"

she asked, flopping down beside him.

"Don't worry,"

he said confidently.

"Lara's got it together. She'll be cool."

"You'd better warn the actors to go easy on her,"

Nikki said, frowning.

"Make sure they don't get carried away."

"Right,"

Mick replied, sarcastically.

"I'll tell

"em to make it a gentle freakin"

rape. Is that what you'd like?"

"You know exactly what I mean,"

she said irritably, hating it when Mick waxed facetious.

"I'm worried about Aiden."

"Aiden's fuckin"

ace,"

Mick said, cracking his knuckles.

"Didn't I tell you he'd stay clean?"

"Yes, I must admit you did."

"C'mon, chick-babe, lighten up. We're three-quarters through the shoot, an"

not one scamoose. You should be singin"

your socks off."

"Don't tempt fate, Mick."

"We're way ahead of schedule,"

he said, letting out a crazed cackle.

"Get with the freakin"

ball game an"

relax."

What an asshole!

304

However, he was her asshole. The asshole who was going to deliver one fine movie. And until that time came she had to stay on good terms with him, much as it pained her.

Producer's Rule Number One. The film comes first.

Nikki considered herself an excellent producer.

. t
*

f ft

305

^^^^Jfl THE DAY after Alison Sewell was released from ^^^B^P^^ft jail she received a mysterious phone call. Mysterious because only the tabloid editors she'd dealt with in the past had her number. Mysterious because the man on the other end of the phone refused to identify himself.

"I have a proposition that I know will interest you,"

he said.

She was lying in bed at the time, gorging on Snickers bars and watching Michelle Pfeiffer on the Rosie O'Donnell Show.

While she'd been locked up in jail her mother had passed away, so now she had the luxury of answering to no one. They'd let her out for the funeral. Two hours of guarded freedom. Big deal.

"Who is this?"

she demanded.

"A friend,"

the man replied.

"A friend who wants to do you a favour."