Page 155 of My Five Daddies

“They’re paying way above your minimum, Jackson.” Mickey is starting to sweat and I’m loving it, but I keep mycool.

Mickey Rains in my agent, and he made my career. He took me from a nobody struggling to get work as a stunt double and turned me into a real life actionstar.

This was not the life I ever thought I’d have. When I retired from the SEALs, I thought I’d go into private security. But a minor knee injury made sure that I’d never be healthy enough to be on my feet for hours at a time, running around and killing guys. That’s probably for the best. And so I started looking into a new industry, and stunt work seemed like a good fit for me. Despite the knee, I’m still a big, healthy guy, and I can do all that shit, noproblem.

But Mickey Rains saw more in me, apparently, and he started shopping me around as a real life action hero. I’m an ex-SEAL with real combat experience and the medals to prove it. I’m handsome, I can act a little bit, and I’ll bring real life experience to any movieset.

I booked my first feature-length film after a month of living in Los Angeles. I was playing the supporting role, but the reviews were good, and soon the offers started rolling in. My first real hit,The Alpha Hero, catapulted me into seriousstardom.

That all happened just over a year ago. It’s been a crazy time for me, and I’ve made more money and done more than I ever thought possible. But now that I’m established, it’s time to get down tobusiness.

It’s time to do what I really came out here todo.

“Still, do I really want another action movie right now? I just didone.”

Mickey’s eye bug out. “What… what are youthinking?”

“Period drama,” I say. “Something with costumes, that sort of shit. You know, put me in a pirate outfit, get me shirtless and sweating. Or hell, give me a big ass sword and somearmor.”

Mickey looks like he’s going to have a freaking heart attack. “Armor?” he asksme.

“Hell yeah, armor. I’d love to get some real sword fights on myresume.”

“Sword fights,” he says, shaking his head. “Jackson, you have to be insane. You’re a military action star. You do contemporary stuff, with guns and all that, where your real world experience comes into play. That’s what works for you, and this movie isperfect.”

I deepen my fake frown. Truth is, I already decided that I’m doing this movie. I just want to see Mickey sweat a little bit. He’s like a mentor to me. I’m thirty and Mickey’s in his forties, but I feel like he’s a father figure or some shit like that. He believed in me when nobody else did, and I owe himeverything.

But it’s still fun as fuck to mess withhim.

“Maybe I want to do something more serious,” I say. “Maybe anindie?”

“Indie?” He practically falls out of his chair. “Fuck indies, Jackson, are you crazy? You’re hot right now but that doesn’t last forever. You need another solid movie under your belt, prove thatThe Alpha Herowasn’t just somefluke.”

I sigh, really playing it up. “You sure about that? I just don’tknow.”

“Listen. You have to trust me. I want you to become the biggest star in the whole fuckin’ industry. You just gotta listen tome.”

I can’t take it anymore. The poor guy is about to have a meltdown. He thinks his biggest rising star is about to throw away his career and do some lame ass fucking indie chick flick or some shit likethat.

I burst out laughing and point at him. “Holy shit, you were buying that,” I say to him. “My acting’s gotten a lot better, hasn’tit?”

It takes him a second, but he leans back in his chair and finally releases a sigh. “You motherfucker. You were fucking withme?”

“Of course I was,” I say. “I’m going to do thismovie.”

“Oh thank sweet merciful fucking Jesus!” he says, jumping up. “Sign those papers, my big man, and let’s celebrate.VON!!!”

I nearly jump in my damn seat when Mickey yells his assistant’s name. Von quickly comes into the room. He’s a short little West African guy with some of the most perfect teeth I’ve ever seen in mylife.

“Yes, sir?” he asks. I think Von’s maybe twenty at most, fresh out of school and trying to get into thebusiness.

“Get us champagne. None of that cheap shit. Our boy here is going to make us a lot ofmoney.”

“Sick,” he says,grinning.

“Don’t say sick,” Mickey answers, making aface.

“Sorry sir, I mean, that’s very wonderful.” Von starts to backout.

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