Page 38 of Ruthless Passion

"Mom." Jett's voice cuts into the passion sparking between us. "Mom! Can you get my phone out of the car? I want to send a video to Grandma and Grandpa."

"Sure," I sigh, looking at my phone with a memory that's too full for me to even think about suggesting to use mine. "I'll be right back."

Luca nods as he approaches Jett with other crew members to show him how the cameras work. A family full of people in the film industry. Hm. I can't help but think of adding Luca to that family dynamic. He's been more than helpful. He's been a lifesaver.

The sun is shining brightly, mocking me as if this morning didn't get off to a horrendous start as I weave in and out of parked cars. I forget what the rental I'm driving looks like, having to use the alarm to find it. But my search gives me time to check on Mojo.

"What time should I come get you from the hospital?" I ask her as soon as she answers the call.

"Well, good morning, Jo, and don't worry about it. There's this hot doctor who wants to take me to lunch since his shift's about to end. I'll grab a taxi from his place?—"

"His place?" I ask with a knowing grin.

"It's exactly what it sounds like. Are you okay? Any more issues with Duke?" she asks.

I don't want to spoil her lunch and hunch date, so I keep this morning's events to myself. "Nothing out of the ordinary. What about you? How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine. I must have bumped my head when I fell back, but that's my fault. I let him provoke me when I should have followed through with calling the police. The silver lining is this date with the doctor. So don't let Duke bother you, I refuse to let him get to me."

"I'm thinking that's because you're about to get laid. Sex is always a great distraction."

She laughs. "You're right. It's only right that we both distract ourselves. Forget about Duke the Douche and go get distracted. Love you, later."

She disconnects the call, but I barely have time to take the phone away from my face when I spot a guy walking toward me. I'm not sure if he's an actor with the way his royal blue silk shirt flows in the wind. It's light and shiny, a contradiction to the muzzled, menacing aura exuding from his gait.

"Hey there," he calls out with a howdy kind of wave that doesn't make him any less threatening. There's at least a ten-inch height difference between us, and he clearly outweighs me by a solid fifty pounds or so.

"Hey," I answer, hoping I can duck between the parked cars to get away from him if need be.

"Aren't you the new Luca Scream Queen?" he asks.

I raise an eyebrow. "Who told you that?"

He holds up his phone, but I can't see the screen because I'm keeping at least two cars away from him. I hate judging a book by its cover, but there's nothing about this stranger to say this is a friendly conversation.

"You're going viral, Miss Hansen. I was at the Parliament Studios hosting auditions for my new movie. I'd love to give you the opportunity to show me what you got." The sliminess of his words doesn't sit well with me.

"No thanks," I tell him. When I turn to walk away, I finally notice I'm not alone in the parking lot with this weirdly aggressive stranger wearing an offensively glaring silk shirt. Two men flank me from each side, ready to corner me.

I start fumbling with my phone in one hand, trying to keep it out of sight. I swipe across my screen without looking directly at it. The hope is to use the reflection of the device in a car window beside me, slowly texting Luca to get security outside.

"Aw, don't be that way, Miss Hansen. I'm Vito Dacosta. I make movies and would love for you to play a role in any of my films. I don't want to miss this opportunity, and neither do you. If you don't work with Dacosta, it'll cost ya." He flashes an eerie grin with a laugh at his own joke, if that's what that even is.

"I'm truly sorry, but I need to get back inside. I'm fully booked. You can find my profile on Central Casting if you'd like to send the information for the audition there."

"We're not done here, Miss Hansen. You see, Luca and I have something of a silent agreement. If he steals one of my actresses, he gets to loan me one of his. I want you."

"The problem with that, Mr. Dacosta, is that neither you or Luca can tell me what to do or who to work with. I'm already under contract for two films and simply don't have the time to take on another role. Thank you for your offer, but I'm going to decline." I take a step back, noticing that every time I take a step, the three men move with me. "What exactly do you think is going to happen out here? Do you plan to scare me into working for you?"

"Scare is such a strong word. We like to use the word persuade. Please don't make us physically persuade you, Miss Hansen. Ask the last actress what happened when she failed to comply." Vito's tone carries the threat effectively. He pulls out something small, white, rectangular, and places it on the top of the car between us. Thankfully, it's just a business card.

I don't remember seeing him close the gap to get closer to me. Fear pricks at my skin like a thousand ants crawling up my body. Vito snaps his fingers as I hear a commotion behind me. Thank heavens. People coming out the building.

"Miss Hansen, did you call the calvary?" he asks, pretending to be insulted.

"I don't have to call anyone. There are security cameras all over this place and you three are caging me in like it's not the middle of the afternoon." Exhaustion plows through me as I try to bluff my way out of this. Too many men who don't deserve it, feel entitled to my time and space.

Vito looks around before snapping his fingers. The two men who were making their way closer to me retreat from behind the cars as Vito takes a step back. He taps the business card on top of the car in front of me.

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