Page 33 of All That Glitters

Without waiting, without making a big deal over her nerves, I step out into the noise, the lights, the chaos, heads turn in our direction, especially when I swivel to help Empire out of the limo.

They know her face.

They’ve seen her before many times, even though it’s been too long, and they understand what kind of a moment this is, even if no one says it out loud. The air fills with anticipation, and her first step onto the carpet ahead is confident. Empire rests her hand at the crook of my arm, allowing me to guide her. The mask is solidly fixed. She smiles at everyone she sees and lifts her free hand in greeting to several folks who call out her name.

Not a hair out of place, even though she’d been completely undone less than thirty minutes ago.

I love how she trusts me to lead her through the event. There is no hint of the nerves plaguing her as we maneuver the red carpet, following on the heels of another couple ahead of us and more shuffling into place behind. We are the zoo animals on display tonight, but that’s why everyone is here.

“Empire! Is it true you’ll be starring in the next major motion picture by Parker Heath?” one of the reporters call out. “Word is out you’ve been tapped for a huge role in a yet untitled project.”

“Miss Stone has recently signed her contract,” I answer for her. It’s all I’ll give away despite the barrage of attention.

It’s a small thing to direct every question toward her upcoming movie and the increase in her social media presence. Effortless. Part of my job and the one thing I know how to do without fucking up.

We’re inside the doors, in the relative cool of dimmer light, when Empire turns her face to mine and smiles a different grin than the one she reserves for the crowd. Bright, grateful…and she looks so much like her mother, the pain becomes a physical slice, from my heart all the way down past my navel and lower.

Fuck.

If that isn’t the biggest reason to keep my hands to myself, then I have no idea what else it would be.

Empire is supposed to be untouchable, at least by me.

It’s my job to watch her and boost her career, not get her off. Especially when the opening is a blur of bodies and preening. There are more diamonds here than at Zales, more wine than at a winery, and toasts are being lifted in front of the snapping cameras. I stay at Empire’s side and lend her my silent strength even as I field questions.

She does her best to answer and tries to smile, if only for me, at anyone who flits close enough to her to speak.

Several actresses who knew her mother stop over to personally greet her and ask how she’s doing. She answers all of them with grace, but the look in her eyes says her mind is elsewhere.

“You’re doing well,” I murmur next to her ear.

“It’s like riding a bike,” she insists.

I chuckle. “I’ve never seen you ride a bike.” Although the image in my head is one worth exploring at a future date.

“But you’ve seen me work a premiere.”

“It’s because you stand out in your dress.” I crane close to whisper beside her ear, loving the way she trembles. “Everyone is looking at you, wanting to know what put the smile on your face.”

She shivers, and I know I’ve got her.

Someone grabs at my jacket and tugs to grab my attention. “Marcus Ortega, it’s good of you to make it out! And you’ve brought my starlet with you.” And there's Parker with a shit eating grin on his face.

His gaze falls to Empire and shifts into pure, gut clenching lust, enough to have my fingers clench in my pocket.

“Parker.” I shove my arm between us to shake his hand. “I knew you’d turn up. I just didn’t expect you so soon.”

He isn’t paying the least bit of attention to me, not while he’s staring at Empire, his gaze trailing from the top of her head to her navel and lower. “I hear you’ve been really talking up my movie and my starlet,” he says. “We haven’t even started to film and already, she’s causing a stir. I can’t wait to see what happens once we start.”

THIRTEEN

Marcus is close enough for me to feel the way he tenses at the producer’s statement. “Lofty expectations are one thing, my friend, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s a production with lots of people involved. Human nature dictates there will no doubt be issues along the way,” Marcus states.

“Now, now, Ortega. Let’s not jinx my movie with such pessimism.” Parker flashes a pretty, practice pout that the reports capture with a myriad of clicks, exactly the way he wants.

“Practicality,” Marcus corrects. “Never pessimism.”

Through it all, I zip my lips shut, smiling without showing teeth, well aware of the crowding press, the circle of them around us and steadily closing in.

---