Page 9 of Fool's Gold

“Which is what I’m trying to do.” Marcus shifts, working his shoulders left and right. “Listen to me. Here is what you’ll be expected to do for the film. You will work fourteen hours a day. You will have your own private trailer, and someone will always be on set with you to make sure things are going according to regulations. Filming should be finished within several months.”

“What, is this another one of your promises?”

“Yes.”

I lurch to my feet. “No.” My hands claw at my sides. “I said I was done with the movie, and I meant it. I’m not going back. A private goddamn trailer isn’t going to make me change my mind.”

He doesn’t move, doesn’t rise, only sits there, staring at me like I’m some kind of dog, and he’s waiting for me to stop barking.

“A bullet to the eye might do the trick, then,” he replies without mercy. He waits for my reaction, evidently pleased with the way I stiffen. “That’s what you’re looking at if things don’t go according to plan. Those terms are the only way I could make sure you wouldn’t be harmed.”

“It will be mental abuse to make me do this movie.” I lock my knees, my head pounding. This picture is going to be the death of me as surely as the bullet to the eye.

How can he even think of forcing me back into that awful situation?

“Then so be it. At least you’ll be alive. If you don’t do this, and if I don’t make sure it goes off without a hitch, then we’re both dead. Do you still want to argue with me?”

“It’s too much. Don’t you get it? The film is too much for me to handle. And even if it hurts me to admit how much I’m not prepared for it, I’m telling you the truth.”

“Like I’m telling you the truth. You’re going to finish the movie, and I’m going to be there with you. If things don’t go according to plan, you won’t only be finished, you’ll be gone. You’ll be able to see your parents.”

I can’t think. I can’t move. I can’t escape. “You’re a monster.”

“I might be a monster, but I’m doing whatever I can to save your ass. It’s on the line because you’re tied to me.” He looks displeased with the notion.

“Not anymore,” I say as I seethe. “You signed the papers to dissolve your guardianship. Now just get some protection and tell them I’m not doing the movie.”

“I wasn’t able to protect your parents. What makes you think I’ll be successful this time?”

FOUR

It’s a low fucking blow, but hopefully it’s powerful enough to make Empire understand: There is no going back, and we are out of options.

It doesn’t matter what she says or how she tries to argue.

It also doesn’t matter how badly I want her or how ready I’d been to claim her less than five minutes before. I gather myself together, hoping against hope I’ve got enough self-control to keep from touching her again.

Those bruised lips, her peaked nipples, the absolute fury and disgust and heat in her eyes…none of it matters as much as getting her out of this alive.

I force myself to stay still and watch as the color leaches from her face. She slowly settles back down on the couch, as though her knees won’t hold her upright any longer.

“How dare you,” she whispers.

Using Olivia and Bennett’s death was my ace, and I’d used it up prematurely.

“It’s the truth.” And I’m unapologetic about it. “I wasn’t able to protect your parents, and look where it got them. The same man who engineered their accident, trying to take me down, is the same one pulling the strings for us now. We have to tread very lightly. I need you to cooperate with me and do everything I tell you.”

“Does that include doing what you tell me in the bedroom? On my back?” She shakes her head, biting down on her lower lip. “Does it include a repeat of what almost happened on the counter, or are you limiting this to lights, camera, action?”

I deserve that.

“If you want to be on your back, or if you think it will help our cause to keep me pleasured, then by all means.” Except I have no intention of taking her virginity. Not now, anyway. One of these days I may very well break down and take her, in whatever rough and brutal fashion pleases me.

The way I’d been prepared to do before the phone rang.

Empire trembles on the couch with her palms pressed into her knees and her legs bobbing up and down. I want to comfort her and make the trouble disappear, like it’s as easy as snapping my fingers.

It’s so much easier to get into the pot of hot water than it is to claw your way out.

---