Page 115 of Rebel Romeo

“Jill already left for work,” Holden offers, then crosses to hand me a fresh, steaming mug of coffee, kissing me briefly. “I figured Nolan could use a cup of coffee. And maybe a shower.” Holden’s face screws into a frown. “He stinks.”

Nolan takes a sip from his mug and flips Holden the bird with his free hand as he heads to the bathroom.

I point to my pillow and fleece blanket. “And those?”

Holden shrugs. “After you fell asleep, I thought he might want to be a little more comfortable.”

I bite my lip against my smile. “Well, look at you.”

Holden rolls his eyes and crosses to the sink, washing his finished coffee mug.

“There’s an extra towel in the cabinet there,” I call out to Nolan as he shuts the bathroom door.

Holden spins around, leaning against the counter as I come over and press a kiss to his neck. He gives my butt a smack and groans. “Woman, you’re going to kill me, you know that?”

“I can’t imagine a better way to go.”

Cupping my jaw, he kisses me again and I sigh against his lips

As he pulls away, he grabs his wallet and phone from the counter. “I have some errands to run and then I need to get to the theater early today.”

I glance at the clock. It’s only 7:15 and I can’t help the unease that slithers through me.

“Hey,” Holden says, dipping a finger beneath my chin. “No more lies. I promise.”

I nod, knowing the doubt I feel is simply a cycle of distrust that’s damn hard to break. He’s got no reason to lie to me anymore. And I trust him. Even though it seems crazy, I do.

“I have to meet with a private investigator before rehearsal,” Holden says.

“About Missy?” His eyes slide briefly to the shut bathroom door before he nods. “She’s claiming to know something about us. Something big and vague that she’s been hanging over mine and my dad’s heads, so I was placating her with our fake relationship while my dad’s team tried to find out what the hell she thinks she knows.”

“So it’s your dad’s private investigator?”

Holden shakes his head. “I’m beginning to think that my Dad’s hiding something from me, too. So I’m hiring someone new. Someone that’s only on my payroll… not his.”

“That’s smart.” We both know Erik Dorsey can’t be trusted. A swallow works the strong muscles of his throat before I ask, “And you have no idea what it might be that Missy discovered?”

He shakes his head. “I know she already knows everything about undergrad. About you and me. So it’s not that. And I thought if I could pretend I loved her, I could buy us enough time to figure out what she was hiding.”

The information is a punch to the gut that knocks the wind out of me. Suddenly every interaction I’ve ever had with Missy pours through my mind. her veiled threats, her insinuations that I slept my way into this role. What exactly does she know?

“That’s when my dad had the idea to bring her on as a producer. In order to get the credit, she had to sign an ironclad NDA. If she does anything to hurt the sales of our show, my dad can sue her for every penny she has. She might be conniving, but I think she’s smart enough to know she can’t mess with my father.”

The lump in my throat thickens. “But you’re still meeting with the private investigator.”

He nods. “I still want to know. But so far, he’s turned up nothing. And the good news is that rumors are circulating about Missy in this industry… not you. People know they can’t trust her. Word travels fast among production teams. No one wants to work with someone who might blackmail them. I won’t let her hurt you.” He pauses to cup my face, looking so deep into my eyes, I think he sees my soul. “And nothing is getting between us this time.”

A couple hours later, I get to the theater early and go to my dressing room. Tears fill my eyes as I circle the room, mirrors on every wall. Holden had it decorated for me and it’s painted blush pink with rose gold accents and a wall of succulents.

Taking a deep breath, I sink into the chair and stare at my reflection.

I did it. I finally made it to Broadway.

We had less than a week until tech Sunday. Less than a week for Ellis to learn his part and fully take over what Nolan had so expertly crafted. Only a few more days to run the show and work solely on the acting side of things. As soon as Sunday came, it would be all about the tech. All about lighting cues and sound and orchestra and costumes.

The speaker in my room crackled and Maggie’s voice came on with an announcement. “Katherine Harris, please come to the stage for places.”

Dammit. I look at the clock, my brows creasing. I still have ten minutes until we’re supposed to start our run. Maybe Ellis is here early and Holden wants to run something before we begin? I look to my dressing room door and sigh, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes.

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