Page 95 of Rebel Romeo

I set out into the party crowd to find her. To warn her.

I spot her in the corner of the room, talking animatedly with a few of the other guests. She looks stunning in a cream lace dress that hugs her slim curves just perfectly, and her dark hair is styled in an elegant twist.

Just as I'm about to make my way over to her, she looks up and sees me. Her face suddenly pales and anger sparks in her violet gaze. Before I can even say anything, she storms away from me towards the back of the house and pushes through a swinging door into the kitchen.

I sigh heavily as I follow after Missy into Senator Dorsey's kitchen. Before I can get a word out, she whips around, facing me. "What are you doing here?"

"Believe it or not, I was invited."

"Holden," she snorts, folding her arms. "Of course. Even when he has everything to lose, he can’t lose you, can he?”

"Believe it or not, this isn't about Holden." I lower my voice to a whisper, glancing around at the caterers buzzing around us. I remember back to my short stint catering and breathe a little easier. These workers might enjoy the occasional gossip but for the most part, they're just looking to earn their rent for the night. I whisper anyway, just in case. "I think Senator Dorsey's setting you up."

"Setting me up?" she repeats, accusingly. Her nostrils flare like an angry bull, ready for battle. "Erik loves me. He says I'm the daughter he never had."

"Yeah… he's really good at winning people over. Making you think you’re part of the family. But the second you cross him..." I make a gesture like a knife across my throat. The heavy implication hangs there between us. Because crossing Holden is crossing Senator Dorsey.

“Okay drama queen. Time for you to go.” She grabs my arm, and not gently, pulling me toward the back door in the corner of the kitchen.

“Missy, stop! Listen to me, this is what he wanted. I don’t know why, but he seems to want you to lose control at seeing me here?—”

“Oh I’m sure that’s what he wants.”

Seriously. Someone remind me why I’m helping her?

Because the Broadway community is tiny. Piss off one person and get blacklisted for life. And regardless of whether or not I like her, Missy rules this town with an iron fist.

“Fine!” I say and wrench my arm from her grasp. “I’ll leave. Can you at least get my pashmina? It’s the blue and gold one. Senator Dorsey took it when I first arrived.”

“How about I just bring it to you at rehearsal tomorrow?” she sneers, then yanks open the back door. “Now go.”

I grunt as she shoves me toward the open door. “I’m not your enemy here, Missy! I’m trying to help you!”

“Sure you are. You’ve already stolen my part in this show, you’re not going to get Holden, too!”

“So then why the hell did you kiss someone else?” I hiss.

“I thought if I could just get Holden back in my life, he’d see how good we were for each other. But he barely looks at me when we’re not putting on appearances in public. But if you’re in the room, he stares at you like you’re freaking porn. I’m not proud of my behavior, but I’ll do whatever it takes to make Holden see that we’re meant to be together!”

Senator Dorsey’s words from earlier echoed in my mind. Was her relationship with Holden all a publicity stunt? Just a way to keep the fight between him and Nolan out of the papers? Or was she holding him hostage in this relationship somehow?

Holden doesn’t tolerate cheating.

He’s the most jealous man I know.

And yet she was right… when she kissed Nolan, Holden was more concerned about me.

None of this makes sense.

“Missy, what did you do?” I ask.

“I did what I had to do.”

Her hands on my arms squeeze tighter, pinching me. “Ow! Missy, let me go. You’re hurting me?—”

“Which is why you need to leave. Right this second?—”

“Missy!”

---