Page 27 of Mastered By Lust

Her brown eyes sparkle. “I would get you tickets, if I thought you’d actually use them.”

I offer her a regretful grin. “I’m only in town for a couple of hours, but thank you, anyway.”

Three news vans have parked on the street near the church, and photographers are gathering outside the parking lot. Every actor recognizes that cue—it’s time to move out.

As our little group starts heading toward the parking lot, Harvey Billings and his daughter, Vanessa, pass us without a word. Billings doesn’t appear as if the past twenty-odd years have touched him. He still has his bulbous nose and dirty-gray goatee. His suit is bespoke, fitting his body well and camouflaging any aspects of his figure that he doesn’t like. Vanity is only one of his many flaws.

Our little group goes silent, other than the crinkle of paper when Todd crumples up the program in his hand.

Claudia clings to my arm, her nails digging into my skin.

After Billings is out of earshot, she whispers, “How can he always look the same, despite everything? It’s like it never happened.”

I make a reassuring sound. “Those are the grossly unfair laws of Hollywood. Enough money and influence, people will move past just about anything.”

A young man steps forward out of the growing crowd. He hurries across the lot, weaving through parked cars. “Mr. Billings! Could I have your autograph?”

Security guards pull the fan away. They don’t let him go until he has disappeared into the swell of people.

Billings doesn’t react; he simply continues walking with his daughter out to the parking lot.

Claudia affects the tone of a bored teenager. “Bro doesn’t even know it, but he dodged a bullet. Harvey is poison. It boggles my mind he didn’t disintegrate into ash as soon as he stepped into the church.”

I don’t need to respond. She knows I agree with her.

When I say goodbye to the others, I hold myself back to avoid more unwanted hugs. I walk Claudia to her tiny sports car, both of us ignoring the paparazzi shouting questions from outside the lot.

While she searches for her keys in her tiny clutch, I ask, “Where are you going next?”

“I’m going to meet the others downtown.”

“A bar?” I ask.

“I promise I won’t overdo it.”

I clench my jaw. I wanted to get in my car and drive straight back to San Esteban. But now I feel compelled to babysit Claudia. “Get in my car instead. I’m driving.”

She claps her hands together and offers me a happy smile. “You’re too good to me, Gage.”

8

Dmitri

My car is hoisted up on jacks. It’s in the driveway, because Leah’s stuff is still in my garage. A petty part of me wants to tell her to take away her shit.

The lovesick part of me wants it to stay here so she’s still tied to me.

So fucking stupid.

I drain the oil from my car, watching it drip into the drain pan, black and thick. I wish it were as easy to remove the ugly parts of myself. Remove a plug, watch the bad drain out. Replace the filter. Refill my heart with something clean and healthy.

You’re a monster, Dmitri. If I am, so are you.

I had to sit at a table with him and Patrick last night. The dinner lasted two fucking hours. Would’ve been three, but I made up a bullshit excuse and said I had to go home.

Patrick definitely wants to bring Granddad in on our venture. It’s a bad idea. Problem is, I’ve wanted the jazz club for years. I was the one who wanted to open it originally, and Patrick invited himself along. I was glad at the time. Now I don’t know what to say to get out of it. Anogoes unheeded. A firmnogets me reported to the rest of the family. Then everyone gets involved.

Fuck this. I grab my phone and send a text to Patrick.If Granddad is involved, I’m not doing it.

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