Page 7 of A Reclusive Heart

“Only on these clients. It’s what they want. She’s known for having a sharp eye and good taste. She never takes out too much and she has a hell of an eye for detail. Other than that, I want you to handle her. I need you to get her ready and start promoting her books. I want her to go on tour with a few lectures and book signings, and start doing interviews. I want it at the same level we give Dana, but unlike Dana, we don’t have to hold back because of the kids. I trust you know what to do.”

Nick caught the panicked expression on Miss Harris’s face but ignored it. He had more important things to focus on right now, like not congratulating himself since it would probably come off as unprofessional. He’d save it for later.

Shit!

There was so much to do. He needed to call the printers, get a decent picture on her book cover, set up interviews, booksignings, book tours and a convention or two wouldn’t hurt. His eyes drifted towards the little recluse. First, they had to give her a makeover, nothing major. Just her hair, eyes, makeup, and good god, those clothes had to go. If they could make her look more nerdish or even plainish, that would be preferable to hermit and he knew just the woman to handle this little overhaul.

This was depressing,Jamie thought as they drove through the plush neighborhood. Seems things hadn’t changed. She was still the world’s biggest pushover. Or was doormat more fitting? Really, labels didn’t matter at the moment because her life just plain sucked.

How pathetic does someone have to be to just sit there and take it while someone trashed everything about her? Pretty darn pathetic. Instead of putting her foot down and demanding a different agent to handle her career, she was in a car with the jerk, who hadn’t stopped smiling since they’d left Rick’s office. He also hadn’t put his phone down or acknowledged her existence.

She really wished that she knew where they were going. Call her crazy, but it would have been nice to be told something. Then again, it would have probably gone over better if he’d asked her instead of dragged her behind him. She was pretty sure that he hadn’t said one single word to her since they’d left Rick’s office.

As soon as Rick’s office door closed behind them, Nick attached a hands-free piece to his ear and began his marathon of calls. It wasn’t until she sat down at her new desk and logged onto her computer to start editing Margo O’Malley’s latest book that she realized that he’d followed her. Without a word, he’dpicked up her bag and handed it to her, gesturing for her to follow him.

Well, it was just one more person to add to the long list of people who knew that she didn’t have a backbone. This was just super, Jamie thought dryly as they pulled into the long driveway of a huge white one-story house. Finally, Nick ended his call and got out. Obviously, he expected her to follow after him like a puppy. Deciding against sitting in the car, mostly because it would look like she was pouting, she followed him to the front door.

“Um, where are we exactly?” she couldn’t help but ask.

Nick looked over his shoulder at her and ran his gaze over her. Finally, he looked at her face and sighed as though it pained him to speak with her. “We’re here because you need a complete makeover and I don’t have the time to do it. So, I’m going to ask a friend of mine to do it for me.”

Mortification burned her cheeks while she stood there, trying not to wince. She knew that she wasn’t exactly a prize, but would it kill the man to sugarcoat it for her? Perhaps a few white lies here and there to help soften the blow?

“Oh,” was her only response.

The front door opened to reveal a man with more muscle than any one human needed. He looked Nick over and nodded his acknowledgment before turning his gaze to her and frowned.

A bodyguard? What kind of friend needed a bodyguard? Then it hit her. He was bringing her to see one of his girlfriends. A model perhaps? She’d heard about him. Heck, she’d seen the man operate a month ago when she’d attended the dinner welcoming her to Rerum Publishing. He’d flirted with every woman at the restaurant while pointedly ignoring her. It had been kind of insulting, to say the least.

“Who?” Jamie whispered, trying not to make any sudden moves that would enrage the massive bodyguard glaring down at her.

“Dana Pierce,” Nick said, shrugging as though it was no big deal.

Her brows shot up and her heart practically leaped out of her chest. He’d brought her to Dana Pierce’s house? Was he insane? The woman was a world-famous author and actress, and did she mention Dana had been inEdgemagazine a total of five times?

Nope.

She couldn’t do this.

She turned to leave only to have the back of her coat grabbed. In seconds, Jamie was being dragged inside the large house that had a surprisingly down-to-earth feel to it.

“Hey! Let me go!” Jamie hissed.

“I don’t have time for this, Miss Harris,” Nick said unapologetically.

“Uncle Nick!” several small boys yelled excitedly.

Nick released her, causing her to stumble. With the help of the bodyguard, Jamie avoided going headfirst into the front door.

“Thank you,” she mumbled with an apologetic smile.

“You’re welcome, ma’am.”

Jamie brushed her coat down and turned around to see two little shirtless boys happily latching onto Nick’s legs. An older boy, who looked to be around eight or nine, hugged Nick, careful of his younger brothers and there was no doubt that they were brothers. She would have known that instantly, even without knowing that Edward and Dana Pierce had three sons and one daughter. They looked exactly like Edward. That was kind of interesting, considering the oldest one wasn’t Edward Pierce’s biological son.

As discreetly as she could, Jamie shot a quick glance at the oldest boy. She remembered the incident that occurred five years ago with this little boy. Everyone heard about it. It had been hard to turn on the television or pick up a paper or magazine for the next month without hearing about what happened. A babysitter from a well-known agency had gotten drunk with a guy and left the two young children alone. As a result, the little boy suffered severe burns when he tried to cook food for himself and his sister.

After that incident, a new law was enacted called the Cole Child First Act. It required all California agencies that dealt with the care of a child, handicapped, or elderly person to do a federal background check on employees instead of a simple state background check. Monthly drug tests were now mandatory and the laws were tougher. From what she’d read, she was pretty sure the woman who’d caused Cole’s injury was still doing time along with her boyfriend. At least it looked like the boy didn’t have any scars.

---