Page 112 of The Faking Game

Nora stands, still wearing just a pair of lacy underwear, the fabric hugging the curve of her ass. I cross the space to her.

One of the models sees me coming. “Didn’t know you had a boyfriend, Nora,” he tells her. He has a lilting European accent I can’t place.

I’m already shrugging out of my jacket and wrapping it around her. “Hey.”

“Hi,” she says, and the smile she gives me makes me breathe easier.

I look over at the guy. “She does. It’s pretty new.”

“Well, you make a cute couple,” he says.

Nora pulls my jacket tighter around her. “Thanks for today,” she tells the models. “You can finally eat one of those grapes, Pawel.”

“I’ve been dreaming of it all day.”

“Gentlemen,” I say to them both. My chest is tight, and I can’t make myself sound nicer than that. Even if they haven’t done anything wrong.

“See you later, guys,” she says. They return her warm smile. One of them holds out the tray with grapes to her, and she laughingly grabs one on the way past. “Finally!”

We walk off the lit set, my jacket still draped over her. People are packing, rolling away a rack of clothes.

But plenty of them are looking at us too.

She’s a name in this industry. Has done plenty of these shoots since she was only a teenager. Maybe the stalker worked on a shoot like this. Handled lights, sound, styling. Gained an unhealthy obsession…

I should ask her for a list of all of her modeling jobs. Give them to my security team.Check every single staff member.

“You okay?” I ask her.

“Yes. I could ask you the same thing.”

“Me?”

“You look angry. Did something happen today?”

“No. Everything’s fine.”

Nora gives me another long look, her eyes searching. “You’re annoyed about something. The shoot went a bit long, and I’m sorry. Didn’t want you to have to wait.”

“I was early. It wasn’t a problem.”

She stops at a leather duffel bag in the corner. Next to it is a half-finished smoothie and a phone plugged into the wall outlet. “You sure? You said you’re always honest.” She pushes up the sleeves of my jacket so she can rummage through her bag.

“Yes. At least they gave you snacks.”

She looks over at the smoothie with a small laugh. “That was my lunch.”

“You haven’t even finished it.”

“I’ve been in my underwear all day.” She rolls her neck. “God, I can’t wait to grab a burger. And fries.”

Cold anger rolls through me. I’m getting her a proper meal as soon as this is over. “Is there a dressing room somewhere?”

“Yes. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll follow you there,” I say.

She chuckles. “Are you my new guard now? Madison and Amos are here, you know. Miguel and Sam too.”

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