Page 99 of Gluttony
“You ready for this?” he asked.
Still with her eyes on him, she nodded. “As I’ll ever be.”
Swallowing the lump in his throat, he opened the door, and climbed out first. His family had all loitered at the start of the red carpet, causing a bottleneck congestion with the new stars arriving. Maggie O pouted and stroked the fluffy fur around her neck. She glared at Tony, but he didn’t care.
He threw up his hands and shouted. “She said yes!”
Cheers went up from his family and the fans. Every camera in the place swiveled his way, and when he turned to help Bailey out of the car, he planted a big soppy kiss on her cheek, murmuring. “May as well go out with a bang.”
She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t expect any less.”
Linking arms, they walked up to the carpet, smiling into each other’s eyes. Evan was right, this night was going to be epic.
Thirty-Three
Bailey floatedon air the entire red carpet walk into the zoo. Tony lapped up the attention and took every opportunity to show her off. His hand never left her waist. And every time someone made any prying questions about their relationship, he calmly announced their engagement, and then changed the conversation topic to his impending retirement, news which had everyone gasping and rapid-firing questions.
By the time they’d made it through the gauntlet, the zoo was behind them, not in the front with the animals, and Tony was positively beaming with mischief.
“Let my agent deal with that,” he smirked as they came up to the brick wall of the ticket office.
“What do you mean?” she asked, frowning.
“It means, my love, that I dumped him. Not the other way around. Tony Lazarus always gets the last word.”
“And exactly how did you find out he was going to drop you?”
“The stalker told me.” He raised his brows at her. “Can you believe it?”
Oh. Her. Bailey’s insides clenched. “What happened to her?”
“I told her not to bother us again, or I’d give her details to the police and her career would be over. I don’t think we’ll have any more trouble.”
“Good. I hope she has a long hard think about what she’s been doing.”
“All right. Enough of her interrupting our lives.” Tony gestured toward the crowd standing before enormous trees lit by atmospheric spotlights. Waiters with trays wandered about, handing out jungle themed cocktails. Pathways to the right and left were shrouded in darkness and had signs to stop any wayward people heading into the unsafe areas of the zoo. A stern-faced security guard stood at each entrance making sure the blockade was respected. That left only one path heading into the trees. A queue was forming, and security ushered people through.
“I think the screen is set up in there,” Tony said.
The spotlights flickered on and off, signaling time for everyone to take their seats. A female publicist walked around, calmly but sternly ordering people into the makeshift cinema.
Unable to hide the smile on her face, Bailey followed her fiancé between the arched trees and into the jungle, their hands never breaking hold. Inside was a grassed clearing, surrounded on all sides by thick jungle growth and taller trees. Above them, the night sky twinkled. Lines of white chairs filled the area, and an enormous white screen loomed at the front. The only light came from the two enormous industrial spotlights shining down on the gathering beside the screen.
Wonder filled Bailey as she gazed around. The sounds of the zoo almost made her feel like she was actually in the middle of a jungle. The studio’s event team really outdid themselves. Absolutely amazing set up.
“You’re at the front, Tony,” said the publicist with a brief smile. She gestured and walked, ushering them down quickly. “The rest of the cast and staff are there too. Family and friends to the back.”
Bailey glanced down at their joined hands, her ring glittering in the low light. It might take a while for her to get used to this partnership, but she was all in now. No turning back.
Tony stopped at the aisle and waited for Bailey to go in first. Each seat had a swag package resting on top. Bailey picked up her stuffed gorilla and laughed. It was the same shirt Tony had worn on her first day as his bodyguard. She grinned and waggled it at him. “I always knew you were an ape.”
“Har. Har,” he joked and sat down next to her, moving his gorilla to his lap along with her hand.
They settled in and waited until a few minutes later, the cast were invited up to the front to introduce the film. Tony beamed from ear to ear. This was his last film for a long time. Maybe ever. He may not even survive the Syndicate.
The scary thought popped into Bailey’s mind with the force of a freight train. As Tony got up, she tugged his hand and brought him back to her.
“Break a leg,” she said, nerves skating up her arms.
