Page 40 of Deadly Target
“I didn’t realize you were a fan of the gossip magazines, sir.”
It was overstepping, but it felt good to get a dig in.
Allen didn’t appreciate it. “I suggest you get a handle on your personal life and make sure it’s not interfering with this case, am I clear?”
In all his years as director, Victor had never been reprimanded by the top gun about his personal life. He didn’t much care for it, especially considering Allen was never on the ground, working with the men and women under him. “I’ll take that suggestion under advisement.”In other words, fuck off.“Will there be anything else, sir?”
“Watch your back. Remember what I said—you could just as easily be in the line of fire.”
If he was, whoever was after him was doing a piss poor job. “Roger that, sir.”
He’d just disconnected when another call came through. He groaned softly when he saw who it was. He almost didn’t answer, but he might need her help shutting down the media problem.
“Tracee,”—he didn’t bother with a greeting—“you need to get your publicity person afterRed Star Reportand get the gossip about the two of us shut down.”
She sounded like she was in tears. “Victor, you have to come over right now. I have a stalker, I’m sure of it. I need you! I’m so scared.”
He shot up off the bed. “Are you at home?”
“Yes. How soon can you be here?”
“Is someone trying to break in? You should call the police, Tracee.”
Her voice hiccupped. “No, no. He’s not trying to break in, but I know he’s around. Everywhere I’ve gone in the last few days, I’ve seen him. He’s following me. I… I think I picked him up the other day at the hospital. Could it be someone involved with the shooting?”
Victor’s stomach dropped to his knees. “Where are your bodyguards? Have you reported this to the police?”
“I’m reporting it to you! You know the cops won’t believe me, and they’ll barge in and ask all kinds of stupid questions. Plus, it will end up in the news, and that’s the last thing I need before I take off for my next film. Please, Victor, you have to help me.”
He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. What the ever-living hell was going on? “I’m in San Diego. Let me call a friend and I’ll send him over to check things out.”
“No!” Her voice was sharp. “I don’t want anyone else. How soon can you get here?”
He really had no choice. He had to check this out. The last thing he wanted to do was spend time on this, but he owed it to her to make sure she was safe. If someonehadfollowed her from the hospital, she could be in danger. “It’ll take me three to four hours depending on traffic. Is there anyone there with you?”
“Leon is watching the front door.”
Leon was one of her bodyguards and she lived in a fancy penthouse suite with good security. Several other actors lived in the same building. Still, he would have one of the local PD units drive over and keep an eye out until he got there. “Stay inside, keep the doors locked, and stay away from the windows. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
