Page 1 of Hollywood Humbug (The Naughty List)

Prologue

KANE

Christmas was supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” However, it certainly didn’t seem like it based on the gloomy expressions of the people gathered in Studio 6 of Heart & Soul Studios. The owner, Julianna Kensington, had called for a meeting yesterday. She’d summoned the cast and crew for the studio’s newest movie–which was sprung on most of us by our agents. Considering the talent level in the room, I was pretty sure that, like me, these people had all agreed to this project as a favor or because of a deal they couldn’t refuse. Most of us would rather do anything besides a Christmas movie—hence the resentment percolating in the air.

My agent and PR rep, Della, was lucky I hadn’t fired her ass when I found out she had withheld the fact that Scarlett Cassidy was playing my “love interest” in the movie until I’d signed the contract. Although she’d made a good argument…one I couldn’t even remember now. And I was the idiot who’d blindly agreed without knowing all the details, which I wouldn’t have done if Julianna hadn’t called me and asked me to do it as a favor to her.

Julianna and I had been close ever since she hired me for my first leading role—the one that broke me out of the teen heartthrob image I’d been pigeonholed into. She’d been a great friend and mentor over the years, which made it impossible for me to say no. Ultimately, I wouldn’t have let Julianna down if I’d known about Scarlet beforehand. That didn’t mean I hadn’t been very clear that she owed me big time.

She’d just chuckled and told me more about the project. Two weeks ago, a well-respected Hollywood writer named Nick Saint had approached Julianna to pitch his film,The Naughty List. He wanted it filmed on a ridiculously short timeline—which I didn’t understand, but she’d said his reasons were not hers to tell. As the Heart & Soul Studios owner, it was her job to sign off on the movie.

Like the rest of us, she was initially reluctant, what with the filming being so close to Christmas. When she told me he offered an obscene amount of money and wished to donate his portion of the revenue to charity, I understood why she’d agreed. Although, I suspected there was something else to her decision that she wasn’t sharing.

I questioned why she wanted me when I was such a scrooge and loathed the holiday. She told me he’d had one more request—he wanted to hand-pick most of the cast and crew. She’d been dubious at first, especially after seeing the exact list of people he wanted involved with the project.

I don’t understand how he convinced her to agree because as I looked around the group of A-listers and top professionals in the industry, it was common knowledge that most of us weren’t fans of Christmas. However, she’d decided it would be interesting to see if the festive spirit could work its magic and create some love connections and a “feel-good” Christmas movie.

What a load of bullshit.Christmas magic was nothing but a fairytale. I was wary of her comments about love connections until I learned about Scarlet’s involvement. I knew then that Julianna wasn’t talking about me. No one in their right mind would expect anything more between me and Scarlet than civil words—spoken only when there was no other choice.

I tried to discourage her, but Julianna was a romantic, and she adored Christmas. She’d laughed and told me all we needed was a little magic in our lives. After some coercing, she confessed that Nick Saint seemed to know a lot about this eclectic group, even though he was adamant he’d met none of us. I’d met him when I signed the contract, and a twinkle in his eye made me think of Santa Claus, even though the man didn’t resemble him in any other way—other than his name being so close to St. Nick.

Standing at the front of the studio with the cast and crew gathered around her, she smiled brightly, a similar twinkle now in her eyes.

Some of us sat while others stood, arms crossed, shifting uncomfortably on their feet. Looking around the group, with the body language and many sour expressions, you’d think Julianna had called us all to a funeral.

However, despite the chilly vibes emanating from some of the people gathered in the studio, there were almost tangible sparks of chemistry between several of them.

Julianna smoothed her hands down her designer pantsuit and cleared her throat. “Thank you, everyone, for coming on such short notice. I know it’s asking a lot this close to Christmas, but this movie is important for studio revenue, and a large percentage of the profits will go to charity. I think we can all agree it feels good to spread a little magic during the holidays, and our movieThe Naughty Listtruly reflects this sentiment.”

She paused and looked around at the glum faces. “Perhaps we should rename the movieHollywood Humbug,” she teased. She paused and looked around at all the glum faces. When no one cracked a smile, she rolled her eyes. “You grinches are in need of a little Christmas magic.”

I snorted in derision, receiving a glare from Julianna, but it didn’t have its usual effect on me. I was too furious. Typically, I was laid-back, quick with a smile, and easy to work with. But right then, I sat with my arms folded over my broad chest, my fingers drumming on my firm biceps as I attempted to ignore the leggy blonde beside me.

Scarlett fucking Cassidy. The woman playing my leading lady. Because the universe wanted to fuck with me.

She turned her head in my direction and glared at me. I could practically feel her unique turquoise eyes shooting sparks.

Well, tough shit. Scarlet was the most significant cause of my grumpy attitude and tension anyway. So I gave her a bored glance, then looked back toward my boss.

“It’s great that some of you have worked together before, which will make things flow much more smoothly on our limited timescale. And I’m sure those with any…differences”—Julianna looked pointedly between me and Scarlett—“will put them aside for the sake of this movie.”

“Differences. Right. One of us is a mature adult, and the other is a childish pain in the ass,” Scarlett muttered under her breath, and I clenched my jaw to bite back a scathing retort.

Julianna rolled her eyes, then went back to addressing the entire group. “You’re all professionals, so you know the drill. We’ll hit the ground running this afternoon and work through Christmas Eve. As the director, Luca will run the show.” She nodded toward the tall, muscular man with a thick head of dark hair dressed in black. “You’ve all heard that Bryce’s wife went into labor. I heard from him yesterday, and she successfully delivered twin girls. They’re a little early but doing just fine.” There was a smattering of cheers and applause. “But that means we need a replacement for assistant director. Hailey Walker is coming in to fill the position. She arrives later today.”

Luca stepped forward to address the cast and crew. “Kane and Scarlett will start filming the first scene in a few hours. For anyone not involved in the scene, I’ll expect you on set at 8 AM sharp tomorrow.” His dark eyes narrowed as he scanned the room, and his tone brooked no argument. The man was a perfectionist, so I knew he’d create a masterpiece. As irritated as I was to be doing this movie, I’d always wanted to work with Luca, so I was looking forward to that aspect of this project.

“We’ll need you to coordinate the fight scene this afternoon, Jackson,” Julianna said, looking toward the large tattooed stunt coordinator.

“Not a problem,” he replied with a nod.

“Good. Laura and Abel, we won’t need you until tomorrow.” I looked between the other two leading actors in this film as they nodded at Julianna.

“More time to learn my lines,” Laura said, eyes sparkling and deep dimples on display as she grinned.

At least one person seems happy to be here,I thought begrudgingly. But then, Laura got along with everyone because she was sweet and fun.

“Lines? There are lines? In a movie?” Andrew—my body double—gasped in mock horror.

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