Power (The Keatyn Chronicles Book 9) Read online

  “It all depends on if Collin decides to play nice.”

  “If I saw this, I’d be playing nice. So how is the wedding planning going?”

  “Good. Your vendors are all super nice and more than willing to go out of their way to get this fundraiser done in time. The only thing I’m worried about is having them set up the furniture for the ceremony. The altar will scream wedding.”

  “They deliver it the afternoon of the wedding, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, worse case, we say that Logan and I are renewing our vows.”

  “Oh, that’s good.”

  “Logan has a dinner to attend tonight. Maybe we could have a girls’ night. Order some gourmet pizza, get drunk on wine, and catch up.”

  “That sounds perfect.”

  Captive Films — Santa Monica

  DAWSON

  “You’ve been avoiding me all day,” I say to Vanessa as I join her in Keatyn’s office.

  “I’m not avoiding you. I’m just busy.”

  “Vanessa, don’t shut me out.”

  I look at him and sigh. “Avery gave me a happy dress to wear tonight.”

  “A happy dress?”

  “Yes, she says I’ve been happy lately. I have been because of you. I’m sorry I got upset last night. I was mad at myself, not mad at you.”

  I shut the door. “Why were you mad at yourself?”

  “Because I wanted to be included. I understand completely why you need to spend time alone with your girls, I do. But my first reaction was that I was jealous. I was mad at myself for behaving that way. I just couldn’t help it.”

  “You’re lucky Keatyn’s office is full of windows,” I say.

  “Stop grinning,” she says, giving me a swat. “And stop with the sexy eyes.”

  “I have sexy eyes?”

  “You know damn well you do. Do you want to stay here while I make a call? Might as well learn more about what I do. It’s not always pretty.”

  “What are you gonna do?” I ask.

  “A little PR blackmail.”

  “Interesting.” I take off my jacket, lay it on the couch, and then roll up my sleeves.

  “Now, you’re stripping?”

  “Just getting comfortable.”

  Tyler knocks on the door, interrupting us. “I just got a call from a tabloid that I ‘leak’ things to on occasion. She said that Knox’s assistant told her off the record that Vegas was a publicity stunt and that someone, who would surprise us, leaked the photos.”

  “What did you tell her?”

  “Well, you told us to say no comment so I said no comment.”

  “Perfect. I’m just getting ready to call that someone and persuade him to confess that he pushed out the photos.”

  “Oh, how are you going to do that?”

  Vanessa tosses a photo in Tyler’s direction. He catches it out of the air.

  “Oh, my stars! Parker Hudson?” He holds the photo up to the light. “Where the hell was this party and why wasn’t I invited?”

  Vanessa laughs. “Show Dawson.”

  He hands it to me. My eyes get big. “Jeez. You could have warned me.” I turn the paper on it’s side and tilt my head. “Wow.”

  “It all works just fine, Mr. Johnson,” Tyler teases. “I know these things.”

  “I’m sure it does. But I’d prefer not to see it.”

  “Well, here’s hoping that Parker prefers everyone not see it. Hush, you both, I’m going to call him.”

  Tyler sits next to me on the couch in rapture. If I didn’t know he was gay, I’d think he had a crush on Vanessa.

  “Isn’t she just amazing?” he says to me. “Did you see her handbag today? Brand new. I heard there’s a wait list. She’s always one of the first ones they call. Lucky bitch.”

  I chuckle, but Vanessa shushes me. It’s kinda hot.

  Kinda like being scolded by your hot teacher.

  My mind starts wandering as she puts the call on speaker and says, “Parker, how are you? Thanks for agreeing to chat with me.”

  “My publicist made me,” he says.

  “Well, he’s smart because we have some publicity to talk about. I’m just gonna cut to the chase, Parker. I know that you sold the photos of Vegas to the tabloids. Jennifer was supposedly drunk and you thought she was trying to make you jealous. I’d even bet a lot of money that new girlfriend of yours—the playboy bunny—whatever her name is, encouraged you to sell them.”

  “Uh,” he stutters.

  “You don’t have to answer, Parker. It’s okay. So you sold the photos. The press ate them up. You made a tidy sum that, you will be announcing today, will be donated to Jennifer’s favorite charity.”

  “The fuck I am. I didn’t sell anything.”

  “Parker, Jennifer texted you sixty-one photos. All of which have been sold to the press. You tried to split them up, but I know people and they told us that it was you. Makes sense, as no one else would have a selfie that Jennifer took herself. Now, I know you are hot. Your fans love you. But recently, I received just one photo of you. A photo of you so damning, you’ll be swimming in a shit sewer of bad PR from which your career will never recover.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “Hang on, Parker. I’m going to use my cell phone to text you the photo.”

  She obviously had it pre-loaded into her phone, because all she does is hit send.

  “I just heard your phone vibrate. You must have gotten it already. Amazing how fast photos can travel nowadays, isn’t it? I wonder what would happen if all the mothers of your teenybopper fans caught wind of this.”

  “Oh, fuck,” Parker says.

  “The perfect comment,” Vanessa continues. “Now that I have your attention. What are you going to do tonight?”

  “Announce that I sold the photos because I’m an asshole. That I’ll be donating the proceeds to the children’s foundation she supports. She did it on purpose, didn’t she? She knew that I would do it. She was just pretending to be drunk. I heard it was a publicity stunt.”

  “I have no comment on that, but I do have another comment. I’d like you to do a few interviews with the press. I’d like you to publicly apologize to Jennifer for being the douche that you are. Never once did she come out and tell anyone why she broke up with you. She never told them you were a lying cheater. She has class. It’s time for you to tell the truth.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Oh. I see. Okay. Well, nice chatting with you. Um, you might want to notify your PR firm about what’s coming up. You know, so they can prepare.”

  “Fuck. Fine. Fine. I’ll do it.”

  “And you’ll dump the bunny. She isn’t good for you.”

  “Yes, yes. I’ll do it.”

  “Perfect. Then it will stay between you and me. Cheers, Parker. Have a great night!”

  She hangs up and Tyler stands up and claps. “I want to be you when I grow up. Spectacular performance. Now, you need to get going, or you will be late for your appointments. And by the way, I saw the dress Avery brought you, To. DIE. For. See you tonight.”

  He rushes out of the door, already on his phone.

  I saunter over to Vanessa and sit on the edge of the desk next to her. “If Tyler’s gonna die, that means your dress is probably going to make me hot.”

  “I haven’t even seen it yet. It may not even fit me.”

  “Uh, huh.”

  “Fine. I peeked. It’s gorgeous. I’m hoping I can do it justice.”

  “Wear your red lipstick. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

  “Six-thirty. I need to be there early.”

  I lean in and kiss her. “You really are amazing.”

  Asher Vineyards — Sonoma County

  ARIELA

  I had so much fun catching up and reminiscing, and maybe getting a little drunk, with Maggie tonight. As I plop down on the bed and am trying, unsuccessfully, to get my boots off, my phone dings.

  I fall off the bed trying to get it, hoping it’s R
iley.

  Coffee Kyle: So did you go? Did you see him? Is there a sweet job waiting for me?

  Me: Yes. Yes. Unfortunately not.

  Coffee Kyle: So what happened when you saw him?

  Me: The first time he saw me, he was pissed I was there but gave me the hottest kiss.

  Coffee Kyle: Mine would have been hotter.

  Me: Don’t mess with me. I’m a little drunk. And there was a lot of emotion in this kiss.

  Coffee Kyle: I'm just teasing. So a kiss. Then did you have hot angry sex?

  Me: I wish. No.

  Coffee Kyle: Come on, give me the scoop. I sat through a six-hour movie with you. I need to know the rest of the story.

  Me: I don't think this story is going to have a happy ending, Kyle. It’s all kind of a mess.

  Coffee Kyle: So, truth. I saw the Vegas photos. That's really what made me text you. How are you doing?

  Me: I’m a bit of a wreck but I'm busy. I got a job running a big swanky event. You know what? I could really use some help. Would you want to be my assistant?

  Coffee Kyle: Do I get to ass—ist you in the bedroom?

  Me: No, but I’ll pay well.

  Coffee Kyle: Sounds like I'm packing my bags now.

  Me: Fly into San Francisco. The event is at a vineyard in Sonoma County.

  Coffee Kyle: Are you being serious? You said you were drunkish.

  Me: I’m serious.

  Coffee Kyle: I'm-hanging-up-my-apron-and-telling-them-I-quit kind of serious?

  Me: Why don't you hang up your apron, tell them you need a two week leave of absence, and see if you even like it here.

  Coffee Kyle: You're awesome :) I’ll be there Monday.

  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10TH

  Vanessa’s Estate - Holmby Hills

  VANESSA

  I wake up, grab my phone off my nightstand, and see a text from Tyler with a link to an article about last night’s party.

  The Golden Ticket: Part Deaux.

  Rumors are floating around that it was none other than Jennifer's ex, rocker Parker Hudson, who sold photos of the night in Vegas to the press.

  When I asked Jennifer about it at the Purity Party, the actress, who sipped on sparkling Voss water all night, said Parker behaved exactly as expected.

  For those of you who don’t speak polite snark, she was saying that he was an ass and she fully expected him to do exactly what he did.

  I'd say that pretty much confirms that even though Jennifer's stripper meme will live on forever, she's embracing it as part of this new role.

  We're told the movie has been fast tracked and that pre-production has already begun.

  And now what you’ve been waiting for, the skinny on the party:

  Jennifer looked amazing in a slinky red slip dress and white faux fur wrap. She was escorted into the party by not one, not two, not three, but four hot men. All in black. Jake Worth, who usually plays the perfect prince, shocked the hell out of us in his black Burberry motorcycle jacket, white henley, and black skinny jeans. We hear he’s going to play the bad boy. Sa-wooon.

  Guy number two was Knox Daniels looking delectable in a perfectly cut black-on-black Prada suit. Yum. He arrived with none other than Keatyn Douglas. I never get tired of seeing the pair together. And although Keatyn was showing off her massive engagement ring, it’s pretty obvious, based on how close she stayed to Knox all night, that she and the winemaker will never make it down the aisle. She looked gorgeous, as usual, in a white jacquard Herve Leger bandage dress. But I’d like to be the first to go on record and say I’ve seen the girls in person and they have definitely been, shall we say, enhanced.

  Guy number three was Captive Films CEO, Riley Johnson. Rather than wearing his usual suit and tie, Riley was in character as a sleazy photographer and dressed in a black velvet tuxedo. (Point to their stylist for that one.)

  Guy number four was on my hit list. Riley’s sexy brother and new man in town, Dawson Johnson. Dawson was wearing a black three-piece suit with a chambray oxford and matching hankie square. While I tried my best to hunt him down, he was busy chasing after publicist Vanessa Flanning. In the dress she was wearing, I can understand why.

  P.S. On a side note, greeting us at the door was Avery Stevens, oldest daughter of Tommy Stevens and Abby Johnston. She was looking adorably angelic in a Marchesa baby doll dress. No word on if she’ll have a role in Daddy’s Angel.

  I look at another text. This one from Jennifer.

  Jennifer: I fired my publicist first thing this morning. I hope you will take me on as a client.

  Me: It would be my pleasure. Can you meet for lunch today to discuss?

  Jennifer: Sounds great. Thank you.

  Another text pops up.

  Dawson: Did you see the article? We did good! And, just for the record, she was right. I was chasing after you. Although you apologized in the office, you still seemed sorta mad last night . . . Are you?

  Am I still mad at him?

  No.

  Do I understand his wanting to spend time alone with his daughters?

  Yes.

  Am I still hurt?

  Yes.

  Does that piss me off?

  Yes.

  Me: You’re right. We did good. I won’t be at Captive today. Have some other clients I need to deal with. I’ll see you Monday. Have a good weekend with your girls.

  God, I’m such a bitch.

  I wait for him to reply.

  But he doesn’t.

  And, honestly, I don’t blame him.

  Trinity movie set - Studio City

  KEATYN

  “This weekend is gonna suck,” Knox says, plopping down in my dressing room.

  “Not for me. I got the weekend off,” I say with a grin.

  “Does that mean I’m off too?”

  “Nope. They still want you in, but we did so well on our sex scenes we’re a few days ahead of schedule.”

  “And then you’re getting married. Where are you going on your honeymoon?”

  “I’m not sure. Aiden is planning it. Somewhere remote and tropical, I hope.”

  “You’ll need the rest because as soon as you get back, it's off on our whirlwind of locations.”

  “London, Paris, Prague, Dubai, and then New York. Then we’re done with Trinity forever.”

  “Did you know they're talking about doing another one with the next generation? Our baby. Can you imagine? Promise me, no cameos unless we do them together.”

  “Oh wow. I hadn’t heard that. But speaking of doing something together, I read your script.”

  “And?”

  “I'd love to do it with you if we could make a few tweaks.”

  “What kind of tweaks?”

  “Well, you have it set in New York. Was there a specific reason for that?”

  “Uh, not really.”

  “What if he meets her speed dating in San Francisco? Still a big city. And what if she works at a vineyard?”

  “Are you suggesting we film it at your place?”

  “Sort of. The people who own the land that butts up to ours are retiring and moving to Palm Springs. They asked Aiden if he'd be interested in buying their land. They plan to parcel it off and then sell their two houses separately. One is a quaint bed and breakfast that could be an adorable set. Near it are two very new and very large aluminum outbuildings. Much like the ones we’re filming in now.”

  “Hmm. I like the idea. It'd certainly make for an easy commute for you.”

  “Knox, at one point, you were talking about buying a place out there. A getaway. The other home is a beautiful Tuscan-style villa set on the top of a hill. It has a similar view to ours, all the way to the ocean. A sweet infinity pool. I think you’d love it.” I grin at him. “It’d make for an easy commute for you too.”

  “Are you suggesting I buy it and we fund this project ourselves?”

  “Yeah, I am. We can always do a deal later with Captive for distribution.”

  “We'd stand to make more that way, woul
dn't we?”

  “If it performed well, yes. If not, we could lose a lot.”

  “For sure. Okay. Wow. You've given me a lot to think about. Something about finishing Trinity makes me feel like a grown up now. Does that even make sense?”

  “It does,” I say sadly, sitting down next to him and handing him an apple. “I sort of feel that way too. Like we’re graduating.”

  “Yeah, that’s it. We’re graduating. On to the next great thing. And don’t worry, sugar, I’ll never forget that I was your first. It seems like yesterday.”

  “You’re goofy. But you’re right. You were my first screen test.” I laugh at him. “It’s amazing that we’re even friends. You were such a jerk to me.”

  “Naw, I just played a jerk.”

  I give him a hug. He’s going to make me start crying with all this nostalgia, so I change the subject. “So, what does grown up Knox want to do with his life?”

  “Truth?”

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t tell anyone, but I’d like to get married and start a family. We've both put our lives on hold for these movies. Me more so than you.”