Page 70 of Princes of Hollywood

“I love dessert.” Roarke’s hand caresses my hip as I take his plate. “You can just sit on the table in front of me and I’ll take all the dessert we can handle.”

My cheeks burn, but I’m getting used to Roarke and him wanting an audience. I’m kind of into it, especially if that audience is the other three at this table. Quickly, I put the plates and the leftovers in the kitchen before bringing out the small chocolate cake I made.

The guys are talking low, but it’s about next week.

I hurry back and grab the plates and forks. When I turn, Wyatt takes the plates.

“Go sit down, kitten. We have a lot to discuss.”

As I approach the table, they all watch me, and part of me wants to sink into the floor and disappear. Another, quieter part wants to slide onto the table and let them do what they want with me. Instead, I sit back in my seat and cut the cake.

Wyatt hands me a plate, and I put a piece on it. We do that until everyone has a piece.

“Fuck.” Roarke chews his cake but looks at Mason. “Quick, make her sign the NDA so I can ask her to marry me. This cake is spectacular, poppet.”

I’m resigned to being a permanent shade of red around Roarke.

“While he’s not wrong about the cake, we should get you to sign the NDA before we discuss things.” Mason walks to the island and grabs a stack of papers. He licks his finger and shifts through it to separate a small section. “Nothing unusual here. You’ll be living with us and working for us, so just don’t talk to the press and everything will be fine.”

When he sets the papers next to me, I push my cake to the side, wiping my hands on a napkin. I skim the first page that seems like legal mumbo jumbo.

“If you’d like to have your lawyer look it over…”

I laugh at Mason’s words and lift my gaze. “I wouldn’t know where to get a lawyer if I needed one.”

He nods thoughtfully. “If you’d like, I can have our lawyer come over and explain to you the details.”

“Oh.” I sit back and look at him in shock. He would do that for me? He has to know I can’t afford his lawyer either.

“I’d rather you be informed of your rights and duties, rather than steamroll over you because you don’t have money.” Mason’s eyes hold me locked in place. “We’re not here to take advantage of you, little mouse.”

I breathe out. “I’ll just read it myself, and if I have questions, I’ll ask.”

Mason lifts his fork. I concentrate on reading while they discuss some things to expect on set next week. The NDA seems fairly straightforward. If I break the NDA, there will be repercussions. A fine and, depending on damages, charges being pressed against me.

I have no intention of selling my story to anyone, but I could see someone in my situation with dollar signs in their eyes and the need for fifteen minutes of fame taking advantage. They trusted me these past couple days.

I could have run off to the press and there would have been no repercussions. But that’s not who I am.

“Do you have a pen I can use?” I ask when the conversation lulls.

Mason slides one across the table, but when I reach for it, he doesn’t let go. Our eyes meet.

“You understand the risk you’re taking if you sell your story, little mouse?”

I swallow and nod. “Fines and a potential lawsuit.”

“They’ll offer you a lot of money. Far more than what we’ll pay you.” He studies me, but he won’t find a crack.

“Loyalty means something to me. If I sign this, that means I’ll keep my word to you. I wouldn’t want you to betray me, so I’ll give you the same respect in return.”

“What if one of us betrays you?” Mason raises an eyebrow in challenge.

I sigh. Lying won’t do any good. “I still won’t break my word, but I’ll either deal with it or move on. Chad cheated on me, but we stayed in that apartment because I had nowhere else to go. If one of you betrays me, I may stay for the others. But you’re giving me enough money that I can leave if I need to.”

He releases the pen with a nod. My shoulders ease, and I quickly sign next to all the tabs on the NDA. Could I get rich selling my story? Maybe. But I would have to betray them to do that, and I can’t do that.

Almost everyone I’ve known betrayed me. I know how deep that can cut.

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