Page 82 of All the Drama from New York

Bryce nodded, but it was Ryan who spoke. “Believe me—this fight is far from over.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

New York City

Ten Days Later

Camille was still fast asleep in their bed when Ryan left the apartment in the early hours of the morning. Stuffing a baseball cap firmly over his head, he made his way downstairs to where a town car with blackout passenger windows was waiting.

Stepping onto the sidewalk, Ryan checked left and right, relieved when he only spotted the Royal security guys standing near the door. The one good thing with leaving the building at this ungodly hour was the lack of fans lurking around in the street.

Apparently even stalkers needed their beauty sleep.

As the car pulled away from the curbside, Ryan glanced up at Camille’s bedroom window.

I hate leaving you like this.

He was worried. Last night Camille had only made it to eight o’clock before calling it a night. When he’d come to bed, she’d confessed she’d been struggling to keep her food down, and had been feeling off for close to two weeks.

When he offered to call for a doctor, Camille had growled at him. Ryan had let the subject drop. For the moment.

The apartment he was supposed to pretend he lived in was located on 5thAvenue. The super express elevator took him all the way to level 25, where he stepped out and into the open-plan residence. The view out the main windows of the living room was nothing short of stunning. “Wow,” he muttered.

The luscious green expanse of Central Park, lay spread out below. Between the thickets of leafy trees he could spot glimpses of the various ponds and lakes. And was that the Central Park zoo?

“Yes wow, it is a hell of a view. But for the sort of money we are paying to rent this place for the next four months, it would want to be amazing.”

Ryan turned from admiring the view as Derick Stad walked out of one of the bedrooms. Ryan’s heart sank. This was the last place he wanted to be, and Derek was high on his list of people he never wanted to see again.

It was bad enough being contractually bound to do the show, but having to play nice with a snake like Derick Stad was a stretch. The former host ofBachelors on the Beachhad officially taken over as the producer and showrunner forRyan in Love, so there was nothing he could do but suck it up and deal with it.

The sooner Bryce and the legal eagles at Royal Resorts found a way out of this contract, the better.

A reluctant Ryan took Derick’s offered hand and shook. He didn’t bother smiling at the guy who’d upended his and Camille’s life. Given half a chance he’d rather punch the asshole square in his heavily Botox altered mug.

“Good to see you, Ryan. I’m really looking forward to working with you on this new and exciting project,” said Derick. His mouth was the only thing which moved on his expressionless face.

The past four years have not been kind to you Derick.

“I understand we are just meeting this morning to get some logistics sorted. Full filming won’t start until later in the week. So, let’s get on with things and then I can get out of here,” replied Ryan.

They were determined to hold him to the contract, but nowhere was it written that he had to be anything other than polite to the network people. He couldn’t care less if they let it slip after the show that he had been ‘difficult’ to work with during filming.

If you’re expecting me to be grateful for this opportunity you are sadly mistaken.

Derick didn’t bat an eyelid at the obvious chill in Ryan’s tone. “I could ask how things have been for you over the past four years, Ryan. Though from what I hear you just walked off the set ofBachelors on the Beachand quickly disappeared. The world happily forgot Ryan Collins. That was until you seduced a sexy little French heiress. Way to get ahead Ryan.”

The gloves were off. This was going to be a tough twelve week shoot if he and Derick continued to spar, then retreat to their respective corners.

Not that I intend to make it all the way to the end of the shoot. The second the legal team can find a loophole, I’m out of here.

Derick was still grinning like theCheshire Catas he walked away. He headed back into the bedroom from where he’d just come. When he returned, he was followed by a young woman.

Ryan recognized her immediately. It was Kaylee fromBachelors on the Beach.

What the…?

Kaylee held out her hands to him. “Ryan! Oh my god, it’s so good to see you.” The way she spoke, in a forced, breathy tone immediately set his nerves on edge.

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