Page 86 of The Best Wrong Move

“I grew up around this industry. I know it like the back of my hand.” His eyes are glowing like he knows I can do this. “If you want to break into film, if you want to leave UBN faster and make a real go at this, then you have to play the game. And your game is starting right now. You’re the only one who can make this happen.”

I finally relent. “Okay.” Challenge accepted. If we’re going to play ball tonight, I better get my head in the game.

“Trust me when I say it’s the only way to do this. I may be powerful in my own right, but Quinton practicallyownsthe film industry. Even if I gave you money to find a producer, and director, and hire all the actors, and rent out a production house, you still wouldn’t get the respect you deserve, because everyone in the industry would know. That kind of beginning can sink someone trying to get started in Hollywood.”

He’s right. I know he is. This has to happen on my own terms, and with my own grit. Not handed to me on a silver platter by anyone, not even Dom.

“You have to trust me,” he says again.

“Of course I trust you. I just wish your brother wasn’t so intimidating.”

I glance outside to make sure they’re still engrossed in their own conversation. Selma is draped across Quinton’s lap, sipping his whiskey between kissing him. They are every bit the Hollywood royalty all the tabloids make them out to be. She, stunning from head to manicured toe, drenched in this golden hour of the sunset. He, lapping up the attention of his supermodel wife, with one of the most breathtaking views in the world at their feet.

I consider how the hell I’m supposed to pull this off if I’m standing at a stove instead of sitting at the table with them, pouring it on so he becomes interested in hearing about what I want to do for a living. Or, at least, what I hope to do.

The veggies sizzle louder, so I grab a silicon spatula and start tossing them around as Dom watches me closely.

“Trust me on this,” he repeats firmly. “I know how to work the Quinton Rockwell system. I’ve been around it my whole life. I’ll finish this up so you can get out there and start schmoozing.” He gently takes the spatula and gives me a kiss. “I’m going to give you as much time alone with him tonight as I can. Just don’t come on too strong,” he adds. “Easy does it.”

While Dom pushes peppers and carrots around the wok, I stalk Quinton from a safe distance away. His thick head of hair is wavy and curled, a too-white smile surrounded by laugh lines, acquired from years of high-octane social events and nights spent in luxurious locations around the world. He wears a thick gold pinky ring with some unknown chunk of amber gemstone fixed in the center, probably yellow topaz if I had to guess. Although, it could be a yellow diamond. He oozes power, with his willowy trophy wife sitting atop his lap, staring down at him so lovingly that it makes me a little envious. I can see a resemblance to Dom in the way his eyes sparkle in the sunlight, crinkling at the edges.

Since working over ten years in high-stakes news, I’ve schmoozed with powerful people most of my adult life. Iamcapable of doing this right.

I can convince Quinton Rockwell to take a chance on me, while making it seem like it was his idea all along.

“Here goes nothing.” I grab my wine glass and whatever is left in the bottle, and march outside to stalk, kill, and sink my teeth into exactly what I want.

Chapter 58

Selma looks up first when I make my way out to the lanai.

“Veronica! Honey! Did you bring that wine bottle with you?” She eyes my hand with the white wine bottle, now nearly empty.

I hold up the bottle in my hand, smiling.

“It’s Olivia.” I force a laugh. “And of course I did! It’s right here.”

I saunter over and set the bottle down in front of her, purposefully not adding another drop to her glass.

Lay the ground rules, I tell myself.You’re one of them, not beneath them.

I sit down in one of the chairs facing the happy couple. Quinton’s eyes graze the bit of cleavage peeking out over the top of my blouse. He doesn’t seem ashamed when I pointedly make eye contact with him, bringing his eyes back up to face-level. I’m not surprised. Hollywood isn’t known for churning out a strict moral code. But this is Dom’sbrother.

“I don’t know how you ever leave this place!” I look around with a huge smile. “It’s absolutely breathtaking. How long have you two owned it?”

Selma pushes Quinton’s chin toward her, bringing his attention away from me and back to her. “How long have we owned this place, Quinny? Two years now? Or is it three?”

“No, we got that place in Aspen three years ago. We picked this place up after we went on the sailing trip around the islands. Remember? The charter we did with Roberto and Minnie.”

It takes everything in me not to gush. Roberto and Minnie are the currentitcouple in Hollywood right now. Apparently they vacation with the couple I’m drinking wine with.

Be cool, Olivia,I tell myself.Don’t fuck this up.

“That’s right! Minnie wanted to find something bigger. Something that didn’t have all those memories of her and her ex. She gave us a steal of a deal on this place after we stopped here during her divorce.” Selma nods at Quinton while she recounts the details of their real estate deal. “Thirty-four million for this place. Can you believe it? Bargain, right? Of course, we still need to update the pool. But it works for now.”

“The pool?” I squeak out, then shoot myself another reminder to relax. “I love the pool. It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen in real life.”

Selma smiles at me sweetly. “That’s cute.” Then she grins at Quinton like I’m just here to entertain them. “So, you and Dom must be spending time at our pool too, then?”

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