Page 99 of The One for Forever

“Isn’t it?” She names the designer. “They sent it to me yesterday to congratulate me. The beads are all precious stones. Sapphires, emeralds, rubies. It matches your dress.” She tilts her head. “You look socutein that.”

“Thanks,” I gush. “It even has pockets.” I tuck my hands into the slots, which are almost hidden in the folds of the skirt. I borrowed the dress from Lana, who attends far more black-tie affairs than I do, and had some key alterations made in the last few days.

As Amber gives my outfit a once-over, her eyes lift, and her smile turns flirtatious. “And who is this? Your bodyguard from Bennett Security, right? I saw him in the audience at the trial.”

Rex stands at my shoulder. I side-eye him like I’m annoyed. “Oh. Yes. This is Rex Easton.”

Rex steps forward and takes Amber’s hand. He brings it to his mouth and kisses her knuckles.Yuck. “The pleasure’s mine,” Rex says in his deepest, sexiest voice.

Amber’s large green eyes are fixed on his dark ones. A quick flash of rage makes me want to claw those pretty irises out.

Step away from my man.

But this is the exact moment of distraction I need. I lean forward, slipping my hand into the open mouth of her drawstring purse. Then back to my pocket. We’re all close together, our bodies shielding the switch from view.

Perfect.

“I’ve been looking for a new personal bodyguard,” Amber says to Rex. “Maybe we could chat about it later?”

Before he can respond, I interrupt. “Actually, I have a business proposition for you of my own. Could we discuss it? In private?”

She looks ready to dismiss me. “You’ll have to call my agent.”

“I promise you’ll want to hear this.” I nod at Rex, who’s still close to my shoulder. “Then you can talk to Rex afterward. Heisworking for me tonight, but I could spare him for a few minutes.”

“A one-on-one meeting?” she asks.

“Whatever you want.”

I feel him shift his stance, and I swear he’s trying not to laugh.Sorry for pimping you out, Foxy, I think. But I know he doesn’t mind. I don’t intend to let Amber alone with him for one second. If she tries to put her murderous hands on my guy, she’ll see what happens.

Interest flares again in her eyes. “Why not? We can go inside for a bit to chat.”

“Rex, could you grab Kendall too?” I ask. “She’s right over there. My proposition involves her as well.”

He nods. Amber looks surprised at this development, but she doesn’t object. Rex goes to say a quiet word to Kendall, who follows our group into the side entrance of the mansion. As we head in, I quickly pull the phone from my pocket, enter the passcode, and pull up the app I want. It takes less than three seconds. Then I put the phone back into place in the folds of my skirt.

Amber leads us through the ornate home and into an office on the first floor. It’s paneled in rich woods. Oscar statues line a shelf on the wall. She sets her purse on the massive desk, the phone inside clunking and the expensive beading tinkling.

“This used to be Thompson’s office,” she announces. “I thought about redecorating, but I like it, you know? It has gravitas.”

Rex takes up a position by the closed door, back to playing the stoic bodyguard. But I don’t miss the seductive glances Amber keeps throwing his way. Probably planning out how fast she’ll get naked with him once I’m out of the room.

Kendall seems far more nervous. She’s got her arms crossed over her black pantsuit. “Quinn,” she says meekly. “I didn’t realize you’d be here tonight.”

“Ditto.” I grin, and she relaxes.

She shouldn’t. Because I’m lying. I had every expectation Kendall would be here tonight. In fact, we were counting on it.

“But it’s nice to see you,” I say. “Congrats on your news. I saw the video Amber posted after the trial verdict, when she announced it? How she’ll be starring in a movie about her life, directed byyou? That’s huge for you, Kendall. Especially after Christian had you blacklisted.”

Amber perches on the edge of Thompson’s desk, arranging her long legs like this is a photo shoot. “Christian is part of the old guard. Men who don’t want young women like us to succeed. I’m sure present company is excluded,” she adds with a leer at Rex. His stoic expression betrays nothing.

“Law is the same way,” I say. “I’m so tired of old men directing my career.”

Amber doesn’t seem to realize the irony of my statement. My boss is a woman in her thirties. But never mind that.

Amber goes on, “Women have made strides in Hollywood, but it still comes back to old men with old money. I’m turning the game on its head. Playing by my own rules now.”

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