Page 9 of Lethal Lover

Liam arrives moments later with a beaming smile and the highest praise. “You are fantastic, Elena. Truly. You make this play come alive. I can’t believe they didn’t cast you as the lead.”

I sit at my vanity and stare into the mirror. I’m pale and shaking and I don’t like his praise. I don’t want this role. I want Nina to be okay, to be here. We haven’t known each other long, but I know her well enough to know this is scary as fuck for her. No one even knows what’s wrong with her—whether she’s going to make it.

“Is everything okay?” Liam asks, and I meet his gaze in our reflection.

“Your friend Slick…” I pause, and he nods. “If he were hit by a car and in the hospital, would you be worried about him?”

He rolls his lips together, and I watch his eyes droop, blinking slowly then looking back up at me. “Of course I would. And I understand what you’re going through. I only want to help you focus on the positives right now.” His hands rest on my shoulders and he massages them. “If Nina were here, you would still be just as amazing in the other role. And she would tell you the same thing as me. Focus on the show, and we can fall apart when it’s over.”

His words hit home, though I’m not happy about it. He’s right. I’m not perfect in this role like he thinks, but I’m not supposed to be. I’m supposed to be here to support Nina, and that’s what I can do right now to help her. I don’t want raving reviews. I want the show to go on so when she comes back, we can all say we had her back.

“Thank you,” I tell him, touching his hand, and he kisses the top of my head.

An hour and a half later, I’m packing my bag and washing my face off. The show is over and there is still no word from the hospital. Warren appears at my door the same time Liam does,and Liam enters first, earning a deep scowl from my acting buddy.

“Hey, Lena,” he says, using a nickname I haven’t approved. “We’re all gonna go to the hospital and see if Nina’s okay. You want to come?” Warren hovers in the doorway. To me, he seems intimidated by or jealous of Liam, and he should be, maybe a little of both. Liam has class and style and heart. Warren only seems interested in positioning himself for power or opportunity, and he will get neither from me.

I look at Liam, who is instantly by my side, stroking my lower back. I want to go, but I know they will never let any of us in. And it’s late. Even if we got to go in, Nina should be resting, not having visitors. I start to answer, but Liam beats me to the punch.

“Ms. Cortez will pass on that for now. But please let us know as soon as you have any news on Ms. Byler.”

Warren’s eyes darken, becoming almost black with hatred. It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable how overly protective he is. I find myself leaning into Liam’s side where he can put an arm around me, and that comforts me. I don’t like this possessive streak, and when I return to the theater tomorrow for pre-show preparations, I need to say something to Warren about it.

“What are you? Her agent?” Creases form on his forehead and between his eyes. I feel like I’m under a microscope.

“I’m her boyfriend, thank you.” Liam’s hand pulls me more snugly against his side, and this is the sort of possessiveness I find enjoyable. In fact, I don’t mind one bit. I rest my hand on his chest and smile at Warren, who backs out of the room without another word. Something tells me he gets the point.

At the same time, Liam and I haven’t officially named what’s going on between us, so to hear him put a label on it makes me both happy and conflicted. I’m not certain I’m ready for that label, but a word to define us doesn’t change what’s happening between us.

“Should I drive you home? You still seem shaken.” He presses his lips to my forehead, and I sigh.

He has his own driver, his own security detail, and while I don’t know exactly what he does for a living, I know I feel safe with him. “I’d like that.” I turn my face up to look him in the eye, and as I do, his lips brush over mine.

He’s magnetic, intoxicating me in a heady swirl of desire and comfort. As far as first kisses go, it’s not a knockout. The closed-lip peck isn’t anything to write home about, but the way he lingers, moaning softly as his hand smooths along my back, is. It’s like he’s savoring me, enjoying just my presence and not greedy for more than I’m willing to give. I love that. He’s going at my pace.

“Then let’s go. And perhaps you will invite me up for a drink.”

“Perhaps I will…” I kiss him again, lightly, and turn to grab my things. Tonight might be the night I give myself to someone, if for no other reason than I need the comfort and companionship of a human with me while I mourn the tragedies that have befallen people I’m close to.

7

LIAM

Iescort Elena to my car, carrying a large canvas bag full of letters she’s received from her fans. She is quiet, looking glum, despite the armful of roses she carries, compliments of the fans who wanted to see Nina but were instead gifted with her presence. I’m glad these things aren’t affecting her. It shows me she isn’t vain like some actresses who live for the adoration of their growing fanbase. Elena has her head on her shoulders. She knows life is about more than being adored by the crowd.

“That’s me there,” I tell her, nodding at the black Mercedes limo. It’s one she hasn’t seen yet. My other one is somewhere miles away from the city now, driven by my acquaintance who is currently whisking Smitty to a safe location for medical treatment. No one can know he was driving that cab, and a man who does a job well needs to be cared for well. So, Annapolis will be his home for a few months while he recovers.

“How many cars do you have?” she asks, sounding unbelieving, and I chuckle.

“I’m a man of many tastes.” And tonight, I have a taste for her, but first, I have to get her in the mood. Slick appears at the backdoor, opening for us as we approach. He gives me a knowing nod as I raise my eyebrows at him. He was tasked with making sure Smitty got out, and his slight nod tells me the job has been successful. No one will tie me or my men to this one, and my father will have no reason to bitch at me.

“We’re taking Ms. Cortez home tonight,” I tell him as I climb in.

Smitty shuts us in, and I set the large bag of mail on the ground between our feet. Elena cradles the flowers, but she couldn’t be less interested in them. Her attention is on the dark theater where every audience member has already left and the only cast members who remain are preparing for their trip to the hospital.

“Maybe I should go…” Her eyes dart around, staring at the marquee and then the lobby cards hung outside the building.

“You’re tired. They won’t even be able to get in to see her. We’ll go tomorrow if you want.” I touch her leg, and she reaches for my hand, clutching it in hers without looking at me.

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