Page 15 of The Devil's Detail
Kasey raises his eyebrows at that statement.
“Well, he said he’ll figure something out for you.” He touches my arm. “Come sit here, and take a breath. This can’t go on, Carter. You need to get rid of these fools.” He hisses the last bit in case someone is listening.
“I’m tryin’,” I hiss back. “But nobody wants me.” I pout my lips at him.
His navy blue eyes stare into my blue-green ones, and after a beat, we both start to giggle, rolling with laughter at the absurdity of the situation I’m in. I, who everyone thinks controls my world, have no control over anything, especially Jackson Greystone.
“I’ll be back later.” He points at me as he saunters out the door. “Keep your cool and don’t go overboard.”
I would roll my eyes if his words weren’t so close to the thoughts rolling through my brain.
And just like that, I’m on my own again, adding layers of clothing, scarfs, and random accessories, and storming around like a demented princess.
I’m exhausted.Hours of shouting and throwing the biggest tantrum in the history of tantrums has taken its toll. I slump defeated into the plush sofa.
One of the film crew, who has been voluntold to come talk to me, sidles up. “Mr Maywood, we’ve got the greenlight for Horse Guards Parade this afternoon, but it’s a limited time slot and?—”
“It’s fuckin’ Friday. In Horse Guards?” My voice has hit a really high note, and the woman winces. “You sure, sugar? ‘Cos that puts me in a very public place. Can’t you green screen?” She shakes her head and frowns. “What sort of fuckin’ low budget bullshit is this?” Maybe I’m not so tired after all. I’m quite enjoying being Carter Fucking Maywood now. Diva extraordinaire.
“Please, Mr Maywood, if we could just?—”
“Fuck me, let’s get going. But you better have everything set up. All the right outfits. This is a one-time only deal. Where’s my lucky scarf?” I shout, aiming for the full effect. “I can’t go out without it.” More bullshit, but who gives a damn.
I’m drowning in whiskey, but they’re not bothered. I can hardly read a notice on the wall, but they’re not bothered. Nobody is fuckin’ bothered as long as I’m in position and they can get what they need. Nobody is bothered about what I want.
I’m sweatingout on Horse Guards Parade. It’s sunny, hot, and a Friday. The happy nearly-the-weekend vibe is in full flow, along with the crowds. They’re gathering at a heavy pace, and I look for my security.
“Carter! Carter!” It’s all I hear.
And I respond like an animatronic robot, heading over to a crowd of ladies who have clearly enjoyed a great lunch. Selfies, autographs, I sign them all. Word is spreading, as I hear people’s phones pinging like an out-of-control sonar.
“I gotta go shoot a segment. Watch me. I’ll be back.”
I flounce away from the frothing crowd, my security straining to contain everyone. Fuck them. They should have a perimeter set up already, but as usual, they don’t.
I act my very toned butt off. Get all the shots the film crew needs, and things go so well, they want to set off to another location. I ham it up for the crowd at the director’s expense. Too bad. He should have managed it all better. But I finally agree, and with lots of pouting and air kisses, I allow them to lead me out.
And then I see him. The snake in the grass is here. Fuckin’ Gary.
I knew it. Someone on my team is absolutely selling me out. This was all way too last minute for him to get here based on information from fans posting. But what the… Does he have a film crew with him?
Now he’s haunting me. Over a shitty relationship that lasted barely six months. I hardly promised the man marriage, and he was lucky I lasted a month without cheating. But he just won’t fuck off.
Oh my God, he’s sauntering this way. I see red, but the crowd has me hemmed in.
“It’s Gary! Gary, are you and Carter still together?” I hear a woman shout, and the crowd surges forwards, pulling me towards the man I can’t stand the sight of.
He has the audacity to look coy.Fuckin’ coy. I’ll kill him. Put him out of my misery.
He’s waving, like he’s the shit. I’ll king shit him when I get my hands around his scrawny throat.
I set off to grab a hold of him, but the crowd is restraining me—pulling at my clothes, my trousers, I lose my belt. Nipping my skin, my hair. My face must be vicious, as I see him stop dead.
“I’m coming for you.” I’m pointing and shouting. “I'm gonna see you?—”
My shouts are drowned out by the cheering. Gary is waving and drawing attention to himself.
“I’m coming, Carti!”
