Page 10 of Dangerous Kiss
Chapter Four
The police interview was harrowing, hearing Biba having to relive what just happened. Damon was arrested, but the police warned them that with his connections and his money, he would be out on bail soon. Cosimo assured the police that security on set would be upped. “He won’t get near anyone here,” he said, his voice like stone.
He called Rich and Gunter to him, and, after giving them an ass-kicking for dragging Biba into their antics, he told them to hire some more security. “Any sign of Tracy, he’s toast, you understand?”
Both Rich and Gunter looked shell-shocked by the evening’s events. Rich looked past his boss to the closed door of the suite. “Can we go see Biba? I need to apologize.”
Cosimo shook his head. “The doctor is in with her…he’s…collecting evidence.”
Both Gunter and Rich’s faces looked as sickened as Cosimo felt. “Mein Gott.” Gunter shook his head, and Cosimo sighed.
“I think she needs some peace and quiet.”
No sooner were the words out of his mouth when Stella came crashing into the room, her robes and scarves flying, her face pale—but still beautifully made up. “Cosimo, thank God.” She put her hands on his chest and gazed into his eyes. “How is she? Is she badly hurt? Are you?”
Cosimo extracted himself from Stella’s grip and gently pushed her away. “Biba’s going to be fine. She just needs rest and T.L.C. for a day or two. Will you cope without her?” The way he framed it, the tone of his voice was very clear.Youwillcope without her whether you like it or not.
Stella had obviously decided to go with being magnanimous. “Of course, of course. Oh dear, what a terrible thing to happen. I blame myself.”
Cosimo nodded his head at Rich and Gunter, at his signal, made their escape. Cosimo sat down, wishing he could smoke inside, and instead braced himself for Stella’s drama.
Stella threw her hands out wide. “I knew he was trouble. I should have protected Biba, protected myself. I’m sorry, Cosimo. I really am.”
Oh God, it was going to be a long night. “Stella…I think we’ve dealt with Damon now. There’s no point in recriminations. Damon was the one to blame, no one else.”
Stella picked at her nails. “Have you fired him?”
“Obviously. Luckily, we already had someone lined up in case we ran into trouble with Damon.”
Stella smiled. “You obviously knew his reputation.”
“He wasn’t my first choice with this film. The studio wanted him. I think they wanted to capitalize on your off-screen relationship.”
Stella laughed softly. “Such as it was. It was never serious, Cosimo, you know that. I wasn’t ready to get serious about anyone until…” She slid her eyes demurely away from his. “Well…”
Cosimo had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. Luckily, the next moment, the doctor came out from Biba’s room. Cosimo stood to shake his hand.
“She’ll be okay—physically, at least. Obviously, it’s not my place to discuss my findings, so you’ll have to ask Miss May. I have prescribed a sleeping tablet for tonight and advised her to take it. Just to make sure she gets some rest.”
“Thank you, Doctor. I hope—”
“Can she have visitors?” Stella interrupted Cosimo, and the doctor finally noticed her. His eyes widened a little—obviously a little starstruck.
“Well…she did say only Mr. DeLuca or Mr. Quinn…”
“Then that’s final,” Cosimo said firmly. “Doctor, thank you.” He waited until the doctor had gone before turning to Stella. “Stella, thank you, but I’ve got this from here. I’ll let you know in the morning if anything changes.”
Stella was about to argue, but at that moment, Reggie, breathless, fraught, came into the room. “Is she okay? Is Biba okay?”
Cosimo calmed him down. “You can go in,” he said gently, patting his shoulder. “She wants to see you.”
He nodded to Stella—a dismissal—and was relieved when she took the hint. “Let me know if you need anything.” She touched his chest again, then left. Her scent, heavy and seductive, followed her, and Cosimo sighed.
He sat down heavily, finally alone, and tried to process the horror of what had happened. No doubt the studio would be outraged, but at least he could defend himself there. Damon had been their choice. They would scramble to spin the story how they wanted it, and they would want Cosimo and Biba to keep their mouths shut. Cosimo didn’t care about himself, but if the studio decided she was replaceable…no. He would protect her until they backed off—that was a no-brainer. They didn’t get to employ a rapist and then blame the victim. Fuck them.
Anger was roiling away inside him, but more than that, he couldn’t stop hearing that scream—her panicked, soul-crushing scream. Biba struck him as someone who didn’t scare easily, but the cry she gave was one of pure terror. God, poor kid.
He rubbed his eyes, drained.Fuck this world, fuck all the predators in it.He didn’t care that now he would have to scrap a couple of days filming. He knew who he would call to replace Damon—his old friend Sifrido Tofaro. Sifrido was just making it in Hollywood after being an A-plus lister in Italian movies for over a decade—he would be perfect for the part of Henry in this thing. He’d call him in the morning.
