Angel at Dawn (23 page)
Authors: Emma Holly
Tags: #Ghost stories, #Vampires, #Horror, #Paranormal, #Fiction, #Romance, #Paranormal romance stories, #Motion picture producers and directors, #Occult fiction, #Ghosts, #Occult & Supernatural, #Love stories
“You’re avoiding me,” he said, one hand planted beside her head on the dark brick wall.
Since she’d just exited the bathroom, she couldn’t claim she had to go in. Her frown said she wanted to—just as she wanted to try ducking away from him.
“I’m faster,” he warned, secretly pleased that he could read the urge in her eyes.
“I’m not avoiding you,” Grace said crisply. “I simply don’t have anything to say. I already told you why what happened earlier can’t occur again.”
“I don’t care about that. All right, I care. Frankly—and, believe me, this isn’t bragging—most women I make love to can’t wait to do it again. That, however, isn’t what I want to ask you.”
Grace gave the impression of rolling her eyes without actually doing it. Happily for his ego, the spots of color on her cheeks told a more flattering story. “Fine. What do you want to know?”
“Why were you so determined not to accept Viv’s praise publicly?”
Grace’s brows shot up. “
That’s
your question?”
That’s
your question?”
“Yes.”
Mace’s braying laugh rose above the noise in the bar, evidence that Nim Wei’s ploy to keep the halves of the gang at odds was not working perfectly. Grace glanced toward the sound and then back at him.
“I’m Miss Wei’s assistant, her directorial apprentice. Until I’m ready to direct myself, I’d rather stay in the background.”
“And it’s nothing to do with your father?”
“My father?”
“You said you ran away from him. What if he saw a picture of you and Viv in a newspaper?”
Her heart gave a little thump. He steadied her shoulders as her balance wavered. Her hands came up to grip his forearms—probably unintentionally.
“I hadn’t thought of that. When I first ran away I worried, but . . . ” Her eyes were huge as her voice trailed off.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring back your fears.”
She shook her head. “No. You’re right. It doesn’t hurt to be cautious, though I sincerely doubt my father reads
Variety
. He’s never tried to find me that I know of.”
Variety
. He’s never tried to find me that I know of.”
“And your mother?”
Grace’s face hardened as it hadn’t at the mention of her father. “She stood by and watched. For years. And pretended my father was a reasonable man. She liked to say we girls had to make allowances for his temper. If I hadn’t nearly died that night . . . ” Grace’s eyes were cold. “As far as I’m concerned, she couldn’t matter less.”
Christian’s hand slid down Grace’s arm as she pulled away. He didn’t stop her from leaving, though he also didn’t believe her words. Grace’s mother mattered. Her example, or lack thereof, had formed Grace’s character every bit as surely as her father’s abuse. Her mother was the one who’d convinced Grace she only had her own strength to rely on.
His chest felt strange as he watched her offer slightly stiff goodbyes to Charlie and his party. Viv’s protests that the night was young didn’t sway her. Grace smiled, kissed Charlie’s freckled cheek, and waved to the others.
“Don’t stay too late,” he saw her lips say. “Tomorrow’s a working day.”
I hurt her,
Christian thought.
Made her want to curl up in her old ball, away from people who care for her.
He didn’t relish how that made him feel. He knew what it was to be on guard against the whole world.
Christian thought.
Made her want to curl up in her old ball, away from people who care for her.
He didn’t relish how that made him feel. He knew what it was to be on guard against the whole world.
He also knew what it was to have a mother who wasn’t there. He’d lost his to death as a child, but maybe he’d been lucky. His mother’s ability to disappoint him had been curtailed.
Waiting a minute for appearance’s sake, he went to say his own farewells. Grace wouldn’t want to know it, but she wasn’t going to be on guard by herself tonight.
C
hristian’s plan to spend another night in Grace’s bushes was delayed by his need to make a phone call. Unsure whether Nim Wei had his line at the hotel tapped, he used a booth near Schwab’s Drugstore. Charlie would have been devastated to discover both Natalie Wood and Dennis Hopper were eating fries inside. They hadn’t spotted a single celebrity where they were.
hristian’s plan to spend another night in Grace’s bushes was delayed by his need to make a phone call. Unsure whether Nim Wei had his line at the hotel tapped, he used a booth near Schwab’s Drugstore. Charlie would have been devastated to discover both Natalie Wood and Dennis Hopper were eating fries inside. They hadn’t spotted a single celebrity where they were.
On the sixth tinny ring, Christian’s party picked up.
“It’s Christian Durand,” he said and gave his identifying code.
“Don’t be a spaz,” Graham laughed. “I didn’t forget your voice just because you left X Section.”
Graham Fitz Clare was one of the “furry” vampires Nim Wei had referred to. Unlike Nim Wei’s get, they could change into animals—eat like them, too, which some considered morally superior to feeding on humans. Most shapechangers transformed to wolves, but Graham’s animal was a tomcat. Considering how devoted Graham was to his wife, Christian found this amusing.
“Right,” he said, as always unnerved by Graham’s trademark Fitz Clare warmth, especially since it now extended to him. “Seeing as I’m not with X-Section anymore, I’m calling for a favor.”
“Ask me how I am,” Graham prompted.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Fine,” Christian sighed, realizing Graham wouldn’t let him talk business until he observed the formula. “How are you? And Pen? And Sally and her hell spawn?”
“I’m great, Christian. And Pen gets smarter and more gorgeous each time I turn around. This marriage business really is like wow, especially when you can enjoy a swell girl like Pen long-term. You should try it sometime.”
“I’ll get right on that,” Christian said, deadpan.
“Ben and Sally are great, too,” Graham went on. “Still in London and still human—if a bit souped-up from Edmund’s energy. The hell spawn is at Oxford, studying history like his grandpa. Cutting a swath through the lady scholars, or so I hear.”
“That’s great,” Christian said, then waited in stoic silence to see if Graham was finished with his update.
He was finished. He simply had to laugh his head off awhile longer.
“All right,” Graham finally said, probably wiping tears from his eyes over in Charleston. “What’s this favor you need from me?”
“I want a deep background check on a woman named Grace Michaels. She’s Nim Wei’s assistant on the movie I’ve been roped into starring in.”
“We heard about that, though I personally couldn’t believe it until Percy told me FC Air flew you to LA. No offense, old chap, but you aren’t my idea of a teen idol.”
Christian wasn’t his idea of one, either, but he had no desire to discuss that now. “Do you need more information before you begin a search?”
“Christian.” Graham’s tone was gently scolding. “Give your former colleagues some credit. We’re already aware of Grace Michaels’ existence.”
“Care to tell me why that would be?”
The pause on the other end said his sudden coolness took Graham aback. “We’re aware of everyone who’s been working on Nim Wei’s new venture. As you might imagine, we don’t want the queen of the city fang gangs causing trouble for the rest of us.”
His explanation was perfectly reasonable, so reasonable Christian should have guessed it without asking. He grimaced at his own prickliness. “You probably had the script before me.”
“We did,” Graham confirmed, “and found it suitably misleading as regards the true facts of vampire life. Thus far, the queen has done nothing we object to . . . unless you know differently?”
“I don’t,” Christian admitted.
“So maybe she really wants to be a director. Maybe she’s having fun.”
“Maybe,” Christian said doubtfully.
“Well, regardless, we’ll put our eyes and ears on your request.”
“Appreciate it.”
“And we’ll see
you
for Christmas,” Graham said.
you
for Christmas,” Graham said.
With some dismay, Christian realized he’d just been told what the payment for his favor was.
Ten
W
ith everything else he had to occupy his mind, Christian was only half as nervous as he’d expected for his first official appearance in front of Wade’s cameras. The crew was setting up for what everyone was calling a “walk and talk.” He (as Joe Pryor) would accompany Viv (as Mary Reed) through the deceptively peaceful suburbs of Haileyville. In the script, Joe had already saved Mary from a group of human bullies on her first day at her new school. Now, because night had fallen, he’d play her guard dog against the threat posed by his father’s gang of bloodsuckers.
ith everything else he had to occupy his mind, Christian was only half as nervous as he’d expected for his first official appearance in front of Wade’s cameras. The crew was setting up for what everyone was calling a “walk and talk.” He (as Joe Pryor) would accompany Viv (as Mary Reed) through the deceptively peaceful suburbs of Haileyville. In the script, Joe had already saved Mary from a group of human bullies on her first day at her new school. Now, because night had fallen, he’d play her guard dog against the threat posed by his father’s gang of bloodsuckers.
Christian would also be expected to imitate a teenage boy trying to impress the girl he was falling for.
No one had to tell him which of those personas would present the greater challenge. Regrettably, that had never stopped a human from offering her two cents. Viv confronted him as he exited the makeup trailer, planting herself dead center across his path. She’d been dressed as a schoolgirl, with saddle shoes, plaid flare skirt, plus ponytail and bangs. Wardrobe aside, if her fans had seen the steely glint in her big brown eyes, they’d have known the littlest Forrester had grown up.
“It’s time to cowboy up,” she announced.
They stood amidst the other trailers in what was colorfully called the circus. For tonight, it was located on an undeveloped plot of land at the edge of the neighborhood they were shooting in. The grass was longer than any suburban lawn was allowed to be and wet beneath Christian’s boots. Squaring off on it with his leading lady, he couldn’t help but think of
High Noon
. Which one of them was Gary Cooper was up for grabs.
High Noon
. Which one of them was Gary Cooper was up for grabs.
“
Cowboy up?
” he repeated.
Cowboy up?
” he repeated.
“You know what that means,” she snapped. “You have rodeos in Texas.”
Liking her moxie, he allowed one corner of his smile to show. “You mean you need me to come out of the chute with a good grip on the bronco between my thighs.”
“You need a grip and then some. This movie is my chance to reinvent myself. Viv Lavelle isn’t going to end up on the heap of once-loved and now-pitied adult child stars. I can act, Christian, and you’d better prove you can, too. So help me, if you drag me down with you . . . ”
“Viv,” Grace interrupted, appearing from around the end of the next trailer. “I’m not certain threats are the way to bring out the best in your costars.”
Grace was smiling, but Viv looked horrified all the same. “Grace, I didn’t mean—”
Christian stopped hearing her the instant Grace’s gaze turned to him. As it seemed to do too often when she was near, his mouth emitted words without forethought.
“I didn’t expect to see you tonight. Thanks for coming.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. We’re shooting. I’m working. It’s my job to be here.”
The stubborn set of her jaw dared him to mention her suburbaphobia or any of the other reasons she might not want to be here for him. That she
was
here for him seemed likely when her cheeks took on a more delectable shade of pink. She held her clipboard closer to her chest.
was
here for him seemed likely when her cheeks took on a more delectable shade of pink. She held her clipboard closer to her chest.
“You’re needed in wardrobe,” she said. “If you want, I’ll run lines with you.”
“I can run lines with him,” Viv piped up.
Grace’s little start of surprise told him she’d forgotten the girl was there. “Oh, Viv, that’s good of you, but you’re due in makeup now.”
“Sure.” Viv hesitated. “I
do
want Christian to do well. I only said what I did because this role means so much to me.”
do
want Christian to do well. I only said what I did because this role means so much to me.”
“Of course,” Grace reassured her. “We all appreciate how passionate you are.”
Viv stared at Grace a moment longer, nodded, then turned to ascend the steps of the makeup truck. Her thoughts were locked down as tightly as her expression.
“Ready?” Grace asked Christian.
Her face was lovely in the starlight, innocent without being childish, beautiful without being cold. It seemed impossible that she could be hiding the least intent to do harm. Though her opinion should have meant nothing, he had an urge to prove himself to her.
“I know the dialogue,” he said as he fell into step beside her. “It’s the feelings that trip me up.”
Grace gave a little snort. He lifted his brows at her.
“Sorry. You just don’t seem to have any lack of feelings.”
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