Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (32 page)

CHARLES

Look to the stars.  The past and future are always there.

Chapter Fifteen

“BEN, I HAVE JOB for you to do.” Ryder let himself into the gates at his storage facility.

“What is it boss?” Ben’s all too cheery voice filled the phone.

“I have a charity, my dog Spike and I started it.” He looked at the picture of the dog on his phone. Spike stayed so close by Cora’s side she finally acquiesced and took the animal, saying Rodger knew how to deal with dogs.

At his news, Ben seemed to gasp. “Dogs are cool. I didn’t know you had a pet. What can I do boss?”

“The charity has really taken off, so I need a chairman, someone who will get a lot of public attention.” Ryder hit his head into the car seat. He always was a master of improvisation. “That someone is you.”

“Boss, I’m on it.” Ben’s voice dripped excitement and wonder.

“I’ll text you some details, but start with getting some receipts for donations and tote bags.” He put his hand over his eyes. “Think of what we can do to raise some funds. Any questions?”

“What’s the name?” Ben asked.

At least the guy was sharp. “Ryder’s Rescue.” He hung up and took a breath at what he now had to do. In truth, he could use some rescuing himself.

Since he and Logan took over, phones were now allowed on set. After putting off the inevitable, he finally texted Glen and made a time to meet at his storage facility. At first thought, Ryder was going to meet him at some far off location. Then he realized it didn’t matter. They knew his car, they knew where he lived, they knew his girl. No matter how good Cora was with computers, these people could track either one of them in an instant, and there was no point in hiding.

As he got out of his car, his phone chimed, and he found a text from Cora, not Viktor, not Rodger, but Cora herself. The first one she sent him that didn’t involve some command.

In honor of your first day on set, I’ll let you choose the takeout, just remember that me and Spike aren’t vegan.

Her quasi-homey little message almost made him hurl. What if she saw him now?
He went inside the temperature and moisture controlled warehouse and rolled up the door to his own personal stash. This would be the perfect place for them to hide his body.

The setting provided a snapshot of his life. Little bits and pieces collected over a career most would die for. Other actors in his league had millions behind them, he would also if he didn’t always want more. After all wasn’t more the name of the game? Wasn’t that why he wanted to finish his movie? Everything everyone did everyday was in the quest for the elusive more.

Without the fanfare of a red carpet, he walked inside. The entire room was draped round the concept of more. Every last thing, and he would admit it, wasn’t nearly enough.

“Mr. Scott.” Glen called to him.

Ryder didn’t even bother acknowledging the dick and his ass.

“I have to say I much prefer the movie set to this place.” Glen entered his domain, crossed his arms and looked around. “What do you have for me?”

He held his arms out. “Collateral.”

“You brought me into a room of junk?” Glen tightened his jaw.

The thug beside him stood by the exit with hands on his hips.

It was time to get talking or Glen would never leave. Though his chest threatened to collapse in on itself, Ryder couldn’t let them sense anything other than the calm, cool, cocky actor. “This is hardly junk.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a piece of paper he managed to print out between him and Logan piecing their movie back together and pointed to the first item up on his auction block. “This original
Hollywood Stardust
poster is signed by the entire cast, including the director. Last time one sold without Drew Fulton’s signature and in less than pristine condition, it went for ten thousand dollars.”

Glen glanced toward his sidekick. Both men nodded. “Keep going.”

“Here you have the original outfit I wore in
Action Accomplished
, as well as the gun.” The character he played in that series might be more beloved than William. Done playing game show host that involved his cash and prizes, he handed Glen the paper.

In a surreal moment, he watched the two men walk around his one completely personal space and collect over six figures from his life.

He remembered when his father made these runs, or collections, as his Dad dubbed them. Hey, everyone had to get their start somewhere.

On one particular night, his father and he drove into the Hollywood Hills to one of those huge homes that didn’t appear that impressive on the outside, but once they walked in, even at ten years old, Ryder knew they hit the mother lode. He was taught at a young age to know the value of everything around him. The antiques and other collectibles were worth a delicious dime. His father never said pretty penny, he said pennies were for losers.

Four of his father’s so-called assistants followed them inside and surrounded a man who seemed around his dad’s age, but a lot smaller and really pale.

“It’s always the ones who don’t appear as if they need the money who need the money.” His father walked around the grand living room.

The man didn’t utter one word.

“And they’re the ones who never pay their debt.” His father stopped at an amazing grandfather clock and pointed.

The man pressed his lips together.

One of his father’s assistants opened the front door and more men entered. They wrapped up the clock in cloths and took it away.

“I don’t understand.” His father continued his trek, this time stopping at some ornate chairs. “We even said we would take payments. You got what you wanted.”

The same ritual was repeated, with the chairs, then the sofa, some knickknacks, and even the guy’s grand piano. When the movers were finished, all that was left was a portrait over the fireplace of the guy and his family. A wife and two kids, one around Ryder’s age.

“Let’s have a little chat, shall we?” His father motioned for his team to step outside, but Ryder stayed by his side.

“Mr. Scott.” The man’s voice shook.

“When I said talk, I meant I do the talking.” His father put his finger over his lips. “Don’t even think of arguing. You made the deal, you came to us.”

The man backed up and took a breath.

“You and I both know what we just took doesn’t nearly cover what is owed us.” A master of the dramatic pause, his father nodded.

As if to interrupt, the man opened his mouth.

If his father’s expression was a bullet, his father shot the man a look that would have blown his brains out.

Once the man closed his mouth, his father continued. “I can help you lessen the load, if you do something for me.”

With the next pause the man learned his lesson and simply stared at his father in quiet reverence.

“My son here, he likes acting and takes lessons. We’ve gone to some auditions but it’s a hard industry to break into.” In slow, calculated steps his father approached the man. “I think we can make a deal where my son and his vast talent can get a ticket to the head of the line, and I hear you have a film your casting for that needs a boy around Ryder’s age.”

Without a second of hesitation, the man held his hand out.

His father shook the man’s hand. “Now you may speak.”

“I’ll have the contracts at the studio by ten a.m.” The man smiled at him.

“Wise decision. Maybe we won’t need to make another trip back here, since I’m willing to give you some more time to come up with the money.” His father let go of the man and made his way toward the door.

“Thank you Mr. Scott.” The man called after him.

“See you tomorrow.” His father saluted the man, then put his arm around Ryder’s shoulder and they left. “I told you I’d make you a star.”

“Ryder, you are quite the star.” Glen’s statement jolted Ryder out of his reverie.

His father hadn’t lied. The film he was contracted for went straight to number one over the most important weekend in the summer and catapulted him into pre-teen idol status playing the role of an orphan boy.

Ryder’s focus landed on the corner of the room where two of the props from that movie used to reside.

“You made a real gesture tonight,” Glen said. “I’m sorry it had to come to this. Maybe we went too easy on you because of our connections with your father, may his soul rest in peace.” Glen held his hand out. “Get us our movie. Let’s work together.”

“I made the deal, I came to you.” Making this man more of an enemy would do no good.

“That’s the Ryder we know. Now go on home to your gorgeous girlfriend. At least now you have some time.” Glen patted his shoulder, and he and his goon left.

Rather than a snarky comeback, he took in his room. “Thank you.”

Without a list, he knew exactly what was missing and with nothing more to see, he locked up, and returned to his car as his phone rang. CC appeared on the screen. Instinct alone caused him to lift the phone, but he stopped short of answering. He didn’t need to check in. This afternoon he should have manned up and asked her for the money, that was their arrangement. The fact he hesitated, didn’t take advantage of the deal he made with her made him sick, and he tossed his phone on his seat and took off.

On nights like this, and there had been a few, but none this bad, he usually went into Hollywood and explored something new. Plenty of women would love to shine up a star for the evening, and the thrill of the chase was something that could never be duplicated. Just like the items he gave away tonight could never be replaced.

Without a destination in mind, he rolled the windows down and drove through Los Angeles, letting the lights and sounds of the city work their magic. Though he planned on trolling through Beverly Hills and frequenting some of his old haunts designed for the famous and discreet, somehow he found himself driving into the parking lot at the Sierra Towers.

“Mr. Scott.” The valet opened the door for him.

Without a word, he handed the man the key, and he made his way up to his and Cora’s apartment. They were going to have a talk right now about arrangements and commitments. Hell, he might have made the deal, but she came to him.

Jaw stiff, muscles tight, he opened the door.

Wait, stop, hold on.

No one was here.

No takeout.

No dog.

No Cora.

Only the strategically lit spaces that made their place feel like a fancy hotel room waiting for its guests.

Among the other pearls of wisdom his father spouted off, he always said, go with your gut. Ryder left the apartment and made his way back down to the valet. He was out of there.

* * * *

WHEN HER CELL PHONE RANG, Cora’s first thought was that it had to be Ryder.

Her second thought was it
better
be Ryder.

After confirming it wasn’t Ryder, her third thought was who the hell was calling her after hours on a number she didn’t recognize? Not that it mattered, she was in her office and someone in her position worked all hours. “Cora Caine.”

“Cora, this is Dane Ellis.”

At the man’s announcement, her stomach flipped. Dane Ellis, was on the studio’s board of directors and a close confidant to George McIntyre, current CEO of Ultracom. She motioned for Viktor and put the man on speaker. “What can I do for you, Dane?”

Viktor dashed over his throne.

“I know it’s getting late and you have a personal life, but I was hoping you might be able to come down for a quick in person meeting to discuss the situation with Edward Andrews.”

The man’s monotone voice caused her to shudder. His insinuation about her private life made her want to vomit. The fact that for one brief nanosecond she thought about Ryder and what happened if he called while she was in a meeting made her want to get her head examined.

“Of course I’m available to come down. This is an important topic. I’m on my way.” She hit end on the call and stared at the screen on her phone.

“Let’s go.” Viktor stood.

“Hold on.” With her mind reeling, she needed to slow down and focus. Since Ryder snuck into her life, she hadn’t had three seconds to think. “I can’t walk in there alone. I have to show him what I have at my beck and call.” She broke down and called Ryder.

After the fourth ring, it went to his voice mail. “It’s Cora, call me, we have a situation with the studio.”

“What are you doing?” Viktor gathered her bag and his items. “We have to get out of here.”

“Hold on.” Once more, she dialed her phone.

“This is Logan.”

At him answering right away, she balled her hand in a fist. Logan wasn’t in her bed at night, and if he were available why wasn’t Ryder? “This is Cora. Do you have everything under control after today’s director change?”

“We had a meeting and reblocked the first scene and—”

“That’s all well and good.” She cut him off. “I’ve been summoned to a meeting with Dane Ellis about what happened today.”

Viktor motioned for her to get going.

Logan paused for a second. “I’ll be there.”

“Thank you.” Though she wanted to ask him about Ryder’s whereabouts, she restrained herself. “By the way, what time did you end today?” Maybe it was the same question, but it sounded better.

“Wrapped.” Logan corrected her. “We wrapped a couple of hours ago, thought it best we start fresh tomorrow.”

“I’ll see you at the studio.” She hung up, snapped her fingers, and pointed at the door.

Spike ran to the door, and they both followed Viktor out of the office and to the elevator.

Viktor frowned down at the dog. “He doesn’t do anything unless you tell him to.”