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His posture goes rod straight. “Because I gain nothing from hurting you. I’ve wanted you on film from the start. I’ve been on the phone with the coast all day trying to put out the fire you set.”

I shake my head. “Not me, mate. Tommy.” I pull out my phone, unlock it, and slide it across his desk. Vander sent me everything in a very clean, untraceable email. “Here. Have a look. Take your time. I’ve got nothing but it and nowhere to be except the police station after this.” I lean back in my chair, tossing my hands behind my head.

Mel picks up the phone, his eyes flicking back and forth as he scrolls through each item including the triangulation marking that shows where the texts and calls came from. The screenshots of Tommy’s texts with Alden, the links to videos Tommy posted anonymously but that clearly come from his IP address and burner phone, and videos with titles like “The Loomis-Keegan Fake Romance EXPOSED.” Photos of Keegan at the grocery store, at the park with Fen, and outside the café that first night.

Fucker followed us everywhere.

Then there are the emails where he talks about how to get rid of me and how much he hates me as well as payments from Tommy to private investigators instructing them to find everything they can on me and Keegan, which includes them illegally digging into the Department of Child and Family Services case with Fen and discovering Keegan’s publishing contract. Granted, everything Vander did was illegal, but tit for tat, and if it comes down to it, Tommy has no leg to stand on with that.

I watch Mel’s face, the slight widening of his eyes and the tightening around his mouth.

“Jesus,” he mutters, still scrolling. “When did this start?”

“Some of those emails to investigators began after I was cast for this film, but the meat of it began when I returned to the States.” I lean forward. “His actions are criminal, and he’s terrorized my family, my loved ones, and my name. I won’t let that sit, and I won’t take this heat he’s placed on me.”

Mel stands, walks to his window, and looks out over the city. He’s wearing that look I’ve seen countless times on set. The producer weighing costs and benefits, risks and rewards. “We start pre-production next week.”

“If he’s still here, I walk. That’s nonnegotiable. I also plan to file a restraining order against him and press criminal charges. Keegan Fritz will as well.”

At the mention of Keegan’s last name, Mel winces. My name is tarnished, and I can say whatever I want, but I’ll always have a stain. Keegan is different, and I won’t let this hurt her. Not her name or reputation.

“I don’t know how we’ll find someone to replace him on such short notice. Tommy is good.”

“I don’t give a toss if he’s the second coming of Brando.” I stand too, my hands clenched. “He’s out of the film or I walk. And then I sue the studio for allowing this harassment to continue after I’ve made you aware of it.”

Mel turns, eyebrows raised. “You’d break your contract?”

“In a heartbeat. I will not work with a man who is threatening my family.”

For a long moment, we stare at each other across the expanse of his office. I can almost hear the calculations running through his mind. Tommy Hardgrave, a promising young actor, versus Loomis Powell, Hollywood’s bad boy with guaranteed box office success, especially given the press on me.

Finally, Mel sighs. “All right. He’s out.”

Relief floods me, but I don’t let it show. “Fantastic. I need it in print.”

“I’ll get you the contract, but it’ll put us behind schedule.”

“Better behind schedule than enabling a stalker and someone who will soon face criminal charges for it.”

Mel nods, and a thoughtful expression crosses his face. “Your relationship with Keegan? Is that video true? Is it fake?”

Here comes the tricky part. The card I shouldn’t play but will only if pressed. “My relationship with Keegan is as real as it gets. I have more proof of Tommy’s crimes, especially pertaining to that, but I’d rather not put all my cards on the table unless I have to.”

He nods. “Fine. Still, we need to get ahead of this. Now.”

“How do you mean?”

“The moment we fire Tommy, and he knows we’re onto this, he’s going to spin it and say he was fired unfairly. Play the victim.” Mel comes over and sits on the edge of his desk, closer to me. “We’re going to hold a press conference immediately and show the evidence while making it clear Tommy has intentionally and maliciously stalked and slandered you, Keegan, and even your son, who is a minor. We make it clear that this isn’t a dispute between actors or a tantrum from a star. This is about protecting people from harassment and defamation. At the same time we’re making these statements, I’m going to have LA call Tommy’s agent and fire him. That way there’s no drag time and no chance Tommy can fight his case first.”

And here I thought I was a ruthless bastard.

“Clever. Let’s do it.”

Tommy’s been operating in the shadows, counting on the fact that we’d never know it was him. This disrupts all of that. But it also is an offensive move—for once.

“It will also give you a chance to address the lies directly and to talk about your relationship with Keegan and your son on your terms,” Mel states. “You need to make a statement about it, Loomis. That’s my hard line. I want this aired out and cleared up.”

I haven’t wanted to do that. I haven’t wanted to make a statement, especially about Fen. We had those photos of us that we put out there and then the ones the paparazzi caught in KeyWest, but I haven’t said anything about Fen, and that’s likely only fueled the frenzy.