Page 15 of Baxter's Right-Hand Man

“Well, I couldn’t help but overhear…everything, and I gotta ask—” I dropped my faux grin and lowered my voice. “Why him? He’s old, and he’s not well. There must be a better way to drum up positive press. What’s your game?”

His sexy mouth curled at one corner. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”

“Uh…excuse me?”

“How areyouinvolved in this?”

I furrowed my brow in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“That man isn’t related to me,” Pierce said, gesturing toward the house.

“What?”

“You heard me. This is obviously some kind of weird-ass setup. What’s in it for you?”

My jaw dropped.

“Wait. Are you coming for me?” I glowered, pointing at my chest. “I didn’t do anything. I’m an innocent bystander. And convenient? What isthatsupposed to mean?”

“It means you orchestrated something with your friend that my studio wants to use, and I can’t figure out the angle. What doyouget out of selling a bogus story?” Pierce shrugged. “Maybe that sounds far-fetched, but—”

“Try insane,” I whisper-hissed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Yes, I know who you are, but so does everyone else in the whole fucking world. I didn’t orchestrate shit, Mr. Hollywood. I just happened to be here.”

“Right.” He packed a lot of sarcasm in that one syllable, then had the gall to look at me like the human equivalent of a piece of bubblegum stuck to the bottom of his shoe.The nerve!

“Wait a second. Why would Mr. Gowan lie? He has nothing to gain.”

“But maybe youdo,” he suggested.

Cue another jaw drop. This one bigger than the first.

Grrrrr.I stomped my foot in frustration.

Less than an hour ago, the idea of being this close to greatness had made me woozy. Now…not so much.

I was a good seven inches shorter than Pierce Allen, so I doubted I incited fear in my foe as I stepped into his space, but I gave it my all, pinning him with a menacing once-over.

“You know what? I don’t like you. I think you’re a coward for hiding behind a sick old man, pretending to be a nice guy who goes the extra mile for his fans. You’re just…gross,” I huffed impotently. “For your information, I’ve never watched one of your movies, and I never will.”

“Ouch. That hurt,” he deadpanned.

“It should. And what makes you think you aren’t related anyway?”

His careless shrug carried weight. I’d never met anyone whose every move seemed significant. I might not like this man, but I couldn’t help but be in awe of his sheer magnetism. And yes…I was equally annoyed that I wasn’t immune.

“I can tell.”

“How?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He adjusted his sunglasses and stepped backward.

“Of course it matters. You can’t whimsically impugn his honor. Mr. Gowan is a good man.” I seethed. “You, sir, are the one with sinister intent.”

Pierce rolled his eyes. “I’m not here for anything sinister. It was a fucking photo with a long-lost cousin. That’s the story, and we’ll stick with it. As for whateveryourangle is, I’d advise you to let it go.”

I gasped in outrage and gritted my teeth as I closed the distance between us again, willing myself to ignore the heady scent of his cologne ’cause damn it, he smelled sexy and delicious and—Not helping.Focus, Lo.

“You. Are. An asshole. A superstar douche,” I growled. “A real jerk. I was going to ask for a selfie, but you know what? Fuck you, Pierce Allen. Just…fuck you.”