Page 34 of Blood Stone

He shook his head. “There are advantages to going low profile.” He laid his hand over hers. “Tomorrow, with Garrett, if there’s anything you need to give you the edge, it’s yours. Don’t stop to check. If you have to tell him you already have fifteen million lined up for the first release theatre run promotion or whatever, just to get him to back down on a point, do it.”

She could feel her eyes widening. “You havethosesorts of resources?”

“I can arrange them.” His tone was calm, and utterly assured. “And they’re as good as a Visa card, Kate. You can rely on them.”

She bit her lip. “Would Iwantto rely on them, though? Who are they, Adrian? Who are you?Really? Who are you, to know you can put your hand on fifteen million without even making a phone call?”

His smile this time was full of good cheer. “Nowyou’re asking good questions.” His lips brushed her temple again. “Sex really does work wonders on you.”

She spoke without thinking. “Sex with you does.”

Then she saw his expression. There was humour, but there was wariness there, too.

She bit her lip. “And you’re dodging my very good question.”

He stood up. “I know some interesting people, Kate. The sort of people that prefer to keep themselves anonymous.”

“That sounds a lot like any organized crime syndicate in the world.”

“They’re not criminals.” His tone was flat and reassuring. “I guarantee it.”

Kate considered it for a moment. “Okay,” she said at last.

Adrian sighed. “That means you’re not going to use me as back-up if you need it, doesn’t it?”

“Not if I can help it.” She smoothed out the satin cover where Adrian had been sitting. “I’m squaring off with Garrett tomorrow because of exactly this issue. I don’t let just anybody hop on board with me. I want to know exactly who I’m lying down with. I’ve seen too many producers and directors lose control of their movies, their profits and their lives because in their rush to grab the money at the front end, they got into bed with whoever dangled a dollar. Andeveryonewants a piece of the movies these days. Including thieves, con artists, and outright assholes who will steal you blind as soon as you twitch in their direction.” She smiled to take the sting out of it. “So if you won’t tell me who your money people are, I’m not going to use the money as a shield, no matter how badly Garrett kicks me around that bar at high noon.”

Adrian nodded. “That’s reasonable.” He waved toward the bathroom. “I’m stopping you from getting on with your day.”

“Garrett is the one doing that. I haven’t much else to do with my day now but sharpen my knives and hatch plans for tomorrow.” She moved over to the bathroom door, and rested her hand on it. “Can I pick you up for the meeting tomorrow? The least I can do is drive you there.”

He considered for a moment. “I’ll leave my card on the desk.”

Kate nodded. She refrained from telling him she had made it a point to find out where he lived weeks ago. He may not have invited her to his home in the Hollywood Hills yet, but she knew exactly where it was and that he was far from destitute.

“I’ll pick you up at ten-thirty,” she said. It would take that long, with traffic, to get back to The Standard, and have time to spare before the meeting. She didn’t want to face Garrett flustered from arriving late. If she arrived late, she wanted it to be by design.

She stepped into the bathroom, then into the shower stall. She was already naked, so she closed the door and turned on the water, glad she had taken the trouble to attach the full plumbing hoses and power to the trailer, even here at the studio. It never failed to come in useful.

Adrian’s dark silhouette shadowed the frosted door of the stall and his knuckles rapped against the glass.

“Kate.”

She pushed the door open enough to see him clearly.

His eyes caught and held hers. “My money people,” he said, speaking just a little bit louder so she could hear him over the shower. “They don’t exist.”

Her heart lurched. “Then what...?”

“The money is mine,” he finished. He gave her a moment to absorb it. “I just don’t go around telling every man and his dog that.” Again, he paused. “Now, will you use the money if you need it?”

She considered for a moment, while the water pattered on the plastic form at the bottom of the shower. “I guess I’ve already got into bed with you, haven’t I?”

“Symbolically, anyway,” he agreed.

“It’s that important to you?”

He frowned. “I just want to even the playing field. He’s using a bazooka against a BB gun. I’m giving you a bazooka of your own. You two, with even odds...that’s a fight I’m willing to witness.”

“You think I’m that good? Against Calum Garrett?”

Adrian shook his head. “I think you’re that gutsy.”