Page 28 of Impulse

As soon as they went back stage, Elena stepped off and snapped, “You didn’t give me enough time to finish my act.”

“Please.I gave you plenty of time.”

“I like it better when Cian rides the bike.He knows I’m star of that act.”She stomped away.

Jillian stared after her and shook her head.She refused to let Elena spoil the moment for her.

“Don’t mind her,” Ricky said, coming from behind her.“People love you, and she knows it.Cian wants to talk to you about tomorrow.”

“What about tomorrow?”

“We’re sold out for the morning and afternoon shows, and he believes you’re the draw.Damn, sis.Those stoppies were good.”

Jillian grinned.If only her father could see her.“I know.Bet I can kick your ass now.”

Ricky laughed.“In your dreams.Can you do all three shows tomorrow?”

“Easily.I’d like to try this amazing switchback handstand I’ve been working on.It’s a showstopper, but I need to practice it before.I’ll be here at… Oh crap.”

Ricky stopped and frowned.“What?”

“I can only do two shows.Ten and two o’clock, not the evening show.”

“Come on, Jilly.More grown-ups come to the evening show, so the money will be good and they’re coming to see you.You can’t disappoint them.”

Jillian shook her head.“I have a studio party to attend and can’t miss it.”Lex would be there.

“You hate Hollywood crap.We need you.”

Damn it.She hated being caught between two forces.One she needed and the other needed her.“I’ll see what I can do.”

~*~

“I’m ready to marry one of the richest men in the country.”

Jillian sighed.Saying it aloud didn’t make her feel any more confident.She’d had two days to get used to the deal she’d made with Lex Fitzgerald.Two days to second guess herself, fret, and question her sanity.Two days to prepare for the party his mother was throwing forTerra Frostcrew and stars.Still, she wasn’t ready.

Working with her brothers yesterday and today had forced her not to dwell too much on the fact that tonight she would be signing the contract.Until during her last act.Cian had noticed how distracted she was and told her to go home, but not before she and Elena performed their aerial routine.Now the contract was all she thought about.

She.Was.Not.Ready.

Douglas was punctual picking her up.On their way to the Fitzgerald mansion in Palos Valdes, she learned he’d been in Lex’s employment for six years, right after he’d been discharged from the military.He had an ex somewhere and a little girl he only saw occasionally.When she noticed that talking about his daughter bothered him, Jillian switched topics to cars and engines.

“Have you seen Mr.Fitzgerald’s collection?”Douglas asked.

“Not yet.”She hadn’t known Lex collected cars, but then again, most rich people had hobbies, and from the Rolls Royce, the man had exquisite taste.“But I’m looking forward to seeing them.”

Jillian kept the conversation away from Lex.She didn’t know how much the man knew about her or their deal.He seemed to be some kind of personal assistant slash driver slash whatever his boss wanted him to be.He’d dropped off the contract at her place yesterday along with a rose.Accompanying the single pink rose was a note with a single line in bold handwriting:

Looking forward to tomorrow night.

Jillian wasn’t.The closer they got to Lex’s home the more nervous she became, especially when Douglas made a call and told whoever he was talking to that they were five minutes away.

And in exactly five minutes, the driver slowed down as they approached a gate manned by several security guards and paparazzi.They trained their lenses on the Phantom, probably wondering who she was.Jillian cringed and slid lower in the seat.Then she remembered that the windows were tinted.Besides, who she was didn’t matter.Yet.

They followed a limo, the guards giving Douglas a thumbs-up as he drove through.The compound was huge, carpets of grass interrupted by beds of flowers.What looked like a helipad was to the right, but it now had limos and high-end cars.On the same side of the house were four garage doors wide enough to house two cars each.Must be where Lex kept his collection.

The courtyard was circular, a low-lying wall separating it from the majestic front entrance.Several young men and women were valet parking, and from the number of cars, they would leave the party with wads of money.