Page 126 of No Holds Barred

“Ms. Shields?” Lyric stepped in close. “What can I do?”

Relief flooded Angelica’s chest. “Can you take Eva to Hope?”

“No!” Eva gripped onto Angelica’s hand tightly, her head shaking.

When Angelica looked down, all she saw was fear in her eyes. What the hell was going on with this kid lately? What was she so scared of? Because she and Lyric had known each other for three years now, and they should be fine together. Angelica brushed her free hand over Eva’s.

“Lyric can take you,” Angelica said.

“No, I don’t want to go with her.” Eva’s eyes watered again.

How had they gone from Angelica being scary for yelling at someone to being Eva’s lifeline? The flip was astounding.

“I have to film, Eva.” Angelica bent down, squatting again but not releasing Eva’s hand. But she needed to be able to look into Eva’s eyes to talk to her.

“So does Mom.”

“Yeah, but she’s your mom.” Angelica furrowed her brow. “What’s going on?”

Eva shook her head, her lips sealed tightly. All right, well Angelica wasn’t going to be able to negotiate with an eight-year-old today. Perhaps tomorrow they could get something out of her. Rolling her shoulders, Angelica stood back up and looked to Lyric.

“Why don’t you go check on Eva’s nanny? Eva said she was unwell.” Angelica dashed her tongue across her lips, the decision already made. She wasn’t going to force Eva to be on her own with anyone she didn’t want to be. But she really couldn’t be wandering around the hotel or the set without supervision. It was so dangerous.

As Lyric left, Angelica took Eva by the hand and walked toward the restaurant. Hope wasn’t going to be pleased. Hell, the producer side of Angelica wasn’t happy about the situation at all. But this wasn’t something that could wait. It needed to be dealt with immediately.

When they entered the kitchen, Cadence put her hand up to stop Angelica in her tracks. “What’s going on?”

“Family emergency,” Angelica murmured, keeping her voice down so it wouldn’t be picked up by a microphone.

Hope was leaning over the prep counter, talking to one of the sous chefs. Her gaze flicked up to meet Angelica’s, a curious and alarmed expression as she looked down and saw Eva standing right in front of Angelica, who had a hand on the top of her shoulder to keep her in place.

“Let her finish this up, but I really need her in here today,” Cadence responded.

“I can’t help what I can’t help.” Angelica clenched her jaw and tapped Eva lightly before bending down and whispering in her ear. “Your mom’s just going to finish up and then we’ll talk to her.”

They didn’t have to wait long. Hope clearly was concerned because she finished up the conversation and signaled to Cadence that she wanted to end the scene. She didn’t stop as she walked toward them.

“What’s wrong?” Hope asked.

“Rex is in an interview with Logan, and apparently your nanny is sick. I sent Lyric to check on her. Eva wandered into the lobby.” Angelica let go of Eva’s shoulder as she stepped forward to wrap her arms around Hope’s waist.

They were attached at the hip this episode, weren’t they?

Angelica would bet a million dollars that it had everything to do with San Diego. Eva was a sensitive kid, and she was particularly in tune with the emotions of everyone around her. Which made her an easy target for anxiety.

“I’ll leave you to it then,” Angelica said as she stepped back.

“Angel…” Hope trailed off, trying to step forward, but Eva’s weight prevented her from going far. “Honey, give me a second.” But Eva didn’t budge. “Eva, let me talk to Ange for a minute, okay?”

“It’s fine.” Angelica put her hand out in front of her, eyeing Hope seriously. “We don’t need to talk right now.”

“But—” Hope stopped, her face falling.

They were in the same boat, but so far apart that they just couldn’t see each other. Or rather, they could see each other, but that was it. Angelica pushed her lips together and pulled them up to the side, shaking her head. Her curls flung around her shoulders.

“We can’t talk right now, Hope. You need to take care of Eva.” Angelica breathed deeply, hoping that it would be enough to get through Hope’s thick skull that this was out of their control. As much as Angelica wanted to spend more time with Hope, to stay cuddled in her arms, to kiss her, to talk with her—this wasn’t the time. And they both had to accept that. “I need to deal with Mark and Alexis anyway. They’re… having another fight in front of staff.”

“Perfect,” Hope muttered.