Page 96 of No Holds Barred

Hope stared directly into Angelica’s eyes, those baby blue eyes that she hadn’t been able to get out of her head since the first moment she’d seen them. But this was about so much more than the show, and she had to make sure Angelica understood that. Cupping Angelica’s cheek, Hope wetted her lips and steadied herself for what she was going to say next.

“I’m going to fight for us.”

Angelica trembled. She closed her eyes, her cheeks taking on a pink tinge as her chin dropped. She nodded slowly, and then she moved in, pressing their mouths together in a quick kiss.

“I’m not just saying that because of our conversation earlier, either.”

“No, I didn’t think you were,” Angelica answered. “Logan knows about Leanne and my history with her. When we’re ready to share about us, he’ll be the first one I call.”

Hope’s lips curled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “So you’ve already planned for that.”

“Oh God. Don’t let your head get inflated.” Angelica rolled her eyes and stepped away from Hope, brushing her fingers down her outfit as she stared back at the hotel. “So… we still act mad when we go back in?”

“Sure, if that’s what you want.” Hope smirked. “I think that’s something we can manage.”

“Cadence did catch a good moment on the camera—one that Josef will like.”

“She did,” Hope agreed. “So, finish it?”

Angelica sighed heavily. “Yeah. Let’s finish this. But next time, don’t walk so far. I’m still not supposed to be one hundred percent weight-bearing.”

“Jesus, Angel. You should have told me.”

Angelica shrugged lightly. “I figured we had enough to argue about before I brought that up.”

Laughing, Hope started the slow walk back to the hotel after helping Angelica put her mic pack together again and then her own. “Your health matters, Angel. Stop trying to convince people that it doesn’t.”

“I know. I know.”

“I’ve been looking for you.” Josef’s voice boomed toward them, causing Hope to jerk with a start.

They were lucky she had stopped pressing her hand against Angelica’s back as they got closer to the hotel. Hope bit her lip as Angelica continued to walk toward Josef, as if she’d been expecting this kind of drama.

“What can I do for you?” Angelica asked, her shoulders rigid and her back ramrod straight.

If Hope had ever seen her go into a battle, this was the look she had. Everything seemed that way with Josef lately. The tension between him and everyone on set was getting worseevery day. Josef flicked his gaze over at Hope, but he focused his wrath on Angelica.

“Why is he here?” Josef spat.

“I don’t know. He didn’t tell me anything. I didn’t even know he was coming.” Angelica’s fingers curled into a tight ball.

“If I find out you called him in here, it’ll be your job.”

“You’ve been threatening my job since day one of season one, Josef.” Angelica clenched her jaw hard.

Hope had to hand it to her. She never really backed down when it came to Josef. It was rare that she did anyway, and she always put up a fight.

“I didn’t call Logan in,” Angelica repeated.

“Were you the one who did it? Because you two are fucking?”

The way he spat out that word sent a shiver down Hope’s spine.

“You’re crossing a line,” Angelica lowered her voice into the threat level.

Hope just stood there stunned, no idea what to say or do. She’d never been directly called out on anything like this before, and not in such a way that it’d be so negative.

“No, you’re the one who?—”