Page 70 of See You There

Dahlia’s eyes slid to Luke. “The police were asking about life insurance policies,” she improvised. “I know Peachtree Pictures has one. I thought maybe Scott did, too.”

“Like I’d ever let that idiot handle his own finances,” Victor chuckled.

Dahlia’s eyes narrowed. “You handle Scott’s money? Then you should know where he is.”

“I have no idea where Scott is. I’ve told you that!” Victor said testily. “He takes the money out of his account after he gets his check.”

“Couldn’t you ask the bank where it was withdrawn?” Dahlia had gotten off track, but this was almost as important to her as finding out who was trying to kill her. Her marriage to Scott was like a noose around her neck.

Victor laughed indulgently. “Doll, that only works in the movies. This is the real world. This is why you need me to takecare of you. I lost my temper earlier, and I’m sorry about that. Let me make it up to you. Where are you right now?”

Luke interrupted with a fierce scowl Victor couldn’t see. “This is Luke Bloom, Dahlia’s attorney. We have moved her to a secure location for her own safety.”

“Are you serious?” Victor spluttered. “Who the hell do you think you are? She’s my client? We’re family!”

“She’s alsomyclient, and since her life is in danger, we are keeping her location on a need-to-know basis. You will need to cancel any in-person events planned for the foreseeable future. We are working on getting an appropriate security plan in place.”

“That’s crazy you can’t—”

Luke ended the call.

“What are you doing?” Dahlia reached for her phone.

Luke looked at her with steely eyes. The good humored, flirty Luke was gone. He became a memory the second he learned she was married. Her heart fell to her feet before she reminded herself that she didn’t care.

“He’s an idiot,” Luke said, leaving Dahlia to boil at his arrogance. He turned to his brother. “We need to draft an official email and send it to Victor and the studio.”

“On second thought…” Luke rubbed a finger along his nose. “Maybe I should give Matt a call? Tell him myself. It’ll give us an excuse to catch up. See how his mother is doing?”

“That sounds like a terrible idea,” James said, his eyes sliding to where Dahlia sat.

Luke grinned. “True. But if he’s mad enough, he might say something useful.”

Dahlia told herself to pay attention. They were discussing her life, after all. But it felt like the walls were closing in on her. She rose to her feet, surprised when the room tilted slightly. Sheput her hand on the back of the chair until the light-headedness faded.

“I’m just going to get some air,” Dahlia said, gesturing to the tiny balcony off the main room.

“Are you hungry?” Luke’s eyes raked over her.

Dahlia hadn’t eaten since her quick breakfast before the radio station interview that morning. With everything that had happened, the adrenaline kept her hunger at bay. As if his words conjured it, her stomach growled.

“I’ll order something in. James, are you staying?”

James rolled his neck. “No, I’m going to head down to the office to finish up some things, then home. Are you really going to call Matt?”

Dahlia didn’t wait to hear Luke’s answer. She opened the door and stepped onto the tiny balcony. Looking at the single chair and tiny round table, Dahlia guessed Luke didn’t spend much time out there.

She braced her arms against the railing and looked out at the traffic below. Luke’s building was one of the taller ones in that area of Buckhead, surrounded by buildings with rooftop restaurants and bars. She was only a couple of floors above them and could easily hear the laughter and indistinct conversations. The evening was warm, and the area was still crowded with people enjoying the summer weather.

Loneliness washed over her. Even if she weren’t under threat, she couldn’t remember the last time she had a fun night out with friends. Mainly because she didn’t have any. Victor made sure she was isolated.

Resentment grew inside her. What if she had died today? Who would have missed her? Another actress would replace her in a few days. Hannah might miss her. Dahlia’s brother Brian would miss the money she put on his books at the prison, but she hadn’t seen him in person in years.

Was this really the life she had dreamed about? Dahlia was on the verge of professionally having everything she’d ever wanted, but at what cost? Had Lia erased Dahlia? Was Dahlia eventhereanymore?

When Dahlia stepped back into the condo, the room was charged with tension. James stood wide legged by the front door, arms crossed over his chest. Luke poured himself a drink from the bar cart and drank it in one shot.

“Want one?” Luke asked Dahlia stiffly.