Page 9 of The Devil’s Detail (The Greystone Family: Greystone Brothers #2)
Carter
I know I live in a state of mistrust. But this is real. I’m going out of my mind. And I’ve picked up an unknown stalker.
No one on my security team is taking me seriously. But I know I’ve seen him a few times.
I’m in London for reshoots, and it’s taking for-fucking-ever. I am at the end of my rope.
At least my agent has finally landed, and he has his eyes on my schedules for the next few months. I’m glad he’s here to talk through the workload, and maybe remove some of it.
“Freddie, can’t you get me out of this? I’ve been here for a month. I wanna go home, sugar. Or at least get me a short break somewhere hot.”
“Is that why you look like shit?” He side-eyes me over his tablet.
“I’ve had four networks contact me for a comment on your body.
Stop wearing those tight fitting T-shirts.
You’re blowing up the internet. I told them it was for a role.
Method acting. But you need to stop working out so much.
I’m going to speak to John. He’s overtraining your body. ”
I roll my eyes. My fuckin’ body. The world is obsessed with it. If only Jackson Greystone joined in the fun. Then I might do something about it.
A picture of him at the Daisy hits me, and I draw in a breath.
He was so cool, calm, collected. Sat back relaxed, watching me.
Long legs spread out in front of him. I wanted to rub my thigh against his.
But it’s a fantasy. If only his scrutiny had been of a more personal nature and not on my useless security issues.
“I’ve got more pressing issues than my fantastic abs. I’ve got a stalker.”
He looks up at me then. “Not Gary still? I thought you’d sorted a restraining order, or peace bond or something against him.
” He sounds so casual, as if you can go buy them over the counter at Walmart.
“Maybe you weren’t as ruthless as you thought you were when you dumped him at Christmas.
Have you spoken to him again? Told him you're really really over? Finished.”
I stand up, my chest ballooning out in defiance. His mouth hangs open as he looks up at me. “I fuckin’ told him to get out of my life. That I never wanted to see his turkeycock face again.” I’m shouting at him. I never shout at Freddie. We’re friends as well as professional counterparts.
“Whoa, Carter, okay, okay. I’ll sort Gary. So the stalker is someone new?”
Finally someone is listening to me.
“He’s new. Dark hair. I’ve seen him at three locations now. I can feel him.” I give a shudder. Now it’s his turn to roll his eyes. My theatrics are not helping.
“Have you spoken to the security guys? Surely this is something they should be looking into for you. You pay them enough.” Even Freddie thinks it’s obscene amounts of money.
“Huh, you’d think I was the only one with security on my mind.
No one is fuckin’ interested. Well, until of course there’s a crowd they can’t control, and then it’s my fault.
I’m too popular, too accessible, too friendly.
” I start to pretend wave. “Why can’t I be like royalty and just wave as I go past people in an armoured vehicle. ”
He laughs a little at my regal impersonation, and I crack a smile. It’s the first genuine one in months.
“Have you called Jackson?” Of course he would ask. He’s the only person I told about wanting to meet Jackson to potentially revamp my security team.
“If I bother the man anymore, he’ll have a peace bond and a restraining order on me .
Or worse, he might let his crazy brother loose on me.
” I give him a knowing look. He knows who I’m talking about.
“I’ve called about security, I’ve called about the baby, I even called to speak to Jonno about some computer crap.
He knew it was bullshit, and put me straight back to Jackson.
” My voice rises with every word, until I’m hollering at the end.
“Oh, shit. Has he said he won’t sort out the close protection for you. Surely you offered ridiculous money.” Freddie’s answer to everything.
“I’d offer the man marriage and no prenup. But he ain’t interested.”
I scrub my hands through my dirty blond hair, catching sight of myself in the mirror. I do look a bit of a mess.
“How long do I have to stay here? How much longer do I have left?”
He pulls out the schedule. “A few weeks, until the beginning of May. But Kasey is coming over, so at least you’ll see a friendly face.” He’s trying to cheer me up.
“Sure, but I’m telling you, and I want you to tell them, ‘cos they don’t listen to me—I want Gary kept away forever. And they need to find that stalker. He’s everywhere.” I stand with my hands on my hips.
“Sure, sure. We will.” He’s placating me, he just wants me to carry on with my head in the sand like the rest of them. Well, I’m not. They better get ready, ‘cos if I get a whiff of a stalker—or fucking Gary—I’ll go ballistic.