Page 49 of The Starlet

I turn to look at Jay, a gun ready in his hand.

Oh shit!

Chapter 30

I can’t takeit anymore. I know, last night, I acted like a stupid dick by showing up, but she can’t keep sending me to voicemail. Hunter told me what she said, but Saturday isn’t good enough. She’s hiding something, and I need to know what it is.

What if she’s seeing someone else?

She wouldn’t do that. Elena isn’t that type, not after she’s been burned by people in the past. She wouldn’t lead me on just to have some fun. There’s more to it than that.

She’s scared.

We’re moving too fast, and she’s not sure how to process it. It’s right in front of my face. How could I not see it? I need to go to her. She said Saturday, but we’re talkingtonight. One day isn’t going to change anything.

Pulling up outside her house, I notice a white van parked across the street. Someone is sitting in the passenger seat. I stare at him through my window, and my eyebrows shoot up when I recognize Jimmy sitting there.Why is Jimmy here?

I get out and walk over to him. His eyes are glued to a computer, and he has headphones on. I rap my knuckles on the window, and he turns to me, giving me his full attention. He rolls down the window and offers a half-smile.

“When I asked you to watch her, I didn’t mean you had to hide out in a van to do it.”

Elena’s voice comes through the headphones clear as day. She’s talking with someone, and I don’t recognize the male voice.

“Why do you have her house bugged? Who’s in there with her?”

I take a step away from Jimmy. Have I misjudged him? Is he actually her stalker? It would make sense; we never would have suspected him, and he had easy access to her. The studio sure did get him there quickly.

“Bradley, I see where your mind is going. I’m not her stalker.” I hear someone behind him say something, and Jimmy steps out of the van, standing directly in front of me.

Then it clicks, and I feel like the dumbest bastard out there.It’s a fucking set-up. “He’s in there with her, isn’t he?” My voice rises as I yell at him. “You’re using my girlfriend as fuckingbait?” My anger gets the best of me, and I push him back, putting some needed distance between us.

I storm toward her house as Jimmy wraps his arms around me, pulling me back toward the van.

“She’s fine. This was her idea. We have ears on her in there.”

I get my elbow in his ribs, and he buckles under the blow, the wind getting knocked out of him. I storm to the house and raise my hand to knock when I hear her yell at him. She sounds panicked.

I push on the door, and it flies opens. Her head snaps in my direction as I stride toward them. He pulls a gun out from the back of his pants, and I stop mid-stride, holding my hands up in surrender. I fight the urge to run to her and erase the fear written all over her face. Her body is stiff and her eyes wide. Her breathing has become shallow in the past few moments since I’ve been here.

“Easy there. I just want to talk to you. The three of us can sit down and chat, maybe get to know one another. Put the gun away.”I sure hope someone has those damn headphones on and heard me announce he has a gun.

“You told me no one knew about this meeting, Elena.” He turns the gun and aims it at her. She takes a step back, moving closer to me in the process.

“I didn’t tell him. He showed up last night, and I told him I couldn’t see him. I sent him away. I don’t know why he’s here now.”

She turns her head to look at me. She pleads for help through her eyes—they are big and round and I see the terror in them.

“I came to see her, and I happened to be at the door when I heard her yell. I came rushing in, but I had no idea you were here.” I reach out for Elena but stop when he turns the gun on me.

“Sit down, over there.” He points to a chair situated next to him but away from Elena.

We sit and Elena speaks. “Jay, put the gun away. You don’t need to toss that thing around. I’m sorry I yelled at you. Your response surprised me, that’s all.”

“You don’t understand, Elena. I would do anything for you. You’re perfect in every way. When you smile, your eyes sparkle. When you speak, it’s like music to my ears. I’ve met you before this, you know.”

Now, I’m interested.

“Yes, you said you were there at the club.”