Page 65 of Vain

Iquickly type out a reply.

Me: Both safe, just pissed. Callie okay?

Kellen:Looks like a stomach bug. Gotta go. Call you later so you can fill me in. KissMatilda for me.

Me: Fuck you.

Ilook at Tilly, who is waiting for me to finish.

“I sent the photos to Kellen, who sent them to Banner. I know the cops will take their own, but I want shit for our records. I know they were useless before now, but they can’t write this all off.”

“Don’t bank on it. They already have an opinion of me formed in their heads. I’m tired, Aiden. Do I really have to wait until I get hurt again for them to listen? That’s how it feels.”

I pull her against me and hold her tight, offering her some of my strength. I’m just as pissed-off as she is.

“Alright, we’re going to do what you suggested. I’m going to call the cops, and then we will continue filming until they get here. I’ll show them what’s up and field their questions for as long as I can.”

“Thank you,” she murmurs against my chest.

“You don’t have to deal with this alone anymore. I know it’s a crappy situation, but we’ll navigate it together.”

“Together.” She nods. “I like the sound of that.”

I kiss her forehead. “Me too, baby, me too.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

MATILDA

I’m both relieved and pissed that it takes the cops four hours to arrive on set. I know I didn’t want to miss filming, but I can’t help but be exasperated by how lackadaisical they are about it all. I mean, if they’d told Aiden it was too important to wait, I’d have dealt. But no, they were more than happy to take their time. Heck, I’m surprised they showed up at all.

True to his word, Aiden kept them occupied as long as he could, giving me enough time to wrap things up a little earlier than I’d planned. Nobody complained about finishing early. Everyone had been committed to making this film great, but that didn’t mean the long hours weren’t taking their toll on us all. Now, at least, everyone could enjoy a long weekend before heading to the studio on Monday. Knowing we’re on the home stretch is comforting in the current chaos. It helps me put on my game face as I wave goodbye to my AD and head to my trailer. Though people have been speculating, I’ve kept quiet about what’s happening. If they’ve asked, I’ve been deliberately vague. They probably think I’m being a bitch, but I’m just tryingto minimize the damage. I dread what the studio would do if they found out I had another flipping stalker. It’s not something I want to risk when we are so close to being done.

I walk to the trailer, not surprised when the door opens, and Aiden walks down the steps to me. I know even dealing with the police, he’d have kept one eye on me the whole time.

“You are so getting laid tonight.”

His serious expression cracks as he stalks toward me and scoops me up, holding me tight. I take a second to breathe him in. I always feel so much calmer when we’re together.

“You get everything done you needed to?” he murmurs against my cheek.

“Yes, thanks to you. How goes it with the boys in blue?”

“They’re still waiting for a forensic team to come take photos and prints.”

I huff out a laugh. “I guess now they know what it feels like.”

He chuckles and lowers me to my feet before taking my hand. He leads me to the trailer as I take a deep breath and prepare myself.

“On a scale of one to ten, how bad will this be?”

“Having been interviewed by them, I can say probably a fifteen. But I’ll make it up to you with drive-thru ice cream on the way home, followed by a bottle of wine and a naked massage.”

“Ooh, now you’re talking my language.”

“Miss Carson.”

I look up and bite back a curse when I recognize the officer standing in the doorway of my trailer. He’s been to see me before and has been nothing but dismissive.