I let her do her thing and tried to relax. I went to my mini fridge by the table and bent down, grabbing a Red Bull. I stood back up and paused as my eyes settled on Bambi’s caddy.
“Hey, Bambi? I’m done in here,” I said, grabbing a small bottle of tablets from her bin. Tossing my hoodie on and putting my yellow Red Bull back in the fridge, I left my trailer and returned to set, keeping the bottle in my hoodie pocket. I rolled my eyes as I went to craft services and was flagged down by Elliott Bradley.
“Evie!”
I ducked my head into the fridge, grabbed a blueberry Red Bull, and opened it. He was a distance away, but not far enough. I only had a moment. I popped the tab and pulled the bottle from my pocket. Hopefully, my plan worked.
“Evie, did you not hear me?” Elliott raised his voice.
I turned and shut the fridge, hiding the bottle in my sleeve. “Sorry, what?” I smiled tightly.
He glanced with disgust at the drink in my hand. “Those are going to kill you.”
I took a deep breath and pretended to be calm while I cocked my head in confusion.
“The caffeine. Those are so bad for you.” He stared me down and his expression softened, and suddenly he reached out his hand. He stroked my cheek with his knuckle. “You look so much like her.”
I bit back a sharp word or two, but the look on my face must have broken his trance. He pulled back and cleared his throat. “Right. Sorry. I just wanted to thank you for helping with this unfortunate matter. It’s so awkward having to drag more people in, but if we can get this stomped out...”
“Of course.” I nodded. “We wouldn’t want moreaccidents, would we?”
Just then, Dante caught sight of me. He’d been walking with Arthur, and they both turned our way. Dante rolled his eyes at the can in my hand.
“Let’s go. Take off the hoodie and toss the drink.”
“I just opened it!” I protested, excitement flooding my veins as everything was going as I’d hoped. I had to dial my emotions back. “I haven’t even taken a sip.”
“I don’t think they care about you wasting it.” Dante rolled his eyes.
I made a show of taking it to the garbage to toss, when Arthur came around from the other side.
“I’ll take it. I like blueberry. I thought you liked the yellow ones?”
I handed it to him. “They’re out,” I lied. There was an entire row of them.
Elliott clicked his tongue at his friend. “Those are going to kill you.”
I hurried off with Dante, tossing my hoodie onto my chair as I went, making sure the bottle I’d taken from Bambi’s cleaning caddy remained tucked inside it. Back on set, I found Sebastian already in place. I was handed my gun. My chest tightened as I felt the weight of the deadly weapon. This was it. The prop master gave Sebastian his and then left the stage.
Dante yelled out, “Action!”
Sebastian and I locked gazes and slowly, in sync, raised our weapons.
“Is this how it ends, then?” he said his final line, and I smirked and shook my head for the camera.
“Simon says, motherfuck—”
I was cut off by a loud choking sound and screams from the crew. We dropped our stances and turned, watching as Arthur collapsed, the energy drink in his hand spilling across the floor. His face turned purple as he convulsed. I stared, a satisfied feeling seeping into my belly and soul as I watched the life leave his body—not one person jumped to help him.
Elliott was right.
Those energy drinkswouldkill him.
Chapter 65
Sebastian
Damage Control
