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d to stay in well-lit areas. Any unexpected stops, and he had instructions to detour immediately.
I walked into the house just as Journey emerged from the double set of doors at the end of the corridor.
She walked toward me, her hips swaying seductively. This was the girl I didn’t recognize sometimes. The star. The woman people saw in the theater. People screamed and fainted when they saw this version of her. They pushed and scrambled for autographs and selfies.
And here she was, walking into my arms.
“God, you’re gorgeous.”
“You like the dress?” She smiled like a devilish cat.
My eyes dipped to the deep V that ran to her navel. “Sexy as hell.”
She smiled and I saw the light blush on her cheeks.
The doorbell rang and I tensed.
“It’s just Dante. He wanted to ride with us.” She leaned to kiss my cheek before entering the foyer.
I rushed in front of her. I didn’t care there was an agent at the door, she wasn’t going near any open spaces.
“I’ve got it.” I looked over my shoulder. “And you should have told me he was coming. We aren’t operating under normal circumstances.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would be a big deal. It’s just Dante. He goes everywhere with me.”
I huffed and let the manager inside. He was wearing a dark purple tux.
“Babe, stunning. Truly stunning.” He ignored me and embraced Journey.
“Thank you. I love that color tux. Armani?” she asked.
“It’s going to pop on the red carpet.”
I fucking hated the red carpet. Tonight more than usual. Claire could be anywhere in the crowd.
“Are we ready?” Journey asked, looking at me.
I nodded. “But not out the front.” I pointed the staircase that led under the house. “We have three cars tonight. We’re going in car number two.”
Dante’s eyes bulged. “I had forgotten how thorough you were.”
I slapped him on the back, almost sending him down the stairs. “Not something you should forget, man.”
Nineteen
Journey
I remember when I first wanted to be an actress. I was five, maybe six. I watched a show on Disney and rehearsed every word in my bedroom. I made my parents watch while I stumbled through my lines after dinner. They clapped and laughed, and I took that as I sign that I was destined to be a star.
No one really thought I’d go through with it. It must have been after I starred in my high school play when they realized I wasn’t kidding, and I wasn’t five any longer.
That seemed like a lifetime ago. I wished my parents were here to see it. To know that little girl’s dreams came true. I was a best actress nominee. And I was on my way to my first dinner to celebrate.
It wasn’t supposed to matter if I won any awards in the coming months. This was the first accomplishment. This was part of the journey.
Dante sat across from me in the stretch limo. He sipped a rum drink. He was nervous.
I expected Asher to have a bourbon in his hand, but he was back to bodyguard status. The revelation that my attacker was his ex had hit him hard. He wasn’t going to admit it until this was over.
