AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They’re gathering at the backdoor too.” Rory grabbed Callie’s arm, her grip tight. “You can’t go out that way.”
“I’m calling the police.” Eleanor took her phone from her apron pocket.
A man shouted from near the front window. “It’s him!”
No.
In a sudden frenzy, the paparazzi surged away from Callie and toward the front doors. The blonde woman bumped into Eleanor, knocking her phone to the floor.
Callie twisted her arm away from Rory. Adrenaline flooded her veins. Without thinking, she shoved her way through the throng of reporters. Maybe she could catch Jake before he got closer and warn him not to—
He stopped right outside the bakery window. His features hardened like steel.
Run,Callie thought.
He yanked open the door and stepped into the mob. Shouts and questions flew like bats. People lifted their cameras and cell phones to catch pictures of him.
“Jake, why did you decide not to do anotherFatal Glorymovie?”
“Jake, do you have a comment about the assault allegation?”
“Jake, is it true that you’re signing on for an Conrad Birch movie?”
“Jake, tell us about your new girlfriend!”
“Jake…”
He didn’t respond to the flurry of questions. Instead he searched the crowd, his height allowing him to see past most of the other people. His gaze settled on Callie. He tensed.
She started forward, desperate to get to him. He extended his hand palm-out in a clear “Stop” gesture.
She froze, suddenly remembering his story of what had happened with his sister. As they’d probably done back then, the reporters shoved cameras and cell phones at him, grabbed his arms, tried to block his path. Though he fisted his hands, and his eyes blackened with anger, he didn’t react to the invasion.
“Did you know Jake has been dating Jessica Barnett?” Another woman pushed closer to Callie, hard eyes peering at her over a narrow nose. “Are you breaking up their relationship?”
“Come on.” A beefy guy shoved Callie from behind. “What’s your comment about all this?”
“I—”
“Don’t get near her.” Jake’s voice had a knife-sharp edge. “She has nothing to do with this.”
“Are you leaving Jessica for her?” The man peered through his camera viewfinder and snapped another picture of Callie. “Does Jessica know?”
“We heard Jessica is expecting a proposal!” a woman shouted from the back of the crowd.
Excitement flared at this new information.
“Are you proposing, Jake?”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Give us a money shot, man!”
Jake turned back toward the doors. A flashbulb popped so close to Callie’s face that her vision went black.
“Callie!” His sharp voice echoed through her the instant before she stumbled backward, her heel slipping on the hardwood floor.
The world tilted. With a gasp, she hit the ground. The paparazzi closed in, cameras clicking, shouts flying. She couldn’t move. Fresh panic fired through her.
