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"Khloe! Wait up. We want to sit near you in thescreening."
She turned, her heart expanding with palpable relief at seeing Chase, Emma and Jaxson approaching. They looked breathtakingly perfect on the red carpet in their tuxedos and flowing gown. Breaking away from Peter and Dean, she rushed towards herfriends.
It wasn't until Chase had wrapped her tightly in a bear hug that she realized her error. Tears pricked at her eyes as she allowed the first real feeling of safety she'd felt in weeks wash over her. It was stupid really, but it was as if her body recognized that nothing could hurt her. Not with Chase Cartwright and Jaxson Davidson next toher.
I can't start crying. I'll cause a scene and ruin mymakeup.
Chase pulled out of their hug enough to look down into her eyes. She saw his concern as he examined her. Before he could even speak, Jaxson stepped closer on her left and Emma on her right. Seconds later she was wrapped into the six arms of the infamous trio. What they had together was extraordinary and tonight, they were sharing their love with her, their friend. It almost felt like they were wrapping her in an invisible force field that would protect her from any bullshit. Emotional tears streaked down hercheeks.
Dean stumbled forward against her back, unwittingly testing the strength of the protection by trying to pull Khloe out the trio's clutches. "Hey, sweetheart. Maybe you'd better introduce me to your friends. I'd like to know who it is who's trying to move in on mygirl."
It was Jaxson who left their embrace, turning to lean closer to Dean, speaking softly so only their small group and Peter could hear hiswarning.
"She's not your girl any more than she's mine. You gave up the right to call her that the day you fucked Gloria Mining." Jaxson paused to let his words sink in with Dean. "That's right. I know all about it. I also know she's being forced to play out this sick game of star-crossed-lovers for the press. We'll keep your little secret for Khloe's sake, but don't for one minute think you're gonna get back in her good graces. She has enough shit on her plate with the fuckingstalker."
Dean moved forward, bumping his chest with Jaxson aggressively until Khloe moved away from Chase to try to break it up. "Guys, not here. Jax, I really do appreciate you protecting me. I'm so glad you guys could come, but please don't make a scene. The press knows who you are. That would only make things worse." She tried to brush away her tears without the pressnoticing.
She was relieved when Jaxson smiled outwardly while passing along his next threat under this breath. "If I find out you've had anything to do with this stalking business, Reynolds, you're gonna wish you'd never been born. Got it?" He grinned a fake smile while Dean's smile grew comical as he leaned evencloser.
"Fuck you, Davidson. Yeah, I know who you are. I don't need to stalk anybody. I can have a dozen women in my bed by midnight if I wantit."
It was Chase who stepped up to the other side of Dean to counter, "You have a pretty high opinion of yourself, but until the charade of your romance with Khloe is over, you won't take anyone to your bed, got it? You know damn well your groupies will talk and I won't let you drag Khloe's name through the mud with rumors of cheating, gotit?"
Dean growled lowly. "What the hell is it with you guys? Your girl not keeping you happy enough? You got to move in on mineinstead."
It was Emma to the rescue when Jaxson and Chase looked like they might deck Dean where he stood. "I think we've had enough chit-chat. Let's all go in and find our seats. I can't wait for the movie tostart."
Emma linked her arm with Khloe's and headed towards the theater, pulling her friendalong.
"Do you think we should leave them together like that?" Khloequestioned.
The beautiful brunette giggled. "Jax and Chase will come along. They hate it when I get out of their sight, particularly since I'm with you." When Khloe looked at her inquisitively at that remark she added. "They almost left me in D.C. They know you're in danger and don't want me exposed to anything dangerous with your stalker. I had to promise them I wouldn't leave theirside."
The women had already passed through the huge entrance to the main theater and were headed down the long, angled aisle towards the VIP section. She tried to pull her new friend to a stop. "Then shouldn't we hold up and wait for them? I mean, I don't want to get you introuble."
Emma smiled mischievously, continuing to walk. "It's okay. Don't tell the guys, but I kinda like getting into trouble every once in a while, if you know what Imean."
The twinkle in her eye made Khloe's insides do a somersault, realizing her friend was talking about enjoying the kind of punishment scenes she herself had savored playing out with Ryder Helms. No matter how much time she spent obsessing about her few short hours with the sex-god who'd mastered her at a game of roulette, she still couldn't fathom why she'd loved that night so much. The incredible sex she could understand, but the pain... humiliation... debauched kinkiness... submission... those darker emotions she just couldn'treconcile.
The men eventually caught up to them. True to their word, her celebrity friends had the seating arrangement changed around so that Chase sat on her left while Dean took the seat to her right. Only after she was seated did she see Trevor staring at her from the shadows of the theater, watching over her, yes, but she suspected from the scowl on his face that he was about as happy to see Chase and Jaxson as Dean hadbeen.
Edward Rivera stepped to the podium on the stage, spending several minutes thanking those who had helped make the creation ofDirty Businesspossible, saving his thanks for Dean and Khloe for last. Her heart swelled with pride as they rose to a standing ovation, fans and co-stars pressing in to congratulate them again. From the corner of her eye, she saw Trevor still watching over her, a stony face hiding anyemotion.
The crowd settled down, returning to their seats when the lights dimmed and the two-story red-velvet curtains parted to reveal the screen. Khloe held her breath as the opening credits began, the pounding beat of the title song,Dirty Business, filling the theater. Her heart expanded when Chase reached for her hand in the dark theater, linking their fingers in his show ofsupport.
He had really come through for her tonight. She was under no illusion that he had any lingering romantic feelings for her, and honestly was grateful for that. Anyone looking at the threesome next to her knew they were crazy in love with each other and Khloe couldn't be happier for him and Emma. But she trusted Chase and Jaxson and, right now, that was a rare thing in her life. Having them there to support her meant theworld.
As the movie started, she let herself get lost in the story. The week before in NYC, she'd spent the pre-release showing picking apart her performance, examining it from every angle to understand how she might have improved each scene. Tonight, she let herself forget it was her on the screen, trying to enjoy the picture as a fan might instead. By the time the lights came up and the credits were rolling, she was trembling with emotion. As the entire theater pushed to their feet, clapping their approval for the film, Khloe sat frozen in herseat.
It had finally happened. For the first time in her career she felt like she deserved the praise directed her way. Fame could be a poisonous thing. So many people sold their soul to chase it, yet it was slippery, often shining down on those undeserving while eluding those who worked the hardest. She'd been enjoying her own growing fame for the last few years, but until tonight, she'd felt a bit like a fraud. Like she'd achieved the successes she had only because of how she looked or who she knew. She'd never felt quite worthy of the VIP treatment, as if she were simply the actress she was, playing the role of acelebrity.
But tonight she basked in the accolades, feeling vindicated against all of the talking heads who had written Khloe Monroe off as just another pretty face in Hollywood. Relief coursed through her as she allowed herself to acknowledge she had realtalent.
Edward Rivera approached her, holding out his hand to pull her to her feet and hug her to him. He spoke quietly against her ear as the applause continued around them. "Thank you, Khloe, for being here tonight. I know it's been hard on you, and I'm sorry for not being more understanding. I'm very pleased with howDirty Businessturned out and thrilled I was able to snag you forSmuggled Dreamsbefore the rest of Hollywood starts knocking on your door offering parts. Don't forget I was the one who gave you your first big shot when you're accepting your Academy Award for best actress." He pulled away, grinning as he winked ather.
His encouraging words bolstered her, giving her the courage to look around at the mammoth room. Those involved with the film's creation congratulated each other on a job well done. Fans in the balcony shouted out to her and Dean. The couple turned and waved to the throngs who would be leaving the theater and spreading the word on how good the film was. Nearby, industry bigwigs and movie critics mingled with dozens of media outlets, giving snippets of quotes for the next day's newsprograms.
It all felt surreal. She'd looked so forward to this night that now she didn't know what came next. In the commotion of the celebration, she was jostled from person to person, getting moved farther away from Chase, Jaxson, Emma and even Dean. An uneasy feeling settled in her tummy when she didn't recognize anyone surrounding her. She frantically searched the room for Trevor or Darius. Hell she'd be happy to have Ricky or the Kaplans near her. She spotted them all, too far away to comforther.
