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"Came to work," Abel says, patting his belly like he really is Santa Claus. "We have a scene to film."
"Jesus fucking Christ." Luca pinches the bridge of his nose.
Hailey steps into the fray as if sensing trouble. She's far calmer than Luca. The two of them put their heads together, conversing quietly. I can't hear what they say, but they're obviously talking about Abel, trying to decide what to do with him. We have to finish this scene today. But I don't think he's in any condition to do it.
Kaiden keeps one eye on me and one on him, still bristling.
"I'm fine," I whisper.
He grunts but doesn't say anything.
"Abel, can you hold it together long enough to get through this damn scene?" Luca growls, spearing our unraveling actor with a severe look.
"I'm fucking fine," Abel snaps.
No one believes him. I don't even think he believes himself.
Luca and Hailey share a look, and then Luca curses and looks at me.
Kaiden stirs uneasily.
"We can do it," I say quickly, forestalling whatever argument he's about to make. I just want to get through this scene. Preferably sooner rather than later. Because we have a whole other situation to deal with as soon as we're finished dealing with this one.
"Let's do it then," Luca says, sounding resigned.
"About fucking time," Abel mutters, stumbling toward the set. He trips over a cable guard and nearly falls on his face.
Thank God he'll be sitting on Santa's throne for most of this scene because this is already shaping up to be a disaster.
"And what do you want for Christmas?" Abel slurs, looking at me through bleary eyes. "A ride on Santa's— Oh, shit." Abel reaches out to pull me into his lap and misses, falling face-first off his throne.
I jump back, barely avoiding being dragged down to the floor with him.
"Cut!" Luca yells in disgust from off-sides.
The cameras stop rolling. The lights come up.
Luca stomps onto the set in a fury.
"What the fuck are you playing at, Clarke?" he practically hisses at Abel, his face flushed with anger.
"You've got your tasty bit on the side. What do you care?" Abel tips his chin toward Audrey, who is standing off to the side. She hears him and goes rigid in shock, her face paling.
Oh, Abel. What are you doing?
I don't know what's gotten into him, but this is horrible!
Luca shudders in rage, moving so fast that I barely have time to process what's happening. His fist connects with Abel's jaw ina solid uppercut. Abel's head snaps back, the sound of bone on bone chilling.
Abel roars in rage and lunges at Luca, fists flying.
I gape at them; my feet rooted to the spot as a cry goes up from the crew, and several of them rush forward from the edges of the set.
I cry out, falling backward as Abel collides with me, knocking me off balance. My arms windmill wildly as I grab for something to keep me upright. My fingers close around a piece of holly, ripping it from Santa's throne. It does nothing to stop my momentum.
But I don't hit the ground.
Kaiden's arms close around me, his bellow of rage echoing from the rafters as he drags me up against his chest.
