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“What bastard? What did he do?”

“We need the police.”

“I’ve already called them, but I wasn’t sure what to say. There weren’t any events on my calendar, and I check three times. What is happening, Willow?”

“Maverik Steele happened,” I state over my shoulder, moving down the hallway toward the office. I sense Franny’s hesitation even as the distance grows between us. She doesn’t want to leave the door, but I feel her follow me. “Willow, talk to me. What did Maverik do?”

“He told the world where he’d be today.” I toss my bag into the corner of the room and pick up my phone, dialing the police. They need to know what they are walking into.

“Damn.” Franny shakes her head, the shock of what’s happening sinking deep into her mind. “Why would he do that?”

“Hello, this is Willow Davenport from Kingman Heights Community Center. My assistant has already called, but I wanted to give the police an update… Oh, you’ve seen his message then… Wonderful, thank you.” I hang the phone up, hearing the distance ring of sirens blaring, and drag in a breath.

“Willow?” Franny calls, but I hang my head, trying to find my inner zen before stepping up to the plate to deal with the chaos Maverik Steele has created for us. “Talk to me.”

“He wanted me to sign off on his hours, and I refused.” I look back up at her in time to see it all click in her mind. She was right. Maverik wanted to use me as a connection.

“So, this is what… revenge?” she asks carefully, stepping toward me and wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

“I don’t know.” I shake my head, feeling my chest cave in with a sense of defeat. Instead of holding it all in, I give Franny the truth. “I called the judge yesterday when Maverik didn’t show up. I asked Judge Tompkins to deny a transfer request if one came across his desk.”

“Good, I’m glad you did that.” Franny squeezes me against her. “Someone has to teach Maverik some accountability. Don’t worry. We’ll get this shit sorted.”

“But at what cost? Do you see the crowd out there? Do you know what they’re going to do when it becomes clear Maverik isn’t going to show?”

“It’s going to be okay, Wills.”

“There’re going to tear us apart, Franny. They’re going to tear this building apart. I know they will. I’ve seen it happen before.” I swallow the lump of panic that’s been stuck in my throat since she pulled me inside the building. Growing up in the film industry has its perks, but it also comes with a lot of bad and dark moments. Angry crowds being one of them.

“The police are here, Wills. We’re going to be okay,” Franny insists, but even with the police here, the crowd isn’t going to just let up. “We’re going to be fine.”

The phone on my desk shrills, and I drag in a deep breath, pushing out all the worry and fear because I need to be strong right now. I’ll let myself feel everything and sort it out tonight in the privacy of my home.

* * *

MAVERIK

“This is Maverik,”I answer my phone, smirking down at the caller ID lighting up my screen. She took a lot longer than I expected, but I have no doubt my genius plan will have Willow groveling at my feet, begging me to call off the masses.

“You know, you aren’t nearly as clever as you think you are,” Franny chuckles from across the line, making me frown.

“I’m not?”

“Not at all.”

“Hm, and here I thought you found me charming,” I tell the older woman, remembering how her eyes lit up when I walked through the door.

“Oh, no, but I convinced you enough to believe I did.” Her voice slowly hardening in a motherly fashion. “Do you really think you did something today, creating this illusion of grandeur? Using your fans for personal gain?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I reply cautiously, not sure where she’s going with her point. If she has one. “I merely wanted the opportunity to show my fans what a kind, and giving heart I have.”

“Cut the shit, Maverik. We both know what you did and why you did it. Just like we both know, you’ve got the potential to do better.”

“Franny—”

“No, you’re going to shut your mouth and listen to me now.” I suck in a deep breath, unable to argue. When I met Franny, I got the sense she isn’t someone you want against you, and right now, she doesn’t like me very much. “You fucked up on so many levels today, kid. I don’t think you understand how much chaos you caused, and I don’t mean for Willow. I mean, for all the other people who depend on our community center, every day.”

Shit.

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