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“Where is she? She was supposed to drive you home.”
His sharp tone caused Madison’s eyes to widen. “She had a meeting with Bobby and Chase, so she had Sandy bring me home. You can’t disapprove of Sandy, Uncle Logan. She’s thirty-five, never had a ticket. She drove the speed limit the whole way here.”
Ignoring Madison’s sass, Logan focused on what was really bothering him.
“So it’s Bobby and Chase, now, is it?” he demanded, his temper getting the better of him. “When did you get so cozy with them?”
He knew better than to take his frustration out on his niece. It was Scarlett who’d stirred up his ire. Scarlett who was hell-bent on returning to L.A. and her acting career.
Or maybe he was mad at himself for encouraging her to do so.
“I’m not cozy with them,” Madison retorted. “They were just being nice. Bobby gave me his card and Chase told me to look him up when I get to L.A.”
Logan’s focus sharpened. “What do you mean, when you get to L.A.? You’re heading to college this fall.”
Madison tossed her hair in a perfect imitation of Scarlett at her most exasperating. In fact, now that he thought about it, Madison had adopted several mannerisms from the actress. How had he not noticed the metamorphosis before this? His niece admired everything about Scarlett, why wouldn’t she think it was a good idea to behave like her?
“I know my parents sent me here so you could work on me about college, and heaven knows that’s a drum Scarlett has beaten to death, but I really think my path lies in Hollywood.” She rested her hand on her hip and tilted her chin. “And I’m eighteen now. I can do whatever I want.”
Logan ground his teeth and regarded Madison in silence. This wasn’t the tune she’d been singing yesterday morning. She’d been debating two of the schools she’d gotten into, trying to decide which way to go.
“You might be eighteen, but you’ve never been on your own without your parents’ money before.”
“I’ll get a job waiting tables or something and support myself until I get an acting job.”
Logan was beset by visions of his niece all alone and at the mercy of a string of people with bad intentions who would use Madison up and spit her out. “Do you really think it will be that easy?” How had weeks of good advice been erased in one short night? “And where are you going to live?”
“I can stay with Scarlett.”
Icy fingers danced up Logan’s spine. So Scarlett had decided to return to L.A., after all. And why not? Hadn’t he told her to go?
“She’s definitely moving back to L.A.?” he asked, trying to keep his voice neutral.
Madison looked surprised that he even had to ask. “Of course. Why would she turn down a part that will kick-start her career once more?”
The thought of losing her swung a wrecking ball at his gut. He’d been a fool to let her think he would be unaffected by her departure. Had he really thought this was a good time to test her? To see if she meant all her passionate kisses and romantic gestures? Sheer stubbornness had made him complacent that she’d choose Las Vegas and him over her acting career and stardom.
“Did she invite you to stay with her?”
“Not in so many words, but I know she will do whatever she can to help me get started.”
Hadn’t she already done enough? Logan fished his car keys out of his pocket. He and Scarlett needed to have a face-to-face chat.
“We’ll talk more about this when I get back.”
“Where are you going?” She sounded less like a confident woman and more like a teenager who was worried she’d pushed her luck too far.
“To talk with Scarlett.”
“What are you going to say?”
“That you are not going to L.A., so she can forget about having you as a roommate.”
“It won’t do any good. She was thrilled that Bobby was willing to help me.”
Two weeks ago Logan might have believed Madison’s claim. Since then, Scarlett had stuck to his wishes and encouraged the teenager to finish college before she made any career choices. He also knew just how headstrong Madison could be. She’d proven that when she’d run off to L.A. on her own last spring.
“Why don’t you give your parents a call and tell them how the party went yesterday. I’m sure they’re eager to hear how you spent your birthday.”
He was heading his Escalade down the driveway when his phone rang. He cued the car’s Bluetooth. “Wolfe.”
“Boss, it’s Evan. You wanted me to let you know when the Schaefer assessment was done. Jeb and I finished half an hour ago. The report is on your desk.”
