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It shouldn’t be different, but it certainly feels different to me.
I lean into her. “You think Natasha is our leak?”
“I mean, while I have no proof, it makes sense to me,” Mallory whispers. “She just gives me a bad vibe. That’s all.”
Reaching my free arm up, I run my hand through my hair again, wondering if she’s right.
Natasha makes sense. She’s shown a clear disdain for Mallory. Could that feeling extend to Teagan, as well?
I also realize that Natasha’s main objective is to get eyes on the film. Anything to spike curiosity and get butts in the seats on opening week. She doesn’t give a shit about Brad’s or Teagan’s reputation once this film’s done.
“If she’s a suspect, that means so is Stefan. Or Jeffrey, for that matter. If we’re going under the assumption that they want publicity and don’t care how or where they get it from, it could be all of them. We’re the only idiots not in the know. All the while, they’re sinking our clients’ careers.”
Mallory’s face pales. For a moment, I fear she’s about to get sick.
“Shit. How do we stop leaks if leaks are what they want?” Her voice shakes, and I have a ridiculous need to pull her into me. To wrap her up and protect her from the world.
I need off this island.
“We need to consider all the options.” Dropping my hold on Mallory, I start to pace back and forth on our little path. “So, then, it’s what? A disgruntled employee? Someone not happy to be here?”
“I’m not sure,” Mallory says with a sigh. “The only person I fully trust is you.”
I swallow. “Me? Why do you trust me after everything?”
“Neither one of our clients can afford the bad press, and they’ve both been painted in a terrible light. I would never, and I believe you wouldn’t either.” Her lip tips up. “Even if you do hate his guts.”
I chuckle. “That obvious?”
She lifts her eyebrows. “You’re not exactly subtle. Don’t worry, I don’t think he noticed. He’s too much of an egomaniac to think anyone could ever not love him.”
I roll my eyes. “You’ve got him pegged that fast?”
She nods, tapping her legs with her hand. “We just need the bad press to stop. You heard what Jeffrey and Stefan said. There’s a real fear that filming could stop if the studio thinks there is a safety issue.”
“Which should automatically rule those two out. Natasha, too. None of them benefit from production being shut down.”
“Back to square one.”
“Maybe. From what I remember of the latest tweets, they had nothing to do with safety. I’ll have to revisit them to rule those three out.”
She huffs. “We just need to make sure nothing insane happens to ensure nothing detrimental can get leaked.”
“We can try.” My eyes narrow as a thought occurs. “We can also plant our own story. Why not use the media to benefit us and our clients?”
“Do you have contacts?”
I grin. “Sure do.”
She takes a deep breath, appearing to mull it over. “Let’s revisit this later.” She points down the path. “We should get going. With Stefan wanting character building before each scene, timing is an issue.”
“Say no more.” I swing my arm out, motioning for her to take the lead.
It’s not long before we get to the location of today’s shoot, and Mallory’s whole demeanor shifts.
Fishing.
Apparently, they’re shooting the scene where Brad tries to spearfish for food, as evidenced by the props lining the ground—everything from spears to nets made of leaves from the other day.
“Not a fan?” I say, grinning down at her.
She turns toward me. “No clue. Never done it.”
“I’ll teach you.”
She offers a rare smile that reaches her eyes. “You’ve been doing a lot of that lately.”
I shrug. “I can be a nice guy, Mallory.”
We stare at each other for several long seconds before Mallory glances away, breaking the moment.
Thank God one of us has brains.
I might not hate her, but that doesn’t mean I need to jump into the deep end.
Mallory walks off, heading toward Teagan, and I appreciate the distance. I need to get my head screwed on straight.
Teagan hugs her before she starts to talk animatedly. Her hands are moving faster than usual when she does, and I’m instantly on edge.
Now what? Another issue?
Teagan holds up a stick with a point at the end before pointing at her exposed midriff.
I make my way toward them, mostly to head off any additional issues. Mallory and I agree that we must do our part to keep the set free of problems. I’m at their side just before Teagan says, “I’m not wearing this.”
“Teagan—” Mallory starts, but she’s cut off.
“No, this is ridiculous. I’m practically naked.”
For fuck’s sake.
She can’t be serious.
I want to interrupt and remind Teagan that she signed a contract, agreeing to not only wear this but also be partially nude for a sex scene.
