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"There's an army of reporters waiting for him outside the studio," Roni says quietly.
"Word is out?" I guess, nervous energy humming through me. I'm ready for the world to know about him. But I'm anxious as hell about how people treat him.
Scarlett told me what happened while Abel and I were filming our scene the day before yesterday. I hate that Kaiden had to hear such vile, disgusting gossip. He won't have to listen to it from Loraine Templeton again. I may not be able to keep people from talking, but I can damn sure keep them away from Kaiden. She and her hateful little friend have been banished from the set. I've never thrown my weight or my name around, but I'll do it a thousand times if that's what it takes to make it clear that people like that aren't welcome anywhere near us.
When I told Kaiden that, he just shook his head and called me his fierce little star. And then he kissed me until I forgot I was mad at him for not telling me what happened. He makes it very hard to stay angry. We make quite the pair, always trying to protect one another. But that's what you do for the people you love, isn't it? You protect them. You fight for them. You put them first. He'll always come first to me. If I have to take on every petty Betty and gossip magazine in this town, then that's just what I'll do.
"Not exactly," Roni says. "There are murmurs, but that's not why they're out there."
"Then why?" I demand.
"Damen Montero and his sister, Marissya, released a joint statement about two hours ago, Laura. Everyone knows what really happened to Kaiden."
The breath leaves my lungs in a strangled rush, shock surging through me. Oh, my god. I cut my eyes in Kaiden's direction, only to find him scowling at something in the distance, utterly oblivious to what's happening over here.
"This is bad," I hiss at Roni. "You have to get them out of here!"
"You know I can't do that, honey," she says gently. "This is big news. Wild horses won't drag them away until they get a statement from Kaiden or find a bigger story to run with."
She's right. I know she is. But crap. What was Damen thinking? Why did he pick now of all times to come forward with the truth? Kaiden barely has one toe out the door, and now….
"Holy shit," I whisper, realization hitting me with all the force of a hammer blow. Damen didn't pick now to come forward with the truth. Kaiden did. He orchestrated this. I don't know how or when, but this is his doing. The secret he's carried for all these years is finally out. He revealed it. But why?
I don't get the chance to ask.
A loud clatter echoes around the studio.
"My bad," Abel slurs, weaving his way toward the main set, his Santa suit practically falling off him. His beard is crooked, the belly peeping from the bottom of the coat. He attempts to right the camera stand he knocks over, only to send a balloon light toppling.
Jackson murmurs something to Hailey and then quickly takes his daughter's hand and leads her away.
"I'll call you back," I murmur to Roni, quickly disconnecting and shoving the phone into my pocket. I can only deal with one crisis at a time, and right now, the train wreck in front of me takes priority. What in the world is Abel thinking?
As he draws closer, I catch a whiff of him, and the question answers itself. I'm pretty sure his blood is pure alcohol at this point. He reeks of it. My stomach rebels at the strong smell, nausea climbing up my throat. I quickly stop breathing, praying he passes by me quickly.
I'm not that lucky.
He stops right beside my chair, grinning at me.
"You ready to work, beautiful?" he asks, his eyes bloodshot. Even then, I see the pain in them. The liquor dulled it, but it didn't kill it. Whatever drove him to this state is killing him.
"Get the fuck away from her," Kaiden snarls, appearing at my side. My gentle giant is gone, replaced with a possessive, territorial beast. His fierce expression screams danger, his eyes shooting off sparks.
I place my hand over his, silently trying to calm him down.
Abel flicks a baleful look in his direction, as if Kaiden is entirely beneath him. And for the first time this week, I find myself disappointed in Abel. Maybe this is the man he was before he came here, but this isn't the actor I've been working with all week. This isn't the Abel Clarke who has been chasing his PA around the set with stars in his eyes. This Abel Clarke…well, I don't like him much.
"Don't think I was talking to you," Abel slurs.
