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“So you’re saying this guy isn’t tied to a cartel?”
Sucking in a deep breath so I don’t lose my temper, I say through gritted teeth, “Until yesterday, I’d never met him. I have no idea who employs him. For all I know, he could be a cleaner.”
Andy shakes his head and points a finger at the newspaper. “The studio and I want nothing to do with this, Kris. It makes me question how well I really know you.”
Stunned by his confession, my mouth falls open, and I stare at him, completely lost for words.
“They’ve decided to film all the shots without you until they decide what to do.”
With a shake of my head, I stand. “Fuck you, Andy. You know me, and I thought we were friends. Clearly, we’re not. If the studio thinks I’ll just tuck my tail between my legs and walk, they’ve got another thing coming. I’ll sue you, them, and anyone else who gets between me and my reputation.” I pick up the newspaper and throw it back down on the table. “This is all bullshit designed to make me look bad.” Turning, I stalk toward the door, then stop and look back at the man I’d always thought of as a mentor. “When this all plays out, I’ll expect an apology from you and the studio. Until then, you can talk to my lawyers.”
Not waiting for a reply, I slam open the door to his trailer and go back to Harry and Jordana. Whatever she sees on my face, Jordana moves so she’s standing behind Harry.
“I don’t care what it costs.Fix this. Sue every motherfucker who ever said a bad word against me. This is my life they’re fucking with, and I won’t stand for it. I’mnotwhat they’re saying.”
“Kris, you need to calm—”
“Really, Harry, you think I need tocalm down?” I roar at the two of them.
“Kris?”
Athena’s shocked tone pulls me out of my anger. Locking eyes with her, I put my hands on my hips, then drop my gaze to the floor.
In a quieter tone, I say, “I’m sorry. This isn’t your fault. I have no idea who that guy was. He made some pretty horrible remarks about Athena, and I hit him for it.” At the thought of him, my anger rises to the surface again, and I look at Harry and Jordana. “Fix it.”
Harry raises his eyebrows and rocks back on his heels. “We will. What if the studio wants a drug test?”
“I’ll do whatever they ask of me. I have nothing to hide. I’ll pee in a cup. They can take blood, hair samples, whatever it takes. You two know me. I don’t do drugs. I’m clean.”
Jordana moves around Harry so she can stare at me. “Just you saying you’ll do all of that will go a long way to proving you’re innocent.”
“Iaminnocent,” I growl at her.
Harry holds up a hand. “We know that, Kris. Unfortunately, we’ll need to prove it to everyone else.”
“Get it done,” I order, then stride to Athena.
“Is everything okay?” she asks.
Grasping her hand, I pull her from the building and keep walking until we hit my trailer.
“They think I’m a drug addict. The guy from yesterday is a known drug dealer. Until I pass a series of tests, they want me gone.”
Athena’s face twists into a mask of concern. “Let’s go talk to Andy. Surely, he’ll understand?”
“It’s Andy who told me to leave,” I reply flatly.
“Oh, Kris.” Athena puts a hand to my face. “What can I do?”
Todd opens the trailer door. “Not another mushy moment?” Glaring at him, he clears his throat. “I guess not?”
“I think they’re going to fire me.”
“What for?”
“Gossip and a bad temper.”
“Isn’t that what your world is built on?” He tilts his head to the side. “Maybe not a bad temper but definitely gossip.” Todd winks at me.
His quick wit makes me smile. “Yeah, something like that, but normally the gossip isn’t about me.”
Todd shrugs. “While they’re talking about you, they’re leaving some other poor bastard alone.”
“Todd,” chastises Athena.
Kissing her palm, I say, “No, he’s right.”
“What’s the plan?” she asks.
“Right now, we’re going home.”
