Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (30 page)

If the man kissed him, or gave him a black rose, he was screwed. Wait, that was a whole different movie.

The second thug revealed a long thin box in red wrapping paper.

With no chance of avoiding this confrontation and unwilling to make a scene, at least not one that wasn’t scripted for the movie, Ryder smiled up at his crew. “Would you two lovely ladies mind giving me a few minutes of privacy? Maybe you can take Spike out over to that little patch of grass by the commissary and come right back?”

The women put their tools down and one grabbed Spike’s leash. When the dog didn’t move, the other woman picked him up after looking back twice at him, left.

Once the door closed, Ryder gave his unwanted visitors a grin. “If you wanted a personal autograph session, I could have arranged one.”

“Don’t you want to open your present?” Glen crossed his arms.

He didn’t want to touch anything from them. “I am going to make
Working Title
. I’m finally in the position to be able to make some last adjustments to the script and continue shooting.”

“How are you going to do any filming while you’re in full production here?” Glen asked.

Fine, the man had a point. “It’s a three-month shoot. I won’t schedule anything after this wraps and I’ll devote every bit of time to Working Title. In fact, I’ll provide you with a full schedule by the end of next week.” Maybe he and Cora could go on location and get out of here for a while. Hell, he would give her a part. With all the computer knowledge she possessed, she could do her CEO stuff from anywhere, probably even another planet. Actually, that might be a cool thing to add to the script in his sci-fi sequence. “I actually got some polishing advice from a screenwriter and I think the changes will really add to the story.”

“You’ve been promising us progress for over a year now. You’re our first foray into film, you are the star we want.” Glen took the present and stepped closer. “However, we need a little more on your part.”

Ryder pressed his back into his chair.

“All we’ve seen is unusable footage as too much time passes for there to be any continuity.” Glen took the top off the box.

“I think the
Hollywood Stardust
franchise has proven that you can overcome time lapses between shoots.” At his own sensible statement, Ryder crossed his legs.

“We don’t want any more lapses.” Glen tilted the box toward him, showing him a high-end designer pen. “We’ve decided to let you off easy. We want your movie, all the rights, your name in the credits, and we’ll disappear.”

The man could have just as easily asked him to chop off an arm. He hardened his jaw and shook his head. For twenty years, he worked on this movie. First writing it then tweaking it, and using his money and other’s money to try to get it made. This was the one thing that would make him different. Everyone only knew Ryder Scott, the Hollywood leading man, the one who did some directing, the man who flitted from one thing to the next, the man who might or might not be for sale to the most beautiful women with the most money. This movie was a chance to show everyone his other side, his true creation, something that was purely his. “I’ll make your movie. I will.”

“If we give you one last break, we’ll need a little more collateral on our side.” Glen held the pen out to him. “We want the cabin.”

Years ago, he swore to his father he would never let the cabin go. No matter what he needed or what happened, his father reminded him what he needed could be found in the cabin, whatever happened could be dealt with there, it was their nest, their safe place. All his life he remembered his father’s business associates wanting it. It had since become the brass ring no one could grasp. In fact, his father put the property in Ryder’s name on purpose. He said that made it untouchable.

He hit a dead end, the only way out was through Cora. But she shouldn’t be surprised if he asked for something for the movie, because it was part of their deal. If that were the case, why was he even hesitating? “How about I just pay you back?”

Glen shook his head. “We want a movie. We want it with you.”

They owned him until he produced a film. The money, the cabin, whatever, was nothing but an insurance policy. When the bad guys couldn’t be bought off, the stakes only amplified. The money they gave him was gone, and no matter what he needed Cora’s funds. “I’ll get you some collateral, but I’ll need a few days.”

“You have until tonight.” Glen eyes widened. “Do you understand me?”

“This shoot may go late tonight. First days are hard.” Above all else he had to buy some time.

Without a knock, the door opened. His crew and his pet came inside.

“Mr. Scott, we have to get you ready.” The woman handed him his dog.

“We’ll see you tonight.” Glen lifted his chin and then both he and the other jerk left.

Spike in his lap, Ryder stared unseeing, while the women finished their work, transforming him back into the role of William. The twenty years were good to his character. Rather than pursuing his acting career, William went on to be a rock star, some would call it a different sort of actor. His character lived his dream, stood out, had roots, Ryder needed that as well, and that’s why he couldn’t let go of his movie.

“You’re all ready, Mr. Scott.” The women backed away from him.

Everything that could have happened before walking out onto set already occurred. There was nothing he could do about Glen until later.

He stood, set up Spike with some food, water and his tablet and stepped outside.

Spike followed him down the few stairs.

“Hey buddy, you have to go inside and watch your movie.” He put him back inside the trailer, but Spike came down the stairs again.

Apparently, nothing was going to work out for him today. After two more tries, he gave up closed the door and let Spike come along for the ride. He was thankful for the little walk before reaching the Hollywood Stardust façade, the site of their first scene.

Already Logan, Ivy, Drew and Erin were on set. The crew continued their set up.

“Is that our new prop?” Logan stared down at Spike.

Spike hid behind his leg and lay down.

Drew let out a laugh.

“He’s really mellow, his owner died,” Ryder said. No matter which direction he moved Spike moved with him.

In full Roxy regalia, Erin stomped over. “Are you dead?”

After this morning, it was a question he didn’t know the answer to. Still, he said, “Not that I’m aware of.”

“Then his owner isn’t dead, because you’re his owner.” Erin glared at him.

“Hello everyone.” Edward’s voice boomed behind him.

A charming grin forced on his face, Ryder turned and nodded at the director.

“Is that your dog?” Edward focused on the canine.

“No. I mean yes.” Ryder never had so many problems with a director. He normally told them what to do. “It’s my therapy dog, I’m giving him therapy.”

“We can’t have a dog on set.” Edward held out his arm and corralled Ryder away from the rest of the group.

Ryder went to run his hand through his hair, then stopped, realizing it would only cause havoc for the hair stylists. “Listen, I can take care of the dog situation, but you aren’t allowing phones on set.”

“We haven’t even begun and already you are holding up production.” Edward frowned. “We also have another matter besides the dog that needs to be addressed.”

At a total loss for words, Ryder shoved his hands in his pockets and waited for the next anvil to fall.

“Did you
inadvertently
take the
Hollywood Stardom
script?” His director’s low tone was soaked with sarcasm.

“Are you saying I stole it?” Be it that he stole it or not, no one would accuse him of such a thing, and he ground his teeth together.

Edward leaned in. “You can take my words however you like, but I want my script returned.”

“It’s not your script,” Ryder hissed in return.

“Actually, it’s my script.” In yet another surprise of the day, his lady’s voice gave the whole situation a welcome interruption.

Though he fought the need to appear as if he were running to her, he ran over to her with Spike by his side. “Hello, baby, I didn’t know you were coming today, or I would have made sure I had an espresso maker delivered to my trailer.”

She barely gave him or Spike a glance, but with the fire in her eyes, he was sort of glad she wasn’t looking at him.

She stepped forward. “Edward what seems to be the trouble?”

In what could only be called a bizarre plot twist, Spike followed her.

“Miss Caine.” Edward held his hand out.

The second Cora lifted her sunglasses and crossed her arms without ever shaking the man’s hand, Ryder decided whatever she wanted he would give her. Of course the only issue was, he had nothing to give her she couldn’t buy herself except that script she loved.

“What’s going on?” She huffed and looked down at the dog who was now lying on her shoe.

Ryder knew that huff. It was the huff of the person taking too long to answer, and she had to repeat herself, but ask the question in a different way huff.

“I believe we had a little misunderstanding about the
Hollywood Stardom
script. All the actors were to turn them in and Ryder’s is missing.” Edward smiled, but it wasn’t the fake smile of a seasoned actor, this smile was just a mess.

At last, Cora turned to Ryder. A quick movement that simply let him know she wasn’t pleased.

If he was tense from the dog, the thugs that Cora could have easily run into if she were only a few minutes earlier, and his issues with Edward, Cora’s look was the cherry on the sundae of crap, the straw that wanted to break his back. Hell, that look was the anvil falling on his head.

She returned her attention to Edward. “I personally asked for the script, and it’s in my possession. I’m sure there’s no problem with that, is there?”

“No ma’am,” Edward whispered.

His co-stars, Madeline, the cameramen and Viktor all gathered around. This was all Ryder needed, a performance before the performance.

“Good. I’m sure Ryder just forgot to tell you I asked for it.” She slid her foot away from Spike, but the dog scooted over and resumed his position.

Edward crossed his arms and leaned back on his heels. “I understand how things are going to work.”

Ryder straightened up. He wasn’t sure if Cora caught this man’s inflection, but he did, and no one, absolutely no one would talk to her that way.

As if sensing the fact, he was about to take this man down she swiped her arm out, stopping him. “Pardon me.” She and Spike stepped toward Edward. “You understand how things are going to work? Unless that is code for something on set that I’m not privy to, I think we have a definite problem here.”

“I wasn’t using any code.” Edward lifted his chin.

One of the girls gasped, maybe they all did. Everyone definitely held their collective breath.

Everyone but Cora.

His girl licked her lips as if she were ready to go in for the kill.

“Excuse me for one moment.” She turned on her heel and stomped away. “Logan, Ryder, Viktor, come with me.”

The three of them practically tripped over each other, following her away from the gathered crowd.

Spike came up behind all of them and resumed his position on Cora’s shoe.

She cleared her throat, looked down at Spike and shook her head before pointing at Logan. “Can you and Ryder direct this film without it getting in the way of your acting?”

“Yes.” The corners of Logan’s mouth twitched as he held back a smile.

Ryder fought the need to start cheering and do that dance football players made when they scored a touchdown. Instead, he waited for her to ask him.

“Fine.” She went to walk away, but he caught her arm.

“Aren’t you going to ask me?” All he really wanted to do was pull her in for a kiss.

Her answer came in her narrowing her eyes.

“I can direct. I would love to direct. Logan and I did Starburst.” He went to kiss her.

“We need to talk.” She pushed him back and stomped right back to Edward.

Now Ryder understood exactly why girls hated when guys said those words. With his chest tight from all the back and forth garbage, he stayed at Cora’s heels. Spike had the right idea, as he was about ready to curl up on her shoe as well.

“Mr. Andrews, the
Hollywood Stardust
franchise is extremely important to the studio. Part of what makes these movies special is the interplay between these actors who have known each other for over two decades. I cannot have anyone disrupt that, least of all the director. Therefore, although this is sudden, we have decided to release you from you contract.” She tilted her head in Viktor’s direction.

Edward turned positively pale. “Miss Caine.”

“Viktor will escort you back to the offices to finalize things and remind you of certain key elements you signed in your contract, including my right to make this decision.” As if to prove her power, and there really was no need, she paused. “That’s how this is going to work.”

Viktor motioned for Edward and the men walked away.

A silence, better than one in a horror movie, overtook the area.

Once more, his woman proved to be the ultimate professional. “I want everyone to listen up,” she said. This movie is important, not only to the studio and the actors, and everyone involved, but most importantly, to the fans. Everyone take a break and after lunch Logan and Ryder will get you started.”

He listened to Cora. Screw Ultracom, this woman needed to be CEO of the world. No one ever defended him like that. No one. Not even his own father.

With the bombs she dropped, she nodded and once more walked away with Spike as her sentry.

Unsure if he should wait for her summons or go after her, he chose what any good hero would do and dashed her way. If nothing else, he had to find out what she meant when she said they had to talk. He caught her by the arm. “Let’s go to the trailer and celebrate your greatness.” With the dreadful director out of the way, maybe he could mention his movie and hit a home run all before lunch.

“That wasn’t greatness that was a disaster, there’s a difference.” Jaw jutted out, she shook her head, and continued marching away.