I pulled up to the temporary security gate and smiled at the young gentleman who walked up to the car. “Hi, my name is Brighton Rogers…er, I mean, Brighton Morrison. I’m a guest of—”
“Mr. Walters. Yes, he told us he was expecting you. His assistant isn’t here yet to escort you in—looks like you’re a bit early.”
I looked for Hank on the other side of the gate. “Should I wait?”
The young man shook his head. “No, I’ll call him and let him know you’re here. Follow this road, and you’ll see a parking area on the left. Once you park, head on over to the tent that’s set up. There are drinks and food if you’re hungry. I’ll have him meet you there.”
Smiling, I replied, “Thank you so much.”
He waved at me as I pulled in and followed the road to the parking lot. I got out of my car and took a look around. People were everywhere. Directly in front of me were at least ten trailers. I wondered if one of them was Luke’s. I looked to the left and spotted the tent. I started to make my way there when a young woman with blonde hair holding a little dog came up to me.
“Ms. Rogers?”
I stopped. “Yes?”
“Hi, my name’s Lanny. Hank asked me to let you know that Luke is in his trailer, and I should bring you there.”
“Oh,” I said with a smile. “Okay.”
I had to admit, I was excited to see Luke’s trailer.
“Follow me, please.”
I did as she asked. We walked in silence for a bit until I said, “Is that your dog?”
She looked at the little dog and laughed. “No. This is Sweet Pea. She belongs to Kathleen Daughtry.”
I tried not to gag at the mention of her name. “And are you pet sitting for her?”
The woman looked at me, and for a moment, I had the feeling she wanted to say something she wasn’t supposed to. Instead, she plastered on a fake smile and nodded. “Yes. I’m her assistant. Pet sitting is one of the many things I do for Kathleen.”
“Lucky you,” I said under my breath.
We came to a stop at a trailer, and a rush of pride hit me when I saw Luke’s name on the door. “Here it is,” she said. “I’ll let you show yourself in.”
“Thank you, Lanny. It was nice meeting you.”
She paused for a moment, looked at the door, then back to me. “Wait…”
I had walked up the two steps to the door, but stopped when she spoke. “Yes?”
Her eyes darted from me to the door. She let out a defeated sigh and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
I frowned. “For what?”
Without answering, she turned and walked away.
Staring at her as she retreated, I shook my head and whispered, “No wonder he wants to leave.”
I opened the trailer door and stepped inside. It looked like a typical RV trailer with a small kitchen area, a sofa, a table, and in the front were two chairs and a large TV screen.
“I’m back here, darling.”
The voice from the other end of the RV caused me to freeze. I slowly turned to see a door cracked open slightly.
“Luke? Darling? Is that you? I’m waiting.”
I balled my fists, anger pulsing through my body like someone had injected it straight into my blood.
That. Bitch.
I started for the back of the RV. When I got to the door, I pushed it open—and gasped at what I saw.
A very naked Kathleen Daughtry was lying across the bed, a glass of wine in her hand. For an award-winning actress, she sure sucked at acting surprised.
“Oh my God! Who are you and what are you doing in here?”
I pulled out my phone and took a picture before I folded my arms across my chest and gave her body a clinical study of the eye. “I’m Luke’s wife, and thanks for the blackmail photo.”
Her mouth dropped open, and this time the bitch really was surprised. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
With a tilt of my head, I asked, “Do you honestly think I’m stupid enough to fall for this little stunt?”
This time her eyes went wide with horror. “I beg your pardon?”
“This little show. Honestly, this is some terrible acting on your part.”
Okay, it was a bitch thing to say, but honestly. The whole scene was ridiculous.
She scrambled off the bed and reached for a robe. “How dare you! I’ll have you know I’ve been nominated for an Oscar.”
I shrugged. “Really? I hadn’t known that.”
Gasping, she set the glass of wine down on the small table next to the head of the bed. She pulled on the robe with angry, jerky movements. “You’re not the least bit concerned I’m in Luke’s trailer? Naked?”
I looked her over one more time. “No. Do you know why?”
The woman shook her head.
Holding up my left ring finger, I showed off the tied piece of paper. “Because he’s mine—and I trust him.”