“I’m going to get drunk and laid, and I don’t care in which order. You should invite your brother and your friend.”
Cara laughed. “Neither one of them is in Atlanta. Is it really that wild?”
“Not every time. Wrap parties are different. Sometimes, it’s practically a bacchanalia. Other times, some pretentious ass wants to make a bunch of speeches. This one should be fun. Lia probably won’t stay long. Victor always makes her leave early.”
“I saw him with her yesterday. He seems a little…”
Skye’s face became stony. “Victor is the worst kind of agent. He got his hands on Lia when she was young and has been running her ever since. I don’t know why she doesn’t leave him. She could get representation anywhere. She’s really talented! Once when she was in the chair, she made a comment about signing a contract when she was young and dumb, but clammed up when I asked what she meant.”
Cara frowned, but the time for conversation was over as they reached the set and were surrounded by people. She watched Lia that afternoon between scenes. Cara had noticed before that Lia had a serene, natural elegance to her, but until today, Cara hadn’t been able to put her finger on what seemed off about the woman. After last night, Cara recognized the hunted expression on Lia’s face.
It wasn’t until they were pulling out of the parking lot that Cara realized she wouldn’t be coming back to this place. She had only worked at Peachtree Pictures for a short time, but it felt a lot longer.
“What are you wearing tomorrow night? Your yellow dress is nice, but I think you need more party than pretty.”
“No, thanks.” Cara chuckled. “I’m not going, but I hope you have a fantastic time.”
Skye turned to her, openmouthed. “I’m sorry, what? You have to go! We are going to be drunk monkeys and make fools of ourselves.”
“Watch the road! I’m not in a party mood, and besides, we have a flight the next day for my mom’s wedding.”
“Boo! That’s not a good enough excuse. At least, think about it? One last night, pretty please!”
“Are you dying? It’s not one last night. We will see each other when I get back from Italy.” Cara didn’t want to explain that she didn’t think she could fake being carefree for a party.
“But we won’t work together anymore,” Skye whined. “I’ll come over. We can get ready together! Please, please, please. Tell Wes he has to look normal, not athletic pants and a T-shirt!”
A pinching had started between Cara’s eyes at the enormity of everything going on around her. “Why would Wes go?”
“He works with the production, duh. I’ll be at your place at seven? I’ll bring the refreshments.”
Cara tried to open the car door, but Skye pushed the button to turn on the child locks. “Are you serious?”
“Say yes, or I’m keeping you in my car forever. We’ll live here. We’ll only eat at drive-throughs, and be known as the car babes…”
Cara held up her hands. “I surrender! I’ll go, but I’m not staying late.”
Skye unlocked the door and smiled sweetly. “I knew you wanted to go.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT
After Skye pickedup Cara that morning, Wes took a quick shower and grabbed a protein bar before getting back to work. He wished he’d had more information to give her that morning, but so far, he’d hit mostly dead ends.
Accessing the manufacturer’s database, he could see the burner phone she received was part of a lot sent to Atlanta, which wasn’t a tremendous shock. Wes was still narrowing down which specific store sold the phone. He brewed a fresh pot of coffee and texted Jin to call as soon as he was up.
Jin arrived half an hour later, his computer and cables tucked under his arm.
“You can’t do this.” His friend’s dark eyes flashed angrily. “You just met this girl and now you’re going to break the law for her? Risk everything you’ve…” Jin gestured with one finger between Wes and then back to himself. “Whatwe’vebuilt? There isn’t going to be a miracle plea offer this time, Wes. You could go to prison!”
Wes’s jaw flexed. “I’m going to do this. I’m not asking you to do anything illegal. I just need help if Cara ends up splashed across the internet again. She was in her own fucking bedroom!” His hand shook as anger coursed through him again.
“Damn.” Jin stared at him intently. “I’d do the same for Nina. Let’s get started. Have you tracked the phone yet?”
“I don’t want you to be a part of that.” This was his fight. Jin had a family.
“For a computer genius, you are remarkably stupid,” Nina said from the door, her son bright-eyed in a front carrier. She had an alarming amount of baby equipment hooked over her arms and dangling from her hands.
“Please, make yourself at home.”
