Jane Millionaire

“What?”

“You’re finished. Off the show.”

“You can’t do that.”

“I don’t have to. You’ve already been voted off.” He turned to the cameraman who’d stopped him from creating a liable situation. “Make sure he sticks around long enough for tonight’s taping and then escort him off the premises to where the other bachelors are being detained. I don’t want him left alone. Remind him of the contract he signed in regards to what his liabilities are should he discuss any of the events he’s participated in during his stint on Jane Millionaire.”

“You can’t do this,” the man repeated.

With barely contained anger, Rob faced the man once more, ignoring his words. “If you ever have the misfortune to cross my path again, run. Because I intend to crack a few knuckles beating your face in.”

# # #

“How the hell did that happen?” JP sank onto the settee in Rob’s suite. When the crew had told him what had occurred he’d almost had a heart attack. How would they have finished filming if something happened to Jane?

“Because casting did a crappy job selecting bachelors. The man is a walking disaster.” Rob pulled a dry T-shirt over his just shampooed head.

JP experienced a moment’s envy at the rippled abs Rob covered, abs similar to the ones JP had once sported himself. Growing old really was the pits. Now, his stomach looked more like the proverbial beer gut. Maybe he’d hire a personal trainer when he got back to California. A young, frisky, female trainer to whip him into shape.

JP blinked, pulling himself back to the conversation. “What happened at the lake was an accident.”

“An accident caused by the irresponsibility of one of the bachelors. He risked Ji-ane’s life unnecessarily. He’s to be removed from the castle as soon as taping is finished. Otherwise, I’m not liable for my actions.”

JP stared at the angle of Rob’s clenched jaw as he studied Rob’s slip up of her name. When he’d watched the film of Jane’s rescue, Rob had called her Jill. And kissed her.

He leaned back, reached for a cigar, and frowned when he came up empty handed. Damn, he’d snuck a smoke after he’d approved the clippings to be aired with the segment they’d record tonight booting #4.

“You know,” he drawled. “It’s a shame you aren’t one of the bachelors. The crew caught your rescue. It would have made some great footage. Handsome bachelor risks life and limb to save the star of the show.”

Rob’s chest rose and fell in swift succession. “That footage needs to be destroyed. I don’t ever want to see it or think of this afternoon again. This isn’t some show about getting your jollies off of fear.”

Did the boy realize how transparent he was? He’d never seen Rob so smitten by a woman. And the poor lad had been ga-ga over Mandy before her shine had started to fade and the real witch beneath her gilded surface came through. Yep, Jane had Rob by the ole royal jewels.

“Quite humorous that our pretend princess gets rescued by Prince Charming, but he isn’t one of the eligible bachelors she’s allowed to chose from, wouldn’t you say?”

“I don’t see a thing funny about any of this.”

No, JP imagi

ned he didn’t. “Cause you’re looking at it from the wrong perspective.”

“Ji-ane almost died this afternoon. No matter how I look at it, I’m not going to see a humorous side.”

So transparent.

“So, we’ll film the show and Bachelor #4 leaves immediately following. That should work well enough.” JP nodded, considering how far to push. Much further than he had up to this point. “Kensington is with Jane. He put a couple of stitches in the cut on her head. Says she has a light concussion but will be fine as long as she doesn’t over do it for a few days.”

Rob’s face pinched at the news Kensington was with Jane. A tic twitched along his jaw.

JP almost laughed. And just to think, the boy had once been a successful actor. “Too bad we won’t be using any of the footage of her rescue since the two of them cozily playing doctor would have heated up the airwaves.”

“Isn’t it though?”

“Fortunately the gash is easily hidden beneath her hair. Kensington was able to keep from making a gap. Only had to snip a few strands.” JP stifled his mirth. Barely. “The man is really good with his hands.”

Rob stuffed his hands into his jean pockets and let out an exasperated breath. “Don’t you have something you need to be doing? Possibly finishing up whatever was so important I had to take your place today?”

“Aren’t you glad you did? I could never have pulled Jane from the water and we both know it.”