A Hollywood Deal (Ryder & Paige 1)

“I know you trusted her, and so did I. But we all know loyalty doesn’t last in Hollywood.”

With that parting remark, Mira leaves.

Hollywood is cutthroat, but I just can’t believe that Paige is like that. Anger bubbles inside me, and I can’t decide what I hate more—the fact that I wanted Paige to be honest or that I let my guard down, only to get kicked in the face.

Chapter Thirty

Paige

Ryder seems to have disappeared, but Mira does a good job of getting rid of the remaining guests. I stand next to her and say goodbye, thanking them for coming.

Even as everyone nods graciously, there are whispers all around, making the air vibrate with barely hushed anticipation. I don’t know what it’s about, but from the way their eyes keep turning my way, I know I’m involved somehow.

Are they still speculating about my dance with Anthony?

If so, there’s nothing more to see. That was a mistake I won’t be making again. Mira’s all smiles, but I sense fury behind her overly smooth and sweet tone. Most wouldn’t notice, but I’ve come to know her moods.

It feels like she’s upset with me, although I can’t figure out why. Yes, I screwed up with Anthony, but it’s not like her to hold a grudge over something like that, especially after I apologized and assured her it wouldn’t happen again.

Once it’s just the two of us, I turn to her. “What happened to Ryder? Is he feeling all right?”

“I don’t know. Should he be?”

I scrap my teeth over my lower lip, unsure at her tight voice. “If he’s still upset about Anthony, I’m sorry. I’ll talk to him and make sure he knows it won’t happen again.”

With a snake-like speed I don’t expect, she grabs my upper arm. “Come here.” Mira drags me to a sitting room, away from the catering staff and housekeeping. She shuts the door with her foot and pulls out her phone.

“Tell me this isn’t you.”

She shoves it at me, and I take it and watch in puzzlement. It’s some kind of video, not the best quality. The lighting is poor, just one small lamp on a nightstand…a man and a woman are on the bed.

Then I hear the moans, and I can make out the people. My face flames when I recognize Shaun’s ass flexing on the screen. The lion tat is unmistakable. He shifts, and I can see a golden head over his shoulder. The hair’s spread out, and the woman’s face is half-turned away from the camera, but—

It’s me.

Bile rises in my belly to my throat, and I snap my mouth shut so I don’t throw up all over the place. I have no idea how Shaun filmed it without me noticing, but given the poor video quality, it was done with a cheap, small camera. From the angle it must have been in his closet, probably hidden under some clothes.

“How did you get this?” Panic clenches around my heart. I have a pretty good idea, but I want to know for sure.

“It’s all over the news and social media.”

“Oh my god… Ohmygod!”

I half-shriek and fan myself, pacing around uncontrollably. My face is so hot I feel like I’m about to combust with shame and humiliation. Mom and Simon…everyone will see this. Tears sting my eyes, and I hand the phone back to Mira.

“What do I do?” I ask.

She crosses her arms. “Why are you asking my advice? Isn’t this what you wanted?”

My jaw slackens. “Are you crazy? That’s the last thing I want. I’m going to be… I can’t even…”

“It’s free publicity. Not a bad way to start, especially with you planning an exclusive with Derek.”

That makes me stare at her. “I agreed to an interview, not to plaster my naked ass all over creation! And I didn’t make that video. Shaun must’ve done it.”

“Why?”

“He has an ego problem, which I didn’t realize until I started dating him. He thinks he’s god’s gift to the world. So who knows? Maybe he wanted to do it to show off. Maybe he wanted a memento of our time together. Maybe he beats off to it. I don’t know.”