Relentless (Option Zero 2)

Without conscious thought, she lifted her feet from the floor. “That’s terrible.”

“I know. It just hit the news, but I heard about it before that. My stylist’s sister is married to his masseuse. He was the one who found him.”

“That’s just awful.”

She refused to think about what this would do to her own project. A life had ended. From what she could remember, Medford was divorced but had several grown children and a couple of grandchildren.

He was…had been an exceptionally talented producer, and she had looked forward to ironing out their differences and working with him.

“I know that puts a crimp in your plans for your next project.”

“It’ll put me behind, but I’ll find a backer.”

“You know that Daddy would do it in a heartbeat.”

“No, don’t even go there, Becca. Uncle Syd has done more than enough for me.”

Her cousin knew the gist of what had happened to her in Paris and Syria, but not the gory details. Becca would have blamed herself for not being there with her, and Aubrey didn’t want that in her head.

Her uncle Syd had paid her ransom. Without him, there was no telling where she’d be now. She already owed him her life; she refused to take anything else from him. As an Oscar-winning film director, Syd Green commanded well-deserved respect and influence. However, having him open doors for her went against every promise she’d made to herself.

Becca released a dramatic sigh. “All right. I’ll stop haranguing you about that, but I do have a small favor to ask.”

“What’s that?”

“Go to a party with me?”

“What kind of party?”

Becca wasn’t one to live on the wild side that some Hollywood stars were known for, so Aubrey wasn’t too concerned, but being around a bunch of pretty people wasn’t Aubrey’s idea of fun either.

“It’s a preproduction party for Feathers.”

Based on the book of the same name, by bestselling author, Maggie Rhodes, the movie was one of the most-talked-about projects in Hollywood this year. It was also Becca Green’s first starring role—and one that would make her a star.

“What about Chad?” Aubrey said. “Isn’t he available?”

“We decided to go our separate ways.”

“Oh, Becca, I’m sorry. When did that happen?”

“Last night.”

Becca and Aubrey were total opposites when it came to dating. Becca fell in and out of love every few months. After the inevitable breakup, she would be blue for a couple of weeks and then move on. Aubrey, on the other hand, was in love with a man she’d never met, who was no longer alive. Why else would he haunt her dreams?

Becca gave another long, dramatic sigh, reminding Aubrey of her responsibility as a cousin and best friend.

“Come over tonight and let’s do a girl thing. I’ll order takeout.”

“That sounds wonderful. I’ll bring the wine and dessert. We’ll have an old-fashioned sleepover the way we used to, Kat.”

Becca was the only person who still occasionally called her Kat. In her heart, that had been Lion’s name for her. It was an intimacy she wanted to share with no one else. Besides, when she’d returned from Syria she had been a different person. A different name only made sense. Using her middle name had been an easy transition.

Her family had gone along with the name change, wanting nothing more than to let her put everything that had happened behind her.

“But what about the party? Will you go with me? Please…pretty please?”

She had hoped to return home to Florida tomorrow, but now that she would likely need to meet with other prospective investors, that would have to wait. Still, attending a glitzy party held no appeal.