Chapter Twelve

Laura

"Where are you?" Roni demands, panic in her voice.

"I'm at the studio. Why?" I ask, yawning into the phone. Today is my last major scene, a mall scene with Abel. Once it's finished, I just have a few minor scenes left over the next two days, and then we're finished. It's bittersweet.

"Is Kaiden with you?"

"Yes," I say, glancing over at him. He's a few feet away, talking to Jackson Reed and the assistant director about something involving stunts or stunt coordination or training. I'm not sure. I wasn't really paying attention, but Jackson's daughter, Cam, is with them, soaking in everything they say. She's an adorable girl. She and Hailey look tiny next to Kaiden and Jackson.

Filming ran late last night, and everyone is tired. Kaiden and I played hooky this morning and stayed in bed. After I woke up sick again yesterday, Kaiden ran out and bought ginger ale and fifty different kinds of crackers. They seem to have helped today. I didn't wake up throwing up, at least. I'm just ridiculously tired. I barely got here in time to get into hair and makeup.

Now, Abel is MIA. Luca is ready to blow a gasket because we can't start this scene without him.

"Shit. I was hoping he wasn't there," Roni mutters.

"Why? What happened?" I ask, instantly on alert.

Kaiden peeks over, checking on me.

I give him a tight smile, not wanting to alarm him. He worries about me enough as it is. The more I think about it, the less I like the thought of taking on an action movie when I'm pregnant. I haven't talked to him about it yet, but I think I'm going to turn down the role if they offer it to me. There will be other opportunities, but I'll never forgive myself if something happens to the baby because I'm pushing myself beyond my limits every day just to prove to the world that I can.

"There's an army of reporters waiting for him outside the studio," Roni says quietly.

"Word is out?" I guess, nervous energy humming through me. I'm ready for the world to know about him. But I'm anxious as hell about how people treat him.

Scarlett told me what happened while Abel and I were filming our scene the day before yesterday. I hate that Kaiden had to hear such vile, disgusting gossip. He won't have to listen to it from Loraine Templeton again. I may not be able to keep people from talking, but I can damn sure keep them away from Kaiden. She and her hateful little friend have been banished from the set. I've never thrown my weight or my name around, but I'll do it a thousand times if that's what it takes to make it clear that people like that aren't welcome anywhere near us.

When I told Kaiden that, he just shook his head and called me his fierce little star. And then he kissed me until I forgot I was mad at him for not telling me what happened. He makes it very hard to stay angry. We make quite the pair, always trying to protect one another. But that's what you do for the people you love, isn't it? You protect them. You fight for them. You put them first. He'll always come first to me. If I have to take on every petty Betty and gossip magazine in this town, then that's just what I'll do.

"Not exactly," Roni says. "There are murmurs, but that's not why they're out there."

"Then why?" I demand.

"Damen Montero and his sister, Marissya, released a joint statement about two hours ago, Laura. Everyone knows what really happened to Kaiden."

The breath leaves my lungs in a strangled rush, shock surging through me. Oh, my god. I cut my eyes in Kaiden's direction, only to find him scowling at something in the distance, utterly oblivious to what's happening over here.

"This is bad," I hiss at Roni. "You have to get them out of here!"

"You know I can't do that, honey," she says gently. "This is big news. Wild horses won't drag them away until they get a statement from Kaiden or find a bigger story to run with."

She's right. I know she is. But crap. What was Damen thinking? Why did he pick now of all times to come forward with the truth? Kaiden barely has one toe out the door, and now….

"Holy shit," I whisper, realization hitting me with all the force of a hammer blow. Damen didn't pick now to come forward with the truth. Kaiden did. He orchestrated this. I don't know how or when, but this is his doing. The secret he's carried for all these years is finally out. He revealed it. But why?

I don't get the chance to ask.

A loud clatter echoes around the studio.

"My bad," Abel slurs, weaving his way toward the main set, his Santa suit practically falling off him. His beard is crooked, the belly peeping from the bottom of the coat. He attempts to right the camera stand he knocks over, only to send a balloon light toppling.

Jackson murmurs something to Hailey and then quickly takes his daughter's hand and leads her away.

"I'll call you back," I murmur to Roni, quickly disconnecting and shoving the phone into my pocket. I can only deal with one crisis at a time, and right now, the train wreck in front of me takes priority. What in the world is Abel thinking?

As he draws closer, I catch a whiff of him, and the question answers itself. I'm pretty sure his blood is pure alcohol at this point. He reeks of it. My stomach rebels at the strong smell, nausea climbing up my throat. I quickly stop breathing, praying he passes by me quickly.

I'm not that lucky.

He stops right beside my chair, grinning at me.

"You ready to work, beautiful?" he asks, his eyes bloodshot. Even then, I see the pain in them. The liquor dulled it, but it didn't kill it. Whatever drove him to this state is killing him.

"Get the fuck away from her," Kaiden snarls, appearing at my side. My gentle giant is gone, replaced with a possessive, territorial beast. His fierce expression screams danger, his eyes shooting off sparks.

I place my hand over his, silently trying to calm him down.

Abel flicks a baleful look in his direction, as if Kaiden is entirely beneath him. And for the first time this week, I find myself disappointed in Abel. Maybe this is the man he was before he came here, but this isn't the actor I've been working with all week. This isn't the Abel Clarke who has been chasing his PA around the set with stars in his eyes. This Abel Clarke…well, I don't like him much.

"Don't think I was talking to you," Abel slurs.

A menacing growl rumbles from Kaiden.

Oh, jeez. This is bad.

I jump up from my chair, getting between the two of them before this turns into a full-fledged fight. The last thing either of them needs right now is for the press to find out they almost came to blows because Abel is drunk and being a jerk.

I glance around for help, only to sigh in relief when I see Luca storming across the set in our direction, cold fury stamped across his face. Luca is an incredible director and a good man. But he does not tolerate bullshit, especially on his sets. Some people think he's a bit of a tyrant, but I don't think that's true at all. I haven't known him long, but I've seen how kind he can be.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing, Clarke?" Luca growls, his voice deadly quiet. I don't think it's intentional. I think he's just that pissed.

"Came to work," Abel says, patting his belly like he really is Santa Claus. "We have a scene to film."

"Jesus fucking Christ." Luca pinches the bridge of his nose.

Hailey steps into the fray as if sensing trouble. She's far calmer than Luca. The two of them put their heads together, conversing quietly. I can't hear what they say, but they're obviously talking about Abel, trying to decide what to do with him. We have to finish this scene today. But I don't think he's in any condition to do it.

Kaiden keeps one eye on me and one on him, still bristling.

"I'm fine," I whisper.

He grunts but doesn't say anything.

"Abel, can you hold it together long enough to get through this damn scene?" Luca growls, spearing our unraveling actor with a severe look.

"I'm fucking fine," Abel snaps.

No one believes him. I don't even think he believes himself.

Luca and Hailey share a look, and then Luca curses and looks at me.

Kaiden stirs uneasily.

"We can do it," I say quickly, forestalling whatever argument he's about to make. I just want to get through this scene. Preferably sooner rather than later. Because we have a whole other situation to deal with as soon as we're finished dealing with this one.

"Let's do it then," Luca says, sounding resigned.

"About fucking time," Abel mutters, stumbling toward the set. He trips over a cable guard and nearly falls on his face.

Thank God he'll be sitting on Santa's throne for most of this scene because this is already shaping up to be a disaster.

"And what do you want for Christmas?" Abel slurs, looking at me through bleary eyes. "A ride on Santa's— Oh, shit." Abel reaches out to pull me into his lap and misses, falling face-first off his throne.

I jump back, barely avoiding being dragged down to the floor with him.

"Cut!" Luca yells in disgust from off-sides.

The cameras stop rolling. The lights come up.

Luca stomps onto the set in a fury.

"What the fuck are you playing at, Clarke?" he practically hisses at Abel, his face flushed with anger.

"You've got your tasty bit on the side. What do you care?" Abel tips his chin toward Audrey, who is standing off to the side. She hears him and goes rigid in shock, her face paling.

Oh, Abel. What are you doing?

I don't know what's gotten into him, but this is horrible!

Luca shudders in rage, moving so fast that I barely have time to process what's happening. His fist connects with Abel's jaw in a solid uppercut. Abel's head snaps back, the sound of bone on bone chilling.

Abel roars in rage and lunges at Luca, fists flying.

I gape at them; my feet rooted to the spot as a cry goes up from the crew, and several of them rush forward from the edges of the set.

I cry out, falling backward as Abel collides with me, knocking me off balance. My arms windmill wildly as I grab for something to keep me upright. My fingers close around a piece of holly, ripping it from Santa's throne. It does nothing to stop my momentum.

But I don't hit the ground.

Kaiden's arms close around me, his bellow of rage echoing from the rafters as he drags me up against his chest.

"She's fucking pregnant!"

Silence falls across the studio. Luca and Abel freeze. For a moment, action just…stops.

"Jesus," Luca whispers then, shoving Abel away from him in disgust. His lip is split and bleeding. His hair is a mess. His shirt is torn. He looks awful.

I don't get a chance to see Abel or what condition he's in.

"She's not stepping another goddamn foot on this set until he's sober," Kaiden snarls to Luca. "Get him under control, or she isn't finishing this scene." He doesn't wait for Luca's response. He storms from the set with me in his arms, his body rigid with tension. And even though he's furious, he still holds me like I'm the most precious thing in the world.

I burst into tears as soon as we make it through the throng of onlookers and crew members.

"Shh, princess," he whispers. "It's okay. I've got you."