Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
“Who the hell are you?” a gruff man greeted him.
He felt her peek around his body, pushing him slightly to the side. Kole yielded to her silent request and turned to give her room to see the man who opened the door. “It’s me, Gabriela, Seymour. This is my…”
Knowing she struggled with how to introduce him, Kole filled in, “I’m Kole with Guards, Inc., a security company.”
“What? You’ve gotten a bodyguard? Come in, Gabriela, and tell us what’s happening.”
Kole was pleased to see his aggressive demeanor disappear as the weather-honed man stepped back to usher them inside. Kole scanned the room, finding two other men inside. Both polished and well dressed, he assessed they wouldn’t get their hands dirty to harm her. Stepping forward, Kole beckoned Gabriela inside.
“Sorry, Seymour. I should have texted.”
“Come talk to us. We’re glad to see you and curious about this big muscle guy,” he said, eyeing Kole’s biceps.
Kole pulled out a chair for her at the table. With her seated, he stepped back into the shadows to wait and watch.
“I’ve had some break-ins at home, an aggressive man in person, and Kole found trackers placed on my car. My agent felt I needed some protection. This is Kole Jeffers,” Gabby explained.
“Good for her. We want you safe.”
Kole recognized the man speaking. He was renowned for funding high-grossing films. Everyone wanted the funds that Theodore Stevens could offer. The prestige of obtaining his funding was like winning the lottery in the moviemaking business.
“Thank you, Mr. Stevens,” Gabby said with a genuine smile. Kole could tell she liked him.
“We’ve got a problem,” Theodore stated bluntly.
“I’m sure I can master the part,” she rushed to assure him as her body stiffened in alarm.
“You are not the problem,” the third man spoke.
Kole saw her shoulders relax a bit before she asked, “What’s the problem?”
“Your character is completely believable. You shine in your scenes as a Little. I, however, look like a stiff idiot,” the third man admitted.
Controlling his expression with the ease from years of practice, Kole caught on immediately. This was the leading man. The actor hired to make the dominant role in the spicy novel come to life. Kole had met a lot of Daddies through the years. This guy didn’t scream Daddy from his demeanor. He didn’t even whisper it.
“I don’t understand, Isaac,” Gabby said quickly. “Is there something I can do to help?”
“Infuse a Daddy personality in me. I need to study someone who is actively participating in the role,” Isaac stated.
A muscle in Kole’s jaw twitched as he controlled his smile of amusement. That might work if he had the correct mentor. The man was an actor. A good one based on the success of his films.
“We’ve got a guy arriving after your flight. Be prepared for him to interrupt filming—especially in the beginning as he gives Isaac pointers. We’ll start filming in the morning. Be in makeup at six,” Seymour requested.
“Will do.” Gabby stood and turned to look at Kole. He could see the wheels in her head spinning as she processed all the information she’d just gotten.
He followed her outside and allowed her to lead the way toward her trailer as he scanned the area. There were a lot of people on the set today. It appeared they were assembling sets for the filming tomorrow. Gabby moved easily past employees, greeting most by name. The smiling responses clued him in that she was well-liked. He, however, got some strange looks. When they reached her trailer, Kole stepped ahead and held his hand out for the key.
“Kole. I’m sorry. My head’s so topsy-turvy, I didn’t introduce you to everyone,” she said quickly.
“No problem, Gabby. I’m here to keep you safe, not make friends. The key?”
“What do you think…” Her voice slammed to a stop, and she looked around to make sure no one was listening. After handing him her key, she followed him into her trailer.
“Kole! Someone was in here. The suitcases have been moved.”
CHAPTER 5
As small as the trailer was, Kole could virtually see the entire space after climbing the stairs. It was easy to spot what had alerted her. His duffle bag was now sitting on the table. Her suitcases were moved slightly from the position next to the couch to more in the center of the walk space. He moved past her to look in the bathroom and check the small closet. “It’s clear now. Who else would have your keys?”
“Virtually anyone. This is the studio’s trailer. There have been dozens of actors living in this one over the years. I doubt if they ever change the locks,” she said, stroking her hand through her hair. She could feel herself trembling.
“PupPup!” she cried and ran forward as she noticed the zipper on one suitcase wasn’t quite closed.
After desperately pushing things away to make room to lay the suitcase down, she toppled it over and opened it completely. Gabriela wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back to sit on her heels. Her stuffie. He was gone. She’d known immediately that he was missing.