I lunged for it, but a foot shot out from nowhere, sending me sprawling. 1 crashed hard onto the scorching hot concrete. My head slammed against a loose brick, and a starburst of pain exploded behind my eyes, momentarily clouding my vision with a red haze.
But there was no time for pain. Í scrambled on my hands and knees toward the trash can. My fingers were just about to brush the grimy rim when two crew members grabbed me, pinning my arms behind my back.
H
“Who do you think you are?” one of them grunted. “You really believe that story about him being the producer’s son? Even if you
want to be a hero, you should see if the star is buying your act first!”
With the situation spiraling, Trev
finally sauntered over, his expression one of undisguised disgust. “Leah, have you made enough
of a scene? You can put on this show all day, but Damian Blackwood won’t give you a damn thing for it!”
M
His stupidity was so profound it made me tremble with rage. Brett Blackwood was the producer’s son. If something happened to
him on set, did he really think the producer would just let it slide?
I pointed a shaking finger at the boy, whose face was now a deep, alarming shade of purple. “Are you blind?” I shrieked at Trevor.
Brett is dying! If he dies, every single one of us on this set is going down with him!”
“Going down?” Victoria laughed as if I’d told the funniest joke in the world. “Why
ever heard him mention a son!”
”
would we? I’ve known Damian for years. I’ve never,
iglanced over my shoulder and saw the nanny frantically dialing her phone. She was calling 911. I just had to hold on a little longer.
But just then, someone with sharp eyes spotted her. “Hey! What is she doing on her phone? Is she taking pictures to post online?!”
in an instant, a group of them swarmed the small woman. They claimed they
assault.
nore
“searching” her, but it was a thinly veiled
“Stop it! What is wrong with you people?” I struggled to break free, but Victoria pointed a finger right at me.
“She’s been defending that little parasite from the start! They’re in it together! Search her! I bet she’s got photos on her phone, too!”
A cold dread washed over me. She was right. I had taken a video, evidence for later. They couldn’t find it.
I immediately took a few steps back, trying to create distance. “What do you think you’re doing? Don’t forget, I’m Trevor’s girlfriend!”
expression chillingly indifferent. “Girlfriend? I don’t have a girlfriend who
As if summoned by his name, Trevor stepped forward, his
betrays me like this.”
That was all the encouragement the crew needed. They advanced on me, their faces twisted into
menacing grins.
Just as their hands were about to grab me, the piercing wail of a siren cut through the air.
Help was here.
3
The ambulance screeched to a halt, and paramedics rushed out with their gear. “Where’s the patient?” one of them called out. Who’s having the asthma attack?”
Victoria immediately blocked their path. “You must have the wrong set. There’s no one with asthma here.”
15.09
Chapter 1
The paramedic’s face hardened. “What? No patient? Do you have any idea what a waste of emergency resources this is?”
She turned to leave. I lunged forward, desperate to stop her, but Trevor grabbed me from behind, his arms like iron bands around
my chest.
“Don’t go!” I screamed. “There is a patient!”
“Ma’am, please don’t listen to her,” Trevor said, putting on a show of weary exasperation. “We were having a fight. She called 911 to
be dramatic. You can go.” He shot a meaningful look at the cro
and a couple of them moved to obstruct the paramedics‘ path.
My one hope was about to walk away. I couldn’t let that happen.
With a surge of adrenaline, I drove my leg backward, my knee slamming squarely into Trevor’s groin.
He let out a strangled cry and his grip loosened. I broke free and grabbed the paramedic’s arm. “Ma’am, the patient is over there! He’s hanging from the wire harness! He has heatstroke and he’s having an asthma attack! Please, you have to save him!”
The paramedic followed my pointing finger, and her eyes widened in horror. “A child that small? Who would leave a child hanging in this heat?” But the wall of crew members stood firm, refusing to move. The paramedic was trapped on the outside, growing more agitated by the second.
