Rumor Has It: A Bad Boy Romantic Comedy (14 page)

“I can’t give you an interview.”

“Give us some details of the kidnapping. We won’t say it came from you. We’ll print it up as, ‘Sources close to Jamie Kelly tell us…’”

My mind flashed back to the basement. The restraints, the torture devices hanging on the walls, my kidnapper’s dull grey eyes- these details were too intimate to share with a tabloid. The wounds were still raw. I could barely talk about what happened out loud to Theo. No way was I going to confide in Harry Lovejoy. Then inspiration struck. My kidnapper had gone into hiding. Maybe I could draw him out? I knew he was obsessed with me. He probably read everything that was printed about me. This was my chance to lure him into the open.

“He was a tall, thin ugly man. He was weak,
pathetic
- in need of punishment…” I said. Harry exchanged a look with the woman. “Can you write that? Can you write that he was a weakling, a mama’s boy desperate for a strong woman to discipline him? Write that no woman would want him- not even his own mother- because he was so puny. He couldn’t even keep a skinny girl like me hostage. I managed to get the better of him and escape. What kind of pathetic man can’t even keep a wounded, tiny girl prisoner without being overpowered? It’s no wonder he has to kidnap women. No one would voluntarily spend time with a pathetic little boy like that. Also, write that law enforcement believes he suffers from serious sexual dysfunction, that he most likely has a micro-penis and is incapable of getting hard.”

The woman raised her eyebrows as if she was confused and shocked by my statements. Whatever they were expecting to get from me- this was not it. A smile slowly spread across Harry’s face. Understanding came to him.

“You’re trying to provoke him.” It wasn’t a question.

“Just print that,” I said. “Print it and you’ll get an even bigger story.”

“What?”

“Louis’s publicist was an accomplice to a kidnapping.”

Harry’s smile widened. He looked like a kid on Christmas morning.

With the wheels in motion, I turned to Shonda. “Let’s go.”

We walked out of the room and back upstairs.

“Are you sure about this?” Shonda asked as we got onto the elevator. “You’re putting a target on your back. This psycho will see it as an invitation to come and get you.”

“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. We’re going to end this.”

17

“I need Theo,” I said to Connor.

He pulled out his cell phone and handed it to me. I dialed Theo’s cell and listened to it ring and ring. It went to voicemail. I called back and left a message.

“Theo, it’s Jamie. Call me back as soon as you get this. It’s urgent.”

I paced around the hotel room like a caged tiger. My kidnapper couldn’t get to me at the hotel. There was too much security. He’d managed to sneak a note in with my room service, but that was as close as he’d ever come. Now that we had security all over the hotel on lookout for him, I doubted he’d return.

Was he smart enough to know to stay away? Maybe. It was hard to say. The one thing I was certain of was that Louis’s publicist was tipping him off. She must have had some way of getting into contact with him.

I snatched Connor’s phone out of his hand and called Theo. Again, it went to voicemail. I was losing patience.

“Theo! Come quick. I’m at the hotel. I need you. Please, hurry. I think-” I hung up the phone midsentence so it would sound as if I was in distress.

“What the hell was that about?” Connor asked. He grabbed his phone back.

“I need to talk to Theo. It’s important. I won’t be ignored any longer.”

Connor and Shonda exchanged a look I couldn’t quite interpret. “Maybe you should go lie down and take a nap,” Shonda said gently, as if she was talking to a crazy person. “I will wake you up when Theo gets here.”

“I’ve been asleep for too long. We’re going to catch this guy now.”

The hotel door flew open. Theo came in gun drawn.

“That was fast,” I said.

“I was on the way up when I got your message. Are you okay?” He looked around suspiciously.

“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

“I was on the line with someone when you called. Forgive me for not being at your beck and call,” he said sarcastically. He put his gun away. “Never call and leave a message like that again, unless you’re in serious trouble.”

“Theo, I have a plan,” I said, ignoring him.

“What?” He didn’t sound eager to hear my plan.

“Don’t say ‘
what’
like that. I’m being serious.”

“I’m listening.”

“Louis’s publicist knows everything. She’s working with the kidnapper.” I expected a big reaction from Theo. He only stared at me dully. “Well? Aren’t you surprised?”

“No. I was just on my way over to tell you, I’ve uncovered the same thing.”

“How did you find out?”

“The timeline never sat right with me. The articles appeared in the tabloids too quickly. And you said that Louis’s publicist told you to exit through the back of the theater. She led you right into your attacker’s hands. How did you figure it out?”

“Well…” I looked to Shonda for help. I knew Theo would be pissed that I talked to the editor-in-chief of Gossip Guru. “We just came from a meeting with Harry Lovejoy. His team figured it out themselves.”

Theo groaned and ran his hands over his face. He looked tired, as if he’d been up all night. Knowing Theo, he probably had.

“Jamie, what did I tell you?” he said, raising his voice.

“Umm…” I wasn’t sure what he was referring to.

“I said
stop playing games with the press
. You agreed to turn over a new leaf. You weren’t going to get involved with anymore PR bullshit.”

“This isn’t about PR. They contacted us because they claimed they had exclusive info about the kidnapper. I was desperate, and you were gone, so I said yes.”

“Don’t try to put this on me. I’ve been out working to resolve this whole mess.”

“I’m not blaming you, but if you don’t tell me what’s going on, then how can I make an informed decision? Besides, you’re missing the point. I have a plan.”

“You’re missing the point. Now that the tabloids are in on this, it will be much harder to catch your kidnapper. They will be all over this story. We don’t need that complication.”

Theo had a point. Harry and his paparazzi would only add more chaos. Still, they provided us with a solid lead. Granted, Theo discovered the same lead on his own, but how was I supposed to know that?

“Do you want to hear my plan or not?” I said. I didn’t wait for him to respond. “We set up Louis’s team. We tell them I’ll be attending the premiere of Louis’s new movie tonight. Louis’s publicist will tip off my kidnapper, then you can arrest him.”

“What makes you so sure Louis’s publicist will take the bait?”

“Because she wants me dead.”

The room suddenly grew very still.

“Why do you think that?” Theo asked.

“It fits with the plot of Louis’s movie. His love interest is killed in the film.”

I cleared my throat and shuffled my feet awkwardly. Theo was very still. I could see he was thinking hard about what I’d said. Was he reminded of losing his own fiancée? I hoped not.

“Anyway, his publicist wants to cement Louis’s image as the heartbroken hero. His fans go crazy for it,” I added.

“She’s done that already,” Shonda said.

“She’s made him a hero, but she hasn’t made him heartbroken. She wants him to be a tragic figure just like his character. The only way that can happen is if Louis suffers a tragedy- my death.”

“I don’t like it,” Theo said. “There are too many opportunities for trouble. And you promised me you’d stop playing games with the press.”

“Don’t you see?
They
are playing games with
us
. We have to beat them at their own game. It’s the only way to catch this guy. This isn’t about publicity, I swear. Theo, you have to trust me.”

He thought for a minute, then said: “Okay, but I don’t like the idea of this happening at a movie premiere. There are too many people. It’s not secure. We won’t be able to keep the place on lockdown.”

“It has to be in public. Louis’s publicist wants the world to watch. It’s better for her that way. It’s dramatic and Louis gets to play the hero. If I die, Louis will be set for life. They’ll both make millions.”

“No,” Theo said.

“Theo…”

“Just listen… I’ll go pick up Louis’s publicist and make her talk. We can get this straightened out without putting your life in danger.”

“How are you going to make her talk? Are you going to torture her?”

Theo shrugged as if it was a possibility, but I didn’t think he was being serious. At least I hoped not.

“She won’t talk,” I said. “Her whole livelihood has been built on controlling the narrative, burying secrets, and knowing when to keep your mouth shut. She won’t admit to anything. And you can’t have her arrested either. What evidence is there? We know she was involved, but can we prove it?”

I walked towards Theo. I wanted him to wrap his arms around me and tell me that he trusted me and that we were going to get through this together. I kept my distance though. That wasn’t my story. I would never find a guy to be happy with. Eventually, this madness would end and I’d go on living life alone in the spotlight.

As for Theo… I had no idea what his future held. I had the sinking feeling I’d never see him again. I wanted him to sweep me up into his arms, take me into the bedroom and give me a proper goodbye. That wasn’t going to happen though- certainly not with Shonda and Connor watching. Even if they were gone, I wasn’t sure Theo was interested.

I stared into his eyes and tried to divine what went on behind them. Had he slept with me because he pitied me? Or was there more to the story than he was willing to admit?

“Theo, we can make this work,” I said gently. I wasn’t sure if I was talking about my plan or our relationship.

Theo’s hard expression softened. “Okay,” he said.

He touched my arm, then moved past me towards Connor. His touch made my heart race. When he was gone, it was like clouds passing over the sun. Suddenly, I was back in a cold, dark lonely place.

“Connor,” Theo said, “I want to know everything about the theater. Every entrance and exit, the name of every employee, the layout- no stone left unturned.”

“Roger.”

“Shonda, you’ll handle Louis’s publicist,” Theo continued.

“Yeah. I’ll set it up. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.” Shonda, however, sounded less than thrilled about this plan. “You know I don’t like this. You can’t control what’s going to happen. It’s dangerous and you have no guarantee it’s going to work.”

“I know,” I said. “But this is my life and I have to take control at some point. I can’t live in fear. I want this to end.”

“Don’t let anything happen to her,” Shonda said to Theo. “I’m warning you. I’ll kill you myself if this goes haywire.”

“I’ll take care of her. You have my word. Now, let’s get ready.”

18

Shonda reconvened my Glam Squad. They came running into the hotel room, eager to be at the center of a huge media storm. They were insiders now and potential spies. Shonda made sure that anyone who worked for me signed Non-Disclosure Agreements, but that didn’t stop people from selling inside info on the sly. I had no doubt at least one or more of my style team had sold a juicy tidbit from my life to the tabloids. I could never prove it, but I was sure it happened. I had to assume that everything I said and did in front of them could potentially end up on the front page of a tabloid.

The second they arrived there was a minor emergency. Shonda told them to bring several designer outfits that would be appropriate for a movie premiere. What she neglected to tell them was that I was done with the old me. Jamie Kelly, America’s Sweetheart was dead. I couldn’t wait to bury her. My stylist showed up with a rack of clothes that old me would have worn.

“No. It’s all wrong. I want something sexy, something a little… dangerous?”

To my surprise, my stylist looked thrilled. I suspected she was as tired of dressing me in the same basic, good-girl clothes as I was of wearing them.

“I’ve been dying to dress you in something more avant garde.”

“Let’s not get too crazy,” Shonda said.

“I have so many ideas,” she’s squealed. She disappeared into the next room while chattering on her cell phone. Within an hour, a rack of new dresses had arrived. In the meantime, my hair and makeup people started to work their magic. They wanted to style me the same old way, but I put my foot down.

“No,” I protested. “I want my hair to stay curly. And can you make my makeup a bit darker? Like smoky eyes? Dark lipstick?”

They set to work. When I emerged two hours later, I looked like a new person. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My hair was shiny and full with curly tendrils; my blue eyes popped with thick eyelashes and a smoky eyeshadow. I barely recognized myself, but I liked the person I saw in the mirror.

“What do you think?” my stylist asked. She held up a white dress that had long cut out patterns combined with a strange asymmetrically cut skirt. It looked like a costume in a Sci-Fi movie. I was trying to think of a polite way to say no, when Shonda blurted out: “It’s hideous.”

My stylists looked hurt, as if it was a personal insult.

“Maybe something a little more toned down?” I said.

She pulled a strapless, long black leather dress off the rack. “What do you think? It’s vampy, but not too interesting.”

I ignored her tone, even though she was implying I was too boring to wear a dress like the one she’d first suggested. Tonight, I would have to let it slide. Tomorrow I’d worry about everyone who’d insulted and wronged me in this business.

If there was a tomorrow.

I put on the dress with a pair of black stiletto heels and looked at myself in the mirror. The slit on the dress was high, revealing my leg all the way to the hip. I’d never worn a dress this revealing before.

“You look hot,” my makeup artist said. Everyone in the room agreed. I appreciated their support, but I still felt uncomfortable.

“Shonda? What do you think? Is it too much?”

“It’s perfect,” she replied. “It’s like I said, you’re a bad girl now. America’s Sweetheart never really suited you anyway. This is more genuine.”

I hated the idea of being rebranded, but Shonda was right. When I dressed like the girl next door I didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin. This felt like me.

“Louis just arrived. The limo is on standby. Are you-” Theo said as he entered the room. When he saw me, he stopped in his tracks. He cleared his throat. “The limo is on standby.”

An awkward moment passed as he took in the new me.

“Thank you, everyone. Jamie has to leave now. You are dismissed,” Shonda said to my style team.

Everyone left, leaving me alone with Shonda and Theo.

“You look stunning,” he said.

I bit my lip and shrugged. It was at that moment Louis came walking into the room. I’d never felt less happy to see him.

“Jamie… you look good,” he said, sounding surprised.

“Are you saying I didn’t look good before?”

“No. I just mean… you look hot.”

“No, no, no,” his publicist said. “You have to change. The dress, that makeup, it’s all wrong. You’re a victim, remember?”

“I’m not changing a damn thing. If you don’t like the way I look, then you can fuck off,” I said.

His publicist looked as if she’d been slapped. “Excuse me? Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“Ladies, please,” Shonda said, trying to restore the peace. “We don’t have time to change anything. In fact, we’re already running late. Unless you’d prefer if Jamie stayed home instead of attending?”

“No,” she said quickly. “She has to be there.”

Theo and I exchanged a look.

“You look like a cheap slut,” she added. Louis laughed. “But I suppose it will have to do.”

Theo’s face twisted with rage. “Apologize,” he demanded. Louis and his publicist looked taken aback. “Apologize, or no one’s going anywhere tonight, including your client.”

“Theo, it’s no big deal,” I said. I didn’t want him to lose his temper and ruin the plan.

“No, it’s fine,” Louis’s publicist said sarcastically, “I’ll apologize. I’m sorry for calling you a cheap slut, Jamie. My deepest, most heartfelt apologies. Can we leave now?”

Theo took a step towards her. I didn’t want him to start anything now. We needed to get to the premiere.

“Apology accepted. Now, let’s go.”

We rode the elevator down in silence. When we piled into the limo, I felt like we were on our way to a funeral. If tonight didn’t go as planned, I could end up dead.

We pulled up to the red carpet. Outside my window, fans shouted, cameras flashed. The press was lined up, desperate to get an interview with me. I took in the sight with dread.

“This could be the last thing I ever see,” I whispered to no one in particular.

“Have you gone mental?” Louis said. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing.”

Shonda handed me her phone. It was open to Gossip Guru’s website. The inside scoop on my kidnapper had gone live a couple hours ago. I hoped my kidnapper had read it. It was one thing for Louis’s publicist to set up my death; it was another to convince my abductor to kill me.

Up until yesterday, he’d wanted to keep me as his slave. Hopefully, that article would be enough to push him over the edge. He would lose control and do what Louis’s publicist told him to do. I had no doubt she’d stoked the flames when she spoke to him.

The article was vicious. It quoted anonymous law enforcement sources that claimed my abductor was impotent, sexually attracted to his mother, and too weak to keep a tiny girl like me captive. The overall tone was mocking and condescending. It was so brutal I almost felt sorry for my kidnapper.
Almost
- but not quite.

I passed the phone back to Shonda.

“What’s going on?” Louis asked suspiciously.

“Nothing. Just more media requests,” Shonda lied.

“You’re not supposed to do any press without me,” Louis said.

“I know the deal better than you do. I don’t need you to lecture me. Let’s get this over with,” I said.

I took one last look out the window, then stepped out onto the red carpet.