Crashing into Liam Read online

  “Here.” She pushed through the hovering group and handed Liam the two pain pills. “No more alcohol or anything else today. Once we touch down in LA, they’ll give you something stronger for the pain.”

  His hand closed over hers, squeezing gently. Rebecca forced herself to look away. One false move and she’d land on the sticky strand of the spider’s web. She knew better. Guys like Liam thought they could flirt and charm their way through life. It might work on the majority but not her. When he finally released her hand and scooped up the pills, she stepped back.

  She nodded at him. “Okay. Well, good luck. I’d better head back to my seat in the coach section.”

  “Can’t we get…” Liam paused and looked around sheepishly. “I’m sorry. I don’t even know your name.”

  “It’s Rebecca,” Jack supplied.

  “Aw, that’s a beautiful name. Can’t we get Rebecca a place up here?” He looked to the flight attendants who shuffled and mumbled. “She can share with me.”

  “No,” Rebecca said quickly. “Thanks. I’m fine back there.”

  Without waiting for a reply, she turned and strode down the aisle of the plane. It was a big relief to buckle her seatbelt and rest her weary head back against the seat cushion.

  “What happened?” The lady beside her was all curious eyes.

  “No big deal. A passenger cut their arm. They’re going to be fine.”

  “I heard it was a celebrity. Did you see anyone famous?”

  “Sorry, but I was pretty busy dealing with the wound. I didn’t have time to stargaze.”

  “Too bad. It’s nice up there, isn’t it? I got upgraded to business class once. It was amazing. The food was so yummy, and they served really good champagne. It must be awesome to be rich and famous.”

  “I wouldn’t know,” Rebecca said, closing her eyes and finally, finally letting herself drift.

  She had the next few hours to herself before life got hold of her again. And top of the life list was moving to a cheaper place. Not that her current shoebox of an apartment was swanky, but swimming in debt as she was, every dollar counted.

  Besides, since she’d need to take any and every extra shift she could manage, it hardly mattered where she lived. Maybe she could even stay at the hospital in one of the break rooms. She pictured her meager belongings stuffed into a couple of lockers in the staff change area.

  Enough, she told herself. You’re a strong, independent woman. You’ll figure it out.

  Still, all the way to LA she worried and schemed and wondered how long it would take until she no longer felt like she was drowning.

  Once on the ground she glanced out the window and spotted the EMT wagon waiting by the gate ready to whisk Liam Connors away for treatment. The pilot came on the speaker, asking everyone for patience in de-planning while the injured passenger was assessed by the ground medical personnel.”

  Ten minutes or so later, Rebecca saw Liam loaded onto the ambulance.

  “That’s Liam Connors,” a female voice squealed. A murmur of excitement surged through the other passengers.

  Rebecca’s seatmate turned to her, eyebrows drawn together in annoyance. “You totally lied to me.”

  Rebecca shrugged. “Patient confidentiality.”

  “I still think that was mean. So, what was he like? Is he as gorgeous as you’d expect?”

  Rebecca tipped her head and nodded over the woman’s shoulder. “Look. The line’s moving. We should go.”

  She watched as the woman pushed her way into the aisle. Rebecca sat back down with a heavy sigh and signaled those waiting to go on ahead. Glancing out once more, she saw the EMT vehicle slowly arcing away from the plane and heading across the pavement and out of sight.

  Goodbye and good riddance, she thought.

  Except it wasn’t…because steps inside the airport, Jack Miller waited for her.

  Chapter Two

  “Miss…um…Rebecca, can I have a word?”

  Seeing as Jack Miller was more or less blocking her path, Rebecca didn’t feel there was much option.

  “How’s he doing?” she asked.

  “Great. The arm is fine. The ambulance guy thinks he might even make it to set today which is really, really good. Liam…well…he needs to get there.”

  Rebecca sidled around him. “I’m happy to hear that. Look, I’ve gotta get going. It was nice to meet you.”

  “Wait. Hang on. See the thing is Liam drinks a lot. And does other stuff. It’s pretty bad right now.” His head swiveled back and forth making sure no one loitered nearby. He took her arm and steered her off to the side by the big wall of glass. “Please, promise you won’t tell anyone about this stuff, okay?”

  “Of course I won’t. If you’re worried about Liam, you should get him into treatment. There are tons of great rehab centers in California. Since money is no object, I think Sonoma Recovery is one of the best.”

  Although Jack chuckled, his face was bleak. “He’s been there twice in the last two years. The second time was less than a month ago. Doesn’t seem to be sticking. Right now we need to get him through this movie. There’re only four weeks left of shooting, and that’s assuming they don’t fire his ass. After, we can figure out a treatment plan.”

  “Gee, that’s tough. I’ve seen a lot of alcoholism and addiction in my line of work. Getting sober is hard work and the person has to be truly committed.”

  Jack waved his hand in the air. “I know, and honestly, I don’t think Liam is there just yet, but he does want to finish this movie. Anyway, we had this idea. Liam likes you, and I think you’re tough enough for the job so you could be the one thing that gets him through the shoot. Heaven knows we need some serious help.”

  “I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but I already have a job which I need to get to in a few short hours so—”

  “Just hear me out. Liam wants you to be his sober companion. Wait, you don’t party do you?”

  She stared at him then slowly shook her head. “Not really unless you consider the odd glass of wine partying.”

  “Great. Perfect. You can be with Liam twenty-four seven. Live in his house, go with him to the set, and make sure he stays clean and sober for the next month.”

  “I can’t just turn my life upside down and drop everything. I could lose my job.”

  “We’ll pay you twenty-five thousand a week plus expenses. That’s a hundred K for a month’s work. I’m sure you can always get another job.”

  The skin prickled on the back of Rebecca’s neck. “But…I…what makes you think I can keep him sober. I don’t have any experience in counseling.”

  “Like I said, you’re tough and matter-of-fact. I like the way you handled him back there on the plane. You don’t have stars in your eyes just because he’s a big deal celebrity. Liam needs someone strong and grounded. He’s surrounded by way too many people glomming on to him and agreeing with everything he says .”

  “Why can’t you do it?”

  Jack shifted, crossing his arms over his chest. “Well, see, it wouldn’t work because Jack’s my client. It would ruin our professional relationship, and I’m a really good manager. Besides, he’s not the only guy in my roster, and I can’t disappoint everyone else. Once I get Liam to the set, I have to fly straight to Thailand where Shoshanna’s opening a global tour for her Animal Fever album.”

  Rebecca couldn’t seem to get hold of her thoughts. A hundred grand was a lot of money. Plenty more than she made in a year. But what did she know about being a sober companion? Pretty much nothing, that’s what. On top of which, she hated drunks and drug addicts. Hardly the right attitude for this sort of job.

  A hundred thousand dollars a sly, silky voice murmured in her head.

  “Can I think about it?”

  “That’s the thing, we need you now. This moment. I’ll take you to the hospital while the lawyers generate the paperwork. We’ll get you signed up and squared away and then you’re on the clock. Please say yes. You’d be doing a good thing
. Liam needs you.” He paused and lowered his gaze until their eyes locked. “Are you in or out?”

  “I’m…ach…I can’t…dammit.” She blew out a breath and rubbed a hand over her eyes. “Okay, I’m in. I’ll do it.”

  Beaming, Jack put out his hand. When she shook, he pulled her into a hug. “Thank you,” he said. “I’ve been praying for a solution, and here you are.”

  “Hang on. I have a couple of conditions.” Jack didn’t let go of her hand, just kept nodding and smiling as if she hadn’t said anything. She pulled free of his grasp and tapped her index finger against her palm. “Number one. Liam has to do what I say. I’m not going to be one of these touchy feely kinds of supporters. My role is to keep his environment clean and make sure he doesn’t have access to any drugs or alcohol. If I catch him with anything—and he doesn’t immediately listen to me and throw it away—I’m out. And I keep the money. I want that in the contract.”

  She waited until Jack nodded. “Second. I want to go home, get my things, sort some stuff out. If the medics clear Liam for work, I’ll meet him at the set. Otherwise, I’ll go to wherever he’s staying. I get that you and Liam are big, important men, but I have a life too. I can’t just drop off the map.”

  Jack sighed. “Okay, yeah. I guess that’s reasonable. I’ll have to stay with him until you show up or who knows what he’ll get up to. Anything else?”

  “Yep, and this is the most important thing.” She paused and looked him straight in the eye. “I’ll need chocolate at all times. I prefer Dove bars, the kind with the caramel in the squares. Or Smarties. You can’t get them from the stores. They have to be ordered on Amazon.”

  Jack laughed big and loud. “Now that I can do. I’ll pass it on to Cindy, Liam’s PA. She’ll make sure you don’t run out. Rebecca, I have to say I really like you. You’re a breath of fresh air. Welcome aboard.”

  He patted her shoulder then reached around to his back pocket and pulled out a silver card case engraved with the initials JDM.

  “Here.” He handed her a card. “Call me when you’re ready. I’ll have a car sent.”

  * * * * *

  Jack sent a Lincoln Navigator to pick up Rebecca. She climbed up on the high back seat while the driver stowed her suitcase and duffel bag in the trunk.

  “Would you like a cold drink? I have Perrier, Coke and diet, juices. If you want alcohol, I can offer you just about anything under the sun, so name your poison.”

  “A Perrier would be great. Thanks.”

  The driver eased the vehicle smoothly away from the curb while Rebecca settled back into the seat and took a sip of the bubbly water. She pulled out her cell and scanned through a few texts then held the phone to her chest. Why was this so hard? She wasn’t moving away forever, yet it felt as if everything was ending. Maybe this was all a gigantic mistake. Except it was too late to turn back now.

  She leaned forward in the seat. “Excuse me, sir, how long until we get there?”

  “With traffic this light, I’d estimate we’ll be there within the hour.”

  “Where exactly is ‘there’?”

  “They’re shooting on location at a house in Malibu. I took Jack and Liam in a few hours ago, and the place was hopping. You must be excited to go to a movie set?”

  “Sure. Are you Liam’s regular driver?”

  “I wouldn’t say regular, but I’ve taken him around and about plenty of times.”

  “What’s he like?”

  “Liam? He’s a good guy. Not stuck up or rude like some of the celebs.”

  “I’ve heard he likes to party.”

  The driver laughed. “Who doesn’t.”

  “What about tonight? How many Jack Daniels did he have on the way over?”

  He met her eyes in the rearview mirror. “I don’t talk about my clients, and I honestly don’t see how it’s any of your business. You’re not a reporter, are you?”

  “No, I’m not a reporter.”

  She settled back against the seat, turning her head to look out the window and into the night. And so it begins.

  They continued in silence while he drove through downtown Los Angeles before taking the ten toward the ocean. Given the time of night, there was still plenty of traffic along the Pacific Coast Highway. Rebecca looked out toward the water and saw several boats, cabins shining through the night as they bobbed up and down. Eventually, the driver cleared his throat.

  “We’re almost there. You can see the lights.” He pointed through the front passenger window.

  Even from several blocks away, the lights of the set cut through the darkness, overpowering street lights and store signs by a factor of ten. The car slowly turned into a side street then stopped at a barrier. The driver lowered his window to speak to a man holding a clipboard.

  “I have a lady for Liam.”

  “I can’t let her in unless she’s on the list. What’s her name?”

  The driver glanced over his shoulder and motioned to Rebecca while clipboard man leaned in through the window.

  “Rebecca Diaz,” she said, enunciating clearly. “Jack Miller set it up.”

  The man snapped on a tiny flashlight in the palm of his hand and scanned the paper. “Yeah. I’ve got you right here. Let me radio it in.”

  He turned and stepped away from the car. Rebecca couldn’t hear what was said, but he was back at the window in less than a minute.

  “Take her to the trailers. Cindy says she’ll meet her there. The car needs to go in the lot on Samson Ave. Do you want a map?”

  The driver shook his head. “No, man. I’m good. Catch you later.”

  The trailers turned out to be enormous mobile type homes all lined up side by side and covering most of the parking lot of a CVS pharmacy. The driver carefully eased along the row until he came to three at the end and put the car in park.

  A woman stepped out of the shadow and, all smiles, opened Rebecca’s door.

  “Hi, Rebecca, I’m Cindy, Liam’s PA. He told me you were coming. They’re shooting right now but Jack’s waiting for you in his trailer.” She nodded to the driver as he stepped around her. “Hi, Larry. Traffic was good?”

  “Yep. Great night for driving. You doing okay?”

  “For sure. Things are going smooth. Here, I’ll show you where to put those bags.”

  Rebecca followed her to the trailer farthest on the right. Once they reached the door, she turned and dug into her purse. She had no idea how much to tip and hoped ten bucks wouldn’t be insulting, but it was all she had on her.

  She smiled at the driver. “Thank you for the ride, Larry. I really appreciate it. I can take the bags from here.”

  “You sure, Miss Diaz?”

  “Positive. Thanks again.”

  When he put the bags down, she offered him the money, but he stepped back, raising his hands to ward her off.

  “That’s real nice of you, but I can’t accept it. Liam and his people take good care of me. Have a great night. See ya, Cindy.”

  “Yeah, good night. It’s gonna be a long one. Okay, Rebecca, let’s stow your things in Liam’s trailer. Jack wants to talk to you.”

  Chapter Three

  Inside, the trailer was even larger than she’d expected and utterly decadent. To her left was the kitchen area with stainless steel appliances and grey, veined marble countertops. A large flat-screen hung above a table topped with marble matching the countertops and surrounded by padded swivel captain’s chairs.

  On the right side of the door was another even bigger flat-screen situated over a gas fireplace and surrounded by an oversized tan couch and several armchairs. Jack sat on one of the chairs, phone in hand, tapping away on the screen with a flurry of fingers. When Rebecca walked over to join him, her feet sank into the most luscious chocolate shag carpet she’d ever seen. It was like stepping on a cloud.

  Jack flicked a glance toward her. “Hey, give me a minute, will ya?”

  While she waited, Rebecca settled onto the couch and continued looking around until her eyes
stopped at a painting hanging on the wall over her right shoulder. It depicted a man with a gaping hole in his chest, a knife in one hand and his bloody, dripping heart in the other. The expression on his face was one of absolute and complete desolation as he stared down at his heart. A shiver skittered along her spine. What kind of person wanted to look at that every day?

  “Thank God, you made it. Did you get everything squared away at home?” Jack’s voice jolted her from her thoughts.

  “Yes…well, sort of. It doesn’t look like I’ll have a job when this is done, but I guess I can cross that bridge when I get to it.”

  “That’s tough. I’m sorry to hear it.” He cleared his throat. “About the paperwork. The lawyers are having it couriered over first thing in the morning. I’m hoping you’ll be willing to start tonight regardless.”

  When Rebecca nodded tentatively, he continued on. “Liam is shooting here for the next three nights. Then he’s off for two days and back on for six at another location. In between, he’ll probably want to go to his house in the Hills. Either way, you go where he goes.”

  “Does Cindy know what I’m doing here?”

  “I haven’t told anyone yet. Thought it made sense to get you all signed up first and then I’ll message everyone and fill them in.”

  She nodded. “Can you explain more specifically what I’m dealing with? I’m assuming alcohol is the biggest factor. Is there anything else I should know?”

  Jack balanced the phone on his thigh and reached down between the chair and the wall, bringing up a file folder. He unclipped a pen from the edge before pulling out a piece of paper and handing it to Rebecca.

  The document was titled, Non-Disclosure Agreement. Her eyes flicked back up to Jack’s face. He offered her the pen.

  “Before I tell you anything, you’re going to have to sign this for me. It’s pretty standard. The basics are that you will not write about, verbally reveal, or in any way transmit the details of anything about Liam Connors to any other party. The lawyers will also add a similar clause in the contract, but this should cover us for now.”