Page 32 of Chasing Christmas
"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 picknowof 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.Damendidn'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.Herevealed 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.