Chapter 2

 

 

Two days later and Ryan pushed himself out of bed to grab the ringing phone. He groaned when he found his brother’s name on the display.

Hitting talk, he flopped back. “Hey, Manny, what’s up?”

“You’re still sleeping?” Disgust coated the words. And if he knew his brother at all, he was disgusted with himself, not Ryan.

“I was. What’s going on?” Ryan rolled over and glared at the clock that showed it was only seven.

“Thought maybe you’d want to go running?”

“We’re training with some ex-Navy SEAL. I have a feeling running may be part of that training. I’m going to have to pass. Want to grab breakfast? I have some time before I meet Raven and Luke at the camp.” He already spent a good majority of his days in the gym with a trainer for the upcoming role. Now he had more on top of that. So, running first thing in the morning was not on his agenda.

“Sure. I’ll see you in thirty minutes at the diner.” Manny hung up, and Ryan headed for the shower. He knew Manny’s mood.

Depressed as fuck.

But why? Unless the redhead was a one and done. Then again, she seemed far more interested in Manny than him. That was a good sign she might be the right one. Or at least better than some of his previous choices.

Ryan rushed through the shower and getting dressed before heading out to meet up with his brother. On the way, he dialed Raven.

She answered a ring later. “Hey, what’s up?” Whirring and thumping accompanied her even tone.

He knew the sound. “You’re running?”

“Yeah, I do most days.”

“We may be running later,” he grumbled.

“I’m aware. I’m not even pushing myself now.”

He shook his head. “You’re crazy, you know that.”

“Aw, but you love me,” she teased. “Where are you headed?”

“Meeting my brother for breakfast. Was going to sleep a little longer, but he called and I’m worried about him.”

“Keep me posted.”

“I will. If I’m late, give them some excuse.”

“Why not the truth?”

He pulled into the parking lot and rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s none of their business if he’s having issues. And why wouldn’t he? He was nearly the reason Luke died.”

“You don’t believe that. Luke is alive. Manny is not the reason Tara did what she did.”

“I realize that. But if he had just listened and dumped her ass, I wouldn’t have had to give Luke CPR to keep him alive. I wouldn’t have had to tear my heart out to help him find Leona when she disappeared.”

“But you couldn’t watch Luke suffer without helping. You love your brother, which is why you’re going to him when he’s down. And everyone would understand Manny needing you. So, try not to be late because I don’t have any idea what to tell them.”

“I’ll do my damnedest. See you in a while.” He hung up as Manny pulled in and parked beside him.

Perfect fucking timing. Bastard probably stayed up all night, waiting to call his ass first thing in the damned morning.

Ryan climbed out of the car. “What happened to your girl?”

He sighed. “Business trip.”

“So, what’s the problem, Manny?”

“She kept asking about Tara fucking Punce.” He started for the diner, then turned to walk backward. “Everyone asks about why I was with her. Why I fell for her shit. I just want it all to stop.”

“What’s this woman’s name?”

“Aubrey Daniels.” Manny sighed. “I really like her, but if she won’t drop that mess, I don’t know what to do but stop seeing her.”

“Well, if she likes you for you, she’ll drop it. What was the last conversation like?”

“She stopped, but what if she isn’t done?” Manny nodded at the hostess. “Table for two.”

“Right this way.” She led them to a table in the corner.

Ryan took his seat and tapped the table, trying to sort out the best way to help. He couldn’t tell Manny what to do. That never worked. Man, he was lame at this stuff.

Manny fiddled with the menu, chewing his lip.

“What if she has dropped it? Are you going to at least give her a chance?” Ryan asked.

Manny looked up, his expression hard. “One, just one. I don’t have time to keep wasting on my past mistakes. I can’t exactly move on with the way everyone wants to constantly remind me about my stupidity.”

“Sorry, dude. I wish I could tell you something more.”

The waiter came over with a smile. They ordered their favorites and he was off. “So, what’s this training for?”

“Midnight Daughter Legacy. They’re bringing in a former Navy SEAL to teach us all how to use the weapons and various things for us to work as a team.”

“I thought you learned all that for another movie,” Manny said.

Ryan lifted a shoulder. “You know the drill, I’ve been doing it long enough.”

“I never understood why you sought fame. You don’t seem to like being in the spotlight.”

“I don’t like everyone always prying into my business.” Ryan leaned forward. “The rest is fine.”

“Maybe.” He blew out a breath. “Why is it Luke can have a totally peaceful life after that mess, and people still treat me like it’s my fault?”

Without Manny, Tara would’ve never gotten close enough to drug Luke. He wanted the bitch so damned much he was blind. She was a pretty face, nice body, but such a dark personality. She’d been obsessed with Luke. And Manny thought he won the girl. But no, she spent the time plotting.

If only Ryan knew what to say to put Manny in a better place.

“Give Aubrey a chance. You can’t blame her for being curious. If she’s worth the time, she won’t keep asking.”

“You’re right. I just wish I could stop having nightmares about that night.”

“Been seeing your shrink?”

He shook his head. “Makes it all worse.”

“Maybe find another. If one isn’t helping, it might be as simple as getting a new one.”

“I’ll look into it. At least all of this mess has inspired a new script.”

“Yeah?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Diving into this project had kept me from falling down that hole, until Aubrey asked about Tara.”

“And you started slipping anyway. But you got to expect someone to ask at least once.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Just wish my past didn’t have to fuck with my future so damned bad.”

“It doesn’t have to. Maybe you need to adopt a one-question session rule. Where they can get it out of their system, and you can move on.”

“Maybe.” He fiddled with the napkin.

“So, what is she like?” Ryan prompted.

“Bubbly, chatty, interested in me. We have real conversations that don’t revolve around which celebrities I know. Maybe you were right all along, and I just needed to stop looking where I was.”

Ryan chuckled. “Only you found her where you normally look.” He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe it’s fate.”

“What about you? Find anyone new?”

Ryan shook his head.

Manny’s brow arched, his lips set in a hard line. “Still messing around with Max? I know that’s why you left the other night.”

“Shit, he’s a good time. I know better than to want anything else from him and it’s not as simple for me to find someone.”

“Yeah, I guess not.”

Food came, and by the time they were done, Manny was in a brighter mood. Thankfully.

 

* * * *

 

Nervous energy flowed through O’Neil. This wasn’t the first time he spent several weeks with a group of actors. Last time, he wasn’t the least bit nervous.

However, Ryan King had been one of his biggest fantasies for years. Not that he stood a chance. Even if Ryan were interested in men, there were countless stars he could have. Why pick someone like O’Neil?

Not to mention a clause in the contract stating no fraternizing with the client. As he understood, it was something Raven Star asked for. And he wasn’t about to risk his reputation when there was no chance for such a long shot.

Back to business. The studio had rented out a campground for a month for the purposes of training. There was a gym, lake, pool, and plenty of other things they could need. Most of the characters’ backstory included special ops forces. The studio asked C&O Security to give the actors a taste of SEAL training. And that’s what he planned to do.

He set up the log house as a classroom. Tables and chairs were positioned with packets for each of the actors that detailed what they would learn over the course of a month.

Luke Chance was the first one there. “Hey, man. I’m Luke.” He crossed the distance and held out his hand.

“O’Neil.” He shook it. Luke had a firm grip. “Good to meet you.”

He dipped his head. “You too. They shouldn’t be long. You’ll find Raven and Ryan are generally punctual.”

“Good to know. You’re early.”

“Yeah, I want to make sure I do my character justice. Especially considering I want Leona to be proud of the movie.”

“That’s right. You’re with the author. I have to say, I love this series.”

Luke grinned. “I’ll be sure to let her know.”

“She could always come out, make sure I’m covering what needs to be covered.”

“I’ll see what she says. She’s nervous about this project.”

“Why?”

He chuckled. “She’s worried the movie won’t match her vision. And a few other good reasons, but I think she’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

Raven Star was the next through the door, followed by Keenan Shores and Alexa Scarlett. All several minutes early.

“Morning, Raven, Keenan, and Alexa. I understand the stunt doubles are working with my partner, Peter Carver for more of the hand to hand combat.”

Ryan rushed into the room and stopped, his gaze locking on Shannon’s. Mild surprise and something he didn’t dare hope for. Interest.

And damn, Ryan was even hotter up close. Doesn’t matter, O’Neil. You got nothing he wants.

“I was just telling everyone that your stunt doubles are working with Peter Carver and you’re all stuck with me. I’m Shannon O’Neil. You can call me O’Neil.”

“Ryan King,” he answered without a hint of ego. “Sorry if I’m late. My brother needed to talk.”

O’Neil smiled. “You’re right on time. Sit, we have a lot of ground to cover.”

Keenan spoke up, “You were a Navy SEAL, right?”

“I was.”

“What happened? Why aren’t you now?” Alexa asked.

The question he knew to expect and still hated.

“An injury that nearly ruined any use of my left arm. Took a year to recover most of the use, but I have since made a full recovery.”

Ryan’s piercing blue eyes never left O’Neil as he took a seat. Man, was he going to be able to concentrate if Ryan kept watching him like that?

 

* * * *

 

The last thing Ryan expected was Mr. Military from the club. He remembered the weight of those green eyes. And the way the air seemed to crackle when they made eye contact.

Ryan glanced away, forcing himself to remember that mixing business with pleasure was not a good idea. Besides, O’Neil was definitely into women by the looks of the other night.

Was he bisexual?

Didn’t matter. He wasn’t getting involved. It was easier to mess around with other people in the public eye who preferred to keep the secret.

O’Neil went over all the things they were going to learn during the course of a few weeks, which thankfully was covered in the packet in front of each of them.

Ryan couldn’t concentrate for shit. All he could see in his head was a dozen ways he could get down with O’Neil, while the other part of his head tried to work out how he could help his brother out of the funk he was sinking into. Maybe Aubrey would do that for him, though.

O’Neil’s sexy baritone didn’t help either. Listening to him talk stoked a fire deep within. He couldn’t help wondering what had injured O’Neil bad enough to force him out of the SEALs. Some sick twisted part of him wanted to strip him down to find his scars while exploring every inch of his muscled body.

Ryan shifted in his seat, trying to rid himself of a problem no one needed to see.

Time to find a regular release. Otherwise, he was going to have trouble keeping it together the next few weeks. It shouldn’t be a problem, but O’Neil fit every damned fantasy floating through his head.

O’Neil leaned against the desk. “Any questions?”

A few he would never actually ask. This situation sucked.

Alexa leaned forward, staring into O’Neil eyes. “How do I get a date with you?”

O’Neil smirked, confidence shone in those green eyes. “You don’t. That’s not why I’m here. Besides, the contract we all signed said no fraternizing.”

“That’s a pity. Just means I have to wait until training is over.”

“You’re going to hate me before this is all over.” One corner of his mouth turned up. “Doubt you’ll want anything to do with me by then.”

Ryan had a feeling he would. Though, Alexa was all too similar to the woman O’Neil had left the club with. So why didn’t he seem the least bit interested in the blond actress?

Or maybe he took his job more seriously than most. That would hopefully make it sink in that Shannon O’Neil was never going to be in his bed.

Shannon’s voice broke through Ryan’s thoughts. “First order of business is seeing where you’re at physically. I’ve looked through the information the studio gave me, but they don’t always have accurate records.”

Raven wore a smirk. She would pass any physical test he gave them. She ran at least one marathon a year. He still didn’t understand her need to run, but he did join her once a week when they were both in the same town and could make it work.

“What’s first?” Luke asked.

“We’ll head over to the obstacle course, so I can get an idea of where I should focus.”