Chapter 23

Ryan drove them to Raven’s early the next morning. They managed to get inside without being noticed and up the private elevator to her condo. He knocked, while O’Neil scanned the hallway. He was in full-on business mode.

He nudged O’Neil’s shoulder. “What’s going through your head?”

“I don’t like this setup. Not enough security out here.”

“Think you can get the permits to set some up in the hall?”

He nodded. “Shouldn’t be an issue. That kind of thing is common. And a letter should do the trick.”

“Wish we knew about you when she had the last guy set it up.”

“You and me both. He should have known that cameras in the hall for someone with her status would be almost necessary.” He knocked and a moment later Raven came to the door.

“Morning. Come in.” Smiling, she stepped out of the way and headed for the kitchen. “Coffee?”

“No, thanks,” Shannon answered.

Ryan nodded. “Please. I’m not sure how he can be up half the night, then be fine the next morning.”

Shannon winked at him. “Years in the navy.”

“True. I don’t envy that.”

“Well, you have plenty of work at strange hours.”

“True enough.” In fact, Ryan was starting to dread leaving O’Neil for so long. He wasn’t sure how he was going to make everything work, but he watched Luke do it, so why not him?

Only, there would be no public announcement of them being together on Instablast or anything else. But there were plenty of actors who kept their relationships out of the media, and he had to keep telling himself it was part of the business, and potentially the only way to keep the paparazzi from fucking everything up.

Raven handed Ryan a mug and focused on Shannon. “Let me show you what I can. Unfortunately, I don’t understand everything they did or why.”

Shannon winced. “That’s less than comforting. And when I’m done, I’ll make sure you’ll know everything there is to know about the system.”

“Thank you.”

Ryan sat down on the couch and let Raven walk Shannon through the system. He would ask a ton of questions in order to make sure everything was fixed the way it should be.

After about ten minutes, Raven came back and nodded to the balcony. “Come here.”

He followed her out. “What’s up?”

She turned to Ryan and leaned against the rail. “Do you feel better about Luke after last night?”

“Much. Now the only thing I’m dreading is being away for filming.”

“How are you going to handle the time apart?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Skype?”

She smiled. “You two fall into step together and sync on so many levels. You’re on the same wavelength. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this…involved in a man you were seeing.”

“Yeah. There’s something more than attraction, but that’s definitely there.”

“And you both manage to hide that so well.” She laughed.

Ryan sneered. “Alexa’s persistence is getting on my nerves.”

Raven smirked. “Me too. Poor Keenan. The dumbass really does seem to want something more with her. Only, I’ve never known Alexa to keep anyone around.”

“It can be downright hard in this business. She’s been burned, and her reaction is to go for what she wants in the moment without strings.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want anyone getting that close without some trust,” Raven said.

“Easier to hold everyone at arm’s length, most of the time,” Ryan admitted. “But O’Neil snuck in, and I couldn’t resist him.”

“At least you found someone you click with. I haven’t.”

Ryan put his arm around her. “One day, you’re going to find the right guy.”

“I’m not worried about that right now. I’m more interested in having fun where I can. It’s just hard trying to avoid the spotlight.”

“Part of the job.”

Shannon joined them. “By next weekend, I should have everything I need to finish both yours and Ryan’s systems. If that’s okay with you both?”

“Fine with me. And I’m trusting you fully,” Raven said with a smile.

“Me too.” Ryan nudged his shoulder. “Ready for a day out on the ocean?”

“I am,” Shannon said.

“I’ll grab my bag and I’ll be ready,” Raven said.