Chapter 3

 

Ava

 

 

A LOUD KNOCK on the door jolted me awake. I’d fallen asleep reading a book about World War II, which always fascinated me. My biological mother’s ancestors, who’d been Jewish, had escaped East Berlin and somehow managed to move to America and start over. From what I’d learned, they were now all gone and my last living relatives had been my mother and Andrew. Still, I had to wonder if I had others still living in Germany. I’d been thinking about having my DNA tested through an online ancestry company and decided that as soon as I was done with the movie, I’d look into it.

Getting out of the recliner, I set the book down and headed over to the front door, wondering who could be visiting me. Nobody had called or sent a message, and unexpected visitors annoyed the hell out of me. Wondering if I should even answer the door, I peeked through the peep-hole and swore under my breath when I saw who it was.

Hunter Calloway.

Trying not to lose my cool, I unlocked the door and faced him. “Hunter, what are you doing here?”  

Hunter, who was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a Tommy Bahama shirt, grinned. “I received your message. I’m glad you changed your mind.” He held up a paper bag. “I brought over a bottle of Cristal.”

I stared at him in confusion. “What message?”

His smile faltered. “Didn’t you text me?”

“No.”

He pulled out his phone and showed me the message he’d received.

 

I changed my mind about dinner. Let’s just make it the two of us. Wendy has my address.

 

Wendy was his personal assistant and definitely did not have my phone number. At least not that I was aware of.

“Let me see that,” I said, grabbing his cell to get a closer look. I checked the phone number the text came from and it wasn’t mine. “I think you have me confused with someone else.” I handed it back to him. “That’s definitely not my phone number.”

He looked embarrassed. “You’re kidding? I am so sorry.  Hmm… I guess I don’t know who sent me it either then. You’re the only person who has ever turned me down for dinner, so I assumed it was you.”

“You obviously made a mistake. You should have asked.”

“You’re right. I was just so elated to think you wanted to share a meal with an old goat like me,” he replied and looked away. “Damn, I feel like a stupid fool.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Mistakes happen,” I said, wondering again if maybe I was being too critical about the man. He honestly looked embarrassed about the ordeal. 

“Well, I’ll get out of your hair. Sorry, again.”

“No problem.” I began closing the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Wait.” He put his hand up, preventing the door from shutting.

“Yes?”

He pulled the bottle of Cristal out of the bag. “Here, I usually don’t drink champagne; too much of it gives me heartburn. Why don’t you keep it? After working so hard today, I bet you could use a glass to unwind.”

“No, I couldn’t take that,” I said, staring at the high-priced bottle. Admittedly, it did look appealing and I was sure he’d spent a good deal on the champagne. “Save it for another day.”

He glanced at the bottle and then back to me. He grinned. “Hey, I know… why don’t we just share a quick glass together and then I’ll be on my way? Otherwise, I can almost guarantee that it will go to waste.”

I sighed and relented. Hunter looked so hopeful that I didn’t have the heart to send him away.

“Okay.” I stepped back. “Come on in.”

“Excellent.” He stepped into the house, smelling as if he’d bathed in aftershave. The scent was so overpowering, it started giving me another headache. I backed away as he looked around the living room. “Nice place, by the way. Is it yours?”

“No. It’s just a rental,” I replied, walking around him toward the kitchen. “What about you? Where are you holed up?”

“The MGM Grand. I always stay there.”

“Nice. Come on into the kitchen.”

 Hunter followed me.

“I can take that,” I said, when we were both by the center island.

He handed me the bottle.

“I guess I should have known something wasn’t right when you answered the door in your yoga outfit. Not that you look bad,” he mused. “You just look settled in for the evening.”

I looked down at my attire. “I was actually thinking about going for a jog soon.”

“It’s getting dark outside,” he said, walking around the kitchen island to where I stood by the sink. “That’s kind of dangerous for an attractive woman like yourself, don’t you think?”

I shrugged. “I can handle myself.”

“That’s right, you’ve had some martial arts training, right?” he said, leaning back against the counter to watch as I reached up toward the champagne glasses. Unfortunately, they were just out of my reach.

“Among other things,” I murmured, irritated that I couldn’t get to the flutes. I was just about to ask for Hunter’s assistance, when he moved up behind me.

“Here, let me help you with those.”

“Oh. Okay,” I replied, thinking he was a little too close for comfort.

He reached up and grabbed two glasses. I could feel his warm breath in my hair, which made me grip the counter tightly in annoyance. “By the way, you smell lovely,” he said near my ear. “I noticed that when we were filming, too.”

“Thanks,” I replied tightly.

He backed away and then watched as I removed the cellophane from the bottle and popped the cork.

“Impressive,” he said as I began to pour the bubbly into the champagne flutes. “You look like a pro. Do you drink champagne often?”

“No. I do enjoy a glass of wine now and again, though,” I replied.

“Really? You’ll have to come and visit my wine cellar at my place on Martha’s Vineyard. What’s your fancy? Red or white?”

“I don’t know, really. I do prefer a sweeter wine that’s not too heavy.” I shrugged. “I mean… I’m not a true ‘connoisseur’. I just like a glass once in a while.”

Watching me pour the champagne, he grinned. “I used to be strictly a beer drinker until someone educated me on wine. I’m not exactly a wine aficionado, but I know now what I like and what I won’t like. I also know what pairs good with different types of food.”

“What kind of wine do you prefer?”

“Usually you’ll find me with a Cabernet Sauvignon, when I’m in the mood. Admittedly, I have a bit of a sweet tooth as well, so when I’m not drinking wine, you’ll find me with a rum and Coke.”

“Ah.” I pushed his glass toward him. “Thanks again for sharing your champagne. I have a feeling after this, I’ll be going to bed instead of hitting the pavement.”

“You mean jogging?”

I nodded.

He picked up his glass. “Good, because I still don’t feel comfortable knowing that you’d be out in the dark, especially dressed like that,” Hunter replied, his gaze sweeping over my outfit again.

“Eh,” I waved a dismissive hand, “I can take care of myself,” I repeated.  

“You sure don’t lack courage, that’s for sure. Let’s toast, shall we? To new friends?” he said, holding his glass up.

“To new friends,” I said, clinking my glass against his.

We both took a sip of champagne and then his stomach growled.

“Pardon me,” he said, looking embarrassed.

“No, I’m sorry. I don’t have anything in the refrigerator, otherwise I’d make you something.”

“We could go out and grab a bite to eat,” he suggested.

“I already had dinner. Anyway, it’s getting late.” I glanced at the clock on the microwave. “We both have to be on the set early tomorrow, I’m sure.”

“I don’t have to be there until noon.”

“Lucky you,” I snorted.

“I bet if you wanted to go in late, I could talk to the director,” he said, taking another sip of champagne.

“I don’t need to go in later. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to the others.”

He stared at me. “God, you have the most beautiful eyes. I bet you hear that all the time though, don’t you?”

Crap, here we go…

“Thank you,” I said, stiffening up.

“You don’t like it when someone compliments you, do you?”

I looked over at the clock again. “Wow, is it really nine o’clock already?”

Amused, he chuckled. “Okay, I get it. You’re not into me. It’s too bad because I think we could be good for each other.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Is that right?”

“Yeah. I could help further your career and… well, how could you not be good for me? You’re young and beautiful—and obviously talented.” He added that last part as if it would make his compliments less creepy.

I laughed harshly. At least he was honest. “Hunter, my career is perfect, thank you very much.”

He took another sip of champagne. “We all know how quickly things change in this industry. One moment everyone wants you. The next, you’re struggling to find work.”

“I’ve been pretty fortunate in that department.”

“And why do you think that is?” he asked with a sly grin.

I lifted my chin. “Because I’m good at what I do.”

“True, but there are dozens of other stuntwomen, with much more experience, vying for movies like this. You are relatively new to the industry. The fact that you were able to hook this movie must have surprised you.”

I didn’t know what he was getting at, but something in his eyes made my stomach twist. It was certainly true that I’d struck gold in getting hired for the movie, but I hadn’t thought it was exactly a miracle. It definitely wasn’t my first gig, but obviously the best so far.

“Maybe a little. What are you getting at?” I asked, frowning.

“I visited the set of your last movie. Do you remember?”

“I think someone might have mentioned it to me.”

He smiled. “You were in the middle of a shoot when I showed up. The moment I saw you, I thought you’d be great for this film. Hell, from a distance you could even pass for Valerie, although I must say you’re much prettier.”

“Are you trying to tell me that you’re the reason I was hired for this film?” I replied, angry at the idea. Especially the way he was putting it out there. 

His smile widened. “Let’s just say… the director and I are good friends.”

Trying to keep my cool, I tossed back the rest of the champagne and set the glass in the sink. “While I appreciate that you may have been involved with me getting hired, I hope you’re not insinuating that I owe you anything for it.”

His eyes turned cool. “It wasn’t easy talking the director into using someone he’d never heard of.”

So I’d been right about him in the very beginning. He was an arrogant, self-serving ass. It reminded me of the shit I’d been exposed to in foster care. One person in particular had used a similar tactic to sexually abuse me. I’d been vulnerable back then—but I wasn’t anymore.

I pointed toward the front door. “Get out.”

Hunter’s eyes widened in shock. “What?”

I picked up the champagne bottle and shoved it at him. “I see right through you, Hunter, and the hell if I’m going to let you bully me into whatever it is you came here for.”

He tried backtracking. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. A mistake—”

“I agree. The mistake was that I let you in here, thinking maybe I was wrong about you. I should have known better.”

He tried reaching out to touch my arm. “Listen, I’m sorry if—”

I slapped his hand away. “Touch me and you’ll really know what ‘sorry’ is, you piece of shit.”

Hunter’s face turned red. “You’re crazy,” he said, walking around the island toward the door. “Maybe even too crazy to be in this movie.”

I knew a threat when I heard it. “I’ve got one word for you, Hunter: Borgenstein.”

He stopped in his tracks and turned around.

I smiled. Harold Borgenstein was a famous movie producer who was currently being sued by dozens of actresses for sexual harassment. I’d never met him myself, but everyone in the business knew that the accusations were true. It was also a scandal that nobody wanted to find themselves in, guilty or not. Something told me I wasn’t the only woman Hunter had tried pressuring into sex, and it certainly wouldn’t be that difficult to find other victims.

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t fuck with me or my career, Hunter. You’ll regret it.”

He walked toward me with a sneer. “Listen here, bitch. You’ve got nothing on me. Nothing. I could make one phone call right now and get you kicked off of the set faster than you can pat yourself on the back for being a stupid, mouthy cunt.”

I clenched my hands into fists, ready to wipe the ugly smile from his face. “Excuse—”

He went on. “In fact, I have so many friends in this business, some who could actually make you disappear, so it would be in your best interest to be nice to me,” he said, setting the bottle back down on the counter with a little too much force.

I gasped. “Are you threatening me with murder?”

“Your words. Not mine,” he replied. Hunter moved closer to me until I was backed up against the counter. “Look, this is obviously getting out of hand. I didn’t come here to fight.”

“Fuck you. I know exactly what you came here for,” I said between clenched teeth.

He tilted his head and smiled. “You’re so beautiful. Probably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Especially when you’re angry.” Before I could reply, he leaned forward and tried kissing me.

Horrified, I shoved him away from me. The way he was trying to manipulate me brought back so many terrible memories. “If you don’t get out of my house right now, I’m calling the police.”

“Ava—”

I tried moving around him but he blocked me and smirked. “Last chance to keep your career.”

Having had enough, I punched him in the jaw.

Gasping, he stumbled slightly and then grabbed me by the ponytail, jerking my head back.

“You bitch,” he growled, crushing his mouth against mine and roughly fondling my breasts.

Crying out, I bit his lip, drawing blood. He swore and released me, but not before I kneed him between the legs.   

Hunter howled in pain and leaned forward clutching his balls. “Fuck!”

I raced over to the butcher block and pulled out the largest knife. I turned around and held it up in front of me. “Get the hell out of here!”

Still hunched over, he glared at me and backed away. “Your career is finished, you cheap, trashy cunt!”

Now I was triggered. “You forgot psycho!” I snarled, moving toward him.

Hunter’s eyes widened. He turned and bolted out of the kitchen. I followed him until I knew he was out of the house and locked the deadbolt. Turning around, I leaned against the door, trembling. When I heard his car pull away, I slid to the floor and began to sob.