the water bottle to th

chest expanding as she prepared herself

et silent against the floorboards. She

the play button next

resse

c hiss as the file loaded. Catalina subcon

exploded into

sleep, and raspy. He sounded like h

anging your fate might be easier than

dio cu

ping with that signature, toxic

he last word

tte

n and couldn't pronounce her R's when she was nerv

d the last remaining thr

to her head. Her ears rang. Her jaw clam

the top right co

refused to give him the satisfac

ettings. She scrolled

r the bright red text

her thumb

box: Are you sure you want t

d the Conf

ped back to her empty cha

vindictive pleasure ru

rled the phone violently into

en exhale, the muff

om ringtone for

ssumed Brogan was calling to sc

digging her hands into the cushions to retrieve the

hone out and gla

eins instantly tu

hing on the screen

Saul G

amily. The man who had practically raised her alon

ed hard. Her thr

panic. She forced her facial muscles to relax, painting o

ccept button and press

randpa Saul," Ca

elodic, and completely unrecognizable from the

laugh echoed thr

lobe! I knew you'd take it home," Saul's

atalina murmured, her stomach t

et. Please don't mention the in

pping into a teasing lilt. "Looks like my idiot grandso

ned hot. She forced a

nce. My heel got stuck," she lied

idn't

his voice leaving absolutely no room for argument. "I'm hosting a

eyes widene

cally, her mind racing. "I'm about to go into production

all costs. Going there meant seein

a sharp, dism

essly. "I played eighteen holes with your producer

e shat

ing crimson. Her palms began to sweat, m

voice, deploying h

sweetheart," Saul sighed heavily. "I haven'

like a physical bl

. He had funded her first acting cl

al defenses cru

shut. Her shoulders sl

d through gritted te

ghed tri

ou up on Friday. Don't be late," he ordered, instantl

ead. The dial tone

ckled, and she slid down the side of th

er hair, gripping the roo

was going to be. It was a trap. A p

loor-to-ceiling windows at t

, uncapped a black Sharpie, and drew a massive, thick