Read Online A Change of Heart (The Heartfelt Series) by Adrienne Vaughan - Free Book Online

now?” he asked.
     “You owe them big time. Not worth it.” Larry had finished his lamb and was tucking into cherry pie. Ryan pushed his plate away. Marianne, who had been hovering behind the bar, appeared at his elbow.
     “Okay? Lamb not to your liking?” she asked. Ryan’s plate was still full; Larry was finishing dessert.
     “Delicious, the chef here is amazing,” Larry said.
     “Thank you,” she replied, not sure if Larry realised she was the cook.
     “Can I have a few moments of your time?” he asked politely, looking her in the eye. “This is important.”
     “Of course,” she said, relieved. She needed to be part of this conversation, she needed Larry on side. Larry gave Ryan a look. Ryan shrugged and headed for the kitchen, plates and dishes precariously stacked in his arms.
     Larry folded his napkin and took another sip of soda water. Marianne pulled her chair up, fists clenched beneath the table.
     “Ryan can’t just resign Marianne. He can’t walk away from the movie deal. Lena went to see our lawyer as soon as she got wind of the TV stunt. The compassionate break clause, to which Ryan so blithely refers, only kicks in if the actor, meaning Ryan, is terminally ill or has an untreatable psychotic condition. Now, much as we both love him and know he’s slightly off the wall, an untreatable psychotic he ain’t!” Larry said.
     “I don’t get the impression Ryan has ever looked that closely at his contract,” Marianne had to concur.
    Larry nodded. “True, he’s always left that side of things to me, which is fine, that’s my job.”
    “Are you saying there’s no getting out of it?” Marianne asked sadly.
     Larry felt a pang of guilt. He liked this young woman. He had never seen Ryan happier with anyone in his life. But he had a job to do, he had to deliver.
     “It’s a rolling contract. Ryan is barely on wages until fees from the box office returns kick in. Even then, money is placed in a client account until all three movies are made and released. If he walks away now, he not only walks with nothing, the film company will sue him for loss of earnings - he’ll be broke. It is highly unlikely he’ll ever work again. He’ll be blacklisted. Not officially, but that’s how it works,” Larry said.
     Marianne looked up at Ryan who was keeping up the pretext of helping Padar behind the bar. He flipped a mixer like a professional cocktail waiter. Padar burst out laughing. Padar did not laugh much these days, tears pricked the corners of her eyes.
     “But he doesn’t care about the money, it’s not important to him, to us,” she said.
     “That’s blatantly obvious, but incredibly naive – there are too many powerful people in this particular food chain. You’re an intelligent woman, Marianne, surely you know how these things work?” Larry kept his voice even.
     “The main reason he took the role was to sort his finances out, wipe the slate clean. You’re saying if he doesn’t complete the contract that’s not going to happen?” Marianne was also speaking quietly.
     “It’s not too late, but time’s running out. He must go to New York and talk to Rossini. I’ve no need to tell you how important PR is in this game. We need to get the machine rolling again, assuring everyone, everything is back on track. It’s not just about making a movie, it’s a multi-national business. There’s an awful lot at stake, people have invested a lot of money in the franchise and they have to see a return.”
     Marianne sat back, watching Larry carefully. “The backers, the money-men you mean.”
     He nodded.
     “ Everyone Marianne, it’s a big deal. Ryan staying with the franchise guarantees the return. He’s gone public saying he’s chosen you and a life here, so make it happen. Give him a home, something to come back to. Be a family, it’s what you both want, but he must do as I ask and I need your support, none of us can do this without you behind him, behind us,