Read Online Slave To Love by Bridget Midway - Free Book Online Page B

put it in the guesthouse for you. I assumed you wouldn’t want to be anywhere near filming.” She looked like she held her breath until Jace replied.
    He thought about her statement. She had been correct. He didn’t want to be anywhere near this shoot. He held up his finger. “One month. That’s all you have starting tomorrow. You can’t get it done in that time, then I’m sorry. You’ll still have to go. I’ll be out of town for the duration.”
    “Perfect!” Ananda clapped her hands. “I mean with you gone, you’ll have less interaction with the crew and contestants, which I know is what you wanted.”
    Jace had to hand it his sister-in-law. She learned from the best. She would be fine in Hollywood with Eagan.
    “Thanks for considering my needs.” He stood. “So is that it?”
    “Yes.” She looked at her watch. “I have to go meet with Meadow to give her the good news. What time are you leaving tomorrow?”
    “I was going to head out at one to catch my flight that afternoon.”
    Ananda stood. “If you don’t mind, I can meet you in the morning to introduce you to the director and my associate producer. They’ll be my eyes and ears while I’m gone.”
    He really wanted to relax before his trip and take his time packing. He would have to get his act together tonight so that he could see who would be watching his home. “Sure. Ten would work for me.”
    “Great. I’ll even give you a ride to the airport.”
    Jace came from behind his desk to stand next to Ananda. “No need. I’d rather have my vehicle there available to me if I decide to cut my trip short.” He walked her to the door.
    “Thanks so much for helping me.” She started to go in for another hug.
    Jace stopped her with an extended hand for handshake. “This is business. Let’s end it off in a businesslike way.”
    Ananda had a small smile as she shook his hand.
    He could ruin it from the outset before he left town. If he didn’t like this crew, he would not let them film in his home. No amount of begging would change that.
    “Oh, and Jace. I need you to do one other thing for me.” She opened the door and took one step down. She looked back at him and said, “If you were to come home early, I would appreciate you not interacting with the crew or talent. I don’t want any of this to go wrong.”
    Hell, had she read his mind?
    “My mind is on my business. I could care less who you have on the show. I need to trust who you have behind the scenes.” He still had an opportunity to say no. He probably would do that tomorrow after the dog-and-pony show at his home.

 
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    Taren sat at a booth next to a wall at Juan Pepe’s. She faced the door, waiting for her hero, her idol, to come through. Nerves filled her so much that she bounced her knees under the table. She would have a millisecond to capture Ananda Morton’s attention. Convincing her to hire her for the job would be challenging. She had her arguments ready to go.
    “You still waiting for your party?” a waitress asked, blocking Taren’s view of the door.
    Taren peered around her and tried to get the woman to take the hint about moving her body. “Yes. She should be here at any moment.”
    The waitress filled Taren’s glass with more water and left her. The whirring sound of the blender behind the bar, mixing up a margarita, grabbed Taren’s attention. She wanted some liquid courage right now, but she would hold off until she talked to Ananda. She didn’t want to be drunk or even tipsy for that conversation.
    Taren crossed her legs, hoping it would calm her. It didn’t. She took in a deep breath, inhaling the salivating aromas of cilantro and grilled meats.
    Her phone in her purse chirped that it had received a new text message. She dove inside and retrieved it.
    What did you do? read the message from Dori.
    Oh, shit.
    Taren looked at the door and saw Ananda Morton walking into the foyer before coming into the main restaurant. Ananda’s