I take control, cupping her jaw and tilting her head to the side. My knee slides between her legs and she presses against it. A quick fuck in the gun range sounds like a hell of a plan—until my phone buzzes in my pocket. I ignore it, but it starts again.
Pulling away, I glance at the screen. BLOCKED CALL. The list of people with this number is short, which leaves me with few possibilities, some of them better than others.
“I gotta take this, baby,” I say, stepping back. “It’ll only take a few minutes.” She’s eying the gun as I swipe the screen. “And don’t shoot anything until I’m back.”
Rolling her eyes, Greer turns around and begins pulling in the target.
I step out of the room before I speak. “You got me. What do you want?”
The voice on the other end is all too familiar. “You know what I want, Cav.”
As soon as Cav leaves my sight, I pull out my phone. My notifications are blowing up.
Bad sign.
Two missed calls from Creighton and two texts. A text from Holly. Two from Banner.
I type in my passcode and read through the messages.
CREIGHTON: This is NOT laying low.
CREIGHTON: Answer your fucking phone.
CREIGHTON: I’m sending Cannon.
HOLLY: Cav Westman is totally hot, but your brother is losing his shit. You *might* want to answer.
BANNER: You’re my hero. Top post on CelebSightingsNYC. Oh, and according to the gossip sites, you’re officially a couple.
BANNER: You look hot in that pic, BTW.
Do I want to see what they’re all talking about? Of course. Who wouldn’t?
I tap on my browser and google CelebSightingsNYC and Cav’s name. Sure enough, the first pic that pops up is us getting out of a cab in front of the shooting range. That fucking cabbie. It’s the only explanation that makes sense with the angle of the picture.
I need to get Cav so we can get the hell out of here before the vultures descend. I mean, I’m not saying we’re the most interesting news story in the city tonight, but we’re probably toward the top of the list. And everyone knows where we are.
I leave the gun on the counter and slip around the corner to where I hear his deep voice. I’m not trying to eavesdrop, but I do wonder if it’s his agent or manager, or someone else calling to give him the heads-up that we’ve been spotted.
“No, I’m done. Not going back there.” Cav’s tone is harsh. “Fine. I’m out.” He hangs up and strides toward the door, his head jerking up when he sees me standing in the doorway.
I lift my phone and point to the screen. “Cover’s blown, Hollywood. We’re being celeb-watched. My phone is blowing up. Is that what your call was about?”
Cav shakes his head. “No. What happened?” He takes my phone and reads the screen before it starts vibrating in his hand.
“Your brother,” he says, handing it back.
“Shit, he’s called three times. He told me to lay low and let all this stuff blow over, so he’s not happy with me right now . . .” The phone keeps vibrating as I explain.
“Are you going to answer it?”
“Mmm . . . I don’t want to.” I consider it again, knowing I’ve only got a few more seconds to decide. “I guess I better.”
I swipe the screen and answer with, “Don’t yell at me.”
“Greer,” Creighton’s deep voice rumbles with frustration. “I thought we had an understanding.”
“You told me to lay low and I’m laying low,” I counter.
“Then why is your picture on the top of every gossip site? The ad is front and center again, and Holly tells me you’re fucking trending on Twitter.”
My stomach twists, feeling weighed down with all of the bullets I just shot. “Shit. Really?“ Trending on Twitter isn’t exactly where I want to be.
“Apparently the citizens of New York are turning this into a fun-filled fiasco. You need to get the hell out of town and really lay low.”
“My apartment—”
Creighton cuts me off. “Is being watched around the clock because it’s been leaked that Cav bought a unit there too.”
“So, what do we do? Go to LA?” I cut my eyes to Cav when I realize I just made us a we and offered up his residence as a solution.
“No, Cannon is on his way. He’ll take you to Teterboro, and you’re getting out of the country for a while. I’ve got a friend with a place in Belize, and he’s agreed to let you stay as long as you need. Since you’re lacking a job, that shouldn’t be a big deal.”
Say what? “Seriously? I need to pack if I’m going—”
“He and his wife leave a full wardrobe at the house, and you’re close to her size. He’s a big bastard, so Cav should be fine. Just get in the SUV when Cannon pulls up, and get the fuck out of town so I can clean up this mess before it becomes a full-blown situation.”
There are plenty of times when I want to argue with my brother, but I’m not sure this is one of them. There’s something in his tone that tells me to choose my fight carefully. I feel like there’s more going on here than what Creighton is telling me, which wouldn’t be all that surprising. I trust him, though, and if he tells me to go, I’ll go.
“Okay. If that’s what you think is best.”
“Good. Cannon just texted that he’s a few blocks away.”
“Sorry, Crey. I didn’t mean for this to happen . . .”
“I know. Now, do what Cannon tells you and I’ll be in touch.”
I hang up and Cav is waiting semi-patiently. His jaw is tense and his hands are clenched into fists. “Your brother’s sending you away, and you’re going to let him.” The words carry a strong dose of fury.