if there’s something on her mind? Or… or I could get India to have a word. She’s her best friend, after all.’
Vince looked back over at India who was now being attended to by Scott, her make-up artist and hair stylist, while Dominic looked on, still making her laugh with whatever he was saying to her. ‘I think India’s a little tied up right now, don’t you?’
Kenny followed Vince’s gaze. ‘Yeah. It certainly looks like it.’ He turned back to face Vince. ‘Do you want me to talk to Charley?’
‘I just need to know that it’s nothing to do with me, Kenny. Because I can’t lose her. That’d kill me.’
And that, Kenny realised, was the whole reason Charley was keeping him out of it. Because losing Charley wouldn’t really kill Vince. But getting involved with Jimmy Cash just might.
***
Reece had been banished from the set that afternoon – along with all other unnecessary cast members and crew – and he understood the reasons why. Watching his daughter getting so intimate with a man – even if it was just for the cameras – wasn’t something he particularly wanted to witness anyway, especially now he knew it was a relationship that had spilled over into real life. Seeing them together, even though it was all pretend, would still be an uncomfortable experience, given that he knew they were doing it for real behind closed doors. But it wasn’t India he really wanted to watch. It was Michael.
Along with a great many others – both cast and crew – he couldn’t understand why Michael had suddenly extended this scene when he couldn’t really deem it necessary. And it wasn’t like Michael to waste time, to do something that was neither useful nor appropriate, and that’s what concerned Reece. Because he knew, somehow, that it all came back to India.
‘Hey!’ he called out as Dominic MacDonald walked past, wearing just jeans and that movie star smile. ‘Can I have a word?’
‘Reece… what can I do for you? I thought you weren’t sticking around this afternoon?’
‘Plans change.’
Dominic laughed, sticking his hands in his pockets. ‘You really want to watch me making love to your daughter?’
‘Well, you’re not actually making love to her, Dominic. Are you? So quit with the cocky attitude and listen to me. I don’t really have any idea what’s going on with you two, but whatever it is, you just take care of her, okay? Because she has been through more shit than either you or I could possibly comprehend, and she doesn’t deserve any more. You got that?’
Dominic held up his hands in surrender, backing away from Reece slightly.
‘You hurt her… Listen to me… you hurt her, and believe me, you won’t know what the fuck hit you, Mr MacDonald.’
‘Jesus, you really get off on protecting your little girl, don’t you?’
‘She’s my world, Dominic. You’d do well to remember that.’
Dominic just smiled at him, before turning and walking away.
Reece leant back against the wall and closed his eyes, sighing heavily. He had no idea what the hell was going on here, but he had a bad feeling that, whatever it was, it was about to kick off big time. And it was about to kick off soon. And Reece wasn’t sure there was anything he could do to stop it.
***
India sat down on the bed, pulling her knees up to her chest, hugging them tight as she stared up at the lights above her, trying to block out the sounds of a movie set as she waited for Dominic to join her.
She hadn’t spoken to Michael since she’d arrived back on set, other than to get the direction she needed for the scene, and that was fine with her, because his behaviour was unsettling; it reminded her of times she’d rather forget. Something was going on, she could sense it, and having no idea what that was wasn’t a feeling she’d been in a hurry to revisit. Especially where Michael was concerned. Was this all part of some game he was playing? She just couldn’t work it out, and that was the worrying part.
‘You okay?’ Dominic asked, sitting down next to her, his naked body covered only by a small white towel tied tight around his waist.
India had to smile as she looked at him. He really was the most confident actor she’d ever worked with in this situation, because this wasn’t the first time she’d shot a scene like this. Far from it. It was just the first time