Starlet: A Dark Retelling - Cora Kenborn Page 0,91

got food—”

I disconnect the call. Although my chest feels like a dull knife is digging into it, I don’t yell. I don’t smash empty whiskey bottles against the wall. I’m calm as I take a shower. I’m calm as I get dressed. I’m calm as I drive to Burbank. I’m calm as I go through the checkpoint and metal detector at Silverline. And I’m calm as I make my way toward the main executive building.

But the minute I notice a shadow trailing behind me and catch a glimpse of a familiar face in the glass door, all hell breaks loose.

I spin around, catching her by the arm before she can run away. Although she struggles, I knock her off balance, and she tumbles against the side of the building. Before she can get her bearings, I pin my forearm against her throat. “What the hell is wrong with you, DeLuca?”

Excessive? Don’t care.

My “give a fuck” well has run dry.

“Why are you at Silverline Studios?” she croaks, her black nails clawing at my arm.

“Does it matter?”

Her face is turning a little red, so I lighten up the pressure. Seizing the opportunity, she digs her nails into my arm so hard she draws blood.

“Fuck!” I yell, dropping my hold. “You crazy bitch! How did you even get in here?”

“My best friend gave me an access pass so I could be on set Monday,” she hisses, staring me dead in the face like she didn’t just turn rabid. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

“That doesn’t explain what you’re doing here today.”

“She’s in love with you, you know,” she says, ignoring me. “She’s never let anyone this close to her, and you’re going to break her, aren’t you?” She pokes her bony finger into my chest. “Well, I’m not going to let you. I’ll ruin you first, McCallum.”

I don’t need this shit right now.

“Is that right?” A quiet storm builds in my voice as it drops low. Every step I take forces her back against the wall again. I can feel everything I’ve worked for slipping away as the kid with blood on his hands who defied Luciano Ricci gains strength. “Try it and see what happens. You have no idea what I’m capable of or the reach I have, lady. One word from me, and you’ll take a swan dive off the Colorado Street Bridge.”

Violet’s face blanches. “Oh my God. That was you.” Her expression shifts from indignation to fear. “You did kill that photographer.”

Shit. Now I have to take care of this problem, too.

“I didn’t say that. However, people get what they deserve.” Bracing my palm by her head, I lean in close. “You go poking around in other people’s business, don’t be surprised if they poke back.”

Her voice shakes as she lifts her chin. “You got what you wanted. Leave her alone.”

“No. Now go away before I call security.”

“This isn’t over, McCallum,” she warns, backing away. “You can’t just threaten me and walk away.”

I flip my middle finger over my shoulder as I walk toward the glass door. “I just did.”

The minute the elevator door opens, I feel it. That stirring in my blood. The kick in my pulse. The rush in my ears. It’s bloodlust and it’s hungry.

Since it’s Saturday, Rosten’s door is wide open. Naturally, I accept the invitation, barreling in with guns blazing.

He’s standing by the wall of glass, staring out over his kingdom with his back to me. “Dominic. What can I do for you?”

Darkness beckons me. It’s where I belong. The moment a man in an Italian suit led me to a black SUV, I sold my soul to it. Served it. Bent to it. I did its bidding and never looked back.

Except one time a pair of sad green eyes brought me into the light. One time I sewed an angel’s wings back on and set her free.

I’ll be damned if I’ll let it all be for nothing.

I charge toward him, crashing both of us against the glass. Grabbing his tie, I wind it around my fist. “You can tell me what the hell you think you’re doing to Alexandra.”

“I’m making her a star,” he croaks.

“I meant your little private sessions, you sick fuck. How long have they been going on?”

His face starts to turn purple, and his mouth opens and closes like a fish. While the visual amuses me, I need the fucker to talk, so I loosen my grip. “Alexandra needs special training.” He coughs as he tugs on his collar. “A