Chapter 23 – Cain #2
Rhiannon and Rebel are in the car, mid fake argument. Her expression is raw, her movements restrained yet intentional and she looks fucking stunning despite the seriousness of the video.
Even though the second car is CGI, when it hits, the hydraulic jolts and the visceral sound effects make it feel disturbingly real and the emotion on her face is either pure talent or genuine fear.
I’ve been on set with plenty of my clients, and anyone who saw Rhiannon wouldn’t have a clue that she only does this on the side for extra cash.
The car makes a sharp jolt, causing a sudden flash of panic across her face.
My hands ball into fists at my sides as I watch, horrified that I can’t stop this.
It’s just a scene. It’s acting. She’s not really hurt.
But each violent shake of the car simulation only drives my nerves up higher and the expression on Rhiannon’s face morphs into panic. And suddenly I realize just how much she’s putting herself through for a couple hundred extra dollars.
“Cut!” Liam calls out, striding forward towards the vehicle.
He then bends over, gives them a few pointers that I can’t hear before resetting the scene for another take.
The cameras whirl around the windows, capturing new angles and when it finds Rhiannon’s face again, I’m gutted because she looks terrified.
I watch as she presses a hand to her chest, likely steadying her heart and taking a few deep breaths. Rebel whispers something to her and she nods back, giving a thumbs up to Liam through the window.
“Action!”
They run through the scene again. And again. And again. Until my stomach is rolling with nausea, each unguarded scream from her feeling more and more believable.
I want to throw up. I want to reach in and tear her out of the car and hold her against my chest. Rhiannon is forced to act out what looks like might be one of her worst nightmares as she reenacts a collision five more times.
On the final take, her voice cracks as she screams at Rebel, her face streaked with tears now, makeup long forgotten.
“Passionate acting!” Liam exclaims, clearly thrilled with the rawness of this performance. “You’re doing amazing!” he encourages her.
But I know better. This isn’t just acting. There’s something haunted behind Rhiannon’s tears, something far too real. I remember what she shared with me. That she lost her parents years ago tragically. And all I can wonder is if it was in a car accident like this.
My gut twists as I watch her scramble off set when she’s finished, her portion of the scene complete. She disappears into the back, and I’m left rooted to the spot, torn between wanting to help and not calling attention to the raw emotions she was just experiencing.
What the hell do I do?
I’m not her boyfriend—not even her friend, really. She’s made that much clear. But the part of me that wants to be so much more and is desperate for a chance can’t focus on anything else.
The third model’s scene begins, but I don’t see it. All I can think about is Rhiannon, probably crying alone in the bathroom, overwhelmed by the scene she just endured in the name of “art.”
“Hey,” Rosie says, sliding up next to me again. “Are you good?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
Her eyes narrow. “Because your jaw’s doing that thing, your fists are all balled up, and it looks like you’ve burst a blood vessel in your right eye.”
I try to relax my fingers, but they curl right back into a fist. “Will you please go check on that model that just left the set? See if she needs any help.”
Rosie raises a brow. “The woman that you sued?”
“Yes.”
“Is she a client of ours?”
“Please.” I exhale heavily pinching the bridge of my nose. “Please just check on her and make sure she’s okay.”
She gives me a quick nod and walks off in the direction that Rhiannon went.
By the time the director moves on to finalize the video with the second model, Rhiannon’s still not back and neither is Rosie. The scene shifts, the director and Rebel go over a few more key details and finally, Rhiannon reemerges with no Rosie in sight.
She’s wrapped in a blanket, oversized sunglasses hiding her face. She looks composed—or at least, she’s trying to be—but I can’t stop noticing the subtle tension in her posture, the way she’s avoiding looking at anyone directly.
The moment filming ends, I start to move, my body drawn toward her like a magnet. I’m ready to throw my arms around her, to see if she’s alright, but before I can reach her, Billy grabs my arm, pulling me aside.
“Hey, Cain. Do you have a few minutes for us to discuss the Skelter Rayne case?”
I look at Rhiannon, then back at Billy, already knowing I can’t tell him no.
Skelter’s a potential client—a big win in my dad’s eyes if I can land him.
And even though every part of me wants to put work aside and choose her right now, I don’t.
I can’t. And that realization guts me. Because I want to be the kind of man who’s worthy of having her, but I’ll never be unless I put work second.
“Yeah,” I sigh. “What’s going on?”
Skelter Rayne is one of Billy’s clients who’s based out of Los Angeles and recently found himself in a bit of trouble after losing New Artist of the Year at an awards ceremony and then trashing his hotel room.
I know he’s looking for representation for the case, I’m just not sure if my family’s law firm is the right place.
After twenty minutes of conversation with Billy where we talk through potential strategy and the details of his case, I finally get Billy to calm down enough and assure him it’s something I can look into.
Finally, I get a break to go find Rhiannon and hope that she hasn’t left yet. Except when I spot her, it’s even worse. Rebel and her are in the corner, his arm draped around her shoulders way too comfortably as they chat quietly.
I consider how much legal trouble I’d find myself in if I yank him off. If I make a claim on her that I don’t deserve.
I head their direction anyway, afraid of what I’m about to find.
“Hey,” I say nodding to them both as I approach with hands tucked in my suit pants to keep me from crossing a line.
“Oh, hey man. You’re my new lawyer, right?” Rebel asks.
I nod and hold out my hand. “Cain Prescott. We met a few months ago.”
He shakes my hand but keeps his other wrapped tightly around Rhiannon. I can’t tell from the unreadable expression on her face if it makes her uncomfortable. At least she’s smiling now.
“Great job on set today. Both of you.”
She gives me a small smile. “Thanks.”
Rebel squeezes her shoulder affectionately like they’re best friends and didn’t just meet.
“Yeah, Rhiannon’s a star. She’s really going to take the final version of this video to the next level.”
“That she will,” I murmur softly, gaze locked on hers.
I hear Billy call for Rebel from behind me causing him to finally release her shoulders. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow then?” he asks her.
Rhiannon nods. “Yep. Sounds good.”
When Rebel is out of ear shot, I turn to her, arms folded across my chest. “What’s tomorrow?”
“Rebel asked me to meet up with him to discuss a new clothing line he’s launching.” She shrugs casually like it’s no big deal. “We’re going to get dinner and talk about his campaign ideas. He wants me to model for it when it’s time.”
My brows raise because as his lawyer, this is news to me, and all new business endeavors have to funnel through us first.
“Is that really why he wants to meet up with you?”
She scowls and reaches for her purse. “Of course. Why else?”
“Because he’s into you. He wants to make this into a date. Probably wants to fuck you too.”
She throws her dark hair over her shoulder and laughs. “He’s a multi-millionaire rock star, I hardly think I’m his type.”
“Rhiannon,” I step closer to her, eyes pleading now. “You’re the most beautiful and infuriating woman in the world. Every guy in here is into you.”
She smirks. “You called me infuriating. Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
“Yes. One that I would never give anyone else. You’re the only one who can affect me like this.”
She taps her finger against her chin like she’s thinking. “I’ll accept it.”
I chuckle. “And you’re humble too. Now come home with me tonight. Please.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t, sorry. I’ve got to get back to Brookhaven for a therapy appointment with one of my clients.”
“Take the appointment from my penthouse. I have an office you can set your equipment up in. You’re already familiar with the room.” I lower my voice. “It’s where you watched me jerk off while thinking about fucking your ass.”
She smiles like she’s trying to hold back a laugh. “Yes, I’m very acquainted with that room.”
My fingers fall to the hem of the jacket she zipped on when shooting ended.
“Please.” I don’t care that I’m pleading.
I’m not above pleading with this woman. I just want her; hell, I need her.
She makes me crazy, and she still hasn’t given me an answer to my request for us to give this thing a shot, so I feel like I’m stuck in purgatory waiting.
“I’m sorry, I really can’t Cain. All my notes are back at my house.”
I sigh heavily, shoulders slumping because I get it. This is her way of keeping the distance that she desperately craves.
“Have you thought about what I asked?”
She bites down on her bottom lip. “Yeah.”
I nod because I can tell she’s not ready for an answer now. “Can we talk about it soon?”
She nods again. “Yes.”
“Do you want me to come with you to meet up with Rebel tomorrow?”
She shakes her head. “No, I’ll be fine. He might find it strange if his lawyer randomly shows up.”
“That’s what he pays me to do.”
“Not to vet the models.”
I sigh and give a nod, while hating the thought of her going on this non-date that’s totally a date he’s planned.
“Hey, are you… are you alright? With the video and everything?”
For a moment, her expression falters, a wave of emotions flickering across her face. Then she exhales, shoulders slumping slightly like she’s just remembering what happened on set.
“Yeah, I’m good. Acting drains me but that’s all it was.” She forces another smile, rolling her shoulders back and standing taller now. “I’ll see you soon, Cain.”
And just like that, she’s gone, leaving me standing there with an ache I once again don’t know how to shake and a thousand words that I should have said instead.