Chapter Twelve
Grainger
If I lose her, I lose everything. -Grainger
I hold Lana in my arms, trying to block everything around us out. People scurry around us like bees in a hive, but I pay them no mind. I only care about the woman that’s currently trying to burrow her way into my chest.
“I don’t want to work. I want to go back to my place and make love again and again and forget about all this.”
I kiss the top of her head. “I know, baby, I know. But you have work and I have more details to look into. This latest note sounded like this guy is closer than ever.” Or woman I remind myself.
Yesterday, after lunch, Lana received another note. This one was a little less garbled than the last and a lot clearer on intentions. It implied that the stalker had been watching her. It even mentioned me.
“Tell the bodyguard he’s next on my list. That’s what he gets for loving you.” It went on to describe Lana in explicit terms using language about her being a whore and needing to rid the world of her influence.
She finally pulls away. “You’ll be here all morning though, right? You’ll stay nearby?” The anxiety in her tone saddens me. This woman should never have to worry about her own well-being. She shouldn’t be terrorized by this crazed person.
“Of course, I’ll be here. I’m going to wait right here until O’Rourke comes to take my place. And then I’ll be back this afternoon.”
“You ready, Lana? These lines won’t practice themselves, girlie girl. Let’s get to rockin’.” Fiona’s dry voice comes from behind us.
Lana slowly backs away from me and gives Fiona a half grin.
“Of course, Fi. I know we have that big scene coming up.” She squares her shoulders and then glances at me.
“We’re going to have a whole screaming match where my character finally confronts her mother about the neglect she experienced growing up. It’s going to be super emotional.”
Fiona sighs. “Yep, I gotta start the waterworks. I like it better when my character just acts like a wiseass.” She looks back and forth between the two of us.
“Now, if you two can be separated for a little bit, I think we should probably practice this alone, in my trailer. It’s not the kind of scene that needs to be worked out in front of others.
It requires a lot of attention to detail from both of us. ”
I glance down at Lana. “I’m not sure how I feel about that. Do y’all really need to be alone? I like being able to see you, sweetheart.”
Fiona lets out a snort. “She’ll be fine in my trailer, Grainger. I’ll even let you check it out before we go in there. Do a sweep? Isn’t that what you professionals call it? Besides, I’m too old and ornery for anyone to attack me.”
Lana squeezes my hand. “She’s right. It’s an emotional scene. We should probably practice alone.”
Fuck. I don’t like letting her out of my sight even for a second.
She squeezes my hand again and I gaze into her brown eyes. I finally let out a long sigh. “Okay, you win. Let me look her trailer over and then you guys can get started. I need to call my tech guy back anyway.”
She pats me on the arm and sends me a blinding grin. “Thanks, big guy.” She winks. “I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”
Heat races through my body at exactly what that means. Fuck, this woman twists me into knots.