Risk Taker by Sonia Stanizzo

Chapter 22

The next few days were much of the same: get up, go to work, go to Holly’s hotel room and spend the night making love for hours. He only came home for a change of clothes.

The weekend brought a much-needed rest from filming, and he’d come home to take care of a few things. Holly had some shopping to do, and they planned to meet up later. They were only apart for a few hours, and he already missed her. This morning, he’d left her with a mind-blowing orgasm that made her wobble at the knees. He’d bet she missed him too.

“What’re you looking so happy about?” His brother strolled into the kitchen with bloodshot eyes and about three days’ worth of stubble. The character he played on the show was freshly shaven, which clued Ethan in about his worst suspicions: Aiden hadn’t been at work recently. His happy mood dropped.

“Nothing, want some coffee?” When his brother nodded, he pulled out two mugs and waited for the brew to heat. He wanted to ask Aiden about work but every time he brought it up, it only aggravated him and he’d storm off.

“You still banging Victoria? Because I’ve never seen her put a smile on your face like that before.” Aiden dropped onto a stool at the breakfast counter.

Although things with Victoria were never serious, he didn’t like Aiden speaking about her like that. He’d let it pass to save an argument. “We’re not together anymore.” Not that they ever had been.

When the coffee was ready, he poured it out and handed a mug to Aiden. Ethan leaned a hip against the counter and took a sip.

“So, you’re screwing some other chick? Best part of our job, women always willing and ready.”

Anger, hotter than his coffee, percolated in his gut and his free hand clenched into a fist by his side. Aiden didn’t normally talk like this. Losing his wife and his baby had changed him into a harsh man that Ethan no longer recognised. And to have him talk about Holly as if she was a piece of available arse, was unacceptable. Becoming a widower didn’t mean he could be an arsehole.

“He’s seeing one of the makeup artists on set,” Chloe said, strolling into the room. “It’s pretty serious from what I’ve been told. I’d love a cup, too.” She slid onto a stool next to Aiden, gave her brother a kiss on the cheek and smiled. Ethan could see the concern in her eyes as she took in Aiden’s dishevelled state.

Ethan poured her coffee and slid the mug along the counter. She took a long sip and sighed, “God, I needed that.”

“So, what’s this about Ethan getting serious?” Aiden asked.

“What do you even know about it anyway?” Ethan frowned at Chloe.

She gave him a playful shrug of one shoulder. “I have my ways.”

“Mum,” Ethan stated. “You two are such gossips.”

“It’s not gossip if Mum and I are talking about you. It’s family business.”

Ethan and Aiden both scoffed. It was the first time in months Ethan had seen even a slight upward turn of Aiden’s lips. In a blink, it was gone. He held onto hope that more might follow.

“Stay out of my business.” Ethan threw her a sharp look that didn’t intimidate her at all. It never worked. He should just give up trying.

“I like Holly, I thinks she’s great. Too good for you though.”

“Holly’s the new chick you’re banging?” Aiden sneered.

Ethan’s jaw clenched and he growled through stiff lips, “If you keep referring Holly ‘to the chick I’m banging’, I don’t care that you’re my brother, I’ll knock you on your fucking arse.”

The brothers stared at each other with baleful expressions until Aiden shrugged and leaned back in his seat hooking an arm over the back of the chair.

“They’ve been inseparable. It’s the most invested Ethan’s ever been with a woman,” Chloe said.

“I’m going to have to talk with Mum,” Ethan said. “She needs to keep her mouth shut.” He couldn’t help smiling, though it was true. They’d spent a lot of time together and he loved every minute.

“Look at his face.” Chloe nudged Aiden’s shoulder and sighed dramatically. “I think it’s love.”

Ethan wouldn’t go that far, but even as he thought that warmth spread across his chest. That was a feeling he’d never experienced before. He liked Holly but love? No.

Aiden sneered. “Fuck love. What good has that done anyone?” He abruptly rose, the chair rocking dangerously close to tipping. “Find a woman to fuck not love. My house is ready, I’m leaving now.” With that, he stormed out of the room.

Chloe stared after him while Ethan gathered the empty mugs and tossed them in the sink. The loud clanging sound whipping Chloe’s head around.

“Hope you have more of those, they sound like they broke.”

Ethan didn’t give a damn about the mugs, and he’d had about enough of Aiden’s foul mood.

“He’s grieving,” Chloe said. “We should be more sensitive around him. It can’t be easy hearing about other people’s happy relationships when he’s lost the love of his life.”

“If we’re any more sensitive, we’d be mute. I’m tired of walking on eggshells because we’re worried how he’ll react. Grief shouldn’t be an excuse to be an arsehole 24/7.”

“Do you think we’ll ever get our Aiden back?” Chloe’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.

He didn’t want to discourage any hope Chloe had for their brother. But he didn’t want to give her false hope either. “Maybe one day.”

* * *

After a fabulous weekend with Ethan, spending most of their time in bed and ordering Uber eats—another new experience for Ethan, Monday slapped her in the face. Ethan wasn’t on set and she missed having him around. Instead of working on his beautiful face and seeing the promise of what was to come that evening, Shaun sat scowling at her from the makeup chair.

Holly hadn’t seen him since he insulted her at the catering table and she hadn’t given him a second thought, she’d been too occupied with Ethan. Unfortunately, Holly had to get Shaun ready as Nancy was busy on set and Flora was attending to another actor.

She’d removed his makeup three times and started over because he was unsatisfied. It was his way of getting her back for the drink incident or not sleeping with him. Probably both. A woman turning down his advances was a blow to his ego.

Trying to act professional, she kept her face devoid of emotion even though frustration bubbled on the inside. “How’s that?” she asked.

He tilted his head and inspected her work. “I look like a corpse. If this is the best you can do, you’ll be out of a job as quickly as you started. With no qualifications no wonder you’re so crap. I need someone with experience to do me.” Holly hadn’t missed the double entendre.

“Shaun!” Nancy’s voice boomed into the room.

Holly sighed with relief, so happy to see her right now.

“Do not talk to my staff like that. Your makeup is flawless. Now get out of here, you’re wanted on set.” With her hands on hips, Nancy’s glare followed him out the door.

“I’m sorry Shaun spoke to you like that,” Nancy said.

“He’s right though, I’m not experienced or have any qualifications. I don’t think I can write ‘learned by watching YouTube videos’ on my resume.” Holly sighed, dropping onto the chair Shaun vacated. She’d enrolled in the course she was looking at, even though she hadn’t heard from her parents yet. If she hadn’t done so, she’d have to wait another year to get in and she didn’t want to wait anymore. All she needed to do was find a way to pay for it. It would take a year or more of saving up just to make the tuition. Then again, if she thought outside the box, there was one thing she could do…

“Who cares about a piece of paper when your work is incredible.”

Nancy stood behind Holly, placed her hands on her shoulders and looked at her in the reflection of the mirror. The bright bulbs highlighted Nancy’s soft features and striking green eyes. It wasn’t hard to see where Ethan got his good looks from. Nancy was still a beautiful woman. Holly wondered why she’d never found love again after the death of her husband. It wasn’t her place to ask.

“I got lucky finding work with you,” Holly said. “I’m not sure anyone else will be as understanding.”

“We’ll worry about that when the time comes.” In like ten days … I need to worry about it now. “I’m off to an appointment. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Flora’s in charge if you have any questions or need help.”

After Nancy left, the morning went from bad to worse. Without having her around to put Shaun in his place, he complained loud enough for the studio next door to hear that she’d poked him in the eye with a brush—she’d been using a sponge and working on his jaw, nowhere near his eye. One minute his foundation was too light then too dark. Next, he grumbled about the colour of his lips. The most farfetched complaint was when he accused her of standing too close and violating his personal space.

Not able to bite her tongue another second, she threw her hands in the air and stepped away. “You’re a jerk. I’ve listened to you complain all morning and have kept my mouth shut, but this is too much. I’m in your personal space because I’m applying makeup, nothing more. Want to talk about personal space? Remember your wandering hands in the club? There’s a difference, and what I’ve been doing is working!”

“You were a prick tease and now you’re trying to grab my attention. Not interested then, not interested now. Isn’t Ethan enough for you? Trying to climb the ladder by screwing all the A list actors?”

Before she could wrap her hands around his scrawny neck, Trudy came rushing in from out of nowhere, a man followed close behind. She’d never seen him before. He wore an expensive suite, his silver hair thick and neatly combed. A round or two with Botox and fillers smoothed the lines he should have for someone his age. Whoever he was, he looked important, and Holly had a sinking feeling, things weren’t looking good for her.

“I hear there’s a problem,” the man said. Holly glanced at Trudy and the assistant averted her gaze.

“Holly has been inappropriate towards me Duncan,” Shaun said.

Holly gritted her teeth. Great, they were on a first name basis, Holly didn’t stand a chance.

“Is this true?” Duncan grilled Holly and speared her with an inquiring stare.

“There’s been a misunderstanding. I was applying Shaun’s makeup, nothing more.”

“Oh please, grinding your tits against my arm like a cat in heat is not ‘applying makeup.’” He used air quotation marks for makeup.

Holly gasped, “I didn’t—”

“I can’t work with her. She’s pulling me out of my character. It’s upsetting.” Shaun crossed his arms over his chest.

Now she understood his golden globe nomination last year. He sure had outstanding acting skills. If the situation wasn’t so serious, she’d clap.

“I’m sorry… Holly is it? Your time with us is over,” Duncan said.

“But I didn’t… Nancy needs help,” she pleaded with him to change his mind.

“Jacinta has recovered quicker than expected. She’ll be at work tomorrow.” With that, he turned on his heels and headed back to wherever the hell he came from.

Trudy threw her an apologetic look and mouthed, “Sorry,” before scuttling after him. It wasn’t her fault she was trying to stop a brawl on the verge of erupting.

Shaun sauntered closer with a sly smirk. “What a shame.” There was no sincerity in his tone, in fact, she could tell how much he’d loved his performance especially the ending.

Not able to look at him a moment longer, or she might slap his dirtbag face and then most likely get arrested for assault, she hurried off the set. The sound of Shaun’s laughter ringing in her ears.