Rogue Beast (The Rourkes, Book 12) Read online

  He shifts toward me. “Yeah? Me too. I hit up as many music festivals as I can.”

  I smile. “Cool.” I’ve heard music festivals are fun, but with the large crowds it’s impossible for me to attend like a normal person. I only went once when a headliner, who was a friend of mine, invited me. I watched from backstage with her security detail.

  A sharp knock on my trailer door startles me, and I leap up. “They probably want me on set. We should go.”

  I head for the door and open it, expecting one of the production assistants. Instead it’s a scary-looking man with a shaved head and a neck tattoo, wearing a white button-down shirt open to mid-chest, revealing another tattoo over one of his pecs. Good thing I’ve got Joe here. How did this scary guy get past security?

  His brown eyes are intent on mine as he offers his hand to shake. “Harper Ellis, I’m Joe Sullivan.”

  My bodyguard.

  My stomach drops. “What?” I whisper over the roaring in my ears.

  “Your new bodyguard,” he says. “I got a little lost on the way to your trailer. Hey, you okay? You look kinda pale.”

  The complete stranger I let into my trailer brushes by me and steps outside. “Real nice to meet ya, Harper. Save some of that chocolate for Joe.” He winks, turns, and walks away.

  I slip back into my trailer and make my way to the sofa, flopping down in a cold sweat. My real bodyguard waits outside.

  Who the hell did I let into my trailer?

  2

  Garrett

  As exits go, it was a pretty good one, but the look of horror on Harper’s face has me making an about-face. I know I was in the wrong. It’s just that I didn’t want to spoil the moment by admitting I wasn’t her bodyguard. Plus, the chemistry between us is electric. She wants me. Not bragging, either. I could feel it, see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice. I’m good at reading people. I want her too, so if we could just get past this misunderstanding…

  I check in with her guard, letting him know I’m on set because my sister-in-law Josie is the star of Living Gold. I’m sure he doesn’t want to get on the bad side of the star at his new place of employment. After he confirms it with the head of security, he lets me through.

  I knock on her trailer door and wait, the blood pumping through my veins. My first time on set has been an adventure so far. With potential for—

  The door flies open. Harper’s hazel eyes flash pure fury. God, she’s beautiful. From her mass of curly dark brown hair to her smoking hot body in that slip of a dress all the way down to her sexy toned legs.

  “Who are you?” she demands. “How did you get on set?”

  “Is there a problem?” her guard asks, stepping closer.

  “I’m on the list,” I tell her. “Can I come in? I’ll explain everything.”

  She gestures me impatiently in, telling her guard, “It’s fine.”

  I step inside, letting the door quietly shut behind me.

  She slams her hands on her hips. “So? Explain.”

  I hold my palms up. “I’m Garrett Rourke. My sister-in-law is Josie Abbott, and I was on my way to my reserved seat in the studio audience when I ran into you.” And you invited me in.

  She purses her lips. “Why don’t I ask her that right now, hmm?” She grabs her phone from the sofa and texts rapidly, her brows drawn down in concentration. She lifts her head. “No reply yet.”

  “Sean’s probably distracting her.” More like hooking up with her, but hey, they’re madly in love and married, so why not? “Have you met my brother Sean? Strong family resemblance.” People from the neighborhood say you can tell a Rourke son because we resemble our dad, with his same dark brown hair, angular cheekbones, and build. I’m the only one who inherited his aquamarine eyes, which supposedly is the sign of a true ruler of Villroy. Yup, I’ve got royal blood. My dad abdicated the throne to Villroy to marry my mom, a commoner. Even if he hadn’t been banished from the kingdom all those years ago, I still wouldn’t have ruled as the youngest of six sons. That’s me—baby of the family, even at twenty-six.

  She lowers her phone and studies me for a moment. “You do resemble Sean. A lot.” She puts a hand to her forehead. “Ugh, I feel like such an idiot. I assumed you were my guard when I saw my assistant talking to you. I thought she was directing you to my trailer when she was probably directing you to Josie’s trailer.”

  “Yeah.”

  “And I practically dragged you in here. This is my fault.”

  “Nah, honest mistake.” I smile, which makes her blush. She’s sweet and a little shy, an appealing combination and not something I expected from an actor. Josie is loud and extremely outgoing.

  She shakes her head.

  I lift a palm. “If it helps, I’d like to be your bodyguard. If I didn’t already have a job, that is. I work for my family’s construction and real estate development business.” That sounds more impressive than it is. I work on crew, no fancy title like my older brothers have. When the business was passed on to us from my uncle, my oldest brother was named CEO. As we grew with the real estate development business, he handed out corporate titles to my older brothers. Everyone but me. I know he sees me as the young inexperienced one, even after eight years of hard physical labor. Though part of me suspects it’s also because I’m the best at my job. I can do every aspect of construction with an attention to detail that guarantees happy clients.

  Harper sinks to the sofa. She checks her phone, reading the screen before meeting my eyes. “Josie’s excited you’re here and so happy we met. There’s a bunch of celebration emojis.” She holds up her phone to show me a dancing cheerleader, fireworks, and a champagne bottle.

  I grin. “Sounds like Josie.”

  She sets her phone down next to her on the sofa and covers her face with her hands, peeking at me between her fingers. “I’m so embarrassed.”

  I step closer. “Don’t be. I should’ve said something, but it felt like we were connecting, ya know? I didn’t want to spoil the moment by admitting I wasn’t who you thought I was.”

  She drops her hands, revealing bright red cheeks. You never see her blush on TV. Could she blush on cue? Acting is such a strange and fascinating world. I can’t get over how different she is in real life from her character Amanda.

  She blows out a breath. “Okay, well, I guess I have only myself to blame for accosting you and foisting water and chocolate on you.”

  I chuckle. “That’s what clued me in to your sweetness. You only had three little pieces of chocolate, yet you offered me one.”

  She stares at my chest. “Just trying to be welcoming to the newest member of my little entourage.”

  “Who else is in it?”

  She waves airily. “No one all the time like a bodyguard, which is why I was trying to make nice. I’ve got a publicist, agent, manager, and assistant hustling for me.”

  “Cool.”

  She stands. “Guess I should let the real Joe in and welcome him to the team.” She shakes her head, muttering, “I’m making a mess of this guard thing.”

  “Lemme give you my number. I don’t live far from Josie and Sean. In fact, I house-sit for them when she’s away on a job.” I want her to know how much Josie trusts me so she knows she can trust me.

  “Oh. Uh…” She blushes even more, if that’s possible, the blush spreading to her neck. “Actually, I have a boyfriend. Colton Young. He’s away right—” Her phone rings to the tune of the Rolling Stones’ “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” She gives me a small apologetic smile. “It’s him. He’s filming a Rolling Stones biopic. Sorry. I have to take this. Err, help yourself to a bottled water to go.”

  Even giving me the brush-off, she wants to give me something. “Sure, thanks.” I can always use water after working on a hot day. We got an early start today on site to avoid the worst of the heat. I walk over and open the mini-fridge, which has a neat line of bottled waters on one shelf and diet iced teas on the other. I grab a water and glance at her listening intently to whatever
Colton’s saying, her brows knit together.

  I head for the door and stop, one hand on the knob. I can’t resist taking one last look over my shoulder at her. Something about her pulls at me. She’s looking off in the distance, frowning before saying in an ice-cold voice, “Let’s just cut to the chase and end it now. Goodbye, Colton.”

  She looks to the ceiling, blinking back tears.

  I can’t leave her in distress. “You okay?”

  She squares her shoulders and lifts her chin, a steely look taking over her face. It reminds me of the tough CEO she played before, which means it’s an act.

  “You seem—”

  “I’m fine,” she says through her teeth. “Colton was just being kind—his words—giving me a heads-up that he’s now with his costar.” Her lips press tightly together. “He didn’t want me to be blindsided.”

  Cheating ass. He doesn’t deserve her sweetness. “That sucks.”

  She crosses her arms, hugging herself. “Yeah, well, the good news is he’s hoping after we both see other people, we’ll really know if we’re ready for a commitment. Silly me. After six months together, I thought we did have a commitment.”

  Total dick move. “Breakups are rough.”

  She nods jerkily. “He says they went out in public, which means it’ll be in the press and all over the internet.” She sighs. “I have to call my publicist to do damage control. Not for the first time because a guy…God, I am so sick of—sorry.” She holds up a palm. “You don’t deserve to hear me vent.”

  “Vent away.”

  She presses her lips tightly together, slowly shaking her head.

  I never considered the public nature of relationships for well-known actors. That must suck even more.

  The door to the trailer opens, and her guard pokes his head in. “Just got word that you’re needed on set. They’re bringing the audience in twenty.”

  She takes a deep breath. “Okay, thanks, Joe.” She turns to me. “That’s my cue.”

  “My cue too. Josie got me on a special list, so I’m allowed on set early.”

  She stares at me for a moment, then shakes her head. “What a day I’m having.”

  I follow her out, and she locks the door behind her. The three of us head over to the soundstage on Chelsea Piers. Joe’s quiet, on alert, scanning the area as we cross the blacktop, stepping over taped-down wires running to the trailers.

  A woman wearing a headset waves urgently for Harper to go inside the soundstage. She hurries ahead, Joe keeping up with her. She waves over her shoulder at me. “Nice meeting you. Bye!”

  “Sure, bye.” She’s hustled inside, and I’m stopped and questioned by the headset lady. A few moments later, she waves me in.

  I head for my reserved seat in the front row of the audience bleachers and spot Josie on set talking to Harper and another guy. Josie always stands out with her red hair and bubbly personality, gesturing enthusiastically. After they finish their conversation, I lift a hand to her. “Josie.”

  She throws her arms up in a V like a cheerleader. “Garrett! You made it!” She hurries over, and I meet her halfway. She hugs me and pulls back, her blue eyes shining. “I’m so glad you could come. This is going to be a great episode. Sean’s just getting something from my trailer. He’ll sit with you.” She gestures around the set, which is the interior of a mansion—living room, stairs that lead nowhere, and an adjoining kitchen. “Well, what do you think?”

  My gaze catches on Harper, who’s heading off the set. “It’s been amazing so far.”

  “Oh? I hear a note of I got to meet Harper Ellis in there,” she says in a teasing voice. “Are you a fan? I just love her! One of the best scene partners ever.”

  “Yeah, she’s very talented, but I think she’s upset. She just broke up with someone after six months.”

  Josie’s eyes widen. “She and Colton broke up? I had no idea. It just happened right in front of you?”

  “I overheard her on the phone. Maybe check in with her?”

  “Right. Totally will. After the taping, though. I don’t want to throw her off her game.” She frowns. “Poor thing.” She goes up on tiptoe and kisses my cheek. “I gotta go before they call in the audience. Enjoy!”

  She heads off, intercepted by my brother Sean halfway. She greets him enthusiastically like he’s just arrived, though he’s probably been here the whole time. That’s just how she is with him. Sean is damn lucky to have a woman who adores him heart and soul the way Josie does.

  I’m ready for that big love like they have. If only I could find the right woman. Harper comes to mind as someone with potential. But I know better than to step in as her rebound. Those kinds of relationships never work out. It’s about luck and timing, mostly. Though I secretly wish it were about fate because then it would just happen, and nothing I did, no choice I make, would ever be wrong. Fate would take the wheel and bring me the One. Call me a romantic.

  But I have good reason to be. The One is a real thing. I’ve seen it with my parents. My dad could’ve been king, living the high life in a palace on a beautiful island. Instead, he gave up everything to marry “the best woman in the world.” His words, which he often says to her and to anyone who’ll listen. That’s what I’m holding out for. When I know with absolute certainty that I would give anything to be with the best woman in the world for me, that right there is the One.

  Sean bounds up the steps to the bleachers and slaps me on the back as he takes the seat next to me. He resembles me with short dark brown hair, a bit of scruff, except he’s got our mom’s blue eyes. “Hey, Beast, heard you met Harper. Lucky you, meeting a star your first time on set.” My older brothers nicknamed me Beast because of my muscles. Sue me for wanting to keep fit. Guess it’s better than my old nickname. Mom called me her teddy bear.

  “Yup, lucky me,” I say.

  “What’s the matter? Did she blow you off?”

  I nearly choke on his choice of words. The attraction was intense. If she hadn’t told me she had a boyfriend, I would’ve sworn she was into me as much as I was into her. “No, we had a nice talk.”

  He elbows me. “Nice, huh? That’s Beast code for you’re into her. You like the nice girls.”

  “Doesn’t everyone?”

  He leans back in his seat. “They’re not bad. You should ask Harper out. She and Josie get along, so we could double date.”

  “She has a boyfriend. Well, she did. They just broke up.”

  “Perfect. Step in there.”

  I give him a sideways look. “Ever hear of rebound?”

  “Ever hear of ask her out before the next hot actor comes along to turn her head?” He leans in, speaking in a conspiratorial tone. “This is a different world filled with nonstop beautiful rich people. You gotta move quick.” He would know. He runs the Royal Rourke Foundation US and mostly networks through Josie’s Hollywood connections to raise funds to better the Brooklyn neighborhoods we work in. It’s part of our family business mission to give back by creating parks, playgrounds, and other things to enhance the neighborhood in every development project we take on.

  Still, the beautiful rich people angle doesn’t mean much to me. “If that’s what she’s into, then I’m not right for her anyway.” I’m a construction worker, nothing more, nothing less. Though sometimes looking at Sean’s awesome life makes me think about something different for myself. I’ve been working for my family’s construction business since I graduated high school and, lately, I’ve been feeling restless. I like working with my brothers, but I can’t help but think—is this it for me?

  But what the hell else would I do with only a high school diploma and no marketable skills beyond tools? I can’t see myself doing what Sean does, networking his ass off to raise money for the charitable arm of our family business. Not that he needs my help. Besides, my family is important to me. Only one of my brothers has ever left the business, and he’ll likely be back. Family sticks together no matter what. My dad drilled that into us. He lost his family thro
ugh banishment and wanted his new family, us, to stay close. I won’t let him down.

  Sean socks me on the shoulder. “When did you get so mature? Aren’t you supposed to be sowing your wild oats?”

  “That gets old.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean. I hit that stage and started getting pickier about who I spent time with.”

  I feel someone staring and turn to see Harper just behind the living room set. She whirls and runs into Joe, who’s standing behind her. She’s not used to having a bodyguard. I can see her blush from here as she says something to him and dashes out of sight behind a long wall of hallway. Joe follows.

  Maybe I should go to more of these tapings. If nothing else, she’s immensely entertaining.

  Yeah, that’s the reason.

  3

  Garrett

  The next morning, Saturday, I take a shower after my usual run, get dressed, and flop down on the sofa to check my phone for messages. My heart kicks up speed. Harper texted me late last night after I shut my phone off. A bunch of texts, actually. She must’ve gotten my number from Josie. I always work out in the morning before checking in with the world, so this is all news to me. Holy shit.

  Harper: A reporter surprised me outside my apartment building, asking me about Colton and his new lover. I panicked and said we mutually decided to see other people and I was glad I met you.

  I said your whole name. It just came out. I’m so sorry. Not cool.

  I feel terrible.

  There’s going to be press about it. Just ignore it, okay? My publicist will make it all go away.

  Sorry.

  I stare at the screen, unsure how to respond. While I’m sitting there trying to figure out what this all means, Sean texts me. Sly dog. You said you weren’t following up with Harper.

  There’s a link to an article. It’s one of those gossip entertainment sites, and there’s a large picture of Harper and Colton with a jagged split down the middle. Right next to it is Colton with his arm around another woman, a beautiful petite blonde. The article goes on and on about how the perfect Hollywood couple are now through because of a stronger love between Colton and his new costar, Taylor. I skim the article, searching for my part in this. Finally, I find it, in a quote from Harper: “I’m doing okay. We mutually decided to see other people a few weeks back, and I’m very happy I met Garrett Rourke.”