The Lies Between the Lines: A Hollywood Romance

Author

The Lies Between the Lines

THE FONTAINES

Book Two

EMBER CASEY

Copyright ©2016 Ember Casey

All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Cover Images licensed through DepositPhotos.com.

Top image: © majdansky

Bottom image: © lunamarina

You can contact Ember at ember.casey@gmail.com.

Website: http://embercasey.com.

BOOKS BY EMBER CASEY

THE FONTAINES

The Secret to Seduction

The Sweet Taste of Sin

The Lies Between the Lines

The Mystery of You

The Thrill of Temptation

THE CUNNINGHAM FAMILY

His Wicked Games

Truth or Dare

Sweet Victory

Her Wicked Heart

Take You Away

Lost and Found

Completely (short story)

Their Wicked Wedding

A Cunningham Christmas

Their Wicked Forever

ROYAL HEARTBREAKERS

Royal Heartbreaker

Royal Mistake

Royal Arrangement

Royal Disaster

Royal Escape

THE DEVIL’S SET

Jackson

STANDALONE NOVELS

The Billionaire Escape Plan

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From the Relationship Contract between (Mr.) LUCA FONTAINE and (Ms.) EMILIA TORRES:

Upon entering this contract, both partners [heretofore known as the couple] agree to publicly present themselves as a romantic couple for the duration of the period laid out in these terms.

1. Both members of the couple must appear at all premieres, awards ceremonies, celebrations, and major media events honoring or featuring the other member. The physical affection requirements will be as follows: three [3] passionate kisses minimum at each public appearance, except in the case of major premieres or events, at which the minimum will be five [5] passionate kisses per event.

The exception to this rule occurs only in the event that the couple means to inspire rumors of an impending breakup.

2. Both members of the couple are expected to maintain convincing levels of physical affection in both public and private scenarios where there is present some member of the film industry, media, or general public. These scenarios include (but are not limited to): time on location/all filming situations; parties (both public and private); television, magazine, and other publicity opportunities; and all casual public encounters.

3. Neither member of the party shall discuss the true nature of this relationship except with immediate family or trusted intimates. If news or details of the true nature of this relationship should leak to the media, the responsible member of the couple shall owe $30,000 per infraction to the charity of the other member’s choice.

4. Outside intimate relationships are allowed but must be treated with the utmost discretion. If news or details of the true nature of this relationship should leak to the media through the indiscretion of one member of the couple, the responsible member of the couple shall owe $30,000 per infraction to the charity of the other member’s choice.

5. Media interviews are allowed (and at times encouraged), but the subject matter of any such interview must be discussed and decided by the couple before any interview should take place, to ensure that 1) the public image of the couple is properly maintained, and 2) each member of the couple will be able to corroborate the other’s stories.

6. The relationship between the couple is solely a professional one. To maintain this professionalism (and for legal purposes), physical acts of affection are expressly forbidden outside of professional or public obligations.

For the purposes of publicity, the couple will be required to submit to several events over the course of their relationship, including but not limited to: public fights; breakups (at least two); cheating rumors; reconciliation rumors; pregnancy rumors; and an extended public engagement. The dates and lengths of each of these events are to be determined together by the members of the couple to correspond with the timeline of their professional film projects and/or other public events.

In the event that one member of the couple willfully violates the terms of this contract or otherwise (with conscious intent) exposes the true nature of this relationship, he/she forfeits all rights and royalties relating to the couple and its assets. The other member of the couple will be entitled to seek damages up to two million dollars [$2,000,000.00].

THE BEGINNING OF OUR STORY

Once upon a time, a starlet fell in love with Hollywood’s hottest hunk. They met filming a movie together, and it was love at first sight. He was the golden boy of the film industry, and she was an up-and-coming actress who was finally getting her big break. It was a love story straight out of the movies…

At least that’s what they want you to think. The truth is a lot more complicated.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. This story technically begins over two years ago, when a bright-eyed young actress (that’s me) finds herself at a screen test for what she’s hoping will be her big break—Cataclysm: Earth, the disaster epic and pet project of two of Hollywood’s biggest names, Dante and Luca Fontaine.

I’m sure you can imagine how terrified I am from the moment I walk into that room. I’ve spent the better part of the last three years struggling to get by, going to audition after audition and praying that someone will see something in me. I’ve been told everything imaginable—that I’m too curvy, too skinny, too ethnic, too generic. My first manager tried to convince me to change my last name to something less Mexican, explaining that since I’m only half Puerto Rican (and a much more commercial Scotch-Irish on my mom’s side), he could probably get me into a broader range of auditions if I dyed my hair blond and adopted a more American last name.

Needless to say, I dumped his ass. And now I’m ready to take over the world.

I wipe my palms on my pants as I walk into the casting office. No reason for the people in this room to know how anxious I am. I have the bit of script they gave me folded up in my pocket, but I won’t need it. I memorized it days ago.

Kyle Jacobs, the casting director, extends his hand to me when I enter.

Emilia, he says, his close-trimmed mustache curling up as he smiles. Thank you for coming in today. Everyone, this is Emilia Torres.

Everyone turns out to be a lot more people than I was expecting to see today. There are seven other people in the room, and I suspect many of them are very important—producers, studio execs, and perhaps even the director himself. None of them introduce themselves, but I recognize at least one person—Dante Fontaine, the film’s screenwriter.

It’s my understanding that screenwriters aren’t usually around for any part of the audition phase, but Dante is a special case. His family basically runs Hollywood. His parents, Charles and Giovanna Fontaine, are industry legends, and now their four grown sons are making their own mark on the world of film—and the tabloids. Dante, the oldest Fontaine son, tends to make less trouble than his brothers, but he’s still a regular fixture in celebrity news media simply for being rich and famous and possessing such dark, brooding good looks.

But Dante isn’t the only Fontaine brother involved with Cataclysm: Earth. He wrote the part of Jax Walton specifically for Luca, his next youngest brother. Luca is arguably the golden boy of Hollywood. He’s at the top of the A-list, a recurring star of the tabloids, and his acting chops are matched only by his inhumanly good looks. He’s the perfect package. The very definition of a true movie star.

And as I stand there waiting for Kyle Jacobs to instruct me to begin, Luca himself walks into the room.

I know he’s there even before I see him. Even though I’ve never met him before, I feel his presence the moment he comes through the door. It’s like the entire atmosphere of the room changes—like I suddenly can’t breathe. I’ve had actor friends tell me that some celebrities just have a magical something about them—a special quality that seems to affect everyone and everything around them. But I’ve never truly experienced it until this moment.

And I’m not prepared.

Good morning, Luca says to the room.

I’ve heard his voice a hundred times before, speaking to me through movie screens. But in person, it’s something else.

Good morning, Luca, his brother says. You’re late.

Luca smiles, his mouth spreading into that trademark grin of his. He’s not even looking at me, and yet my insides go all wobbly.

Why didn’t they warn me he’d be here? Since Luca has already been cast, it’s no surprise that they’d want me to read with him, but I wish they’d told me. It would have given me a chance to prepare. I don’t like surprises, especially when it comes to my work.

Luca takes his time greeting the Important People, and I take a deep breath, remembering one of those silly mindfulness exercises my dad likes to force on me. It doesn’t help.

Finally, he turns to me, but I’m still recovering from the shock of his presence. I swear my heart stops for a moment. That’s the effect he has on people. It’s like he’s some sort of golden god come down to earth, and a mere human like me can’t quite handle his heavenly aura.

He’s absolutely beautiful. His hair is wavy and golden blond, a contrast to Dante’s darker coloring. His eyes are a warm, pale brown—like buttery caramel. He’s sporting the ideal California tan on his exquisitely proportioned body.

He’s perfect.

His smile widens as he looks at me. He must know the effect he has on people—especially poor, desperate actresses who are ready to murder to get their big break.

You must be Emilia, he says, stepping toward me and holding out his hand.

For a minute, I’m simply shocked that someone of Luca’s importance has bothered to learn the name of an actress who hasn’t even snagged the part yet. But somehow I manage to find the power to reach out and place my hand in his.

I expect him to shake it. Instead, he raises it to his lips.

Pleasure to meet you, he says, dipping his head. His lips brush against the back of my knuckles, and his golden hair falls across his forehead as he looks up at me through those warm, bright eyes.

I’m pretty sure I gape at him for a full five seconds. And then I remember where I am and that my entire career hangs on me being able to perform basic speech functions around this man.

Nice to meet you, too, I say. Hopefully we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other soon.

Something in Luca’s smile looks positively wicked. His fingers tighten slightly on mine.

Yes, he says in that honeyed voice of his. Hopefully we will.

If I’m not careful, I’m going to jump him right here in the middle of this room. Smiling, I gently pull my hand out of his and pray I still look relatively professional. At the end of the day, that’s the most important thing—remaining professional. I’m here to build a career for myself, and I refuse to let anything stand in my way—even a smile like that. I’ve spent my whole life working toward this moment, and the past three years working here in Hollywood, scraping and scrounging for any bit of work I could get. When all of my buddies from acting class are going out to parties or trying whatever new designer drug is in vogue, I’ve been at home, practicing scenes in the bathroom mirror. All I need is for someone to take a chance on me.

Let’s start from right after Jax’s line about the explosion, Kyle Jacobs says.

Actually, Luca says, his eyes never leaving mine, I have a few questions for Emilia first.

My stomach tightens. I’m trapped by that gaze, lost in the spell of Luca Fontaine.

Slowly, his eyes pull away from mine, drifting down my body. It’s more of a curious, assessing look than a sexual one, but that doesn’t keep my insides from going all warm.

After what feels like an eternity, his gaze finally rises to mine again.

What sort of acting experience do you have, Emilia? he says.

I’m confused. Everyone in this room already has that information. Shouldn’t they have passed it along to him?

But no one else says anything, and Luca is staring at me expectantly, so I say, "I’ve been in four independent films. The most recent one won a number of festival awards last year. I’ve also had a few television roles, including one on the finale of American Crime Lab last season. And I’ve been in six nationally syndicated commercials—"

Commercials? Luca says. He shoots a look at the small army of Important People in front of us. You brought in some nobody from television commercials?

His abrupt shift in tone—from flirtatious to accusatory—is jarring. My heart stops.

Kyle Jacobs straightens in his seat and rubs his jaw. "She blew it out of the park in her previous auditions, Luca. And we did discuss wanting to bring in someone who’s relatively unknown—"

There’s relatively unknown, and then there’s completely obscure. Luca glances back at me with a shrug. Sorry, love, but we need someone with a little more experience than that. This is a major franchise, and I can’t be expected to act opposite someone who can’t keep up with me. He takes my hand again, bringing it back to his lips for another kiss. It truly was a pleasure meeting you. I’m sorry things didn’t work out.

I silently curse at myself for experiencing even a shiver of response at the touch of his mouth.

Luca drops my hand, turning back to the Important People.

Call me when it’s time for the next one, he says. And please, gentlemen, don’t waste my time again.

And then, without another glance at me, he strides back toward the door.

For a second, I’m completely speechless. We haven’t even been in the room together for two minutes and he’s completely written me off. Without even bothering to do the scene with me. My dream is slipping through my fingers, and he won’t even give me a chance.

I don’t know what comes over me then. Maybe it’s all the stress surrounding this audition—I hardly slept at all last night—or maybe it’s just years’ worth of desperation finally bubbling up to the surface. Either way, I’m not about to let him take that away from me—not without at least letting me audition.

I run to the door.

Luca! I yell after him.

He stops and turns slowly, one eyebrow raised quizzically. Yes, my dear?

This is bullshit. The words that come out of my mouth shock me. And they appear to shock Luca, too, because his eyes widen.

Excuse me? he says.

I know this is a mistake, but I can’t stop myself. You heard me. This is bullshit. BULL. SHIT. So what if I don’t have that much experience? I guarantee you won’t find anyone better for Isabel. I’ve spent my whole life preparing for this moment. And even if it takes the entire rest of my life, I’m going to make you regret walking out of this audition. I promise you.

No sooner have the words left my lips than my entire body goes cold. I just yelled at Luca Fontaine. Luca-freaking-Fontaine. The guy whose family practically owns Hollywood. I’m probably going to get blacklisted from the industry forever.

I can’t believe I snapped like that. Sure, I’ve been known to throw a few curse words around, but I rarely yell—if I’m mad at someone, I usually just stew and give them the silent treatment. Now I’ve lost it at the worst possible moment.

All I know is that I have to get out of here—fast. Unfortunately, my purse and car keys are back in the room, which means facing the Important People one more time before I can make my escape.

Don’t show any shame, I tell myself. Don’t let them think they’ve broken you. The only thing I have left is my dignity.

I keep my head up high as I march back into the room. I look right at the Important People as I stride over to the chair where I left my purse—saving a special glare for Dante, since he looks almost amused by this whole situation. Well, fuck him.

I snatch my purse and turn around, ready to make a graceful exit, but to my surprise I find Luca in the doorway, flashing that charming, million-dollar grin right at me.

Well, he says to the room, I think we’ve found our Isabel.

I freeze in place, stunned. What?

Cancel the other screen tests, he says to the Important People. This is her. You already said she was at the top of your list. I don’t even need to see the others.

I’m surprised to hear that Luca has that much power over the casting decisions for this film—but perhaps I shouldn’t be. The other people in the room are rising from their chairs, and Kyle Jacobs comes over to me, extending his hand.

It’s not official until everything’s signed, he says, "but welcome to Cataclysm: Earth, Ms. Torres."

I blink at his outstretched hand. What’s going on?

A bright laugh sounds behind me, and I turn to see Luca looking quite pleased with himself.

Why don’t you and I have a chat, Emilia? he says. Just the two of us?

He leads me out of the room, and I can’t decide whether the heat in my chest is from anger or embarrassment or something else.

Emilia, he begins, …I may call you Emilia, right?

Sure, I say, trying not to think about how lovely my name sounds in that voice of his.

His smile broadens, and a small flurry of butterflies erupts inside me. Keep it professional, Em.

Emilia, he says again, I trust those people in there when it comes to your acting ability. Which means today was about two things—making sure we’d have on-screen chemistry, and confirming that you could keep up with me. As you know, they specifically wanted an up-and-coming actress for Isabel, but it defeats the purpose if she’s just going to fade into the background next to her more well-known co-stars. It also defeats the purpose if she’s too nervous and inexperienced to speak up for herself. We wanted someone who could hold her own—and I wanted someone who had the energy and vibrancy to match me scene for scene.

Oh, I say, finally understanding.

You passed my test, he says. Quite well, in fact.

But that only proved that I can stand up to you, I point out. Not any of those other things.

The rest of it was apparent even before my little test. He leans a little closer, trapping me against the wall. "I knew from the moment I walked into the room that you have the necessary presence. Something about you draws the eye, Emilia—but I’m sure you know that already."

My presence is nothing next to his—surely he has to recognize that.

He goes on, leaning even nearer. You won’t fade into the background. In fact, I have a feeling you will light up the screen. Trust me, Emilia—after this film launches, everyone in Hollywood will want you.

The way he says want sends a shiver through me. I look away from him, embarrassed again. I’m having a hard time believing that Luca Fontaine, of all people, thinks these things about me.

You also said we needed chemistry, I say, trying to shift the subject away from my alleged presence. How can we know that before we’ve even acted together?

I risk a glance up at him, and the curl of his lips is positively mischievous.

Trust me, he says, reaching up and brushing a stray bit of hair away from my temple. When you’ve done this as many times as I have, you just know. One side of his smile creeps a little higher, and the effect is devastatingly handsome. You can feel it. Frankly, I’m surprised that you don’t feel it, too. His hand slides from my temple down to my jaw. He hooks a finger beneath my chin, tilting my face up toward his. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun together, Emilia.

I can’t speak. My thoughts are all in a jumble.

Luca drops his hand, but his eyes are still bright and wicked as he steps away from me.

Oh, girl, you’re in trouble, I think as he walks back to the room.

And it only takes a month before I learn exactly how naïve and idiotic I truly am.

CHAPTER ONE

PRESENT DAY

Some mornings, it feels like there isn’t enough caffeine in the entire world to turn me into a normal human being. Fortunately, my on-set makeup artist is a miracle worker.

I sip my giant coffee as I survey myself in my trailer’s full-length mirror. The rising sun is just starting to peek through the trailer’s curtains, but I’ve already been here for over two hours, being transformed from just-rolled-out-of-bed Emilia into a badass warrior chick who looks like she’s been through hell and back. You’d think after two years of working in major feature films I’d be used to showing up to work at 4 AM, but it still usually takes a shot of espresso or two before I stop being a zombie. I thought I was exhausted during the production of Cataclysm: Earth, but so far the filming for its sequel, Cataclysm: Aftermath, has been even more grueling. We just wrapped up filming in the Mojave Desert last week, and now the rest of the movie will be shot in a soundstage here in Los Angeles.

You ready for today, Em? I ask myself in the mirror. The answer is a resounding, No! but I fight it down.