Kissed Blind (Hot Pursuit #2)(31)

We pulled into the lot and stopped by to check in with Barry before we took the elevator up. When we arrived on the Pierce floor, we found the door cracked open. Vance knocked and entered.

“Hello?” he called.

“In the kitchen,” Cici answered.

We walked in where Cici was loading some plates into the dishwasher.

“Did you leave the door open for us?” Vance asked.

“Yeah, Barry called and said you were on the way up.” She loaded a cereal bowl into the bottom rack and began washing her hands.

“That was nice of you, but try not to do that. You never know if someone could sneak past security and walk right in. I’m sure it wouldn’t happen, but it could, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

She grabbed a towel to dry her hands and covered her mouth with a splash of rouge glowing in her cheeks. “Oh geez, I never thought of that.”

Vance laughed and squeezed her arm. “It’s okay.”

She tipped her shoulder up to her ear. “I guess when I hear you’ve arrived, I just feel so safe. The thought of being in danger never crossed my mind.”

I tried not to vomit.

“Oh, and you too, Diana. You guys are such a great team. With everything that happened the other day, you’re both gifts to us.” I held an even smile with vacant eyes while she finished drying her hands and rehung the towel in front of the stove. “Oliver is almost ready. He should be down any second.”

Oliver soon appeared in a blue Henley that hugged his chest in all the right spots with hair lazily mussed like he’d rolled right out of bed.

“We need to get going,” Oliver said, grabbing his satchel and throwing it over his shoulder. “Cici, I’d like you to stay here and keep an eye on Camille today.”

She frowned. “I’d planned on joining you today. Who’ll get your coffee?” She smoothed her form fitted white blazer over her dark wash jeans. “Plus, I thought it would be nice to see the city and the set. I’m itching to get out of this apartment.” The divots in her cheeks indented as she smiled coyly again at Vance.

“I know, but she can’t be alone.”

“How is Camille doing?” I asked.

“She slept well last night and is coming down off the meds. The doctor has already come and gone. He looked her over and said she’s improving nicely, but I’d feel more at ease knowing someone is keeping an eye on her.” He looked at Cici.

Cici feigned a smile. “Sure. I’d be happy to.”

“You’re the best. I’ll have these two to keep me company and I’ll get my own coffee, so don’t worry too much about me.” Traces of humor touched his voice.

“Of course.” Her eyes wandered over to Vance and disappointment was scrolled all over her face. “Have a great day shooting. I’ll be here when you get back.”

“I’m counting on it.” He marched to the door. “I need to get out of here. I don’t want to handle the wrath coming my way if I’m late again.”

Down in the lobby, Oliver and I waited while Vance brought the car around.

“How was your night?” Oliver asked.

“It was good. Were you able to get some sleep?”

“Oh yeah, I’m an old pro at that. Thanks for staying and talking with me last night. I enjoyed your company.”

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and noticed the clear-cut lines of his profile as he cracked a sweet smile. “You’re easy to talk to as well, for a Hollywood guy.”

He threw his head back and let out a great peal of laughter. “How kind of you to say.”

I let my bottom lip slip between my teeth. “Don’t mention it.”

The Rover pulled around front, and Vance drove toward Over-the-Rhine through to the small, inner city suburbs of beautifully rehabbed buildings to where filming was to begin. In the back seat, Oliver studied his script along the way. When we approached more congested traffic and heard the swells of overlapping voices, we knew we’d arrived. A road was blocked off with makeshift gates, behind which stood mobs of people waiting to sneak a glimpse of the great Oliver Pierce.

“There’s supposed to be a specific area for actors to enter, off…” He flipped the papers in his lap. “Vine Street somewhere?”

“I’ll find it,” Vance said with a nod.

Vance found a few streets that had been blocked off and located the actor’s entrance. It had an extra gate with security holding back the crowd. Vance stopped the car, impeding traffic, so Oliver and I could get out.

“Okay?” Vance looked over his shoulder to Oliver. “Diana is going to escort you on set and I’ll go park the car. I’ll meet up with you inside.”

I got out and opened Oliver’s door. Screams erupted and hordes of people shouted his name as soon as his shoe hit the pavement. Oliver stepped out from behind the door and waved. Women wagged phones in the air, begging for a picture with him.

“I’m going to go over and say hello to a few of them,” he said.

“Okay, I’ll be watching. Try not to get too close to the crowd. I don’t want them pulling you in and tearing you to shreds.” I was half joking.

As Oliver approached the guardrail, the shouts and screams swelled to new heights. I stayed within arm’s reach.