Page 5 of Wicked Shadows
“Have a seat. We need to get started,” Beth replied. She continued talking while applying Elle’s on-screen makeup. “It’s been almost two weeks ago now, but one of the actresses on another movie set was rumored to be missing. She didn’t show up for work after they’d already filmed several scenes with her, so production is on hold until she shows up or they find a replacement.”
“What do they think happened to her?”
“Some say she’s in rehab somewhere and the studio execs are keeping it secret for her. But when a couple of the makeup artists said that wasn’t true and something bad happened to her, they got in a lot of trouble. They may not be able to work on the lot again.”
“That’s really scary, Beth.”
“Why? Maybe the stress got to her, and she’s in the hospital somewhere. You know how delicate all these actresses are.”
“I beg your pardon,” Elle replied jokingly, her Southern accent making a rare appearance in her tone.
Beth laughed at Elle’s reply. “The first time you can’t take a joke from me, I’ll drag you out of this town and whip your ass.”
“You’ve threatened me with that for years. Maybe I should try it and see if you’ll really do it. I’d love to take a long vacation somewhere far away from here.”
“You know, there’s a way you can do that. Pick up the phone, have your assistant make the arrangements, then text your agent and tell him you’re leaving after you’re already gone.”
Elle inhaled deeply and released her breath on a long, wistful sigh. “I wish I could.”
“Why can’t you?”
“Oh, no reason, other than the little obstacle called a contract obligation that says I have to finish filming this movie.”
“Minor details. You could always check in to a spa, otherwise known as a mental hospital, and take a nice long break.”
“At this point, I’d even take that. But that reminds me what I was going to say before you sidetracked me. A while back, before this movie started filming, I heard about another actress dropping off the face of the earth during production. Why isn’t any of this on the news?”
“Probably because she isn’t well-known enough, Elle. I hate to say it, but it’s true. Unless you’re the female equivalent of Jax Hart, you’re replaceable in this town. As soon as they find someone who fits the wardrobe they already have, the latest gone girl will be forgotten.”
Throughout the day, Beth’s words stayed with Elle, weighing heavily on her shoulders while she did her best to pretend she was someone else. The best part about the day was none of her scenes included Jax. Even though every scene required multiple retakes from different angles, the time seemed more productive without his pretentious presence on the stage.
When she and two of her costars left the sound stage building during a set break, raised voices immediately caught their attention. The trio of women stopped and gawked at the awkward scene unfolding in front of them. The normally bustling area between the stages was subdued, with the crew members using any excuse to avoid leaving the area and missing the conclusion.
“If you ever, and I meaneverin your entire miserable life, touch me again, your junk will be stuffed and mounted as a trophy over my fireplace. I don’t give a shit what kind of badass you play on the screen, you’re not man enough to handle me.”
Katrina Fox stood in Jax’s personal space, as close to his face as she could get without actually touching him, and her shouts carried across the lot, echoing off the many buildings and returning to the onlookers like an instant replay.
“Calm your tits, babe,” Jax replied, his tone patronizing and his expression one of disdain. “If you’re not into men, you should still give me a try. I guarantee you’ll be back for more.”
Katrina’s hands curled into fists as her anger reached a tipping point. “Don’t you dare try to downplay what you did or pass it off as my fault. I am happily married, and I’ve put up with your bullshit long enough. If I bring my husband on the set, he will kick your chickenshit ass. Keep your fucking hands off me, Jax. Or, so help me God, you will regret it.”
Unwilling to accept her refusal of his overt advances, Jax’s temper flared, revealing his true self. “No, Katrina,you’llregret it if you don’t shut your fucking mouth and take it. You’re nobody. You really think the execs will side with you overme? I’m their golden cash cow, baby. I get what I want, when I want, and from whomever I want. Your only job is to say ‘Yes, sir, may I have another’ when I come for you. Keep causing a scene like this, and you’ll be gone with a snap of my fingers. All those fat, old men you had to fuck to get here will mean nothing.”
Katrina’s arm swung back as she prepared to power through his face with her fist. Elle caught Katrina’s elbow just in time and stopped her from following through with it. Katrina’s head whirled around, fire shooting from her eyes, and a deep shade of red covered her face.
“Don’t, Katrina. The trouble this will cause you isn’t worth it. Take care of it through the appropriate channels,” Elle urged her.
“You know as well as I do the studio talking heads will just look the other way for him,” Katrina countered. Jax’s smug expression made Elle want to finish what Katrina had started.
“Not if you handle it therightway.”
Understanding lit in Katrina’s eyes, and she nodded at Elle. “You’re right. Thank you, Elle.”
Jax’s arrogant air instantly deflated when Katrina’s fiery gaze swung back to him. Katrina stormed back through the door to her assigned sound stage, and Jax glared at Elle.
“You shouldn’t have done that.”
“No, Jax.Youshouldn’t have done that.”
