SOMETHING WICKED
Teresa Mummert
Gabby plays a very dangerous game. Drake is eager to teach her the rules.
Copyright © 2015 by Teresa Mummert
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 publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN: 1491291869
ISBN 13: 978-1491291863
www.TeresaMummert.com
Contents
SYNOPSIS
CHAPTER 1: Gabriela
CHAPTER 2: Drake
CHAPTER 3: Gabriela
CHAPTER 4: Drake
CHAPTER 5: Gabriela
CHAPTER 6: Drake
CHAPTER 7: Gabriela
CHAPTER 8: Drake
CHAPTER 9: Gabriela
CHAPTER 10: Drake
CHAPTER 11: Gabriela
CHAPTER 12: Drake
CHAPTER 13: Gabriela
CHAPTER 14: Drake
CHAPTER 15: Gabriela
CHAPTER 16: Drake
CHAPTER 17: Gabriela
CHAPTER 18: Drake
CHAPTER 19: Gabriela
CHAPTER 20: Drake
CHAPTER 21: Gabriela
CHAPTER 22: Drake
CHAPTER 23: Gabriela
CHAPTER 24: Drake
CHAPTER 25: Gabriela
CHAPTER 26: Drake
CHAPTER 27: Gabriela
CHAPTER 28: Drake
CHAPTER 29: Gabriela
CHAPTER 30: Drake
CHAPTER 31: Gabriela
CHAPTER 32: Drake
CHAPTER 33: Gabriela
CHAPTER 34: Drake
CHAPTER 35: Gabriela
CHAPTER 36: Drake
CHAPTER 37: Gabriela
CHAPTER 38: Drake
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BONUS: RELLIK
Synopsis
Gabby plays a very dangerous game... Drake is eager to teach her the rules. Gabby wants nothing more than to be an author, but she is stuck working for a magazine that she despises. When she is tasked to interview an actor at a movie premiere, she reluctantly sets off to do her job. Drake doesn't make it easy for her and she lets her frustration get the best of her. She is soon thrown into his world and in over her head.
Chapter One
Gabriela
“I’d love to help you out, Gabby, but this premiere isn’t going to be put on hold just because it’s your anniversary.” Liz shook her head, her short mousy brown bob swaying. It was distracting. Her haircut reminded me of one of those mushroom guys in the game Tyler liked to play on his Nintendo. I sighed at the thought of my boyfriend, twenty-eight years old and still playing video games. This wasn’t how I pictured being a grown-up would be. It all felt so lonely, but I was never actually alone. Not unless you counted slipping inside of my head where I wove elaborate fairy tales. I was a daydreamer, not a realist in any sense of the word. I saw an ulterior motive behind every kind gesture and a blossoming romance behind every lingering glance. Real life was... disappointing.
“It’s fine. You’re right. I’ll just call Tyler. He’ll understand.” I plastered on a big fake smile that had become like a piece of a uniform at Epic Magazine. Liz smiled back and turned her attention back to the piles of clutter on her desk.
I grabbed my cell phone and hurried out of her office, hoping to catch Tyler before he began preparing whatever he had planned for our one-year dating anniversary. It had ringed twice before he picked up, sounding winded and slightly annoyed at my interruption.
“Ty, how is your day going?” I asked as I looked over my shoulder, hoping everyone was out of earshot. I pictured him with sleeves rolled up to his elbows and horn-rimmed glasses that slid down the bridge of his nose. He diligently scoured files for a piece of evidence that would exonerate someone who was unjustly accused of a crime.
“Playing tennis with Ron. Can’t talk.” I wasn’t sure what it was a lawyer was supposed to do, but Tyler usually spent his days having overpriced lunches and playing random boring sports with colleagues and clients.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to let you know I won’t be home early. There is a premiere tonight and April flaked again. I have to go.” Visions of his sad expression, plans left unfulfilled flashed into my subconscious.
“No, sounds good. Was gonna hang out with Ron tonight and discuss the Jackson/Mueller case. Have fun,” he huffed, still struggling to catch his breath before the line went dead. Son of a bitch. He had forgotten our anniversary. “Love you too,” I mumbled to myself.
“Love you too, sweet cheeks. Meeting in ten,” Liz called from her office door causing me to jump and drop my cell phone on the ground. The back popped off and the battery went skidding across the hardwood floors. Shit! I slipped the phone back together, but it refused to turn on. Just perfect.
I gripped the remains of my phone and made my way to my cubical to grab my iPad for note taking. The last thing I felt like doing was going to the premiere of Undercover. I hated action movies almost as much as I hated conceited movie stars. When I grew up with dreams of becoming a writer, I meant romance novels, not articles in a magazine. A dark yellow envelope caught my eye and I turned it over in my hands, not recognizing the return address. I ripped it open and let the contents fall into my hand, the metal cold against my fingertips.
I held up the small, quarter-sized medallion by its delicate silver chain as it spun in the air before my face. The circle was sectioned into three equal parts by curved lines, each with a dot on the black background. I smiled, letting out a small squeal as I slipped it over my neck and hurried into the bathroom. I flicked on the light, squinting at the brightness as I looked at the emblem that hung on my chest. I tucked my long brown hair behind my ears as my fingers fell to the charm.
It was a secret, hanging out in the open for all to see, like a mystery only few could solve. If I ever needed a sign that it was time to move on and follow my dreams, this was it.
I pulled up the Kindle app on my iPad and read through the most recent page of the book I had started last night. The hero is a tattoo artist who teaches the good girl how to live by letting go of her inhibitions. I’ve always had a thing for the bad boys, even though I’d never been with one in real life. I was more of the cross the street while gripping your keys between your fingers type of girl. Still, there was something to the hurt, closed off man, that only unraveled and revealed his innermost feelings to that one particular girl.
I could just imagine the look of disgust on my aunt’s face if I’d ever brought home a guy with tattoos and piercings. She’d clutch her pearls as I declared my unconditional love for the misunderstood man who harbored pain and secrets that only my love could heal.
“Why are you smiling like a pervert?”
My eyes snapped up to meet Liz’s as my cheeks burned with humiliation. Her penciled in eyebrow was cocked as she looked me over, struggling to keep a smirk from curving up the edges of her thin lips. “I was just... I... um...” I continued to stammer until she flicked her hand to dismiss my excuse.
I listened to Liz drone on and on about the premiere and what was expected of me, but I couldn’t help but think about the story that often drifted into my thoughts.
I could picture a different version of myself, a few pounds thinner with ample curves, my hair highlighted and eyes sparkling. I was younger as well, just out of high school when I still pictured the world is a magical puzzle, waiting for its secrets to be unlocked.
Meeting a mystery man when my car broke down on the side of the highway... or as a man tried to pry my fingers from my purse strap... or maybe I was crying bec
ause someone had broken my heart. It didn’t matter. The man was always the same, tall with thick muscles and strong hands. He had to be good with his hands.
I grew up with a father who fixed everything. It didn’t matter what went wrong. If a pipe burst, he were able to tighten the fitting, if a car broke down, he could fumble under the hood until the engine roared to life. When my mother fell ill, unable to even wash herself, my father’s calloused but gentle hands bathed and dressed her, running a comb through her thinning long hair.
My life was safe. It had its plot twists and tragedies, but the one thing I was missing was my happily ever after. But when you grow up having an ordinary life, you crave adventure.
“Am I boring you?” Liz was only inches from my face and I jumped, my hand covering my erratic heartbeat.
“Geez, Liz. You’re like a ninja.”
Her eyes had narrowed before she shook her head. “You got me. All of this is a ruse to hide my true identity. And I would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for you meddling...” She tapped her finger against her chin. “Wait... that is Scooby Doo.”
“Why do you always give me such a hard time?” I cocked my head to the side, just noticing that we were now alone. The meeting had ended and here I sat, wrapped up in my own thoughts. No wonder no one ever asked me out to their group lunches. I must have looked like a freak with my eyes unfocused, staring off into space like a zombie. “And why can’t someone else go to the premiere?”
“This is a hard time for you? Do you need me to braid your hair and share our feelings?” Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout, mocking me. “Gabby, I gave you a job most people would kill for. Especially a writer like yourself. Any one of these people would go to that premiere in a heartbeat. Why are you so stubborn?”
I groaned before rubbing my fingers across my forehead. “It is difficult to respect and fall at the feet of people who make millions by lying. It’s a joke. So many others deserve more. Soldiers, police, firefighters... Drake Gibson is a first class asshole who doesn’t appreciate anything.” I began counting off the heroes I loved to read about on my fingers. So brave and selfless.
“Oh, you are making a political statement by fighting me on this? Is that it? Did you make signs that you can hold up too or are you just winging it with your bullshit excuses?” She had smirked before her face scrunched up like she’d just sucked on a lemon. “Did Tyler lie to you?” All of the amusement had left her voice. She grabbed one of the old wooden chairs and pulled it in front of me before sinking down into it, groaning and rubbing her hand on her right knee.
“Tyler’s... perfect. He’s perfect.” I avoided her gaze, picking at my nail that had grown too long.
“I know you’re mad at me for screwing up your anniversary, but this is for your own good. I promised your aunt I’d take care of you here and I am trying to do my best. I’d like to think if I ever had a daughter she would be like you... with fewer split ends and better fashion sense.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “There is nothing wrong with my clothes.” I paused looking over Liz. She was growing frailer with each passing year, her glasses, although designer, are thicker after each eye exam. It was terrifying watching people you care about growing older, knowing that one day they would all leave you behind. One day I would be that older person for someone else. I couldn’t image making someone I loved feel such an epic loss.
“Earth to Gabby!” Liz snapped her thin, bony fingers in front of my face. “You were frowning. You’re going to give yourself wrinkles.”
“I’m not any good at this job, Liz. Everyone hates me.”
“Oh, I know. You are horrible. Just sad, really. But if you put in just a little effort you could be the best. You’re inquisitive and smart. Apply yourself a little bit and you could be at the top of your game. And they don’t hate you. They’re jealous that I give you extra attention. It’s not the same thing. Something else is bothering you.”
“Do you think Tyler is lying when he says he works late and has all of these meetings?”
“You mean, the man works hard to help secure a stable future?” She put her hand on her chest and inhaled dramatically. “Not every good man is hiding something and not every bad boy wants to be saved. Life is not a romance novel. Get your head out of your ass so you can smell the roses every once in a while.”
“That’s poetic. You should put that on a card,” I said with a snort.
“You don’t get to be this wise by hiding with your nose in a book all of your life. Look up every now and then before it has passed you by.”
“Fine. I’ll go to the stupid premiere if you will stop trying to give me life advice.”
“That’s my girl.”
Chapter Two
Drake
“Just leave the suit and I’ll get myself ready. I don’t need help getting dressed,” I barked at Maria. I instantly regretted snapping at her. She was only trying to help me get ready for the movie premiere. I hated these damn events. “Lo siento,” I muttered and she nodded her head, giving me an unconvincing smile as she closed the door to my suite.
A small knock came from the other side of the door and it flung open without waiting for me to invite them in. I didn’t need to look to know who had barged in.
“I brought you your tie to match my dress.” Julia walked over to me in her four-inch black heels like she was working the catwalk. Her matching black hair was swept up in a neat bun on top of her head and her blood red gown flowed behind her as if there was an invisible fan on her. My eyes danced over her exposed cleavage, always in full view garnering her more attention.
“I’ll remember to lock my door from now on,” I snatched the tie from her hand and tossed it on the bed with my suit. Julia narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. I was exhausted, physically and emotionally. This game we had been playing had long run its course and I could no longer pretend I cared.
“Oh, come on now, Drake. Is that really how you talk to the woman you love?” Her red lips twisted into a grin as she blinked her long fake eyelashes at me, like butterfly wings glued to her face. She was gorgeous, there was no denying it. But on the inside, Julia was hateful and self-loathing. The fact that she was five years older than me put us worlds apart.
I pulled my dark gray slacks on over my black boxer briefs and turned to raise an eyebrow to her.
“I have never loved you.”
She flinched but quickly wiped any emotion from her face. She really was a great actress.
“Well, the feeling is mutual but we still need to keep up appearances. We wouldn’t want the gossip magazines talking, would we?” I’d hurt her ego, not her feelings.
“I don’t give a fuck anymore.” I was raising my voice and I knew if I didn’t get my temper under control people would grow concerned. I took a step toward her and she uncrossed her arms, glancing around nervously. She knew she had gone too far. Julia hadn’t seen the full spectrum of my anger, but she’d seen more than she liked. “What I want,” my voice was quieter now, deceptively calm, “is for the world to see you for what you really are.”
She cocked her head to the side and her eyes narrowed. Julia was a first class bitch. She and I never anticipated a long-term relationship. We grew close while filming like so many coworkers do, but I learned quickly that dating Julia was like sticking your hand in a flame. She was beautiful from a distance, but wouldn’t hesitate to burn those who got close enough.
“You want to play dirty? Let’s play dirty, Drake. Have fun explaining why you are going solo to the show.” She really felt like she was that important. It was laughable.
“That’s easy. I’ll tell them you’re sick. Everyone knows you’re sick in the fucking head.”
“That isn’t funny.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I pictured the endless rows of pill bottles that lined the vanity in her bathroom.
“That doesn’t make it any less true.”
“Want to talk about the truth? What i
f all of your little secrets got out?”
My body reacted to her comment before my mind could think about the consequences. I backed her up against the wall, gripping her shoulders tightly enough to bruise. The air left her lungs with an oomph sound, her lips parting in shock.
“You have no idea who you’re fucking with,” I growled, looking her up and down with disdain. Julia thought blabbing to the media about my past would taint my reputation, but she had no idea what skeletons I had in my closet. I wanted to keep it that way.
Maria was at the open door, her hand clutching her chest, scared by the tone of my voice. She was damn near sixty years old and even though I had begged her to retire and relax, I would pay her for it, she refused. I immediately let my hands fall to my sides, shaking my head with regret.
Julia stormed off, slamming the door behind her and in Maria’s face. A sank down on the bed with my head in my hands as a faint tapping came from the other side of the door.
“Come in, Maria.” I sighed. The door clicked open and closed and I could see Maria’s white nursing style shoes in front of me. I slowly raised my face to look at her. She shook her head and held out a white A-frame undershirt for me to wear with shaky, spotted fingers. I smiled and took it from her and pulled it on. She turned to leave without a word.
“Maria, find me a different tie. Anything but red.” If I wanted to wear that color, I’d soak in Julia’s blood. The idea was tempting. I tossed the tie on the floor and Maria left with a quick nod of her head.
It only took me a few minutes to finish getting dressed. I straightened my black tie that Maria had found me as I looked at myself in the mirror. Truth be told, I was happy to be rid of Julia. She was far from my type, but when you’re filming on location, it is nearly impossible for you to not fuck your character’s love interest. Unfortunately, getting to know the real person behind the act is often a letdown.
Julia was pigheaded and stubborn. She was never happy with anything she had in her life and I was beginning to understand why the tabloids called her crazy. Ten months of spending time with her and I was ready to lose my own fucking mind. I needed to get her out of my life, but there were things she knew that could destroy my career if they got out. I had to be careful.