PENELOPE STOOD ROOTED in her bathroom, shocked at the enlarged magazine cover photo plastered to the mirror above her wide makeup vanity. Bullet holes marked the center of her forehead, neck, and heart, while blood dripped down her face and throat, splashing onto her chest. It was the most gruesome image of herself she’d ever seen. It was so graphic, she covered her face with her hands and whirled away from it.
At the sound of her scream, Stefan rushed in and wrapped his arms around her, guiding her away from the abhorrent photo. “Stay in the bedroom with Elena and let me check this out,” he said, urgency evident in his voice. As she stepped out, she heard him radio his partner Josh.
This time she did as he instructed while he searched her dressing area, bathroom, and closet. Someone had actually been in her home, in her private domain, and this unnerved her. This was the sort of thing that happened to other big stars, not to her. Even though her photos were found on every newsstand and website, she’d always managed to live quietly in the Hollywood Hills.
She clutched Elena, who was peeking over her shoulder.
“Oh no,” Elena said, her eyes widening when she saw the image. “This is bad. Do you have any idea who might’ve done this?”
Too stunned to talk, Penelope could only shake her head. She set her jaw and gritted her teeth in an attempt to maintain control.
Shortly, Stefan appeared in the entryway to the bedroom. “Where was that photo taken?”
“I’ve never shot a photo like that. It’s been altered from a Fashion News Daily magazine cover.”
“Those are actual bullet holes.” Stefan paced the bedroom, searching for clues. “We need to call the police on this one. That’s evidence, and they may be able to glean something to find out who’s behind it.” He stopped and squatted, pointing to part of a muddy bit on the floor. “Don’t disturb that.”
“It’s got to be the same man from New York,” Elena said.
“Not necessarily,” Stefan said, standing. “Don’t touch anything in here.” He pulled his phone from his pocket.
Penelope felt a chill come over her like nothing she’d ever experienced before. A stranger had infiltrated her home, violating her private sanctuary. A shiver seized her and she fought the feeling, trying to remain calm. She told herself to breathe, but she found herself choking up.
She heard Josh outside the house, but couldn’t make out what was going on. Stefan locked the exterior door and guided her and Elena from the scene in the bedroom.
“Wait here,” Stefan said, his voice stern. “This time, don’t go wandering off.”
Even though Stefan was doing his job, she wished she could go wherever she liked. This was her home, and being captive was not part of her plan. After seeing that photo, all she wanted was to get away from her home again. But where could she go that she wouldn’t be found?
Her plan was to get rid of Stefan as soon as she could. His presence was disturbing and distracting. Just minutes ago when he’d straddled her in the bedroom to keep her from chasing the photographer, she’d had an overwhelming urge to throw her arms around him and caress the lips she recalled as being the most tender, sensual lips she’d ever kissed. She ran a hand over her messy hair, trying to squelch the warm sensation that insisted on growing deep within her.
She needed to find work as soon as possible and that infuriatingly handsome man was a disruption she couldn’t afford for long. His company should be charging a precious daily rate so that he could continue to protect—and annoy—her. Although he’d indicated otherwise, she would certainly ask for a bill. She didn’t want to owe him a thing.
Elena stared after Stefan. “He still really cares for you.”
Penelope gave a shaky laugh. “Can’t depend on him, though.” She recalled the day he’d told her he had slept with Monica. She’d been so hurt, and since then, she’d vowed that she would never let a man do that to her again. Especially not Stefan.
“Seems pretty dependable to me,” Elena said. “I’ve never had a boyfriend look out for me the way he does for you.”
“That’s just business. Don’t confuse his need to excel on the job with actual concern.” Still shaking with shock, Penelope perched on the steps that led from the entry down to the living area. From where she sat, she could see from Santa Monica on the west to downtown Los Angeles on the east. She breathed in, focusing on the distant horizon. This view was usually calming, but today her mind was consumed by Stefan’s increasingly irritating presence.
Outside, the sound of sirens cut through the usual sound of street traffic rising from Fairfax Avenue. Lights flashed through the traffic.
Elena plopped next to her. “I’ve never heard you speak like this. Do you still care for him?”
Penelope shrugged. The truth was, she had never completely banished him from her heart. He was the gold standard by which she measured all other men, and none had ever approached his worth.
Elena glanced nervously behind her. “I hope they don’t find anything else in the house. Want me to stay over tonight?”
“I’d really like that.” Penelope expelled a breath of relief and clasped Elena’s hand. She’d been worried about Stefan staying over. He’d told her she would have someone with her around the clock, but she could handle just so much of Stefan.
The police sirens grew louder, followed by a loudspeaker. The police were directing the media vans from the street.
“Hey, you’re shaking,” Elena said, squeezing her hand. “You were looking pretty fierce when I walked in on you.”
“I’m sure that was adrenaline.” In actuality, she’d never used the bat before to defend herself. A solid jab, a swift kick—yes, but never a weapon of any sort. She just wanted to get rid of the guy.
“And that baseball bat…” Elena started laughing. “Wonder if the photographer got a shot of that?”
The sound of Elena’s laughter broke through her distress and despite her worry, a little chuckle slipped out. “He caught me as I was changing clothes, so if he did, a shot of me wearing a bra and wielding a baseball bat like some deranged Amazonian warrior should be a hot post on social media tomorrow.”
Elena burst out laughing, and Penelope joined in. They were so on edge that laughter came as a relief. Once they started, they couldn’t stop, and soon the two women were clutching each other as tears of laughter wet their cheeks.
“Want the police to think this was a farce?” Stefan stood behind them frowning, his hands on his hips, surveying the scene.
Elena made a face, teasing him. “Give the woman a break, huh?”
Penelope could see that Stefan was in no mood to joke around. She appreciated what he was doing for her, but she’d reached the point where she needed to change her focus and unwind. “Relax, we’ll behave,” Penelope said, which sent Elena into another fit of laughter.
The police sirens ceased outside, and moments later a hard knock sounded on the door.
“Here we go again,” Elena said, catching her breath. “At least I’m meeting a lot of cute police officers.”
Penelope grinned, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. “That’s usually my line.”
Stefan shot them a stern look as he opened the door.
After the police took their statements, photographed the interior and exterior, and took samples, they left Penelope’s house. Sitting at the kitchen table with Elena in the aquamarine glass-tiled kitchen, she passed her hands across her face. “Thank goodness they’re gone.”
“And the paparazzi with them.” Their vans were blocking the street, so on an order of the fire marshal, they were required to move.
“Want to bet they’ll be back on foot?” Penelope grimaced, glancing around her house.
“So, who are all the flowers from?” Elena asked, glancing around. “Don’t tell me this is normal. Or did someone die?”
Penelope gave her a puzzled smile. “Kristo. My housekeeper must have taken the delivery.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about this overwhelming gesture.
“This is outrageous.” Elena’s eyes widened. “Beautiful, but way overboard.”
Penelope nodded. “I’ve watched his transformation from geeky nerd to master of the universe. He can’t always express himself—that’s what I remember most about him. He used to stutter when he got around large groups of people, and took lessons to overcome it. Maybe this is his way of apologizing for that awful game photo of me.”
“Or because he seemed awkward after he found us in his office.” Elena angled her head toward the floral arrangements. “I like the way he apologizes. It’s a great start,” she added with a wink. “But you’re right, he’s still odd.”
Penelope’s phone buzzed, and she pulled it from her pocket. A message from her agent floated across the screen. Another cancellation. And more messages from Kristo. She put her phone down and spun it around.
Elena leaned over. “Who’s that from?”
“My agent. I’ve got to put my life back together.” Penelope knew her life might never be the same. Once a model left the runway, she was easy to replace, so she had to figure out her next career move. She grinned at Elena. “How about getting out of here?”
“Where do you want to go?”
Penelope scanned her text messages. “My friend Eva is having a party tonight.” She’d met the model through her friend Scarlett, who’d handle her licensing deal with Olga Kaminsky at High Gloss.
“Who’s Eva?” Elena asked.
“Another model, and someone you should know. I met her through Scarlett, whose friend Jen is Eva’s contract attorney. Eva is well-connected with Hollywood people.”
Stefan walked in. “You’re not going out to a party.”
Penelope stood to face him. “It might look like a party to you, but I’m networking.” She snapped her fingers in his face. “Let’s roll.”