Fire We Make (Jackson and Liane Book 1) by Vera Roberts Page A

Right now everyone is becoming intimidated because of the hacking situation.”
    “Oh yeah,” Liane nodded. One of the major movie studios was recently hacked, revealing scathing emails about some A-list talent to the political climate for the world to see. While many pointed the blame to another country protesting a release of a film, Enzo secretly believed it was an inside job from someone who had an ax to grind. “How is everything going with that?”
    “People are afraid to go to the movies, people are afraid to make movies. A friend of mine who works at the studio said they’re all on burners and sending faxes now since no one wants to send e-mails,” he shrugged, “you know how America is when a crisis happens? We overreact and then things go back to normal the following week as if nothing ever happened.”
    “How’s Angie dealing with all of this? I noticed her name was mentioned in a few of the leaked e-mails.”
    Enzo rolled his eyes and shrugged again. His wife, Angela, was Hollywood’s current IT girl, but a couple of producers made disparaging comments about her appearance – namely looking too Black in the leaked e-mails. One suggested she would be a perfect fit for a slave role. “She’s keeping busy and is on set, which is best for her now. She’s angry but she also knows becoming more successful is the best revenge.”
    “Better her than me,” Liane chuckled.
    “So what have you been up to?” Enzo asked before the waiter came by and took their orders. “Still gunning for captain?”
    “Always,” Liane smiled. “I know I got years and years of proving myself before that happens and there are plenty of people ahead of me ready to take over. A girl can dream, though.”
    “That’s good. I’m very happy to hear that.” Enzo briefly hesitated before he spoke again. “Have you ever heard from Jackson?”
    Just hearing Jackson’s name caused a swell of emotions inside Liane and her thighs immediately warmed up, thinking of his strong hands between them. Her heart slammed against her chest and she took several quick breaths to calm down. “That’s an odd question,” she deflected.
    Enzo sipped his ice water. “I know how involved you were with his case and seeing that he left the state. I just didn’t know if you monitored what he was doing now. Not that it matters at all.”
    It matters to me , Liane thought. “Whatever Jackson does, I really have no clue nor want to be a part of.” She was proud of that answer. She told the truth without completely revealing everything.
    Enzo nodded. “I was just wondering. Nothing more than that.”
    Liane breathed a small sigh of relief. The less her best friend knew of her intentions with his wife’s ex-pimp, the better.

Two
    Streaks of sunlight tickled his face and he reluctantly awakened from his sleep. His cobalt blue eyes stared outside as they watched the day become brighter as the sun rose. It was a clear, blue sky without a cloud in sight. The weatherman said it was going to be a perfect weekend with nothing but sunny days and blue skies ahead.
    Good. He needed perfection this weekend. Anything but would be unacceptable.
    He couldn’t say he slept peaceful or even remotely easy the night before. He was too nervous and too excited. Years of wanting and dreaming were about to come to fruition in a big way later that night.
    His girl was coming home.
    Coming home? Maybe not that serious. But coming for a visit and maybe, after being with him, she would realize she’s home.
    It was a love affair that really wasn’t. They met under dangerous circumstances and she was the reason why he rebuilt his empire in Las Vegas. They were dangerous for each other and maybe, that’s why they fit so deliciously together. They were the couple most women read about in steamy romance novels and the basis for many soft-core porn flicks on late-night TV.
    This wasn’t Harlequin and they weren’t horrible actors on a cheap set with even cheaper dialogue.