Cole scowled. “Don’t believe a word of what that man says.”

Anna shook her head. Firing Cole, hiring Matteo as his replacement for the last week of the shoot, and cleaning up the mess Cole had left was going to be easy. She had been cleaning up messes for a long time. All of that was just paperwork and hustle. She could handle both. There was only one question she needed answered.

Anna leaned against the bar, signaling the bartender for a beer. “How much is he paying you?”

“What are you talking about?” Cole scoffed.

“I’ve already arranged for your transportation to the airport, and I have two crew members ready to take you. There’s only one question left. How much did he pay you?”

“He’s not paying me enough.” Cole stood up from the barstool. “I’ll tell you that.”

Anna shut her eyes. I knew it.

“Who?” John asked.

Anna shook her head. If it didn’t occur to him that anyone could be so vindictive, maybe John really was the last good guy in this business.

“Tom Melton,” Cole said, looking at John. “You should be worried about him too.”

John looked like he’d been punched in the gut. Anna wished she could have this conversation about her husband’s treachery in private.

“Cole, it’s time to go,” Anna said. She gestured for the two men to escort him upstairs. “The studio lawyers will be in touch.”

Cole rolled his eyes. “You’re finished after this picture.”

“If I had a nickel...”

Cole turned to John. “You should be worried too. You’re screwing his—”

John stepped up to the other man. “I’ve already told you once to shut your mouth. Next time, I’m not going to be so polite.”

“You should worry about yourself,” Anna said to Cole. “You’re about to be useless to him.”

Cole threw off the hands the other two men laid on his arms and stormed upstairs.

Anna breathed a sigh of relief, though her hands shook. She was used to difficulties on set, but not leaks, sabotage, and firing a key member of her team. Many things about this shoot were unprecedented.

John looked as if he wanted to say something. Anna didn’t want his concern or his pity. She cut him off before he could get the words out. “Can we do this later?” she asked, already turning to leave. “I need to call Los Angeles.”

John nodded, but she sensed his reluctance.

#