Off Camera

Chapter 33

Tee POV

It has been hours since I happily watched the security guards drag Rhonda out of the building. Every time she would kick and scream, a little giggle would bubble around in me while the edge of my mouth would slide out into an evil smirk.

She has got exactly what she deserves.

I wish I could have been there at the main gate when they threw her out. That would have been the highlight of my week.

But I can't think about that right now. I need to get to Tae.

The director pushed all his shooting scenes back to tomorrow, but he wouldn't do it for mine. Every part of me had wanted to follow Tae out of the building with Jane, but I couldn't.

Jane made sure he got home fine, but from his dazed look, he isn't fine. The situation has taken a toll on him.

I run as fast as I can down the hall to Tae's apartment. I pause only long enough for me to type in the code and for the door to unlock it.

The image of Tae's lost look from earlier pops into my mind, and I slow down, so I'm not barging into his place like a wild animal.

Once inside, I take a deep breath and look around.

The living room is empty.

I spot Jane's bag and purse on the coffee table, but I'm met with silence.

I'm immediately on high alert and rush towards Tae's bedroom.

As I pass by the kitchen, Jane calls out, "He is resting. I almost gave him some sleeping pills, but he refused. He said he didn't want to sleep through your time together."

She steps out of the kitchen and leans on the doorway. A playful grin dances across her face. "Are you two that close now that you can't spend any time away from each other?"

My feet come to a grinding stop, and I turn and look at her. "Aren't all couples like that? How is he?"

She crosses her arms over her chest. Her gaze drifts towards Tae's bedroom. "He is shaken up. It is to be expected, though, after what Rhonda did. I still can't believe she got through the gate and our security. She has more pull than I thought she did. We won't be underestimating her again."

My stomach sinks.

Tae's dazed look as Jane led him out of the studio flickers through my mind.

If Rhonda has done any serious harm to my man, she is going to have to answer to me. I won't allow this to continue.

My hands ball into fists as I straighten my back. My anger builds as Rhonda's shrill voice echoes in my head, along with her crazy demands.

I shake my head. "No, we won't. Plus, if she tries anything like this again, she will find out exactly what I'm capable of doing. I'll forget she is a woman and teach her a hard lesson."

Jane's playful grin widens while she stares at me. "Do you know you are practically vibrating with rage? You may want to keep that little fact under control and hidden. You don't want to show her your hand before it is time."

My lip twitches. "It isn't going to matter. She won't realize what is happening until it is too late."

She shakes her head and pushes herself off the doorframe. "Now that you are here, I'll leave. I didn't want to leave him alone, in case the witch somehow found out where he lives. We may want to think about moving him somewhere else for the time being. Would you..."

I blurt out. "He can come stay with me for a bit. If my place isn't safe, we can go stay with some of our friends. We have several options."

"I would offer for you two to come stay at my place, but I think my apartment would be one of the first places Rhonda would look. We need to find a spot that isn't obvious and has no ties to either of you. If you know of a place like that, it might be wise to go there for a bit. It would be great if it is close enough to the studio that it doesn't add much to your drive time."

She walks towards the coffee table. "I'll ask around and see if I can find anything with good security and is available right now. Give me a day, and I'll let you know what I find. I'll call tomorrow morning to see how Tae is doing. If he is still shaken, I'll talk with the director to see if we can shuffle the shooting schedule again to give Tae another day of rest."

I follow her with my gaze and nod. "I'll check around too. I know Tae has another actor who he is good friends with and might know of something. Between all of us, we should be able to come up with something. For right now, I'll see if I can get him talked into coming to my place just to be on the safe side."

She picks up her bag and purse. "It doesn't have to be anything gorgeous. It just needs to be a place with excellent security and suitable to stay in for a few days. But no hotels or resorts. They don't provide enough security."

My hands ease and uncurl. "No family either. It would be too easy to find him."

She nods and heads towards the front door. "I'll talk to you in the morning." She stops and smiles. "At least you have calmed down now. I thought when you first stormed into the apartment, you were going to rip apart anything you saw. I know you can handle him better than I can. Good night."

She waves and disappears out the door.

I stare at the door for a few minutes. Where can we go?

"Tee?"

My heart skips a beat, and I spin around towards the bedroom. Before I can move, Tae's ragged voice calls out again. "Tee? Is that you?"

I rush into the bedroom. "Tae. Are you alright?"

He pulls back the covers and goes to get out of bed, but I dart over and stop him. "No. You need to rest."

His tired eyes meet with mine and pull at my heart. It gives me another reason to put Rhonda in her place. I don't care who is behind her. I'll show her what happens to people who mess with my man.

Tae falls back down onto the bed. A spark shimmers in his eyes as he grabs me and pulls me down with him.

I tumble on top of his firm body.

His hands slide down and grip my hips. "I'll be alright as soon as I have my medicine." My stomach flutters at his deep voice.

I put my hands on either side of his broad shoulders and hold myself up. "Medicine? Jane didn't say anything about her getting some medicine for you. She did mention about her almost giving you sleeping pills." I look around the room. "Where is it? I'll go get it. Jane also said it might be best if you stayed somewhere else for a while, just in case Rhonda has gotten your address. I told her I would take you over my place. Then we can think of..."

He puts his finger on my moist lips. "Shh... You just got here. We can talk after I eat."

I pull my head away from his finger. "You haven't eaten yet. I'll go get something for you. I thought you would have eaten already."

A faint chuckle spills from him. "Are you worried about me? You seem like you are on fire or something."

Heat spreads across my cheeks, and I lower my head slightly. Sheepishly, I reply, "Yes. I'm worried."

He lets out another chuckle. "I'm fine. I'm just exhausted, like I ran a marathon. You don't need to worry. I was just shocked earlier. I still can't believe someone could be that crazy."

Crazy isn't quite the word I would use.

His grip tightens around my hips, and he pulls me tighter against him. "Now, where is my medicine?"

Medicine. I still don't understand.

He leans up and captures my lips in a passionate kiss.

Ahh... This kind of medicine.

Published October 26, 2022