Part 1 (1/2)
Kate Perry.
Return to You.
Chapter One.
”You want me to what?”
Everett Parker would have smiled if he were that kind of man. But he wasn't, so he patiently watched and waited. He was excellent at waiting, and even better at getting what he wanted.
”This is a joke, right?” The young man swept his hand through his hair. ”Well, it's not funny.”
Leaning back in his leather chair, Parker took a sip of his scotch before answering, aware of the tension he was causing. ”No joke, Michael. You heard correctly the first time. I want you to shoot the film in Mill Valley.”
”s.h.i.+t.” The director speared his fingers through his hair again and started to pace.
Parker nursed his drink, watching him coolly. Once Michael's tantrum ran dry, he'd do what he was told. After all, the terms of the offer would be irresistible.
He'd make sure of that.
It was almost a shame he had to do this. He admired the young man. Of all the people around him, Michael Wallace was the only one who stood up to him. The rest of them cowered in corners, peeing on themselves as he walked by.
He wasn't manipulated easily, something Parker usually relished. At this moment, it irritated him. He needed Michael's cooperation, but he'd never consent of his own free will-meaning Parker was going to have to force him. Not easy, but certainly not impossible. He just had to find the right bargaining chip. ”Sit down.”
Glaring, Michael dropped into the chair on the other side of his ma.s.sive desk. To his credit, he remained silent, though his heated eyes said enough.
Good boy, Parker thought, feeling paternal pride even though Michael wasn't tied to him in any way other than business.
Which was what he intended to remedy. ”You're the hottest director in the business. You can't be surprised I want you to direct Love Unbound.”
The corner of Michael's lips quirked. ”That wasn't what surprised me, and you know it. Stop playing games, Parker.”
Once upon a time, the boy had called him Everett.
One more thing he had to set right.
Parker pushed aside the nostalgic thoughts so untypical of him and got back to the matter at hand. ”Mill Valley is not only the perfect backdrop for the movie, it's the most cost effective. It's as simple as that.”
”There are dozens of little towns in California that would be just as suitable.”
”I want the movie shot in Mill Valley.”
Michael leaned forward, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with repressed intensity. ”Why? What does Mill Valley have that can't be found anywhere else?”
My daughter. ”Mill Valley is the most quaint of small California towns.”
”Since when?”
”Since it had a complete facelift two years ago.”
”Mill Valley would need more than a facelift to improve it. It'd need complete reconstructive surgery.”
”Enough,” Parker said quietly. Most people froze in fear when they heard his low, menacing tone.
Michael was an exception. ”No, it's not enough. I want to know why it's imperative to shoot this film there.”
”Because I say it's imperative.”
”Get some other director to do it then. How about Blasdell? He's up-and-coming and needs a break.”
”I want you to direct.”
”And if I say no?”
Parker c.o.c.ked a brow in mock astonishment. ”What about your contract with Parker Pictures?”
”I'll break it.”
”Break it and you'll never work in this industry again.”
”d.a.m.n it, Parker. What the h.e.l.l is your game?”
”No game.” With the instincts of a seasoned predator, he moved in for the kill. ”I want you to direct this movie. I'll make any provisions I see fit and you'll follow them, just like your contract says. In return, once this movie is wrapped up, I'll release you from your contract.”
Michael looked up sharply. ”What?”
Everyone had a weak point. Find it, and they were yours. ”You heard me.”
”I want it in writing.”
”I wouldn't have expected anything less.”
The young man stared at him through narrowed eyes, fingers tapping rhythmically on his thigh. ”Why don't I believe it's going to be that easy?”
”It will be.” Parker sipped his scotch and waited.
”Isn't it too early in the day for that?” Michael asked out of the blue.
”It's never too early for fifty year single-malt.”
He propped his elbows on his knees and rested his chin on his steepled hands. ”Jesus, Parker. Does she know?”
Parker didn't pretend to misunderstand. ”No.”