Paper Dolls Read online

  Raven: “The real question is how can we assist her in her recovery? I’m glad you asked, because each of you have that power. Allow her time to heal and not speculate on that healing process. My office will be providing regular updates on her progress. I’m sure her fans and friends want a full recovery for Liza. So, however long it takes, it takes.”

  4th Reporter: “How is Valentina handling The Black Diamonds’ platinum release and kickoff tour in her own city without her?”

  Raven didn’t have to look over to know who asked that bullshit. It was Tim Cline. The sleazy mastermind and D-list celebrity from ‘It’s The Low Down’ satellite radio and podcast show. He even had a blabbermouth YouTube channel. The conniving bastard had the nerve to show up with his cameras rolling. He could be counted on to constantly crash press conferences with his off-topic questions. Raven had a special distaste for him. Thanks to his tabloid journalism, and blog-gossip reports, he personally waged a crusade of hate and slander against Valentina that had left her best friend hospitalized from depression. And turned the public against her. At that moment she wanted to kick off her heels and punch him in his lanky throat. Fucker.

  Kevin stepped up. “That will be all. Again, we ask that you please respect the privacy of Liza-Rayne and her family. Thank you.”

  The crowd of reporters grew hostile. Everyone yelled a final question at once. Was Liza a coke or crack head? Was Liza-Rayne sleeping with the rapper Stevie B, like the blog sites said? Was it true that Liza-Rayne overdosed and that’s why she’s entering rehab?

  Raven turned from the podium. The white sleeveless, mini maxi-dress wrapped around her curves and squeezed them tight. Her hair hung in waves to her shoulders, and blew from her face as Kevin took her hand to help her step down.

  Together they went inside Summer Breeze. The facility had security posted to keep the press out. Raven felt a sense of relief to see the nearly seven-foot tall men that were hired to guard the place. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about pictures of Liza-Rayne during her recovery leaking to the press. She and Kevin had worked tirelessly for two days to put on this media show. They even took turns watching over Liza-Rayne at the hotel they tucked her away in. Raven welcomed the distraction. The more she focused on her work the less she tortured herself over Alex.

  Unfortunately her relief was short lived.

  “I see a temper tantrum headed your way.” Kevin whispered in her ear.

  Max Steele marched over with a face twisted in rage.

  “Is Liza-Rayne my client or not?” he shouted and then paced before them both.

  Kevin hated the dude. He appeased him because it took all kinds in their business to make shit happen. But his patience was about at its end. He stepped between Raven and Max. Kevin put a warning finger in Max’s face. “Check your fucking tone!”

  Max sneered. “That was my press conference. I’m supposed to wipe her ass and get her nose candy, but I can’t stand up and be recognized as her agent?”

  Raven sighed noisily behind Kevin. He glanced back to see her check her diamond bezel watch. “Boys, can we take it back to the office? After we see to our client.”

  The two men took note of the staff that watched them, transfixed. They gawked as if they were watching the 6 o’clock news. Kevin moved up in Max’s space so his words were clearly received. “We will discuss this at the office. Be there in an hour.”

  Max stormed off in the other direction. It took everything in Kevin not to pounce on the runt. The last thing Raven needed was their testosterone bullshit.

  “Kevin?” she said.

  He glanced back over his shoulder.

  “Let it go,” she said.

  “I’m sorry about this, Rae. I feel like it’s all my fault,” he said.

  “It is,” she teased him with a smile. “But who cares? We’re done here, let’s go,” she said.

  Kevin watched as she walked over to the receptionist desk. He admired the way her ass moved under the snug material of her dress, in beat with the swing of her hips. Lately he couldn’t focus beyond his desire for his boss. The woman could have any man. If only he could get past her larger than life husband, who had returned to pull her into his world again. Alexander Katz’s name was spoken throughout the business with reverence. The motherfucker was a shark. He couldn’t get a foot in the door at Katz Records. And he had tried. It wasn’t until Raven divorced the prick was he able to manipulate a meeting that kick-started his career.

  From afar he worshipped her. There were only a handful of black women in this business running the game. Raven was turning down offers from some of the hottest celebrities and athletes out there. And she was fucking beautiful. He was acutely aware of everything Raven. From the small dimple that appeared when she giggled, to the tiny mole at the base of her throat. The lines had gotten even more blurred when she fell asleep in his hotel room one night after they sat up talking. Nothing happened. But the smell of her, the feel of her so close to him on his bed, he couldn’t shake the temptation. He had to stop this. She was his boss. She wasn’t the least bit in tune to his feelings for her.

  “Thank you,” Raven said. The receptionist handed her purse over. “Can you please let Melissa Rayne know that I’ve left, but to call if she needs anything?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” said the receptionist.

  Raven turned and approached Kevin. She was pissed. “Drama at every turn.”

  “What?” he asked. He avoided the accusation in her eyes.

  “You okay? You look a little feverish.” She reached to touch his forehead. He drew back immediately. The last thing he needed was her touch. He did feel exhausted. That was mostly due to lack of sleep.

  “Ah, yeah. I’m fine,” he gave her a weak smile of appeasement.

  Raven lowered her hand.

  “I was talking about the press conference. They always make a dig at Valentina when I step to the podium. She won’t forgive me for not dumping Black Diamond, and those fuckers won’t let me off the hook either.”

  “Forget that. The press conference was okay. All we need to do is deal with Disney. C’mon, I’ve got a car out back.”

  Raven checked her watch. She needed to make a quick stop. “Let me take my car. I don’t care about the press. I’ll need it later.”

  He smiled at her. “Sure, meet you at the office?”

  Raven looked up at him curiously. “You sure you’re okay? You sound weird.”

  “I’ll be fine, Rae. Go.”

  **

  Outside she was quick with her steps to avoid being spotted by the relentless reporters. She was focused again. She had enough distractions in her business to ignore any questions in her heart.

  “Hey!” she bumped into a man. Her purse dropped. Her anger spiked when she saw it was Tim Cline. He knelt and picked it up. She stepped back as he handed it to her. The camera of course was shoved in her face. He was everything a slimy tabloid reporter would be. Short, with pasty skin, and aged acne scars, his oily hair was slicked over to one side, covering his balding spot. He chewed on a toothpick and smelled of garlic. “Hi, Raven. Word on the street is your husband has returned.”

  “Ex-husband, and that’s none of your business!” She snatched her purse as she walked off. Tim kept up with her pace.

  “Dinner and dancing at the Sunkiss? Is a reunion on the horizon?” he chuckled.

  She ignored him.

  “We need to talk. An exclusive. I got a proposition for you,” Tim Cline chirped.

  “No comment.” Raven pushed down on the unlock button on her key ring.

  “C’mon, Raven, I know that Valentina is gearing up for her big return. Think about it. I can break ‘em and I can make ‘em, baby! You know how it is!” he grinned. Raven opened her car door and got in. It was the first time in awhile since she regretted that she left the top down. Tim grabbed the door and prevented her from closing it.

  She glared at him. “Get your fucking hand off the door, now! Move!”

  “If you give me
an exclusive I will do a positive piece on her. Show the new and improved Valentina. Let’s face it, she needs it! Unless you are representing her again? Is she coming back to Katz Records? Is that why Alexander Katz is wining and dining his ex-wife?”

  Raven snatched her door free, barely missing Tim’s hand as she slammed it shut. “You must think I’m as brain dead as those wacky fans of yours.” She started the car and revved the engine. “Stay the fuck away from my clients! You print one disparaging word and I will slap your ass with a defamation suit!”

  She swerved out of the parking spot.

  “But Valentina isn’t your client remember!” he yelled after her. She heard him as she sped up the avenue. Her eyes checked the rearview mirror and saw him standing there grinning before taking the light. Geez she hated that guy. Raven dug in her purse and found her phone. She called Valentina first.

  “Hello?” Valentina answered, with laughter in the background.

  “Hey you, what’s so funny?” Raven asked.

  “Matt’s crazy that’s all.” Valentina chuckled.

  “So you’re at the studio?” Raven asked.

  “Yep, wsup?”

  “I wanted to call and say sorry, for the other day. The whole Diamond thing.”

  “Oh don’t sweat it. I shouldn’t have blown up at Zephyr. I know she didn’t mean any harm. I just get so frustrated, ya know?”

  “Well Zee and I feel bad. She had no idea that LaCretia would show up at her hair salon. Let’s meet. Are you free tonight? Dinner? My place?”

  “I’m sitting here looking at the lunch I made for Matt and he won’t eat it!” Valentina chuckled.

  “She’s trying to poison me! Help, Rae!” she heard Matt yell in the background. Raven listened with a confused frown. More and more she found Valentina with her producer instead of her boyfriend. It was weird.

  “Oh be quiet. You know you like it. How soon do you think we can wrap this up?” Valentina asked her producer.

  “Six maybe?” Raven heard Mattel respond.

  “Yep, I’m free. What do you got in mind?” Valentina asked.

  “My place, dinner. Just bring the wine,” Raven said.

  “Got it. I’ll be there.” Valentina said.

  “Valentina? I love you,” Raven said.

  “Okay, Rae, what’s up with all the mushy stuff?”

  “Just wanted to say I love my friend. I’m proud of you,” Raven blinked back her tears. Seeing that Cline weasel made her remember Valentina’s nervous breakdown. Her friend spent weeks in a hospital room staring at the wall as media turds like him trashed and destroyed her reputation. So many people betrayed Valentina then. Her own family fed stories to the press that she was crazy. It was hell for them all.

  “Awe, thanks, Rae. Love you too, babe. See you soon,” Valentina said.

  “One more thing,” Raven said.

  “Yea?”

  “Today’s press conference with Liza-Rayne—”

  “I haven’t seen it yet, was it really bad? You okay?” Valentina asked.

  “Tim Cline was there. He tried to make a dig at you. I say avoid watching it. Not worth the time.”

  Valentina chuckled. “Girl, I don’t give a shit about Tim Cline. If I had two dicks he could suck them both!” she howled with laughter. Raven smiled. “I’m good, Rae. Trust me. I’m good.”

  Raven heard Mattel say something and then Valentina howl with girlish laughter as if they were wrestling for the phone.

  “Oh? Okay, well bye then,” Raven said.

  “See you tonight.”

  “See ya!” Raven hung up.

  She glanced to the dashboard. There were several numbers listed in her call list. Alexander’s number was number three. She returned her eyes to the road. He hadn’t called her. He hadn’t sent flowers, or gifts. Was he gone? She supposed so. It wasn’t like him to leave her and not say anything. Maybe it’s what they both deserved. What was there left to say?

  **

  Raven was right. The office was no different. Paparazzi stalked the streets with their cameras at their sides like gunslingers. Today’s prey was either Black Diamond or Liza-Rayne, both represented by her agency. Raven strode through the lobby speaking to Enrique, the guard, an older Cuban man seated in the shiny circular station. Black marble floors, and grey and black tiled walls, gave the inside of the swank high rise an established look of prominence. Her heels clicked as she continued toward the private elevators for the executive floors. Entrance required security grant access or a key pass. She still didn’t think that was enough. Those bloodsuckers were relentless.

  Once inside the elevator she could feel herself relax. She watched the numbers count upward and checked her watch again. She was almost an hour behind schedule. A meeting with her financial investor had run over. The elevator doors parted. Normally her staff would be rushing to and fro, especially on a day like today. Raven stepped inside to find some seated and others standing, staring toward the other end of the office. All in shocked silence. Before she could question their lack of commitment to work, she heard the shouting.

  As Raven walked through the cubicles, others immediately busied themselves. Max Steele was in her office in full rant. Tucking her purse under her arm she threw her office door open. “You will lower your voices now! This is my business. There could be clients here!”

  Max turned, less than impressed by her late arrival.

  “I expected you to talk it out. Not go at each other’s throats,” she said. She closed the door without slamming it. Kevin sat on the edge of her desk. He looked like the bored husband waiting for Mommy to come home and deal with the petulant child. The pangs of her headache deepened.

  “I’m not putting up with this shit, Raven!” Max barked. His eyes lit with self-righteous anger. “If she’s my client, then she’s my fucking client! Ace seems to forget what we discussed when he assigned her to me. How do you think it made me feel being dismissed as some errand boy today?”

  “How old are you again? Two? I could throw you and your hurt feelings out on your ass if you don’t start showing this agency and me some respect!” Raven reminded him.

  “That’s just it! I’m not getting respect. I’m busting my balls for you both!”

  Kevin gave a sardonic chuckle. He rose and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Work how? Have you checked your commission report lately?”

  Raven quickly spoke. “Max, you’ve been assigned to Liza for less than a month. Exactly how much of her account do you know?” she asked. She walked around to her desk. Kevin rocked on his heels. He too waited on an answer.

  “I know she’s got a coke habit, that’s running her about a grand a day.”

  “What’s her recording schedule for the next two months? The ones that need to be re-booked?”

  “I dunno,” Max answered.

  “When does Disney start shooting the next season of Liza and Friends?” Kevin asked.

  “How am I supposed to fucking kno—” Max began.

  Raven waved off the excuse. She hated excuses, and people that resorted to them when they had no drive. “Okay, then I’ll give you something easy.” Raven leaned in on her elbows and stared up at him from her desk. “Tell me the latest recommendation from her therapist on how soon she can be released from the program. Give me a date, week, or month, something that we can report back to the studio with. Something to use to put them at ease.”

  Max was stumped. He paled. Kevin’s eyes cut to the ceiling and then back at him in disbelief. “You telling me you ran out of that facility and didn’t even touch base with her doctors?”

  “You two said you needed me here,” Max protested.

  Raven shook her head. “Why do I keep you on, Max?”

  Max stepped to her desk with unrepentant ease. “I’m the pulse of this town. I know how to get the clients in the door. They fucking love me.” He beat his chest. “They love MAX STEELE. How many times have I been on the red carpet promoting Paper Dolls? How about Sticky Nipple? They�
��re number 2 on the billboard, and I brought them in. Now you’ve got them assigned to Carrie. She’s got more boobs than brains.”

  “And why is that, Max? I’ll tell you why, because Crash said if he ever sees you again he’s putting his guitar up your ass.” Kevin added.

  Max cut his eyes over at Kevin. “So we had a parting of the ways. He’s still with the agency, and he’s making you both rich! I brought in that account. That should mean something, Raven!”

  “It does, it does. But knowing how to bait a hook is one thing, catching the fish is something altogether different.” Raven looked over to Kevin “What do you think?”

  “I say pull him off Liza-Rayne altogether. He’s not even trying,” Kevin said.

  Max shot up in Kevin’s face. A foot shorter, and seven years older, he glared angrily with flared nostrils. His capped teeth bared and he spoke with them clenched. “Who the fuck are you to say whether I’m trying?”

  Kevin forced him back with a single shove. Max’s legs connected with the chair behind him and he dropped into the seat. Before he could rise Kevin gripped both sides of the chair and leaned in. Putting himself at eye level when he spoke. “I’m your fucking boss. Raven leaves all the hiring and firing to me, partner. So if I say you’re done, you’re fucking done! In this agency, and if you push me, in this business.”

  “Stop it, boys. I have a headache,” Raven stood. Kevin drew back on her command, but he continued to hold Max with a threatening stare. Raven walked over to Max.

  “I think you got what it takes to be good in this business. I also believe that together we can do good things, so against my better judgment I’m going to ignore your immaturity. I’m going to trust the instinct that made me hire you in the first place. You want Liza-Rayne, you got her. You handle all press releases going forward and any public appearances.”

  “Raven?” Kevin gasped.

  She cut her eyes over to him and he silenced. Her gaze returned to Max. “Now here’s my caveat. Kevin will deal with Katz and Disney, you can sit in on those meetings. When he thinks you’re ready, and not a minute before, you will take on the account at full commission. Until then you have to prove you’ve earned it. And get the blessing of Melissa Rayne.”