Chapter 183: We framed
1310words
Her cheeks turned rosy red. "Oh, you want a better kiss?"
"Always."
She perched on her tiptoes as I framed her face. Our lips connected; mine on her top one and hers on my bottom one. It was a closed-mouth kiss at first, but as soon as I tasted her, I needed more. Our mouths parted as our tongues tasted. I knew she got nervous about public affection, so I broke the kiss and pressed my forehead against hers.
"Are you ready?" I whispered.
"Yes." Her head nodded against mine. "Get to work and stop making out with the staff, will ya?"
I laughed as she stepped away from me, winking over her shoulder at me. God, I loved that woman. I got into work mode and turned to the camera. The actors came out in their silk robes. It was showtime. Luis and Lane were in their spots, while the other lighting and sound crew milled behind us.
As soon as the actors removed their robes and approached the scene door, I flipped on the camera and waited for the green light to turn to red.
"Action!"
~~~~~~
"That's a wrap!" I shouted five hours later. "You've all done incredible. This was our first shoot in the new studio and I want to thank each and every one of you." My gaze fell upon all the faces looking back at me with smiles. "I've catered for lunch and beverages, please help yourselves!"
The crew clapped and cheered before they dispersed. My eyes were a bit exhausted from switching between the live scene and the camera screen, but it was worth it. Our first scene was done and under wraps. It couldn't have gone better. I honestly thought it would take longer, but this is what happens when you hire professionals. The actors knew exactly what I expected and did them without much direction. Five hours is incredible for a debut scene.
Lynn. My eyes scanned the immediate area, finding her standing by luis and Ashley. They were looking at her camera. I snuck up behind her and wrapped her in my arms, making her yelp out a little.
"Hi," I whispered against her temple.
"Hi, yourself." She spun in my arms. "That was incredible, Drake." Her eyes softened as she pressed her hands to my chest. "Watching you made me see how passionate you are about this. I'm sorry I ever doubted you."
My brows pinched together. "Doubted me?" I don't recall her doubting me. Jealous and nervous? Yeah, but never doubted me. If anything, she was my number one cheerleader.
"Maybe doubt is a strong word. Jealousy?" She scrunched her nose. "I'm sorry."
I tightened my grip around her. "Don't apologize. You had every right to be nervous. But do you see now that I only have eyes for you?"
"And boners," she added with a giggle, burying her face in my chest.
My laugh echoed around us. "Did you get some nice pictures?"
"Nice? They're amazing!" Luis cried. He stepped up into our bubble, flashing the camera screen at me. "Look at these! Lynn has one hell of an eye."
I glanced at the screen, my jaw falling as I saw the pictures one by one. They really were incredible. I knew she'd kill it, but these were beyond any expectations I had.
"We should frame them!" Luis shrieked.
"Luis, stop it," lynn scolded; her cheeks turning red again.
My phone rang, breaking our moment. I released her and yanked it out of my back pocket. It was an unknown number, but I answered it anyway.
"This is Drake Hudson," I answered, stepping away from them. But when I glanced over my shoulder I saw that lynn was answering her phone, too.
"Sounding all professional," the man's voice greeted.
Every hair on my body sizzled, standing straight up on end. I haven't heard this voice since I was fourteen years old, but I'd never forget it.
"What the hell do you want?" I hissed into the phone. My eyes went everywhere. I didn't trust this motherfucker and I wouldn't put it past him to try something. My eyes froze on lynn when I saw the distress on her face. I made my way over toward her.
"You have some nerve speaking to me that way, boy. I want a lot of things, but I think I'll start with your head. My wife is incarcerated and my son has been murdered. You put the pieces together."
My teeth grinded hard, cracking my jaw. "They deserved it. I'd do it the same way again if given the opportunity."
His chuckle made me shiver. "It's a shame that you ran away from our family, Drake. You're a ruthless son of a bitch who knows what he wants. We could have been great partners."
"That's why I ran away, Dad," I seethed. "Fuck off with the small talk. What do you want?"
Silence filled the phone before his exasperated breath came through. "I told you. I want your head. Watch your back, Drake." Then the line went dead.
Before I could comprehend what just happened, lynn horrified eyes turned to mine. She dropped her arm, phone in hand, and I rushed to her.
"Lynn, what is it?" I grabbed her arms, feeling her shaking. "Talk to me."
Her big eyes full of alligator tears looked up into mine. "That was Aunt Rose. She called to warn me."
"Warn you about what?" Did Aunt Rose know about my father calling me just now? If that was the case, I'd officially be freaked out.
But before either of us could say another word, the studio doors whipped open and several police officers stormed in. Their eyes moved wildly through the room as two of them dispersed.
"What's going on?" Lane asked them, stopping the head officer from coming in any further. "Unless you have a warrant, you need to leave."
The officer held a piece of paper up, tapping Lane's forehead with it. "I have a warrant, you little punk. I'm looking for lynnTuffin."
Instincts kicked in and I pulled lynn to my chest at the mention of her name. Then the officer's gaze found us and he stepped around Lane, heading straight for us.
"Are you lynn Tuffin?" He asked in a deep, angry voice.
"What is this concerning?" I snapped, holding her tighter to my chest.
My actions only made it obvious to the officer that this was lynn. Every muscle in my body tightened as I prepared for a fight.
The officer grabbed lynn, ripping her away from me as he pulled her arms behind her back. "Lynn Tuffin, you're under arrest for aggravated assault and distribution of sexual photos to a minor. You have the right to remain silent," he began the Miranda Rights.
"What?!" Her and I both shrieked at the same time.
"Do you understand your rights?" The officer ignored us, finishing his rights to her.
"Yes," she whispered.
"No! This is bullshit! Aggravated assault against who? Photos to a minor?!" I screamed, lunging forward to protect her.
"Sir! Back the fuck up!" He reached for his gun holster.
"Drake, please," lynn begged.
Luis and Lane came up beside me, trying to calm me down. "We can't do anything right now. Don't make this situation worse," Lane hissed so only I could hear.
Anger coursed through me. This was bullshit! Lynn hasn't done either of those things. The officer grabbed her arm and roughly pulled her away from us.
"Lynn!" I screamed. The urge to rip that motherfucker's arm off for dragging her roughly is strong, but I refrain from doing so. "I'm going to get you out, baby! Don't you worry!"
