The headlines were screaming.
Literally screaming in 48-point font.
ALLISON HARPER AND LUCAS BLACK: HOLLYWOOD'S NEW POWER COUPLE?
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: THE BEDROOM WINDOW!
THE NIGHT THAT SHOOK TINSLETOWN!
Allison sat in her apartment. She threw the tablet onto the sofa.
It bounced off a cushion.
She was angry.
Not at the paparazzi. They were rats doing rat things.
She was angry at herself.
For a split second, she had believed it. The fairy tale. The prince in the tower.
But the contract on her table—now sitting in the trash can—told the real story.
Lucas Black was a businessman. And she was an asset.
Her phone buzzed. incessantly. Texts from agents. From directors. From Vivienne.
She ignored them all.
She walked to the window. She looked down at the street.
A black SUV was parked outside. Two men in suits stood by the door. Lucas's security detail. Or her jailers?
Allison narrowed her eyes.
She wasn't going to hide. She wasn't going to be the "heartbroken girl" from Chapter One.
She was the woman who burned bridges.
She picked up her phone. She dialed the one person who would answer.
Vivienne.
"Tell me you didn't break his nose," Vivienne said by way of greeting.
"Not yet," Allison said. "But I'm going to break his wallet."
"I sent you the script," Vivienne said. "It's called The Last Duel. It's a historical epic. Blood. Mud. Betrayal. Two lead roles. A husband and wife who try to kill each other."
Allison stopped breathing.
"Perfect," she whispered.
"The studio is hesitant," Vivienne continued. "They want big names. They want Lucas Black."
"Get me a meeting," Allison commanded. "With the studio head. Marcus Vane. Now."
The meeting room at Apex Pictures was cold.
The air conditioning was always set to "meat locker."
Marcus Vane sat at the head of the table. He was a shark in a bespoke suit. He tapped a gold pen against the wood.
Allison sat opposite him. Alone.
"Miss Harper," Vane drawled.
"Congratulations on the... viral success of your little indie film. But this? The Last Duel? This is a beast. It requires star power."
"I have star power," Allison said. She leaned forward. "I am the most talked-about actress in America right now."
"You have notoriety," Vane corrected. "There's a difference. Lucas Black has power. He has a global fanbase. He puts asses in seats."
"He also has a contract with you, doesn't he?" Allison asked knowingly.
Vane stopped tapping his pen. "That is confidential."
"Lucas is locked into a multi-picture deal," Allison said, reciting the details Vivienne had dug up. "But his last three films underperformed overseas. You need a hit, Vane. Or you're going to drop him."
Vane's eyes hardened. "You do your homework."
"I do," Allison said. "And I know Lucas wants this role. It's the kind of Oscar-bait drama he's been dying for. He needs this to save his career."
Vane leaned back. He looked at her with new interest. "So, what's your pitch? You want to co-star with him? Play the happy couple off-screen to sell the movie on-screen?"
"No," Allison said. The word dropped like a stone.
"No?"
"I want top billing," Allison said. "Above the title. Above Lucas."
Vane laughed. It was a harsh, barking sound. "Impossible. Lucas is the A-lister. You're the flavor of the month. He'll never agree to it."
"He won't have a choice," Allison said.
"Because I'm not asking for his permission."
She pulled a folded document from her jacket. She slid it across the table.
"What is this?"
"My terms," Allison said.
Vane picked it up. He read. His eyebrows rose.
"You want... final cut on the marketing?" Vane asked. "You want approval of the director?"
"And I want Lucas," Allison said. "In the role of the husband. But I want the script rewritten."
"Rewritten how?"
"The ending," Allison said, her eyes darkening. "In the original, the husband dies nobly. The wife mourns him."
"Yes. It's a tragedy."
"I want a new ending," Allison said. "I want the wife to kill him. Slowly. And walk away smiling."
Vane stared at her. He was silent for a long time.
The clock on the wall ticked.
Tick. Tock.
"It will ruin the romance arc," Vane said.
"It will create controversy," Allison countered. "Controversy sells tickets. Controversy generates headlines. Allison Harper kills Lucas Black on screen? Every tabloid in the world will run that story."
Vane looked at the contract. Then at Allison.
He did the math. Revenue vs. Risk.
The math came out in her favor.
"Okay," Vane said slowly. "I'll pitch it to Lucas. But Harper? If he says no, you're out. And I'll make sure you never work in this town again."
"He won't say no," Allison said, standing up. "Because he's an actor. And he's arrogant. He'll think he can win me back during the filming."
She walked to the door. She paused.
"Oh, and Vane? Send Lucas the contract. The one he gave me. Let him know I read the fine print."
Lucas's mansion was a fortress perched on the cliffs of Malibu.
The Pacific Ocean crashed against the rocks below.
Allison drove her rented convertible up the long driveway. The wind whipped her hair.
She wasn't here to beg.
She was here to gloat.
She parked the car. She didn't wait for the valet.
She walked to the front door. She didn't ring the bell.
She walked right in.
Lucas was in the living room. He was pacing. He looked agitated. He held a familiar sheet of paper. The ripped contract.
He looked up as she entered.
"You tore it up," he said. His voice was low.
"I did," Allison replied. She tossed her keys onto a side table. "I prefer relationships based on mutual destruction, not legal agreements."
"It was for your protection," Lucas snapped. "The press eats people like you alive. I was trying to help."
"Help yourself, you mean," Allison said. She stepped closer. "You wanted a pretty accessory. A 'girl-next-door' to soften your image. Sorry, Lucas. I'm the girl from hell."
Lucas crumpled the paper and threw it into the fireplace.
"I got your offer from Vane," he said. "Top billing? A script change where you kill me? You're insane."
"I'm ambitious," she corrected. "And you need this movie. Your last film tanked in China. You're losing your grip, Lucas."
Lucas stared at her. The air between them crackled.
"I could destroy you," he said softly. "I could pick up the phone right now and tell every director in Hollywood you're difficult. That you're crazy."
"You could try," Allison said. She walked up to him. She invaded his personal space. She placed a hand on his chest.
She felt his heart rate. It was fast.
"But you won't," she whispered. "Because you know I'm right. You know this movie will be the best thing you've ever done. And you want to work with me."
"Because I'm the only one who can keep up with you," Allison said. "Admit it. The sex was great. The fight is better."
Lucas looked down at her. His eyes flashed with anger. And desire. They were twisted together.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Allison," he warned.
"I'm playing to win," she said. "So, do we have a deal? Or do I go to Vane and tell him you passed because you were scared of a little competition?"
Lucas growled. He grabbed her wrist.
He pulled her against him.
"Fine," he hissed. "Top billing. We kill each other on screen. But when the cameras stop rolling, the game is on. I'm not going to make it easy for you."
"I wouldn't want you to," Allison said.
She pulled away. She smoothed her jacket.
"See you on set, Lucas."
She turned and walked out.
She got into her car.
She exhaled.
Her hands were shaking slightly.
She had done it. She had forced Lucas Black's hand.
She had maneuvered the studio. She had reclaimed her power.
But as she drove away, she saw Lucas standing on the balcony.
He was watching her go.
He lifted a glass of whiskey in a mock toast.
Allison gripped the steering wheel.
It wasn't over. It was just the beginning of the end.
And she was going to enjoy every second of it.
The next day, the trades broke the story.
SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT: ALLISON HARPER TOP-LINES THE LAST DUEL!
LUCAS BLACK SIGNS ON AS SUPPORTING ACTOR?
THE BATTLE FOR HOLLYWOOD BEGINS!
Allison sat in a cafe. She read the article on her phone.
She smiled.
She took a sip of her coffee.
It tasted like victory.
And revenge.
She was ready for the cameras. She was ready for the blood.
She was ready to become the Queen of Hollywood.
"Jack who?" she whispered to the empty cup.
She stood up. She walked out into the sun.
The world was hers for the taking.
And nobody was going to stop her. Not even Lucas Black.