Page 12 of Grunt: A Marine Romance

“Attaboy. There’s one more thing. They want to film you both traveling in the truck.”

“Us both? What does this have to do with Selena?” Bret’s voice dropped.

“Well, mate, no one knows you yet. Selena’s our star! It’s just one road trip. For your dead mate.” Benny winked at Selena.

So now they were going to throw Pierce in his face every time he didn’t do what they asked?

“Road trip? Tonight? I have to stop in Los Angeles to get my clothes.” Selena bit her lip.

“You two can work out the details. There’s a camera in the back of the truck that will record your trip. Have a great night.” Benny gave them both a final handshake and sauntered back inside the hotel.

It was too late to go back. Bret had signed the contract earlier knowing full well what Benny was capable of. “Well, I guess we’re leaving tonight.”

“I can’t believe we have to drive there,” she said. Her brow was furrowed like it was the craziest thing ever.

His own forehead crinkled with amusement. “Why?”

“Well…because.” She placed her hands on her hips. “I mean, no one drives. They arrange first-class seats, and then a limo picks us up. No one drives.”

“Well, maybe a nice, peaceful drive isn’t your thing, but it’s mine. Especially in this truck. I don’t need a plane ticket, and I sure as hell don’t need first class.”

A thinly painted eyebrow rose while her eyes narrowed. “You’re saying I’m high-maintenance?”

Bret snorted a laugh, holding his hands up in protest. “Hey, I never said that, did I? I haven’t seen you in ten years. But from what I read in the magazines—yeah—I’d say you seem like a diva.”

Her mouth pouted but her eyes twinkled. “Okay, fine. I can handle a peaceful drive. As long as we can stop tonight at my place so I can get my stuff.”

“We can. But only if you don’t try filling up the back of my truck with all your fancy luggage.”

Selena’s gaze hovered to the left, and Bret saw Dima walk by the lobby with a group of girls. Her eyes darkened and she whipped her head back with a shrug and a tiny smile. “I’ll have the bellman bring it all down, and you’ll see for yourself.”

“Never mind the bellman. Just give me your room number, and I’ll go get it.”

Selena’s mouth opened but she didn’t answer him.

“What, Selena? Are you on some secret celebrity floor? Do I need a special key?”

“No. It’s not that. Are you sure you don’t want me to call the bellman?”

He frowned. “Why do I need some other guy to grab stuff I can carry myself?”

Selena lit up and smiled. “I know. It's just . . . never mind. It’s room 1014.”

Bret fondled his new keys. “I need to run home and pack. I’ll meet you at your hotel room in two hours.”

Selena turned toward the elevator. Bret climbed into his truck and turned the stereo on. Caressing the leather steering wheel, Bret flicked on the headlights. He roared the engine. He would enjoy this gift for the season and could sell it for his buddy’s family if Bret didn’t last long on the show. He just had no desire to spend eight hours holed up in a steel box with the woman who broke his heart.