Master: Crimson Page 22
“What, Brie? No farewell note?”
Well, what did you expect? He certainly hadn’t anticipated a dozen roses and a bottle of champagne chilling in the bedroom, but Raiden couldn’t believe that his creation had just abandoned him like that, especially after they had left everything unsorted between them. It just didn’t make any damn sense. The fax machine started beeping in the background, but Raiden ignored it. He picked up Gabriel’s gloves and put them on, sighing as they surrounded his skin. The insides of them were warm; mere minutes had passed since Gabriel had last removed them. Maybe if I had come home sooner, I would have at least—
Raiden massaged his temples with his gloved fingers, imagining they belonged to someone else. Don’t get all weepy. This is for the best. It was fun while it lasted. He closed his eyes. Last night had been fun, all right. He couldn’t remember the last time in which he had gotten satisfaction from such a one-sided act; the desire he felt for Gabriel had only increased. The vampire tried for an optimistic thought. Well, now that he’s gone, at least I don’t have to subject myself to the awkward evening-after conversation. He took his hands away from his head, staring at the gloves. Without planning to, he started licking them, hoping to gain back just a tiny bit of Gabriel’s flavor. For old times’ sake. He was determined to chase away any feelings that might resemble sorrow. No use crying over spilled milk. Or spilled semen, for that matter.
Out of the blue, his cell rang, startling the lust out of him. He groaned, snatching the gloves off his hands to answer it.
“How may you help me?”
“Raiden-san? Is that you?”
It was Matsuda, his mousey manager. Raiden grumbled in annoyance. I so do not want to talk to him right now. This is really the perfect time to shoot myself in the head. “No, it’s the other Raiden.”
Matsuda missed the sarcasm in his voice. “Oh, I’m sorry. I must have dialed the wrong number.”
“Matsuda! Of course it’s me!” He snapped, pacing around the room.
“But you said—”
“I know bloody well what I said, but it’s called a joke.”
“Oh, how very clever of you!” Matsuda laughed, obviously not getting the joke.
“So what can I do for you?” Raiden slipped into a more business-like tone. Regardless of current circumstances, he had to maintain his decorum.
“Did you get that fax I sent over?” Matsuda inquired in Japanese. Raiden had noticed that his manager always seemed uneasy when speaking in English for too long, even though he was fluent.
“Lemme see.”
He lazily retrieved the pages from the floor and put them in order. Nothing looked about the fax looked familiar. His irritation sparkled. “Matsuda, you know I don’t have the patience for all this legal shit.”
“Precisely! That is why I called you to discuss it. I wanted to make things easier.”
“How very thoughtful. Now what’s this all about? Let me guess, Taro wants to add three more weeks to our next concert tour?”
“Actually—”
“No, wait, I got it. The record label’s getting their balls in a twist ‘cause we haven’t given them any new material yet.”
“I don’t—”
“Aha! I see now! I’m getting a raise!” Yeah-fucking-right.
“Uh…no.”
“Taro’s getting a raise and I’m not?”
“No, he’s—”
“Don’t tell me our drummer’s the lucky one! He doesn’t deserve it; he’s too much of a clown,” Raiden chortled, trying to keep insanity at arm’s length. If this conversation didn’t reach its conclusion soon, he would be forced to bludgeon his manager to death with the phone.
“No one’s getting a raise.”
“Oh. So what’s up, then?”
“Raiden-san, if you’re able, will you please turn to the last page of the fax?”
He complied with Matsuda’s request with a clenched jaw, skimming through the legal mumbo-jumbo. “This looks like a bunch of gibberish to me. What’s so important that you had to call and—”
“I must say, I’m surprised! Taro-san told me about this possibility, but I still can’t believe it! To think, Raiden-san starring in a movie! With Gabriel-san, no less. How very lucrative! It’s quite a change for you. Taro-san assured me that you weren’t leaving the band, though. That’s correct, isn’t it? Raiden-san? Raiden-san, are you there?”
Raiden had no words. Too many emotions rushed through him; they were so varied that they were impossible to define. The only clear one of the bunch was excitement. Luna Sunset. So that’s his move.
“Matsuda, I never signed anything.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. This fax is the contract. We need to set up a meeting with Gabriel-san, the director, and the movie producers so that you can start filming in the summer. Oh, I’m sure you know this, but the shoot is in California! How lucky is that?”
“Pretty lucky,” Raiden murmured, still unable to process this turn of events. Brie wants to make me sweat—but what’s his real motivation? Revenge? Money? Sex?
“Anyway, I called because I wanted to discuss this with you first, before we involve Gabriel-san and the other parties. I want to make sure that you’re completely informed on all aspects of this situation. After all, you’re going to be a movie star! We have a lot to talk about.”
“Hmm.” Raiden weighed his decision. Brie has set the bait, but will I fall into the trap?
“Raiden-san, is something wrong? This is what you want, isn’t it? Gabriel-san had the contract drawn immediately so that you two could get the ball rolling.”
“How immediately?” the singer wondered, staring off into space.
“It was late last night, I believe.”
Now, everything made complete sense to him. That insolent prick thinks he has the right to humiliate me. He thinks he’s justified because of what I did to him—and because I jerked him off. He thinks he can rattle my cage with this sneaky little stunt.
“I didn’t know the bastard had it in him,” Raiden muttered before he could stop himself. Matsuda’s yelp of surprise cut through the line.
“I’m sorry, Raiden-san, what was that?”
“Nothing,” Raiden reassured him. “Absolutely nothing.” Brie’s catching up to me.
“So you’re going to make the movie, right?”
The vampire paused. We’re batting a whole new ballgame now. Is that really wise? Smirking, he picked up a cigarette, lighting it with a flourish.
“Where do I sign?”
Two can play, Brie. But only one can win. Naturally, Raiden couldn’t wait to begin.
* * * *
To Be Continued in Master Book 2: Luna
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