Interview with the Billionaire Read online

  Bridge: Fair enough. Are the three of you just friends? Or has there every been any romantic or sexual involvement?

  * * *

  [Ollie blushes. Jamie snorts. Ryan looks amused.]

  * * *

  Bridge: You and Nikki dated?

  * * *

  Ollie: No. Never. /Jamie: He wishes

  * * *

  Jamie: Ollie’s had a crush on Nikki since forever.

  * * *

  Ollie: We’re friends. That’s all.

  * * *

  Jamie: Um, Ol? We’re friends, too, and we fucked. [Her attention shifts to me.] Wasn’t our finest hour, but we were both in a fucked up kind of place, what with him crushing on Nikki and all the drama with his fiancée.

  * * *

  [Ollie bangs his head against his knee. Ryan is practically shaking from holding in laughter. Jamie just shrugs.]

  * * *

  Jamie: What? It’s true. And what’s the deal, anyway, Ollie. Now that you’re single, is there anyone new in your life?

  * * *

  Ollie: No. Of course not. You know I’m focusing on work.

  * * *

  Jamie: If you say so. But we’re going to talk.

  * * *

  [Ollie blushes.]

  * * *

  Bridge: Well, I think I’m going to shift this back to Nikki and Damien. Though I could definitely make a case for running with this story instead. I think we’d get a significant readership. Especially with your fanbase, Jamie.

  * * *

  Jamie: Yeah, Evelyn is always telling me I need to stop oversharing now that my career is on the rise. I’m trying, but that’s really not in my nature.

  * * *

  Bridge: Evelyn represents you as an actor?

  * * *

  Jamie: All things, really. Actor, on-air personality, whatever comes along next. She’s great. I adore her. I’m sure she gets lots of the credit for keeping Damien sane over the years.

  * * *

  Bridge: You recently made a splash in Intercontinental. Congratulations. I enjoyed the film.

  * * *

  Jamie: Thanks. Zelda Clayton wrote an amazing book—and thank goodness that nutcase didn’t kill her. That was insanity, but I gotta say it was good press.

  * * *

  Ollie: Tragedy and drama always are.

  * * *

  Jamie: True that. Anyway, Zelda’s great, her book was great, and that movie put me on the map. I owe a lot to Matthew Holt and the people at Hardline Entertainment. I’m working on another project now with him. I’m starring and producing. It’s exciting.

  * * *

  Bridge: Congratulations. Nikki must be proud of you, too.

  * * *

  Jamie: She doesn’t care a thing about Hollywood past, oh, the Jimmy Stewart era. But, yeah, she’s thrilled for me. And fair is fair. I don’t give a flip about the code that makes my phone and computer work. But she loves that stuff, and her business is growing so fast. She’s going to give Damien a run for his money one day.

  * * *

  Bridge: Would that bother him?

  * * *

  Jamie: Hell, no. He’d throw a goddamn party. He’s so proud of what she’s done it’s almost sickening.

  * * *

  [Clearly it’s not, as Jamie’s smile is so wide it looks painful.]

  * * *

  Ollie: Nikki deserves every good thing that’s happened to her.

  * * *

  Bridge: Including Damien?

  * * *

  Ollie: I’ll be honest. I wasn’t on the Damien train at first.

  * * *

  Jamie: Because of the being in love with Nikki.

  * * *

  Ollie: Because I didn’t trust him. But he’s earned it. And he’s good for her. And I’m over the crush.

  * * *

  Jamie: Told you he had a crush. And, yeah. Damien’s good for her. He’s also a genuinely good guy. He helped get me my first acting gig. And he introduced me to Matthew.

  * * *

  Bridge: Has Nikki helped with your career?

  * * *

  Jamie: Did you miss the part about Nikki not giving a fuck about Hollywood? So no to the career. Yes to the life. She and Ollie have been my lifeline. Especially Nik because, well, you know, for part of the time, Ollie was part of my problem. I used to have a fucking-around problem.

  * * *

  [She has to be the most un-filtered interviewee I have ever spoken with. I understand she’s excellent at being on the reporter side of the microphone and that she has a knack for getting celebrities to reveal more than they normally would. I think I now understand how she manages that.]

  * * *

  Bridge: A fucking around problem?

  * * *

  Jamie: As in too much and with the wrong people. Sorry Ollie.

  * * *

  Ollie: Hey, gotta second the thought. Not that it wasn’t fun. It was. Sorry, Ryan.

  * * *

  Ryan: No worries. I’m well aware of the fun factor.

  * * *

  [They’re all completely comfortable. I feel my cheeks burn.]

  * * *

  Bridge: So, um, how did you get over that fucking around problem.

  * * *

  [She lifts her leg and lightly nudges Ryan.]

  * * *

  Ryan: I put a collar on her. Not to mention a wedding band. You could say I tamed me a wildcat.

  * * *

  Ollie: Ryan. Come on, man.

  * * *

  Ryan: Hey, it’s true.

  * * *

  Bridge: I get the feeling neither you nor your wife have many boundaries.

  * * *

  Jamie: I don’t have many filters, either.

  * * *

  Bridge: So I’m noticing. As entertaining as this is, I’d like to shift back to Nikki and Damien.

  * * *

  Ollie: Oh, yes, please.

  * * *

  Bridge: Ryan, what’s your perspective? I understand you and Damien have been friends for years. You met not long after Stark International was formed.

  * * *

  Ryan: That’s right.

  * * *

  Bridge: And do Nikki and Damien, um, have a similar relationship as you and Jamie. Or was that collar of the metaphorical variety.

  * * *

  Ryan: You’d have to ask them. As for the collar…

  * * *

  [He smiles. Jamie—unbelievably—blushes.]

  * * *

  Bridge: Jamie, you’d mentioned Matthew Holt. There are rumors he owns a secret high-end sex club. Masque.

  * * *

  Jamie: Guess it’s not so secret, huh?

  * * *

  Bridge: I’ve heard rumors that Nikki and Damien have been there.

  * * *

  Jamie: Well, gee. I’ve never seen him there. But I’m pretty sure the idea of a club like Masque would be to wear a mask. Not that I’d know. That just seems to make sense.

  * * *

  Ryan: Is this really a line you want to pull?

  * * *

  Bridge: Damien Stark’s private life sells magazines.

  * * *

  Ryan: Pretty sure that sex club isn’t the theme he’d want for an article meant to be celebrating his accomplishments, including the S&S Sports Center.

  * * *

  Bridge: Of course. I just wondered if Damien—never mind.

  * * *

  [I clear my throat, gathering my thoughts and pushing down memories.]

  * * *

  Bridge: Let’s go back to the attempt on Zelda Clayton’s life. That was investigated—and resolved—by agents working at Stark Security.

  * * *

  Ryan: It was.

  * * *

  Bridge: I’d love to know how Stark Security was formed, but can we start with how you met Damien?

  * * *

  Ryan: I had a small security company. It was doing well, and it caught Damien’s eye. He made me an offer I’d be stupid to refuse, and I sold it to him. He brought me on to run it, then promoted me to head of security for all of Stark International. I still have that title, but the day to day is handled but other people on my team.

  * * *

  Bridge: Because your focus is Stark Security.

  * * *

  Ryan: That’s right. After Anne and Bree were kidnapped, Damien wanted to do something to make a difference, so we created the agency. We specialize in cases that for whatever reason are best handled outside the normal law enforcement channels.

  * * *

  Bridge: And the success rate?

  * * *

  Ryan: I’m proud to say our success rate is off the charts.

  * * *

  Bridge: Getting back to Damien, would you say that Nikki is good for him?

  * * *

  Ryan: Nikki is the best thing that ever happened to that man.

  * * *

  Bridge: What stands out to you about Nikki and Damien’s relationship?

  * * *

  Ryan: It’s like ours. The fit.

  * * *

  Jamie: Of course, Nik doesn’t have my rough edges, but, then again, Ryan likes it rough.

  * * *

  [Ryan rubs his temples as if exasperated, but it’s clear he’s amused.]

  * * *

  Ollie: Jamie, give it a rest.

  * * *

  Ryan: She’s right, though. I remember looking at those two and thinking that was what I wanted. To feel the way I knew they felt. Because you could see it. I’ll admit I was jealous. I wanted that, too.

  * * *

  Jamie: And he always goes after what he wants.

  * * *

  Ryan: It’s true. And once I got to know Jamie, I knew I wanted her. She wa
s a challenge, though.

  * * *

  [Ollie laughs.]

  * * *

  Ryan: Fortunately, I’m very good at getting what I want.

  * * *

  Jamie: Challenge? That’s just his polite way of saying that marriage scared the shit out of me. I got over it, obviously. Anyway, we’ve gone so off-topic. The bottom line is they are gone for each other. It sounds corny, but it’s not. It’s fucking awesome.

  * * *

  Interview End

  When he looks at me, his face has the dark intensity of a hunter, and I feel as vulnerable as his prey.

  * * *

  - Claim Me

  Damien’s Journal - kidnapping

  Anne’s abduction

  Anne.

  * * *

  And Bree.

  * * *

  My baby. Our nanny.

  * * *

  I can’t process this. I can’t organize my thoughts to write. Every moment I’m writing is a moment I’m not thinking of what to do. Of how to do it.

  * * *

  Of how to save them.

  * * *

  Please.

  * * *

  These are the only words in my heart today:

  * * *

  Please.

  * * *

  And Nikki. Always Nikki.

  I will slay your dragons. I will keep you safe.

  * * *

  - Have Me

  Transcript: Stark-2

  Day 1, Session 4, 5:45 pm

  Audio Transcription by All Access Enterprises

  Annotations added by client: Spicer, Magdalena

  Location: Stark Home, Malibu, CA, 3rd floor living area

  Subject(s): Damien Stark, Nichole Fairchild Stark (Nikki)

  Interview conducted by Maggie Bridge

  Begin Interview

  [They are seated as before on the sofa. This time, Nikki’s feet are curled up under her, and Damien’s arm is around her shoulder. They look relaxed and comfortable. ]

  Bridge: Sorry we’re getting a late start. We’ll wrap earlier tomorrow.

  * * *

  Damien: Not a problem.

  * * *

  Bridge: Earlier we talked about your relationship. I’d like to continue that, but expand it more to encompass family. Can you tell me how you’d describe your relationship?

  * * *

  Nikki: Perfect.

  * * *

  [Damien smiles, then brushes a kiss over her cheek.]

  * * *

  Bridge: So no fights? Everything is smooth sailing?

  * * *

  Damien: Oh, there are fights. There’s also the making up.

  * * *

  [As he speaks, he trails a fingertip along her thigh. She’s changed into shorts, and his finger strokes bare skin, the touch entirely casual. I’m not even sure he’s aware that he’s stroking her.]

  * * *

  Nikki: He’s right, though. We don’t fight much. The truth is we fit.

  * * *

  Damien: We both have missing pieces. But together, we complete each other.

  * * *

  Bridge: Could you imagine not being together?

  * * *

  Nikki: Now? No. I’d survive—Damien’s helped me realize that I’m strong enough to survive—but losing him would come close to destroying me. But that’s not something I’m afraid of. I know he’ll never leave me. He’d move heaven and earth before doing that.

  * * *

  Bridge: Damien?

  * * *

  Damien: I feel the same way. And if she did leave, I’d get her back.

  * * *

  [Nikki laughs.]

  * * *

  Nikki: He would too. My husband is very resourceful.

  * * *

  Damien: And formidable. Don’t forget that.

  * * *

  Nikki: How could I?

  * * *

  Bridge: Actually, I want to talk about those resources in our next interview, particularly Stark Security. But for now, was there ever a time you feared that your relationship wouldn’t survive.