“Hello, Consuelo.”
The soon-to-be former housekeeper eyed Cassie suspiciously. “Who you? I no know you.”
“I’m Cassie Carroll, Rhett’s assistant. You’re trespassing on private property.”
The three younger members sitting around the table murmured in low voices, giving Cassie dirty looks as they conversed rapidly in Spanish.
She let them finish before she charged ahead. “Fortunately, I’m from Texas and caught everything you just said. No, I’m not some cheap whore like Randal James, nor am I a blood-sucking cunt. I’m Mr. Corrigan’s executive assistant and speak on his behalf.”
The atmosphere crackled with anger. Maria, whom Cassie remembered was Consuelo’s daughter and Rhett’s former cook, shook her pudgy finger at Cassie.
“You no tell us to go. We work here. Like you do. Mr. Rhett tell you that. Go get him. You see. He make you say sorry.”
Cassie held her ground. “Mr. Corrigan had me hire new staff in your place. I’m sure your sons noticed how nice the grounds looked as you arrived. Ditto with the house. And Mr. Rhett is very pleased with his new cook.” Her jaw set as she studied them. “I won’t ask again. Leave now—or I’ll call the police and have you arrested.”
Both of the young men, in their early twenties, jumped to their feet, waving their hands. “No policía. No policía, senorita.”
Maria interjected, “Mr. Rhett like my cooking. He love empanadas and my casserole. He no make me leave.”
Cassie took a step forward. “You chose to leave, Maria. Over and over again, just like your mother and your brothers. Did you think Mr. Corrigan would continue to put up with that? All of you abandoned him with no notice. His patience has run out.”
She slammed a hand on the table. “I do the hiring and firing around here now and we have enough help. I’ll see that Mr. Corrigan gives each you an excellent reference but you will not be working here anymore. Lo entiendes?”
Consuelo reeled off a string of vulgarities in a mix of Spanish and English, growing more animated as she spoke.
Maria and the two men joined in, loudly caterwauling, their protests rising in volume.
“Enough!”
Rhett stood in the doorway, hands fisted at his sides.
Consuelo immediately appealed to him, rising from her seat and rushing to him.
“Oh, Mr. Rhett, I sorry, so sorry. We go to see Pedro, but he bad. Very, very bad. I tell him I leave him and send no more money. No more! We never go Mexico again. No good there.” She brightened. “I stay and Maria cook for you now. You no look good, Mr. Rhett. Maria make you soup and tortillas.”
Before Rhett could reply, Cassie stepped in. “No, you will not fix Mr. Corrigan anything. He just ate. You will leave the property and not come back.”
Rhett glanced at Cassie. “Sweetheart, that’s kind of harsh. Consue—”
“Rhett, just leave, okay? They know they did wrong and they don’t work for you anymore. I won’t have you put dependable people out of work simply because Consuelo and company got it in their heads to waltz back.”
“I can afford—”
“I know you can afford to keep everyone employed. It’s the principle of the thing. They were disloyal and disrespectful when they up and left with no notice, time and time again. They should not expect to be forgiven, much less step into their former jobs.”
He looked miserable. “Maybe I could help them find jobs.” He brightened. “Hey, Maria, Mr. Ken has always loved your cooking. Let’s see—”
She stood firm. “If they apply for a job, you can give them a decent rec. You don’t need to find it for them.”
Rhett took a deep breath. “You’re right, Cassie.” He looked at the entire crew. “I appreciate your help over the years but we’re going in a new direction.”
Maria stood and puffed her chest out. “You get rid of us, Mr. Rhett, because this puta say so? We be good for you, Mr. Rhett. We do things like you like.”
Rhett shook his head. “Cassie is going to be my wife, Maria. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s how to please my woman.”
Consuelo spun around and announced, “We go. No want to be here.” She gave Cassie a malicious look. “You be sorry.”
Consuelo snapped her fingers and the young men fell in behind her like trained ducks. They stooped to pick up duffel bags and backpacks and traipsed behind the women, who both held their heads high and noses in the air as they exited the kitchen.
The minute the door slammed, Cassie turned to Rhett. “Change that gate code now, Corrigan. You said you were going to and never have.”
“Okay.” He looked around. “Did they terrorize Mimi into retreating to her room?”
She put her arms around his waist. “Mimi is fine. In fact, she’s out for several hours.”
The gleam in Rhett’s eyes told her the next few hours would be well spent.
◆◆◆
Cassie puttered around her office as she booted up her computer, pulling out her stack of yellow legal pads with notes on scenes, characters, and random ideas. She and Breck had been e-mailing frantically back and forth yesterday. He’d sent what Cassie thought would be the penultimate scene in the movie. She read it quickly, tingling with anticipation as it unfolded.
She’d made a cup of tea and decided to read the scene again with fresh eyes. Breck had said she wouldn’t hear from him today, as it was New Year’s Eve and he had a few special things planned for Jolene, but he told her to monkey around with it. Cassie doubted she would change much at all.
She logged on and quickly glanced through her e-mail. Nothing stood out that couldn’t be answered later. She started to open up the scene but decided to do a quick glance at Hollywood! Online before she began. She’d been addicted to the site ever since she’d discovered it after moving to Hollywood and had to get her daily fix to feel like she was in the know.
It surprised her when Rhett’s picture came up in the news section. His very public break-up with Randi and fight with Zak was old news. What more could they milk out of the situation?
Reading the brief blurb that enticed readers to click over to the full story, her stomach clinched as she spotted the words Ponytail Girl. She brought up the column and scanned it quickly.
As usual, it was dead on. Sources reported her trip with Rhett to Javier’s last night. Since he’d been such a good customer in the past, Rhett called ahead and made sure the store was closed when they arrived so they could look at rings without being gawked at.
Cassie glanced down at the engagement ring resting on her finger, still surprised to find it there. The marquise-cut diamond glittered as the sunlight struck it, smiling back at her. It made her want to doodle hearts on a piece of paper and write Mrs. Rhett Corrigan or Cassie Corrigan or I love Rhett all over the page like a middle schooler.
Her eyes returned to the computer screen and she continued to read, seeing she was identified by her real name for the first time. An unnamed source elaborated on how deep Cassie’s claws were sunk into Rhett.
Has our coolest A-list Hollywood Superstar turned into a lap dog? Rhett Corrigan’s peeps say yes. Totally. Ms. Cassie (Who Only Knows Who She Is?) Carroll has blindsided and bedazzled our fav action man (and you know how we love action men and their hot bods), turning Mr. Super Sexy into Mr. Balls Cut Off. We hear Ponytail Girl is running that house now, Sensational Legs and all. Hope all she gets from Mr. Hottie is that ginormous diamond ring. We would hate to see Rhett Corrigan turned into some nobody’s Boy Toy.