Warrior Rogue (The Drift Lords Series) Read Free

finger, signaling Sandi who’d been consulting with the makeup artist.
    “Yuki says she didn’t touch the cuts on this man’s face because he had done such a good job of applying paint.” Sandi squinted at him. “That stuff is smearing, but she’s afraid to come any closer to fix it.”
    “That’s because his wounds are real.” Jen turned to Paz. “This is my assistant, Sandi. We’re both concerned about you. Tell us what happened on the way here. You must have been in an accident.”
    “Accident…yes. No. The images are—how do you say it? My mind is unclear.”
    Mr. Nakamura broke off from his conversation and strode in their direction. From his taut posture and pinched face, Jen expected a reprimand.
    “Security said no one drove through the studio entrance.” Poor Akeno looked as though he had swallowed a lemon pit as he translated the director’s words. “How did this man get here?”
    “I think he may have been in an accident.” Jen glanced at Paz. His lips were clamped together, his complexion pale. Don't pass out, she pleaded silently. We need to get you to a doctor. “He could have left his car behind, walked the rest of the way, and stumbled through the gate. A head injury would account for his confusion.”
    Sandi’s eyebrows lifted. “I’ve known a lot of desperate actors in my time, but this? If he really got whacked on the head, he belongs in the hospital.”
    “You’re right. I’ll take him.”
    For some reason, she felt drawn to the newcomer. Maybe it was the lost look in his eyes, or perhaps his unstable state of health. Being ill in a foreign country could be terrifying, and he could use her support.
    Sandi drew her aside. “Are you nuts? You don’t know anything about this guy. Like, he could get violent again.”
    “I’ll be all right. He seems to respond to me, so I can get him through the hospital hoopla. In the meantime, check on Keith and see if he’s on his way yet. I’m counting on you for damage control.”
    The translator gestured to her. “Miss Dyhr, the director wants this actor’s contact information.”
    Did he plan to press charges against the poor guy, too? She shouldn’t be surprised. Mr. Nakamura would need to save face in the producer’s view. Forget their opinion of her—it must be blown to hell by this incident.
    Jen had been completely unaware Norse mythology interested video gamers until Sandi pointed out a couple of games titled Viking Warrior: Bridge to Asgard and Valkyrie Knights . This revelation had opened a whole realm of possibility for her. She’d designed wardrobes for feature films and magazine shoots galore, but never an ad for a video game company.
    She’d been so excited when her hairstylist brought the Japanese producer into her Manhattan showroom, and he’d called afterward to offer a job. It gave her the perfect opportunity to extend her brand.
    “Mr. Nakamura, this man needs medical attention.” She thrust her chin forward, determined to salvage her reputation by assuming responsibility. “With your permission, I’ll take him to the hospital. If Keith still isn’t here by the time I return, I promise to call the casting office myself for a replacement. I’m so sorry for the delay.”
    After giving him another respectful bow, she turned to Sandi. “I’ll order my driver to bring the car around. Try to appease the big wigs while I’m gone. We have to find some way to salvage this situation.”
    Jen led Paz backstage to change into some borrowed street clothes. Then she herded the newcomer out the exit and into the busy midday traffic.

Chapter Two
    Paz came to his senses in the back seat of a ground vehicle beside a beautiful woman. What had she called herself? Jennifer, although the short blonde addressed her as Jen. He remembered that much from the nightmarish barbarian attack.
    When he’d regained consciousness earlier, he had no idea where he had landed. The first people he’d seen had been the costumed characters,