The Problem with Lust, page 29
“Any luck with Cardoza’s camp?” I ask Rudy.
“I’m working on it.” That seems to be Rudy’s stock response.
“How hard can it be?”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
I don’t understand it. Rudy doesn’t have much to do, it’s not like he’s the one getting into the ring and fighting. He’s not the one who’s had to get up at 4:00 a.m. most mornings and workout for six hours every day. “Did you speak to his manager?” All he has to do is set up one meeting with Elias Cardoza.
Just one. I’ve been trying to get Rudy to set up a meeting with the guy, but Rudy says Cardoza is hard to get a hold of. Even his manager doesn’t seem eager. I get that the guy has a huge fight in a few months’ time, but our coming together, even for a one-time meeting, would help us both.
“I’m having a hard time reaching him.”
I wonder if I should put Dottie on the case. She’s clever, quick-witted, and thinks outside the box.
Though this last part of filming is going to be intense, I feel prepared, but I want to have the edge. I’ve read about the boxing greats, legends like Calzaghe, Hagler, Chavez, Ali and Tyson, and now there’s Cardoza. I want to meet with him and get inside his head. Maybe talking to him for a few hours will help get me even more into character. There’s nothing like having a real-life boxing champion to talk to. This guy burst onto the scene back in the summer, dethroning Trent “The Tank” Garrison with his raw power and nimble moves. The world took notice. I read up everything I could on him. I watched the fight over at some big producer’s house. We weren’t expecting to see the fight of the century with this unknown underdog coming out on top. From that time on, I’ve been wanting to meet the guy.
It’s weird how we’ve ended up filming these final scenes in Chicago because Cardoza comes from these streets. This is his city. This is where he trains. It’s where he’s lived all his life. I also been reading another biography on him, and I’ve found out about his terrible past. I see now why he was never going to lose, even to an opponent as formidable as Garrison. Cardoza’s past is a bonus for me. All I need to do is to get some glimpses of his life which will help me with my role. I swear to god I can almost feel that Oscar within my grasp.
My movie, Death of a Legend, might seem as if it’s based on Cardoza’s life. It’s not, but it so freakishly mirrors his story that critics might think we had hopped on the back of Cardoza’s story. The truth is, this script came into my hands two years ago. They didn’t want me for the role. The producer and director had someone else in mind, but my agent campaigned hard for me, and luckily, the guy they wanted was already signed to do another movie. They couldn’t wait for him, so I got the part.
That part is similar to what happened with Cardoza. From what I’ve read, he wasn’t supposed to fight Garrison, there were others in front, but for one reason or another, through injury or failing a drug test, they couldn’t fight, and Cardoza got the opportunity.
We’re not so different, Cardoza and I, in that respect.
His story, the fighting underdog pitted against the world heavyweight champion, who then goes on to win the title against all the odds—that’s real. I admire the guy. Cardoza ignited people’s hopes and dreams and went on to do the impossible. In a much smaller way, and less important, I want to prove to people that I can do parts that require depth. I am so much more than my action roles.
“What if I ask him?” I suggest. If Rudy isn’t having much luck, maybe I should show up at the gym? Surely Cardoza wouldn’t dare throw me out.
“I told you. Leave it with me.”
I snort. “This is an important role for me. I only need one visit. You can make that happen, can’t you?”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
I breathe out in irritation. I’m a famous actor, and this kid is new to his fame. I don’t understand what damage a quick visit will do. This is my chance to prove to everyone that I’m more than just a handsome face, that I don’t only have the body of a Greek god—thanks to my training—but I’m a serious actor as well.
“Try harder.” I hang up.
Dottie looks up. “Do you want me to book you a flight back to LA on the weekend?”
“For what?”
“Rudy says there’s a party you both need to be seen at.”
I pull a T-shirt over my head. “I’m not going to LA until we’re done filming.” Screw Rudy, screw the studio and screw the fake romance. It’s lucky I’m not dating at the moment, because something like this would piss me right off.
“You have to go back next month. Alyssa has a movie premiere and you’re her date.”
“Remind me closer to the time.”
Alyssa’s been working hard and done two movie back to back. Our sexy scenes in Legend worked well and now the studio wants us to pretend we’re getting together. Rudy said it would be a good idea for me to attend the premiere of the movie she shot before Legend. I agreed only because I have no real-life girlfriend who might get pissed off about something like this, and I’ll do what the studio wants me to do. “Anything else?”
She nods her head. “Do you need anything else?”
“My disguises.” A fake beard, moustache and wig come in handy.
“In your suitcase.”
Because we’re shooting, I’m mostly going to be on set and in my hotel suite, but even I can get bored of being cooped up all day. I only have bodyguards when I’m attending an event where there are big crowds, but I hate losing my anonymity. Using disguises is my way of going out without fear of being recognized. Dottie picks up her laptop and moves towards the door. “You’re not supposed to go out alone, Callum.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t do anything stupid.”
“As if I would.”
“You’re supposed to be on set at four.”
“Make sure you have my smoothie ready.”
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Click here for more details
Booklist
The Seven Sins:(New Series) A series of seven standalone romances based on the seven sins. Steamy, emotional, and angsty romances which are loosely connected.
Underdog (FREE prequel)
The Wrath of Eli
The Problem with Lust
The Lies of Pride
The Price of Inertia
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The Billionaire’s Love Story: This is a Cinderella story with a touch of Jerry Maguire. What happens when the billionaire with too much money meets the single mom with too much heart?
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The Promise (FREE)
The Gift, Book 1
The Gift, Book 2
The Gift, Book 3
The Gift, Boxed Set (Books 1, 2 & 3)
The Offer, Book 1
The Offer, Book 2
The Offer, Book 3
The Offer, Boxed Set (Books 1, 2 & 3)
The Vow, Book 1
The Vow, Book 2
The Vow, Book 3
The Vow, Boxed Set (Books 1, 2 & 3)
* * *
Indecent Intentions: This is a spin-off from The Billionaire’s Love story. This two-book set consists of two standalone stories about the billionaire’s playboy brother. The second story is about a wealthy nightclub owner who shuns relationships.
* * *
The Bet
The Hookup
Indecent Intentions 2-Book Set
* * *
Honeymoon Series: Take a roller-coaster journey of emotional highs and lows in this story of love and loss, family and relationships. When Ava is dumped six weeks before her Valentine’s Day wedding, she has no idea of the life that awaits her in Italy.
* * *
Honeymoon for One
Honeymoon for Three
Honeymoon Blues
Honeymoon Bliss
Baby Steps
Honeymoon Series Boxed Set (Books 1-4)
* * *
Italian Summer Series: This is a spin-off from the Honeymoon Series. These books tell the stories of the secondary characters who first appeared in the Honeymoon Series. Nico and Ava also appear in these books.
* * *
It Takes Two
All That Glitters
Fool’s Gold
Roman Encounter
November Sun
New Beginnings
Italian Summer Series Boxed Set (Books 1- 4)
* * *
A Perfect Match Series: This is a seven book series in which the first four books feature the same couple. High-flying corporate executive Nadine has no time for romance but her life takes a turn for the better when she meets Ethan, a sexy and struggling metal sculptor five years younger. He works as an escort in order to make the rent. Books 4-6 are standalone romances based on characters from the earlier books. The main couple, Ethan and Nadine, appear in all books:
* * *
Lost in Solo (prequel)
The Proposal
Heart Sync
A Leap of Faith
A Perfect Match Series Books 1-3
Misplaced Love
Reclaiming Love
Embracing Love
A Perfect Match Series (Books 4-6)
Standalone Books:
Love Inc
An Unexpected Gift
An Ordinary Hero
* * *
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Acknowledgments
As always, I would like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to my amazing group of proofreaders for their patience and support, and for calmly accepting my ever-changing deadlines. These ladies check my manuscript for errors, typos, inconsistencies and strange words and phrases which often find their way into my story.
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Without them, I wouldn’t have the confidence to release each book and I am eternally grateful for their help and support:
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Marcia Chamberlain
Nancy Dormanski
April Lowe
Dena Pugh
Charlotte Rebelein
Carole Tunstall
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I would also like to thank L J Andersen of Mayhem Cover Creations for creating the awesome cover.
About the Author
Lily Zante lives with her husband and three children somewhere near London, UK.
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Connect with Me
I love hearing from you – so please don’t be shy! You can email me, message me on Facebook or connect with me on Twitter:
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Copyright © 2019 Lily Zante
The Problem with Lust (#2, The Seven Sins)
Ebook Edition
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All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.
The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book through the internet or any other means without the prior written consent of the author is illegal and is punishable by law.
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This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously and do not bear any resemblance to any real person, alive or dead.
Lily Zante, The Problem with Lust
