Chapter 20 · Steal the Starlight - Chapter 20: Don't Say It On Tape

"Smile, Noelle. You're on camera."

The producer's hand clamped around my wrist before I could reach the red recording light.

I twisted hard. "Take your hand off me."

"You want your name cleared? Then stop looking like you’re about to bite Starr."

"Maybe don’t drag me into a fake apology with a live mic in my face."

The producer leaned closer. His cologne hit me first. Cheap spice. Nervous sweat underneath.

"The sponsor wants warmth," he said. "You two have three minutes to sell them a comeback. If you fail, the corporation releases the footage from Dock Nine."

My jaw locked.

Dock Nine. The fight they had edited into proof that I’d attacked a hero team. The fight that had left three people injured and put a bounty on my head.

Wren stood six feet away, surrounded by lights and camera drones. Her silver jacket glittered under the studio rig. The perfect hero girl. The city’s favorite smile.

That smile was gone.

She stared at the producer. "You said this segment was private."

"It was. Then the ratings jumped."

"You lied to me."

"I upgraded the segment. There’s a difference."

Wren’s fingers curled at her sides.