Free Late Night with Andres by Debra Anastasia Page A

tucked his gun back in its holster. “Pretty sure she doesn’t give a shit about your production quality.”
    “So no hair and makeup? The camera’s not going to like that at all.”
    Milla turned her back on the assistant and hugged her middle. Peter left, tsking the whole way. She really didn’t intend on saying much. She didn’t trust Andres at all. The show was running live tonight, so it wasn’t like he could pause taping to redo anything. Milla thought this would work in her favor.
    Peter returned and gave her a fake smile. “Well, time to get you stage left, Ms. Kierce.”
    Rocco followed on her other side, holding her elbow. She took some deep breaths, accompanied by loud exhales. She now regretted her layers of clothes, as she was melting and lightheaded already. While she waited for her introduction, she slipped Gage’s toe into her jeans pocket and handed Rocco her leather jacket. She knew her two bras made her boobs look huge.
    Andres’ voice was piped though speakers, and she could see him on the flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. “Okay, thank you all for showing up tonight!” The crowd went wild. “As promised, I have the interview no one else could get. She captured the nation’s attention when she was held hostage in a dressing room before a taping of a talk show. My talk show. I’m sure you all recall my brave, devoted newscasting. Truly, it was groundbreaking.” The crowd applauded. “So, it’s my pleasure to meet, with you, the curvaceous young woman that fought for her life that evening. Please welcome Milla Kierce.”
    Andres stood and stepped toward stage left, holding his hand out with flourish. Milla’s feet wouldn’t move. Peter almost touched her with his urgent, “That’s you! Go, go, go!” But his hand was intercepted by Rocco, who growled.
    Milla stepped forward. Andres smiled and opened his arms for a hug. She cringed at the instant applause and shouting the second she was in view of the audience. She forced herself to keep walking. She went right past Andres and sat down in the armchair next to his desk. He turned to the crowd. Milla could see him in the monitors. He tossed up his hands and bellowed over the applause, “By all means, have a seat!”
    After the crowd gave a nervous chuckle, everyone sat. Andres made his way back to his desk and tucked in. He pulled out a microphone and switched it on. Milla jumped as loud feedback squealed. She leaned away from Andres as he attempted to hand her the equipment.
    “I’m sorry, did you not want this? I was told you requested it?”
    Milla covered her mouth with a shaking hand. The audience was quiet as she regarded the microphone without touching it.
    “You scared her, you asshole!” a man from the crowd heckled.
    Milla squinted through the bright lights, but she could only make out silhouettes. She mouthed, Thank you . She took the microphone and held it like it might shock her.
    Andres scowled at the audience. “This is a live show. Please, no profanity.” Milla watched as his old jaw tensed. “Now, may I call you Milla? Tell us about the moment this happened.” Andres waved his hand behind them both. The room dimmed and what had previously been a nighttime cityscape became her worst night. She glanced over her shoulder and watched as she and Gage prepared for the gunman to enter. She turned away and shook her head, the movement freeing her tears.
    “Yeah, you can knock that the fuck off.” The heckler was even louder now, and he rushed the stage. Security was too slow, but Rocco wasn’t. He had the man neatly tackled with a gun to his head in no time. Milla dropped her microphone and the resulting end-over-end fall sounded like gunshots. People in the audience screamed. The lights in the studio came up. The security men flanked Andres. Milla just stayed sitting.
    “Hey, Milla. It’s me. Again. Scaring the shit out of you. Sorry. Again.” Gage Daxson was trying to act normal, and Rocco’s muscles flexed with