It felt strange to have friends. Not that they texted every day or hung out on most weekends. Everyone was busy. They each had their own lives. Still, when they did get together, their connection was deep. Like survivors of something the rest of the world could never comprehend, they were forever bonded after that night at RED in a way that was impossible to explain.
Blue perked his head up, and Madison grinned and leaned down to scratch between his ears. Ever since they’d been reunited, he’d barely left her side. His constant presence gave Madison comfort and also seemed to delight the countless tabloids, bloggers, and glossy magazines that detailed her every move. The same top designer responsible for her pale pink dress had also designed the various doggy tuxes Blue wore during award-show season.
“I’m thinking like Nicole Kidman just after she separated from Tom Cruise,” her longtime stylist, Christina, had said when they were choosing between the numerous designs on offer. Madison had wanted to go with a fiercer look to honor all she’d been through, while Christina did her best to sway her in the opposite direction. “You want to look delicate, almost to the point of fragile. It’ll convince people to root for you.”
“They’re already rooting for me,” Madison said. “They consider me a hero.”
“You’ve overcome a lot,” Christina was quick to agree. “You had to convince the public those blog posts were the result of a deranged mind.”
“Which they were.” Madison had glared.
“Clearly.” Christina blushed furiously and fought to recover. “Still, for a fairy-tale event like the Oscars, you want to be seen as a princess. Soon as it’s over, you can put on your Wonder Woman cape and conquer the world.”
Madison had halfheartedly agreed. But after walking the carpet and seeing the hushed deference paid to her, she had to admit Christina was right. In a town like Hollywood, the truth didn’t matter: perception was king.
Absently, she traced a finger over the place where the tracker had been removed, and focused on the big screen. Luckily, the tracker was only one of many precautions Paul had put into place. Though he’d been shadowing Gerald Rawlins’s contacts for the last decade, it was only recently that he’d been able to confirm Heather’s true identity. Once that was established, it was simply a game of follow the leader, which had ultimately led him to Death Valley. Madison shuddered to think what might’ve become of her if Paul hadn’t shown up when he did.
Mistaking her shiver for nerves, Paul reached over and squeezed Madison’s hand. She was quick to squeeze back. It was probably normal to feel butterflies, but Madison wasn’t worried, not in the least. There was no one left to deny her, no one left to stand in her way from claiming Hollywood’s most valuable prize.
The clips of all the nominated roles were done playing. She nudged Blue with her foot, preparing him for the moment they’d practiced at home.
The presenters fumbled a joke that didn’t quite land. Then one opened the envelope and handed it to the other, who looked into the camera and said, “And the Oscar goes to . . .”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Finishing a series is always bittersweet, but I’m grateful for Katherine Tegen and Claudia Gabel for making Beautiful Idols such a pleasure to write.
I also want to thank the HarperCollins global team for all their hard work. What a thrill it’s been to see this series launched all over the world!
And of course, I have an abundance of gratitude for my excellent agent, Bill Contardi, my amazing husband, Sandy, my lovely and supportive family and friends (you know who you are!), and of course my readers, who allow me to live this wonderful dream.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo by Nancy Villere
ALYSON NOËL is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels, including the Immortals, Riley Bloom, and Soul Seekers series. With millions of copies in print, her books have been translated into thirty-six languages and have made numerous international bestseller lists.
Born and raised in Orange County, California, she’s lived in both Mykonos and Manhattan and is now settled back in Southern California, where she’s working on her next book. You can visit her online at www.alysonnoel.com.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
BOOKS BY ALYSON NOËL
BACK AD
DISCOVER
MEET
WIN
SHARE
infographics, playlists, quizzes, and more
WATCH
COPYRIGHT
Katherine Tegen Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
INFAMOUS. Copyright © 2018 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Front cover photograph by Noël Alvarenga
Cover design by Erin Fitzsimmons
Library of Congress Control Number: 2017943404
Digital Edition APRIL 2018 ISBN: 978-0-06-232460-3
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-232458-0 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-06-279645-5 (international edition)
1819202122CG/LSCH10987654321
FIRST EDITION
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty. Ltd.
Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Canada
HarperCollins Canada
2 Bloor Street East - 20th Floor
Toronto, ON M4W 1A8, Canada
India
HarperCollins India
A 75, Sector 57
Noida
Uttar Pradesh 201 301
New Zealand
HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand
Unit D1, 63 Apollo Drive
Rosedale 0632
Auckland, New Zealand
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF, UK
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
