Page 29 of Desire

“Thank you.”

“We’ll keep her under careful watch until you get here.”

The line goes dead, and I pass the phone back to Leo.

“She’s safe. Lucas and Issac are monsters with football bats. I wouldn’t take them on. What did Simon want?”

Leo runs his hands through his hair. I can tell he’s still angry but is tempering it so as not to upset me.

“To warn me away from his wife and child.”

“Wife and child? But we’re divorced?”

“I know, but it seems in his eyes you’re both his property. Whether he wants you around or not, nobody else can have you. He was telling me to back off, politely at first but then he resorted to barefaced lies.”

Leo guides me back to my car and sits me in the passenger seat. I’m shaking like a leaf. It’s a massive shock to see Simon so unexpectedly after a year of having him out of my life.

“Lies?” One of Leo’s words sticks in my head.

“Yes, he told me that you were unwell and were the one beating Izzy. He said I needed to stay away from you and make you lose the contest, so he can then get you both home and make you better and ensure Izzy is safe.”

I let out a loud wail. I can’t help it. The thought of me hurting my daughter sickens me. It would never happen in a million years.

“Why would he say that? I would never hurt her, Leo. I promise you. Please, you have to believe me.”

I grab at his t-shirt. If he believes Simon, I don’t know what I’ll do.

“Hush, it’s ok.” Leo leans into the car and pulls me into his arms. His warmth gives me comfort. “I know. You don’t have to convince me he was lying. He hurt you. He’s a control freak, and now seeing you do well and enjoying my company, he’s trying to exert his authority again. Making you doubt what’s happened and the decisions you’ve made. It’s what a man like him does. Stay strong, Elise—believe in yourself. Doing the show is giving you all your confidence back. Don’t let him destroy it.”

“Why does he hate me so much?” The words come out as a sob.

“He doesn’t. He’s jealous because he’s not as popular as you are.”

“He’s a world famous action movie star.”

“But not critically acclaimed. Honestly, he’s not worth worrying about. You need to tell your lawyer that he visited me here and let him deal with it. If Simon’s in breach of the contract he signed, then you can take action against him.”

I lay my head back against the car seat. The tears have stopped now, and the fear’s subsiding. I know Izzy will be safe. I meant it when I said Lucas was a monster with a football bat. A new emotion begins to surface within me…anger. How dare Simon come here and threaten Leo. He has no right. I’m going to call my lawyer right away. Well, when I find my phone.

“I’m going to get something put in place so he can’t pester you either. It’s not fair. What’s next? Will he try to come after me on the show? Contact the producers and spread lies to them? It’s not my fault he’s nothing more than an action hero with very little actual acting ability. That’s all down to him. I’m not going to let him drive me away from the dance show, Leo. I love it too much. He’s such a…a…dickhead.”

Leo chuckles. It’s good to see the tension easing within him.

“I couldn’t agree more. I bet he’s all talk and no action when it comes to the contract. He won’t void it because it will make him look like the bad person. Izzy’s safe from him. Don’t worry.”

I laugh at his comment this time.

“Talking of no action, can I tell you a secret?”

“Of course?”

“His pants are padded. He wears special underwear to make him look bigger down there because he’s actually really small.”

“See. All talk.” Leo strokes his hand down the side of my face.

“I really could ruin him, couldn’t I?”

“If he voids the contract, you can probably ensure his reputation’s destroyed in Hollywood. He won’t hurt you and risk that. He was just trying to get me to do his dirty work because he wants to control you.”

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