CHAPTER 39
Leo
I know Gordon is George’s brother, but never have I met a more disgusting man.
George left this morning for pre-match prep and I could feel myself missing him as soon as he left.
I told myself to get a grip and get on with some work. Which I did.
But, I also spent a lot of it floating around in a daydream. It’s not like me to lose my head over a guy. But this isn’t just any guy. George. I caught myself sighing many times, thinking of his smile, the way he holds my hand, his voice, low, hoarse, as he told me he was falling for me.
Sigh.
Yes, I make myself want to throw up too. Who is this Leo?
I was in total bliss. Until I heard a knock on the door.
——
‘Miss James.’
‘George has gone to practice.’ I interrupt Gordon at the door.
‘I’m aware. May I come in?’ He’s acting polite; it could almost be charming if I didn’t know what an arsehole he was. I can see why girls fall for him too. Until they get to know him. ‘I’m here to see you.’
‘Of course, Mr Hampden.’ I step aside and he brushes past, his eyes flitting up and down before he walks into the main room. I’m in my workout gear as I wasn’t expecting any visitors and suddenly feel incredibly self-conscious, despite the fact I’m pretty much covered in leggings and a vest.
He takes a water out of the fridge and sits, seemingly at home, with a leg crossed over his knee. He pats the cushion next to him.
I take the armchair opposite instead. He raises an eyebrow but carries on.
‘So, Miss James. How has Paris been for you so far?’ His eyes are a dull, dark brown. Nothing like the stormy intensity of George’s, tinged with grey.
‘It’s been great, thank you. I feel very lucky to be here. Especially as a tennis fan.’ I remain cool, calm, although my skin is tingling, my mind alert. I don’t like being alone with him. ‘I think Cece is happy too; we’ve organized some great things for George.’
He brushes a finger over his chin. ‘You have indeed.’ He leans back and smirks at me. ‘And does he know you’re fucking him too?’
‘Excuse me?’
‘That you are fucking one of your clients, Miss James.’ He sits up now. ‘Is that normal Mayfair Lifestyle service?’
I don’t know how to respond, his blunt, albeit true, accusation ringing in the silent room.
‘You don’t need to say anything. It’s obvious.
’ He opens his water, takes a sip and looks me up and down again.
‘I’ve seen it all before. You’re nothing special, Miss James.
Beautiful obviously. But just a girl for now, not later.
He does this every tournament.’ He stands, moving closer, and my pulse quickens. ‘And I have to clean up his mess.’
I stand too. ‘I think you should leave, Mr Hampden.’ He ignores me.
‘You must have known?’ He rolls his eyes and I’m aware of his towering presence as he steps closer.
‘He’s not exactly shy about the women he sleeps with.
Has quite the reputation.’ He scoffs as if I’m stupid.
‘I don’t know what he does that makes him so irresistible.
But you, Olivia, you all fall for it. Always pick him.
The wrong brother.’ He grimaces. ‘But I actually know him. Cocky, immature, a user.’
He steps closer and my fists clench but I can’t make myself say anything. I know what he’s doing. It’s desperate. I know the real George isn’t like that.
He continues at my silence.
‘Trust me, he’ll dump you as soon as he’s out. I’ve seen it before and he’ll do it again. And again. Don’t be naive, Miss James.’ He moves closer, smirking at me now. ‘Although it seems as if you know exactly what you’re doing.’
Fear streaks through my veins. He’s much bigger, stronger, than me.
I don’t know that he’s actually capable of doing anything, but I know that I don’t trust him.
That I’ve seen the desperate hunger in his eyes, his anger.
He’s controlled too, but not like George.
George pushes down his emotion, internalizing rather than showing how he feels, good or bad.
Gordon seems to lack any emotion whatsoever and that’s what scares me.
My eyes automatically dart to the various ways I can escape should I need to. I’m conscious that we’re alone in a hotel suite and how stupid I am for allowing this. I curse internally for letting him in, for putting myself in this position. Anything is my word against his.
I try my best to diffuse the situation.
‘Mr Hampden, I appreciate your concern. Thank you. Now may I please ask you to leave?’ I speak carefully, slowly edging away from him.
‘Come on, Leo.’ I hate the sound of my name coming out of his mouth. ‘You’ll put out for him? But not me?’ He stalks over and I back away, only to hit the wall of the main room. I’m cornered.
‘Please, Mr Hampden. I’m not comfortable with this.’ I try, my voice quiet. Perhaps I can appeal to some shred of humanity.
‘We’re just talking, Miss James.’ He reaches over and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers resting at the nape of my neck. ‘But I’m sure there are better uses for these pretty lips?’
‘Mr Hampden, please remove your hand.’ I stand rigid, outwardly strong, but internally I want to scream, to cry.
He laughs at me, but doesn’t let go. ‘Come on. Don’t be so fucking frigid. You’re lucky you even have my attention. I’ll pay for it if you like, is that how it works?’
Adrenaline courses through me and I shove his hand aside, raising my own to slap him across the face, hard. He reels away, gripping his cheek. My hand hurts so much, my heart beating so fast. I run over to the hotel phone, holding it aloft.
‘Gordon, fuck off before I call the hotel security.’ My hand is shaking.
The fucking prick laughs at me.
‘Go ahead, nobody will believe you. You’ve already fucked one brother, who says you weren’t trying it on with me?’ He stands up, straightening his shirt, regaining composure, a red mark streaked across his cheek the only indication of anything that has happened.
‘You know you’re nothing? A nobody?’ He speaks factually, as if we’re just chatting as he gets out his phone.
‘I can end your career right now. One call to Cece on how you’ve tried to sleep with both of us here, how you’ve been flirting with the team, with Rainez at the Louis Vuitton party.
’ He rubs his cheek. ‘I saw you both. And then I saw you leave with George.’ He smirks at me.
‘You really are just a dirty cheap whore, aren’t you?
Desperate for any man actually worth something. ’
‘And yet I still won’t fuck you.’ I smile, shakily, trying to fake the strength I don’t have. ‘You’re a disgusting little man, Gordon. And I don’t believe you. George is worth so much more than you. He’s kind, good, talented. You’re a sad, pathetic man living in his shadow.’
I go to dial reception on the phone. ‘Now fuck off out of my room and stay away from me. I won’t tell George what you’ve done, purely for his own good before the match. But I will tell him soon, Gordon.’
‘He won’t believe you.’ He turns to leave, pausing at the door. ‘Trust me. You’re better off leaving now. People like you never win. Only people like me.’ He smirks before slamming it shut and I collapse against the wall, my body shaking as the tears finally come.
——
I sit there for what could be a few minutes or hours, frozen, unable to make a decision on what to do next. I know I can’t tell George now, but I will. I have to.
The bubble we created for ourselves has well and truly burst. The safe, joyous space we’ve created here, tainted by Gordon’s actions and cruel words; a situation that I know could have been much worse but has shaken me all the same.
I finally peel myself off the ground and decide to take action.
‘Fuck him!’ I shout out loud, my shock turning to anger at the presumptuous prick. How fucking dare he treat me like that? I allowed him to get away with insulting me once before, but not again.
I decide to shower, to wash off the past few hours and head to Roland-Garros for George’s late-night match. I won’t say anything, won’t make a scene, but I’ll be there for him, stand up to Gordon and tell George eventually.
My phone pings.
Jack Harper:
So you and George, eh?
Knew it would happen sooner or later.
He just told me. Sounds like he’s pretty serious.
I’m happy for you. He’s a good guy Leo. You’ll be good together.
I huff out loud and can’t bring myself to reply. Everything was so perfect just a short time ago. And George even told Jack about us. My heart aches at the thought of his brilliant genuine smile, something only few are privileged enough to see.
How could Gordon think I would doubt him?
Absolute bell-end, I huff again as I get into the shower and decide on my plan.
I can’t think about how this will hurt George today. I can’t mess up his match, his tournament, when he’s on such brilliant form. Can’t let Gordon win.
I’ll wait for the right time.
That’s what I’ll do.