Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
T he annual Simmonds Foundation Charity Gala always brought out Hollywood’s elite to raise money for LA’s underprivileged youth. Ignacio was not usually lucky enough to attend but came whenever he could to support the cause.
The white limo pulled up to the venue, and the chauffeur opened the back door. Ignacio exited first, dressed in a black tux, his hair slicked back and pulled into a man bun at the nape. He extended a hand to help Delta out of the vehicle. She left her stole on the car seat, but they wouldn’t remain in the chilly night air for long.
Delta wore a shimmery black sleeveless gown. Her hair was parted in the middle and pulled into a sleek bun, as well, and Harry Winston diamonds dangled from her ears and adorned her slender wrists. Because of the value of the pieces she wore, the jeweler had provided extra security to shadow her and Ignacio this evening.
When they walked onto the red carpet, cheers erupted from the onlookers lucky enough to have tickets to be in the stands overlooking the entrance, and camera bulbs flashed in quick succession as photographers captured the event for their various publications. Media personnel shouted their names in an effort to get their attention for the perfect shot.
“Delta, this way!”
“Who are you wearing?”
“Delta, over here, beautiful!”
“Smile for me, Delta!”
“Ignacio, this way!”
They turned and smiled, posing for the cameras. Delta’s publicist slipped behind to fix the train of her dress before darting away. For a few minutes, he and Delta separated, allowing the photographers to capture individual photos of them. During those brief moments, Ignacio had a hard time concentrating on his poses. His eyes were constantly drawn to Delta. She sparkled like the jewels in her ears and around her wrists.
They held hands again and continued down the line before entering the venue. Inside the dimly lit interior, they were greeted by other celebrities. Hugs and plenty of air-kisses were exchanged, and in between, entertainment reporters asked questions about their upcoming projects.
After a round of interviews, they settled into their chairs for the program, which lasted a little over an hour. Then loud music drew them to a room next door, and they hit the dance floor with the rest of the guests. Much later, with their arms entwined around each other, they moved to the beat of a slow-tempo song.
“I’m starving,” Ignacio murmured in Delta’s ear.
“Me too. Let’s find some food.”
He nodded his agreement and led her out of the room to where the Simmonds Foundation members had set up drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres for guests. As they headed toward one of the tables, Vincent, his friend and a British actor, stopped Ignacio with a hand to his chest.
“Ignacio, mate, how the hell are you?”
“Vincent, good to see you.” Ignacio grabbed his hand, and they went in for a man hug, clapping each other on the back.
“It’s been far too long, hasn’t it? Not my fault, though. You’ve been keeping a low profile—no parties, no wild nights. Can’t say I blame you, mind. I wouldn’t go anywhere either if I had this stunning creature to keep me occupied.” He turned his gaze to Delta.
“This is Delta?—”
“No need for introductions, mate. I know exactly who she is. Delta J.” Vincent took her hand and brushed a kiss across the back of it. “Vincent Ryan. An absolute pleasure to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, Vincent,” she said.
Vincent flung an arm around Ignacio’s neck. “I’m not as famous as this bloke here, but I’m working on it. One day, I’ll reach his level—mark my words.” He stepped back, giving Ignacio an exaggerated once-over. “Bloody hell, you’re built like an ox now.”
Ignacio chuckled easily. “You know how it is. Getting ready for my next role.”
“Ah, yes. The public has no idea how hard we work, do they?” He posed the question to Delta, but before she could respond, he said to Ignacio, “So, when’s the next shindig? Got my dancing shoes at the ready.”
“Hard to say. My schedule is packed for the foreseeable future,” Ignacio hedged.
He had no plans to throw a party anytime soon, and if he did, it wouldn’t be like they were in the past. Oddly enough, he didn’t miss the all-night partying and drinking. Something else he didn’t miss—smoking. He hadn’t craved a cigarette in a long time.
Vincent scoffed. “A busy schedule never stopped you before.” He winked and nudged Ignacio with his elbow. “Ah well, I suppose I’ll just have to wait for my invite, yeah? You’ve still got my number?”
“Of course.”
“Brilliant. Oh, before I forget, congrats on getting Wrong funded. I guess that’s one of the reasons you’ll be busy in the coming months, yeah? Miss Delta J, it was a delight to meet you. You’re more breathtaking in person than in your photos. I’ll catch you both later.”
When he walked away, Delta said, “He’s got a lot of energy.”
“That’s him being calm. He’s damn near out of control when he gets liquor in his system. At my last party, he was tossing furniture.”
“What?” Delta’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth as she laughed.
“He’s a good guy, but when he gets drunk…” Ignacio shook his head. “There’s a small crowd over there. That’s probably where the good food is.”
“Definitely,” Delta agreed.
They moved in that direction.
“Hey, there’s Leo Hargrove,” Ignacio said, using his chin to point out the producer, now executive, who had worked on Delta’s first album.
Leo had also produced the soundtrack for Sleeping Poets. Dressed in a fitted tux with his salt-and-pepper hair neatly trimmed, Leo looked every bit the successful music mogul. This was the first time Ignacio had seen him in L.A. Leo lived in Atlanta, and that’s where he had run into him a couple of times over the years.
Delta’s small hand reached for and gripped Ignacio’s, and she pressed closer to his side, forcing him to halt his stride. Surprised, his eyebrows drew together, and he turned to her. Her chest rose and fell quickly because her breathing had accelerated. And she was staring at Leo.
What the…?
His gaze returned to the older man, who was now approaching them with a friendly smile. Delta drew even closer, as if trying to make herself invisible. Her hand tightened to the point of crushing his fingers. Her nails dug into his skin.
Leo stopped in front of them. “Delta, Ignacio, I didn’t know the two of you were here tonight. How are you doing this evening?”
Ignacio’s stomach churned as realization dawned on him. Before he had time to think, he reacted. His hand slipped from Delta’s, and he punched Leo square in the mouth. He crashed into a snacks table and tumbled to the floor. Guests jumped out of the way, gasping and screaming in horror.
Ignacio’s jaw was clenched so hard he’d probably end up grinding down his molars. Bending to Leo, who had blood dripping from his lip, he grabbed the older man’s lapels. Leo swung an arm across his face in a defensive move, but Ignacio didn’t hit him again.
He whispered in a growl, “Don’t you ever come near her again, you piece of shit, or I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”
They locked eyes, and the fact that Leo didn’t demand to know what he was talking about told Ignacio everything he needed to know. He was the one who had violated Delta when she was a minor and had the audacity to approach her as if nothing had happened.
Ignacio stood upright and glared at Leo on the floor, fighting the urge to stomp his head with the heel of his shoe. He straightened his tux and then took Delta’s hand. Their security closed around them as they walked away, with everyone staring and whispering to each other about what had occurred.
Behind him, Ignacio heard Leo calming the masses. “Folks, it’s okay. Just a big misunderstanding.”
He almost went back to hit him again, but he’d done enough and didn’t want to traumatize Delta any more. She continued to hold tight to his hand as they left the venue.
“Call the driver,” he said in a clipped voice to Randall. Right away, his bodyguard pulled out his phone.
Beside him, tiny tremors rocked Delta’s frame. Ignacio placed an arm around her shoulders, and she snuggled closer. After a few minutes, the shaking subsided, and her breathing normalized.
When the driver pulled up, Randall and Ava ushered them into the limo before closing the door. Ava sat up front, and Randall followed behind in a car with the rest of the security.
Ignacio rolled up the partition and turned to Delta. He held her hand. “Are you okay?”
She swallowed and turned hollowed-out eyes on him. “You shouldn’t have done that,” she whispered in a tremulous voice.
“I’m not apologizing.”
“I don’t want you to apologize, you just shouldn’t have done that. He’s going to retaliate, Ignacio.”
“There is nothing he can do to you,” he said confidently.
Slowly, she shook her head. “You’re wrong, and I’m talking about you. Do you really think he’s going to let you get away with knocking him down in front of a bunch of people? Cameras were flashing, and everyone saw. He’s going to get his revenge on you—and me.” Her eyes were wide and terrified.
“I won’t let him hurt you,” he promised, but he didn’t think she believed him.
“How did you know?” she asked. “I never told you his name.”
“I had enough information based on what you said, and… you became different when he approached.” He kissed her hand. “ Mi amor , he can’t hurt you or me. I won’t let him.”
She trailed a hand down his jaw, and a sad smile touched her lips. He wished he had hit Leo again.
“Why didn’t you tell your parents? There must have been other times during the years when you ran into him, and they probably didn’t understand when your behavior changed.”
She lowered her gaze to her lap.
“You have to be willing to accept help, mi amor . You can’t do everything on your own.”
“Believe me, I do accept help—when it’s offered.”
The sadness in her eyes called out to him, and then he read the truth and cold disbelief enveloped him.
“They knew,” he whispered.
Slowly, she nodded, and her bottom lip trembled.
Ignacio muttered a curse and squeezed her hand. “Delta…”
“They left me with him,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “It was the price we had to pay?—”
“ We? ” he growled in a low voice, his eyes boring into her in disbelief. “You were the one who suffered. Not them. You paid the price, and they reaped the reward.”
He muttered another expletive and tightened his jaw, wanting to dispel the truth but knowing it wasn’t uncommon for parents and guardians to “sacrifice” their children for money and fame.
Delta rested her head on his shoulder, and he closed his arms in a protective circle around her.
Bile rose in his throat at the thought of her, only sixteen years old, being left alone with Leo Fucking Hargrove and then having to work with him on an album after the fact. All with the full knowledge of her parents.
He’d never been so angry.
Then he thought about Eddie J. What kind of father would allow such a heinous crime to be committed against his daughter?
Fucking scum.
Ignacio had never wanted to kill anyone more in his life.