21. April 2024
21
April 2024
W illow arrived at the studio just as the morning sun reached the windows, painting bold patterns over the hardwood floors. She leaned against the barre, her thoughts consumed by Vaughn and all that had happened, and watched the patterns change as she waited for the other dancers to arrive. She hadn’t heard from him since his arrest the night prior, and all she got from Paula before Finn collected her that morning was vague reassurance that everything was being handled, and he would be out before she knew it.
Lili was first to arrive, which was hardly surprising considering Willow’s teary phone call to her the night prior.
‘I see you got a new guard dog,’ she said, tossing her bag down before coming to hug Willow.
Finn was her assigned protector for the day. She had agreed on the condition that he wait outside the studio.
Willow held on to Lili for a few moments before releasing her.
‘Now can you tell me why your lover was arrested, since our phone call was cut short last night?’
Paula had been loitering nearby, and Willow knew how seriously the family took privacy. She glanced at the door before saying, ‘Suspected murder. That’s what the police officer said when he was cuffing him.’
Lili stretched her neck. ‘I don’t even know what to say to that. I’d love to pretend I’m surprised.’
‘You don’t have to say anything, even though you’re well within your rights to say “I told you so.”’
Lili gave her a sympathetic look. ‘You know what they say. It’s all fun and games until your new boyfriend murders someone.’
‘No one says that.’
Lili stretched her neck the other way, observing Willow as she did so. ‘Anything I can do? Besides encourage better taste in men?’
A weak smile came and went on Willow’s face. ‘No.’ She began to stretch also. ‘Do you want to hear something that makes this whole thing a hundred times worse?’
‘I don’t know. Do I?’
Willow looked at her. ‘I’ve already fallen in love with him.’ She gave a resigned shrug. ‘Despite it being too soon, despite all the logical reasons why I should be moving forwards with cautious steps?—’
‘Or running in the opposite direction.’
Willow gave her a tired look.
‘Are you sure it’s not good sex disguising itself as love?’ Lili asked.
Willow immediately shook her head. ‘These feelings were there before that. As I said, much too early on.’
‘Then surely that confirms it’s just the bad boy effect.’
Willow began swinging her leg back and forth. ‘The flaw in your theory is that I might be the only person who doesn’t see him as a “bad boy.”’
‘The getting arrested for murder thing wasn’t a clue?’
Their conversation was cut short when Harrison entered the studio with a sour look on his face. ‘Morning, ladies.’ His gaze settled on Willow. ‘I gather that’s one of your new friends outside?’
‘He won’t come in,’ she assured him. ‘I promise.’
He took a sip of water from his drink bottle. ‘Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on?’
Heat climbed her neck. ‘It’s just a precautionary measure while a small personal matter is being sorted out.’
Harrison walked closer to her. ‘Are you in some sort of trouble?’
Thankfully, more dancers arrived, entering noisily and bringing an end to question time.
Or so she thought.
Piper looked in her direction and asked, ‘New mafia boyfriend?’
Willow dropped her gaze to the floor.
‘If you don’t want him, I’ll take him,’ said one of the male dancers, making the others laugh.
‘Let’s get those bodies warm,’ Harrison called to them.
As they moved through their warm-up, Vaughn’s face kept flashing before her, so calm as he was being cuffed. The only time his expression had faltered was when he spotted her on that staircase. It was one of those moments he was trying to protect her from. She should have stayed in the room as he’d instructed and spared him the extra worry.
‘What will happen now?’ Willow had asked Paula after he’d been taken away.
‘They’ll waste their time questioning them.’
The answer had confused her. ‘Why is it a waste of time?’
‘Because they won’t get any answers. Omertà,’ she had called it. ‘A vow of silence.’
It was difficult to reconcile the two versions of Vaughn. On one hand, he was this incredible businessman with excellent communication skills, and on the other?—
‘Willow,’ Harrison said, snapping her back to the present. ‘Are you still with us?’
She looked around the studio and saw that everyone was staring at her. ‘Yes.’
‘Because I called your name four times before you responded.’
Willow snuck a glance at Lili, who swallowed, confirming that was true.
‘Sorry,’ Willow said.
He continued to stare at her, arms crossed. ‘A word outside, please.’ He strode off towards the door before she could respond.
Dread filled Willow’s stomach. She exchanged a look with Lili before following Harrison out into the hallway, trying not to appear nervous.
‘Could you give us a minute?’ he asked Finn, his tone sharp.
The driver looked at Willow, and she nodded. Only then did he wander away, though still keeping her in sight.
Harrison turned his back to Finn. ‘What’s going on?’ He kept his voice low. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so distracted.’
He was the last person in the world Willow wanted to confide in when it came to Vaughn. ‘I’m just a bit tired. I’m so sorry.’
The lift arrived and the doors opened. Nigel stepped out, his face pinched with stress.
Harrison looked in his direction, then straightened. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Don’t speak to any media,’ he said as he passed by them. ‘I’m handling it.’
‘Handling what?’ Harrison called to his back
Nigel stopped and turned, looking from Willow to Finn to Harrison. ‘I thought you would have heard by now. It’s all over the news. The Gallo brothers were arrested last night. Now the board are asking all kinds of questions.’
Harrison looked accusingly at Willow. ‘No, I hadn’t heard that.’
‘I’ve got to make some calls,’ Nigel said, heading off in the direction of his office. ‘We’ll speak later.’
Harrison stared at Willow for a long moment. ‘Why on earth didn’t you tell me?’
Her shoulders were rounded due to the weight of the situation—which was getting heavier by the minute. ‘I don’t really know anything,’ she said quietly.
He gave her a doubtful look. ‘It’s such a tragedy to witness you jeopardise your career for some crime lord. You should be running away from this man as fast as you can, not protecting him.’
She was speechless but wasn’t sure if that was because he’d overstepped or there was truth in his words.
‘What were they charged with?’ he asked.
She knew there was no point lying now that it was all over the news. ‘Murder.’
‘Jesus,’ he said, taking a step back.
‘He’s not guilty.’ Her words lacked conviction.
‘Of course he is.’
‘You don’t know him like I do.’
‘ You don’t know him,’ Harrison fired back. ‘Vaughn Gallo is a criminal and a master manipulator.’
She shook her head.
‘He has a long history of using people to get what he wants, including people here at this very dance company.’
That was too far. ‘He has been nothing but supportive of Vic Ballet.’
Harrison raked a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. ‘I understand you think you have feelings for this man, but I’ve seen the way he operates. He can be very charming and persuasive, but it’s all to further his own interests. I say this to protect you.’
God, she was tired of hearing that. ‘Let’s just agree to disagree.’
Harrison hesitated, then said, ‘Look, there’s something you should know. I wasn’t going to tell you, but I think you need to hear it.’
She stared into his blue eyes, waiting. ‘What is it?’
He looked back to ensure Finn wasn’t listening. The driver was busy on the phone.
‘Vaughn bribed Nigel to give you the solo,’ Harrison said.
His words landed like a punch to the stomach. ‘No.’ She shook her head, rejecting the words. ‘No, he didn’t.’ He would never do something like that.
‘I was as shocked as you. There are some lines I can’t fathom people crossing.’ His voice oozed with sympathy. ‘But it’s 100 percent the truth. If you don’t believe me, you can go and ask Nigel.’
Willow reminded herself to breathe.
‘I had planned to give the solo to you anyway,’ Harrison added. ‘His interference was completely unnecessary.’
This was just an attempt to drive a wedge between her and Vaughn—a very clever attempt. Effective. She could already feel her loyalty being pulled in different directions. She had no choice but to call his bluff.
Turning on her heel, she walked off down the hallway towards Nigel’s office, each step feeling heavier than the last when Harrison didn’t follow.
She found his door slightly ajar and him hunched over his desk, on the phone. She waited for him to finish the call, her heart in her throat, then knocked.
Nigel looked up, brow creasing when he saw her there. ‘Willow.’ Then, registering her expression, he said, ‘Come in.’
She took one step inside the office. ‘Is it true?’
‘Is what true?’
‘Did Mr Gallo bribe you to give me the solo?’
Nigel leaned slowly back in his chair with a resigned sigh. ‘It wasn’t a bribe.’ His hands went to the arms of his chair. ‘Mr Gallo made a twenty-thousand-dollar donation to the company.’
‘Twenty thousand dollars?’ Her mind raced. ‘And when did he make this… donation?’
Nigel hesitated. ‘The day of the bar opening.’
It was as though someone had thrown cold water over Willow. ‘The day I was given the solo?’
His hand went to his forehead. ‘Mr Gallo has always been a generous supporter of the arts, and he clearly believes in your talent. We all do.’
‘Right.’ Vaughn had bought her a solo—and she was so embarrassed.
Leaning forwards, Nigel said, ‘None of this takes away from your hard work or your phenomenal performances on opening weekend.’
She nodded, barely.
‘That donation has helped to keep our doors open,’ he added. ‘Everything was aboveboard, so you keep your head high, okay?’
Unable to come up with a reply, Willow left his office, nausea swirling in her belly. The truth had cracked the delicate trust she’d built with Vaughn and tarnished her success at the same time. And she had no idea what she was supposed to do next.
Finn was waiting for her in the hallway. ‘He’s out,’ he informed her. ‘Tony too.’
He was out. Just like Paula said he would be. It should have been good news, but Willow was far from happy. ‘Oh. Okay. Thank you.’ She forced a smile because it wasn’t Finn’s fault that Vaughn was a liar. He just followed orders.
‘He’s out front with the car if you want to see him.’
She blinked. ‘Is he?’ Did she want to see him? She really needed to return to the studio, back to Harrison’s smug face looking at her across the room. ‘I think I’d like to see him.’
Willow headed for the lift with Finn in tow. She didn’t say another word as they made their way down and through the foyer. When she stepped outside, she was grateful for the fresh, cool air. Scanning the road, she stilled when she saw Vaughn leaning against his car, smoking and watching her intently.
Taking a long drag of his cigarette, Vaughn observed Willow fighting whatever demons she was dealing with in that moment. Something was wrong—or rather more wrong than when he’d left her the night prior. The second their eyes met, he saw it. There was no hint of relief or happiness at seeing him, only the stare of a person betrayed. He had seen that look many times before, but he didn’t like it coming from her.
She made no move towards him.
Vaughn waited for Finn to reach the car, then dropped his cigarette on the ground. He was about to go to her, but her expression told him she needed a moment, so he gave it to her. Willow looked around, as though deciding what to do next. Her posture hinted at anger. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and bury his face in her scent, but something told him that wouldn’t be happening.
A determined look settled on her pretty face, and her hands balled into fists before she made her way over to him. He readied himself for whatever was about to come out of her mouth. He could feel the tension coming off her as she approached.
‘Twenty thousand dollars?’ she said, stopping five feet away from him. ‘Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? But more importantly, did you think I couldn’t earn that solo on my own merit?’
Fuck .
He took a step forwards, and she immediately moved back. Stopping, he raised his hands. ‘You did earn it on your own merit.’
She shook her head. ‘No. No, you took that from me.’
‘You were the best dancer for that solo—period.’
Her eyes welled up. ‘You have no idea how humiliated I feel. How small .’
He took a calming breath. ‘You deserved to be seen.’
‘That’s not how it works,’ she replied, her voice slightly raised. ‘That’s not how any of this works! I don’t want your dirty money tainting what I’ve worked so hard for.’
‘My dirty money?’ He searched her eyes. ‘What the hell are you talking about?’
‘Don’t do that.’ Her chest was heaving now. ‘You know exactly what I’m talking about. You don’t get to control me or my career. Success isn’t something you can buy for me.’
He lowered his head. ‘Is that what you think I was doing?’
‘There’s a reason you didn’t tell me,’ she said, eyes filling with tears. ‘You knew what you did was wrong.’
He looked heavenwards while he composed himself. ‘I should have stayed at the police station.’
‘Did you buy your way out of there too?’ she asked.
His gaze snapped to hers, and she flinched—like she was afraid of him. All his frustration dissipated with that realisation. ‘Willow?—’
‘What the hell is going on here?’ Harrison’s voice sliced through the heated exchange.
Willow looked over her shoulder, and Vaughn swallowed down the words sitting in his throat.
‘Nothing,’ Willow said. ‘We’re just talking.’
Harrison looked between them. ‘Talking or fighting?’
‘Talking,’ Vaughn said, an edge creeping into his tone. ‘You can go back inside.’
Harrison walked up to Willow and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder instead. The veins in Vaughn’s neck pulsed at the sight of his fingers on her bare flesh. It took all of his strength not to lunge forwards and break each one.
‘Come,’ Harrison said softly to her. ‘I’ll take you inside.’
A fire ignited inside Vaughn. ‘Willow can take herself inside, and you can take your hand off her.’
Willow pressed her eyes closed, and Harrison heeded the warning and removed his hand. That enabled Vaughn to think straight.
‘You want me to leave so you can yell at her some more?’ Harrison asked.
The question amused Vaughn. ‘You think I’m yelling at her?’
‘I think you’re intimidating her.’
Willow’s whole body tensed. ‘I’ll come inside with you,’ she told Harrison. ‘Let’s go.’
‘We’re not done here,’ Vaughn said.
She met his gaze. ‘Yes, we are.’
He had to be very careful about his next move, because the wrong response would only push her further away and closer to him . ‘Then you have a good day, Miss Hayes.’
Harrison’s arm went around her once more as he led her away. Vaughn shoved his hands into his pockets in an effort to rein in his violent urges, watching them until they disappeared inside the building.
With his blood boiling, he got into the car and left.