“Now, Jefferson,” I say as she does, turning to Leo’s boss. “You are going to release Leo from his contract. And–”
“The fuck I will. You might have her tied up, but I don’t?—”
“I have a written and sworn testimony from Chris that you supplied him with the incredibly personal photographs, told him to blackmail me with them, and to inform me that Leo Sinclair was to blame. When he balked at first, because it seems even an asshole like Chris has a line, you had yourownphotos of Chris that you threatened him with.”
His face blanches, and I smile.
This one hurt less.
Taking Jefferson down is far less personal and thus far more satisfying.
“Now, you are going to signthiscontract that my lawyer so kindly also wrote up, releasing Leo Sinclaire from his contract.” I take out another stack of papers from my folder and slide it his way. “It will allow him to start up his own firm, as well as take whatever clients of his who wish to go with him withoutcontest. If you do not, I will approve Leo to submit this article I wrote about my experience with Perfect Image and the way they manipulate and control both their clients and their employees in order to create fear and ensure loyal.” He looks from me to the contract before him. “I wouldn’t suggest arguing with me on this, Jefferson, because I could easily be charging you with revenge porn.”
“Is this not blackmail?” he asks, his voice smug, still trying to retain higher ground. “I could come out and say you are blackmailing me.”
“You can’t be this stupid, can you?” I turn to Leo, who is grinning now, wide and thoroughly entertained. “He can’t be this stupid, can he?”
Leo just shrugs.
“I never said he was smart, honey.”
Jefferson turns to Leo, anger and hatred on his face.
Yesterday, when I asked if he wanted to be the one to do all of the talking, to take down Jackie and Jefferson with his normal skill and sharp attitude, he declined, saying he wanted me to realize just how powerful I am. I was shocked, and it seems that Jefferson is too, though he’s being stupid about it.
“Oh, so that’s it, is it? The big, tough Leo Sinclaire is just going to let some bitch do his dirty work for him?” Jefferson asks, venom snapping at Leo. I tighten my hand in Leo’s, nervous that he’ll snap, that he’ll bite the bait that Jefferson is clearly dangling, but if anything, he relaxes more, leaning back in his chair and grabbing a pen from the table, clicking the end carelessly.
“I guess so. I’ve gotta say, it’s pretty entertaining to watch you be felled by a pop star you underestimated.”
“Seems people have done that a lot to me,” I murmur, and Leo looks to me, giving me a wide grin.
“Not anymore.”
“Never again,” I say, and despite the urge in my veins, I fight the desire to kiss him.
But barely.
“Now I have things and places and people to do, so if you two could get to signing, that would be just great.”
Jackie and Jefferson glare at me, but when Leo offers the pen in his hand to Jefferson, he takes it before he starts signing.
“You’ll be nothing without me,” Jackie says as I walk out fifteen minutes later. “In two years, you’ll have nothing, Willa.” I look over my shoulder at her, then shrug a shoulder, Leo’s hand in mine, the contracts secured in my bag.
“I’ll be happy, and I’ll be free, and with that, Jackie, I’ll have it all.” Then I turn back ahead and walk away with my head held high.
I hold it together in the elevator.
I hold it together as my heels click down the hall.
I hold it together as we step out into where a dozen cameras scream my name, my fingers twined with Leo’s as we step out into the blinding sun, smiling.
But once we’re in the car, it cracks.
The brave facade I’ve been keeping held high cracks, crumbling at my feet. Leo reaches over and unbuckles me, ignoring road safety and pulling me into him as Gabe drives away.
“I know,” he murmurs before I say anything at all, which is good as I begin to cry into his shoulder.
I sob there, snuffling and hiccupping as I let it all out, as the emotions move through me, relief uncomfortably twining with disappointment and hurt. Because the truth is, I’d held the smallest kernel of hope. Hoped that it was all a huge misunderstanding, and that Jackie would somehow prove she really did care for me, that it wasn’t all just a play for powerand control and money all along. And when she didn’t, I wasn’t surprised, but I was disappointed.
