It was going to be hard to calm his restless thoughts and sleep. He loved her. The show was going to end, but they weren’t. He’d make sure of that.
Chapter 47
The show would end in a week, and they’d all received a message to meet Barb in the great room. Zora, Amber, Jeanie, and Penelope all sat looking at Barb as the cameras filmed. Angus was noticeably absent.
“So, why did you four want to meet with me?” Barb asked, looking at the other women as if she had no idea why they were there.
The women looked at each other, puzzled.
“You wanted to meet with us,” Zora said.
The front door opened, and Clara stood in the doorway. “I thought I’d call a meeting. The show was a little too boring, so I decided to spice things up.”
Barb stood and glared at Clara. “I’m the producer. You don’t do anything for this show unless you clear it with me first.”
“I believe it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.” Clara looked over her shoulder. “Come on, boys. Let’s get to know you.”
A man in a biker’s jacket, designer jeans, and a faded t-shirt walked in, smiling like he was a version of John Travolta from Grease.
Zora rolled her eyes. “Xavier, what are you doing here?”
The guy shrugged. “It was a free trip, babe.”
“Don’t call me that. We aren’t together anymore,” she spat and planted her hand square on his chest as he tried to hug her.
“Jeanie!” A heavy-set man ran in and picked her up. “How are you?” His fire-engine-red hair stood out in stark contrast to his pale white skin. His untucked button-up shirt and saggy jeans were wrinkled. At least she’d been honest about loving red hair.
Eyes wide, Jeanie sputtered, “R-Ray, why are you here?”
He looked at Clara. “She said you wanted to see me.”
Jeanie scowled at Clara.
Amber sighed and closed her eyes. “Great,” she mumbled as a short thin man bounced into the house. “Hey, Gill.”
“Hey, sweetheart.”
Clara grinned. “Amber wasn’t as detached as she led everyone to believe.” Then she leveled her dark eyes at Penelope. “And last but not least…”
Penelope inhaled sharply, and her eyes widened. “No.”
Tom strolled in with his hands in his pockets and trained his gaze on her. “Hello, side lover.”
No. Oh no. She was frozen. Her heart thundered. The talking died as everyone stared at her. She didn’t want to see him. “I was never your lover. You said you’d never contact me again.”
He tilted his head, and his lips curled into a smirk. “Yes, well, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see you one last time.”
Penelope reeled as he came toward her. Her mind flashed to the hotel in Hawaii. He had been furious. She must have slipped and told someone about them. It was her fault he was going to lose everything. It was because of her that his wife caught them. All of it was her fault.
She couldn’t scramble away fast enough as the blurry memories started to resurface.
“We have a lot of catching up to do,” he said as he grabbed her forearm, pulled her toward him, and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Got a kiss for me, lover?” The smell of alcohol on his breath hit her.
It was so unlike him to behave this way in public. He was careful. Secretive. But when she caught Clara staring, she understood. Tom must have thought it was a game or something. He had to have. Either that or he’d drank entirely too much before he’d arrived. It didn’t lessen her fear, either way.
The relationship with him wasn’t bad until that night in Hawaii. He’d yelled at her severe enough that he’d scared her, and she’d gone home. It was over and done. The only reason he’d shown up at her house in Destin was to offer a weak excuse and an apology with fake promises. She’d sent him on his way, never to be seen again.
Penelope pushed him away as hard as she could. “Whatever she’s told you is a lie.”
Tom looked at Clara and back to Penelope. “No, I don’t think so. Clara and I understand one another.”
The hope that Penelope could persuade him to leave died as she looked from him to Clara.
Clara barked with laughter. “Imagine my surprise when I found a kindred spirit. Seems we both enjoy pulling the wings off of flies…or anyone who gets in our way.”
Barb stepped next to Penelope. “I’ve called the police, Clara.”
“For what? Old lovers reuniting?”
Barb cursed under her breath. “You’re one slick snake, but one of these days you’re going to get caught.”
Clara glowered at Barb. “By whom? I run LA and anywhere else I please. I told you Angus was mine and I’d make him pay. Now, I am.”
“Where is Angus?” Penelope asked.
“I sent him on an errand. Or, I should say Barb sent him on an errand,” Clara gloated.
Barb pinched her lips together. “The police are coming. Are you deaf?” She looked at Jeff. “You make sure you’re getting every bit of this on film.”
Clara narrowed her eyes. “These two need a moment to get some closure. He’s not going to lay a hand on her. Unless, of course, she wants him to.”
Barb moved in between Penelope and Tom. “Penelope doesn’t have to spend another moment with him.”
Penelope hung her head. Fear had controlled her every move for so long that it was easy to forget she could be strong. And she could be strong. Maybe closure would actually be good for her. “It’s okay. I’ll talk to him. ”
Tom grinned. “Let’s talk, then.”
Penelope wiped her palms on her jeans and walked to the patio with Tom trailing behind her. She stopped in front of the fireplace, making sure there was distance between them. Jeff lingered nearby with the camera.
“I hear my side girl has a new guy.”
Angus was hers, and she wasn’t sharing that with Tom. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“I made partner. Ended up not getting a divorce. At least for a few years. Then Ariel caught me again and took everything. In the process, I lost my career.”
“Am I supposed to say I’m sorry?”
Tom snarled at her. “It’s your fault. You started it. She would’ve had no reason to question me if it wasn’t for you and your stupidity.”
“I didn’t make you cheat. I didn’t make you take off your ring or hide pictures of your wife. I kept our secret relationship hidden. I told no one. Not even my sister. You must have slipped up.”
Tom moved like he was going to come after her. He’d been drunk and angry that night at the hotel, much like now, but he hadn’t hurt her. He also had something to lose back then, which was not the case anymore, but she was tired of letting him treat her like dirt.
Balling his fists, he stopped short as she stood her ground. “Looks like you’ve grown a backbone.”
Penelope squared her shoulders as she lifted her head high. “Wish I could say the same about you. Still not taking responsibility for anything. It wasn’t my fault you cheated. It wasn’t my fault you got caught again. It’s not my fault you are a pathetic man. My fault was thinking you were worth my time or affection, you weasel-faced, two-timing loser.”
He cursed and barreled toward her with his hands out as if he was going to strangle her. The distance gave her the chance to grab the fireplace poker and swing it. Tom grunted as it caught him on the arm, and he lost his balance and fell.
Penelope pressed the tip of the poker against his throat, lips curled in a snarl. “If you move, I’ll spear you to the floor with this.”
“Hey!” Angus called and came running over. He looked at Tom on the floor. “Threatening a woman? You’re not much of a man, are ya?” He brushed his thumb across Penelope’s cheek. “Clara lied. There was no meeting. Are you okay? ”
“I’m fine. He surprised me is all.” She looked up and found that the entire group had filed out. She wasn’t sure what they saw, but she knew they had to have seen at least a
part of it.
“The police are right behind me.”
Angus wasn’t kidding. Two officers came through the door and didn’t stop until they were hefting Tom off the floor.
Penelope put the poker back in the holder and stepped up to Tom. “I let you rob years from me. You’ll never get another second. Don’t ever come near me again.” She stood with her back straight until the officers took Tom away, and then she folded into a nearby chair. Her hands shook, and her head spun.
Angus squatted in front of her and took her hands. “That was amazing.”
“It was terrifying.”
He smiled. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you when he showed up, but it looks like you handled it just fine on your own. You looked pretty brave to me.”
“Me too,” Zora said.
Penelope looked over her shoulder and found Zora smiling.
Zora shook her head. “That wasn’t just brave and awesome. That was incredible. All those things I said. Things I thought and didn’t say. I truly apologize.” Zora turned to Barb. “I’m sorry I lied about being a nurse, and thank you for not kicking me off when you could have. I think it’s best if I leave the show at this point.”
“Are you sure?” Barb asked.
“Positive.”
“Let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll have a car waiting.”
“Thank you.” Zora grabbed Xavier’s hand and pulled him with her through the door.
Barb sat next to Penelope. “Are you okay? Really okay?”
“As soon as I stop shaking, I’ll let you know.” She chuckled.
Clara forced her way through Amber and Jeanie. “Get out of my way.” She stopped a few feet from Angus. “We’re not done.”
Chapter 48
Angus clenched his jaw and stood. “We’re done. I despise you more than I love acting. I quit. You better hope you bet on the right horse because this cash cow is dry.”
He was so tired of the games and schemes. It was always back and forth with her. If quitting acting got Clara out of his life, it was worth it.
“You can’t quit,” she spat.
“Watch me,” he growled.
Her lips twisted in a smug grin. “You have to finish this show, and you’re about to sign a movie deal involving two sequels. We are not done.”
Angus cursed under his breath. “I haven’t committed to them yet.”
Penelope stood and touched his shoulder. “Angus,” she said softly.
Angus glanced to the side, and those jade-green eyes stared back at him.
He sighed. “I can’t do it anymore.”
She slid her hand down his arm and linked her fingers in his. “I know, but you have work coming in again, and you love acting. Just don’t rush into a decision yet. Give us some time to talk about it.”
Angus cursed under his breath and ran a hand through his hair. Penelope was right. If there was a chance for a future together, she deserved the opportunity to help him make the decisions that would determine what that future looked like. And he definitely wanted her to be a part of the rest of his life.
Clara smirked at Penelope. “I always win.”
“I know he’s trapped and there’s nothing I can do, but I can do this.” Penelope stepped forward and popped her in the nose.
Clara screamed and stumbled back before finding her balance.
Angus inhaled sharply. He stared at Penelope, stunned. What just happened?
Penelope placed her hands on her hips. “Good thing you’ve got money. You can buy yourself a new nose.”
“I’ll sue you for everything you own, you little two-dollar whore.” Clara held her nose as blood dripped through her fingers.
“Yeah, well, I might be a two-dollar whore, but unlike you, they don’t ask for change when they get done.” Penelope stomped off.
Barb snorted.
“I saw you trip and fall,” Jeanie quipped. She pirouetted and left.
Ray looked around and then dashed after her.
Amber took Gill’s hand. “You should really watch where you’re going, Clara.” She looked at Barb. “I’m sorry. I’m done too.”
“Looks like it’s your word against ours,” Angus said.
Clara growled. “There’s video footage, you idiot.”
“Darling, I can assure you there will be no video footage,” Barb said.
Angus and Barb followed Clara as she stalked into the house and grabbed a towel out of the kitchen.
“We aren’t done,” she said through gritted her teeth.
“Why does it give you such pleasure to hurt me?” Angus asked. There had to be a better reason than enjoyment.
“Why? Because it’s fun. You were so stupid and naïve. People you trusted told you to steer clear of me, and you couldn’t do it. It was always pure entertainment to me. And the best part was that you ran back every time I wanted you.”
“But you said you loved me,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I love me. I love my clothes, my shoes, my lovely home thanks to you, and most of all, I love owning you.”
He nodded, a lump forming in his throat. How could someone derive pleasure from the pain of another? He’d never understand it. “Aye. I can see that now. You’ve certainly made me pay for being stupid.”
Clara held the towel against her nose as she looked at Angus with eyes twinkling. “I have, and it’s been like candy. And I’ll get to play with you for at least two more years.”
Angus’s heart sank. Penelope would be caught in the middle if he continued acting. There was no way he could do that.
“Oh, see, that’s what I love, right there.”
He locked gazes with her.
“The realization that your new flame is in for the ride of her life. Think she can hang on for two whole years? I’ll have you begging me to leave her alone. Two flies, four wings, I can’t wait to pay her back for breaking my nose. She thinks I was cruel to you before. Now it’s not only for fun. It’s for revenge.”
“Aye,” Angus said and left the kitchen. He leaned against the wall outside of Penelope’s room. Clara was going to make them both miserable. He’d just need to convince Penelope that he loved his freedom and her more than he loved acting.
As soon as he knocked, Penelope answered. She pulled him in and kissed him. “I shouldn’t have hit her, but I kinda lost it.”
Angus sat on the edge of her bed. Thoughts of hopelessness tightened like a noose. If Penelope stayed with him while he continued acting, Clara would use her. Two years with Clara would suck the life out of her.
Penelope tilted her head. “What’s wrong?”
“She’s going to make you miserable if I don’t quit. There is no mercy from Clara.”
And the result would be Penelope leaving him. The thrill of seeing Clara get her nose bloodied had turned to despair. How could he protect Penelope from Clara?
Penelope sat beside him. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast. The adrenaline has worn off, and I’m not feeling great. Can we get something to eat and then talk?”
He caught her gaze and cupped her cheek. “You haven’t eaten since breakfast?”
“No, I was told to come to the great room right before lunch, and then all that happened. I had a snack, but it’s worn off.”
As his hand dropped to his lap, his gaze dipped to the floor. He didn’t know how he could make all of this work.
“Angus.” She combed her fingers through his hair.
He pulled his gaze from the floor and looked at her.
“I really do need to eat before I get light-headed.”
“Aye. Would you like burgers again?”
She smiled. “That sounds good.”
“I’ll go order them.” Angus stood. “I want to shower and then I’ll meet you outside with them when they get here, okay?”
“Sure.”
He walked out of her room and into his. How was he going to tell her he needed to quit without chasing her away? He knew what she would do. She’d blam
e herself for coming between him and his career and leave him, thinking she was doing what was best for him. What she didn’t understand was that she was the best thing for him. Nothing else mattered to him anymore.
On the other hand, if he continued acting, he’d lose her in the end anyway because of Clara. No matter which path he chose, he’d lose her.
How would he be able to let her go without hurting her? And he’d have to. She was going to be hurt either way. If he loved her as much as he said he did, he’d put her needs ahead of his own. His heart broke at the thought. Could he be selfless enough to let go of the one person in the world he cared about most? He wanted to think he was, but the idea of spending the rest of his life without Penelope gutted him. But what choice did he have?
Chapter 49
Angus was hurting. Whatever he and Clara talked about must have really shaken him. With Clara’s gold medal in malice, there was no telling what she had threatened him with when she left.
Their entire meal was eaten in silence as they sat in front of the fireplace. Penelope had brought out her blanket, and Angus slouched in the chair next to her.
Cameras were pointed in her direction, but she cared more about Angus than the cameras. Penelope got up, sat on Angus’s lap, and pulled the blanket around them. He was freezing.
“I don’t know what Clara said, but she doesn’t know me. And while I have seemed rather fragile, I’m a lot stronger than she gives me credit for.”
“She’ll hurt you if I keep acting, and I know what it’s like to be hurt by her.”
Penelope took his chin in her fingers and made him look at her. “She’ll try. She might make me hurt from time to time, but I’d like to hope I’ll have you to stitch me back together.”
He grunted.
She pursed her lips. Clara had really gotten to him. “Angus, I said I’m yours, and you said you understood. Did you really understand?”
“I do, but—”
Penelope kissed him.
For a moment, he froze, and then he sighed as he pulled her closer.
Mending The Billionaire Movie Star (MacLachlan Brothers Romance Book 1) Page 24