There was this one time when we’d gone to a park near where we both lived. It was a hot day, and we both jumped into a small lake fully clothed just to cool off. We were eventually told off by a local patrolman and asked to leave the park, but it was Elise who’d been the first to jump in. She encouraged me. I remember her teasing me and calling me a wimp when I initially refused.
The woman I’m seeing in front of me now would never do that. She’d rather run in the opposite direction than do anything so daring and devil-may-care.
I click the key to open the car, and having placed her bag on the backseat, she climbs into the front, and fastens her seat belt in silence. I slide into the driver’s side of the rental car and pull away from the parking spot. We drive in silence for a few miles. I don’t need to ask directions. I dropped her home a couple days last week when her legs were too tired from the constant training, so I know where I’m going.
“What happened with your husband?” I finally break the tense atmosphere in the car.
“Nothing,” Elise’s reply is succinct and firmly shuts the door on any further conversation. I know she doesn’t want to talk about it, but I’m not going to give in that easily.
“A few years ago, I met this woman. I’d been carefree and single up until that point, but we got on really well.” I start to tell my story, hoping it will encourage her to open up to me. “I’ve never really found the one, and I guess I still had my doubts about her, but I decided to give it a chance because we got on so well together. I asked her to come and live with me, and she accepted straight away. We moved her in the next weekend.”
“Leo, you don’t have to tell me this,” Elise interrupts, but I ignore her and continue with my story.
“At first, it was bliss. I mean, sex on tap, who isn’t going to enjoy that?” Elise winces. “But gradually, I noticed things. It was like a déjà vu at first. I thought I’d put things in a certain place, and when I went to find them, they were gone. Money, fancy clothes, even a trophy—one by one, they all disappeared. When a necklace my mamá gave me for safe keeping vanished, I pulled the house apart trying to find it. There was no trace, though. I’d been working a lot and practicing for a competition, and I began to think I was going mad. But then I noticed my girlfriend coming home with new handbags, shoes, and other expensive items. She didn’t have a well-paid job, and most of her stuff was designer.”
We stop at some traffic lights, and I look across at Elise. She’s still looking straight ahead, her face pale despite the fake tan we have to wear. The car behind me beeps his horn, and when I look up at the light, I realize it’s now green. I pull away again, keeping my eyes focused firmly on the road this time.
“When I eventually asked her about it, she flew into a rage and accused me of being mean to her. The money was from her inheritance, and I should trust her. I apologized. We made up, and for a couple months everything was fine. Then it happened again—I lost a watch my father gave me. It wasn’t fancy or worth a great deal of money, but it was from him, and I don’t get to see him anymore. It was special. Reluctantly, I knew I had to do something about it, so I had CCTV installed in the house while she was away for a girl’s weekend at an expensive spa in Beverly Hills. When she returned, I gave it a few days and then reviewed the footage. What I saw broke the trust I have in women. She was stealing from me. Anything she could lay her hands on. I watched her take money from my wallet when I wasn’t looking, raid my wardrobe for designer clothes, and even take one of my old trophies out of the house.”
“Leo.” Elise reaches out and places her hand over mine on the steering wheel. “You don’t have to go on. I know it must be hard. Please.”
Again I ignore her.
“I showed her the footage that night. She went mad at me for not trusting her. She blamed me for not buying these things for her. The only reason she’d said yes to moving in with me was because she wanted to be a kept woman like her friends. She told me I was in the wrong and accused me of forcing her to steal to keep up appearances. She told me I wasn’t a generous enough partner. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I’d initially planned to keep all the stuff she’d bought with the money and items she’d stolen from me, but in the end I just wanted her out of my life. I told her to leave, and then I walked out of my house. When I came back some time later she’d left, having taken a load more stuff—everything of value was gone, but I didn’t care. I didn’t even tell the police. Her false sense of entitlement made her believe she deserved all that stuff, and I didn’t have the energy at the time to argue with her. I just wanted her out of my life. Thankfully, I’ve not seen her since. I did hear she was dating some British pop-star and was covered in jewels and designer clothing. I guess she found the person she wanted.”
I pause in my conversation while I pull the car up outside Elise’s house. It looks like no one’s home, and I wonder if Izzy is with Gabby. Elise places her hand on the door to open it, but I stop her and continue speaking.
“For a long time after, whenever I went out with a woman, I made sure I bought everything for them, even small gifts on a first date. They thought I was crazy. Eventually I realized I didn’t have to buy expensive presents, I just needed to be me. But it took a long time to recover from what that woman did to me. Relationships should be equal—that is the main thing I’ve learned. No one person is more important than another.”
Elise rests her head against the window. I hear her take a deep breath before she turns back to me.
“I think you better come in.”
She shuts her eyes after she speaks as if it’s painful to even get one or two words out.
“Why?” I ask, needing to know she’s going to be honest with me. “What happened between you and your husband?” I question again.
Elise knits her hands together, the whites of the knuckles showing.
“He hit me.”
Chapter 9
Elise
I set the cup of steaming hot coffee down in front of Leo. Since we entered the house, he's not said anything to me. He’s just sat there in silence while I prepared our drinks. I'd love to know what he's thinking, but then again, maybe not. He’s a passionate man, and I’m not sure I could bear to witness another volatile outburst.
The story he told me about the woman stealing from him broke my heart. How anyone could do that to him? He's the kindest man I know. I didn't mean to get scared when he got angry earlier. It was a natural reaction because it brought memories of Simon, flooding back into my head—his fists, his words, the pain, the bruising, and the feeling of failure afterward. The poignant part of Leo’s tale is that he hadn't been the one in the wrong. It was the woman stealing from him who’d caused the harm. She couldn't expect him to buy all those designer presents for her. If she wanted them, she should have saved her money or found a better job. I can’t begin to get my head around it. You don’t date someone to get expensive things. You date someone because you like them. Leo didn’t realize it at the time, but basically she was pimping herself out to him, and when she didn’t get the payment she felt she deserved, she stole from him to keep up the illusion with her friends.
What kind of a world is it that we live in? What kind of a world is it that I’ve brought Izzy into? Maybe I was wrong to have her. No, I love my little girl more than anything or anyone else. I need to stop thinking about Simon's message and do all I can to make this world right for her. I need to be strong.
Simon signed a contract giving me full custody of Izzy. He has no comeback. My lawyer is going over the agreement again just to make sure, but as far as he’s concerned, there’s nothing Simon can do. Izzy is mine unless I void the contract by breaking the terms of the agreement. Appearing on the show is allowed. I’m not in Hollywood. I’m not acting on the silver screen. I am merely appearing in a dance show, and I just happened to have finished at the top of the leaderboard in week one. That’s what Simon really hates. He can’t handle knowing I’m achieving something. I also wonder if he cou
ld see the chemistry I have with Leo and it twisted his evil mind. He never wanted me to be better than him. It’s the reason why he abused me in the first place because ultimately I am.
I take a seat next to Leo, and he looks up at me from his coffee, the steam from the caffeinated nectar wafting around his face.
“Your husband hit you.” He finally speaks.
“Yes,” I reply.
A sudden thought occurs to me—is this breaking the contract? Telling Leo? No, he wouldn't say anything. I know that for certain.
“I don't understand. I'm sorry, Elise. I can't even imagine what you've been through. Is he in prison?”
Leo reaches past his mug of coffee and takes my hand. I allow him to this time after freaking out earlier at his touch. Now it comforts me because I know I’m doing the right thing talking to him.
“No, he's not in prison. It’s complicated, but the truth is I never reported him.”
“Never reported him? But he hit you?” I can see the confusion on Leo’s face. He’s not a man to raise his fists to a woman.
“He did hit me on more than one occasion. The last time he broke my arm, and Izzy saw it happen.”
“She saw it. Oh, God, was she okay? Is she okay?” Leo suddenly pauses, and I can’t help anticipating his next question. “Did he hit her?”
“No, thankfully he never had the chance, but the reason he broke my arm was because I stepped in to stop an argument between them. I’ve no doubt in my mind that if I hadn't, he probably would've hurt her.”
“So why didn’t you report him?”
“I couldn't, because of who he is.”
“Who he is?”
It's at this point I realize Leo hasn’t done any research into my life. The person I was married to is mentioned on any profile of mine on the internet.
“Have you heard of Simon French?”
“The actor? He does those action movies. A few of the guys like to watch them when we have some downtime. They aren't my favorite, though. I prefer the original action man, James Bond.”
“Yes, I was married to Simon French. He's Izzy's father. Her full name is Isabelle French, not Landry.”
I hate even mentioning his name. It’s horrible and feels icky on my tongue like tasting food that’s been burned beyond recognition.
“What makes it complicated, though? He's guilty of domestic violence against you, and if you hadn't stopped him, he could have done the same to Izzy. He’s famous. The world needs to know about this.”
Leo pushes back in his chair. He’s not shouting, but I can tell he’s angry. He’s controlling it for me, though.
“No, the truth can never be revealed to the world. I’d lose Izzy.”
“Lose Izzy?”
Leo ruffles his hand through his dark hair. I can see he’s struggling to understand what I’m saying, or maybe I’m not explaining it that well. I’ve kept this inside me for so long now I’m finding it hard to talk about it.
“I was really fragile after the last assault. I wasn’t thinking too straight. All I knew was I had to get Izzy as far away from Simon as possible, and I spoke with my lawyer. I’d known him for a long time, and he understood my concerns. He asked Simon’s lawyers what it would take for him to give me full custody of Izzy. My silence and leaving Hollywood forever was the price I had to pay. I would be willing to pay it again every time.”
“He took advantage of your brittle condition for his gain.”
The tension within Leo manifests itself in a hardening of his jaw and a tic at his temple. I hate making him feel this way. I’m cold all over, despite the heat of the day in Louisiana. I can’t help shivering. He’s instantly on his feet and wrapping me up in his arms. Why do I feel so safe with him here? Shouldn’t I shy away from a man’s touch?
“I’m struggling to take all this in, Elise. I can understand now why you lack the confidence you once had in abundance. Have you seen a counselor?”
“I have, and so has Izzy. The agreement allowed us to do that because of patient confidentially.”
I rest my head against Leo’s chest. I can feel his heart beating loudly. It’s a steady rhythm and another reminder of his dancing talent. “Gabby has been amazing as well. She’s a fantastic friend.”
“She is. I tried to get her to tell me what had happened with your husband, but she told me I needed to ask you.”
I pull away from Leo and look up at him.
“When was that?”
“After the ice cream. Even then, I knew something wasn’t right. I wanted to help you and see you smile again the way you used to when we were young.”
“Perceptive as always.”
“No, I learned to read you when you were fifteen years old. I’ve never forgotten.”
Leo kisses my forehead, and a lump forms in my throat. I know I’m developing feelings for him again. I’m not sure they ever went away.
“My confidence is the reason I’m doing the dance show. I’m not allowed to work in Hollywood again, as per the terms of the contract, but I can do this and being near my home makes it perfect for me. I miss having a challenge in my life, but it doesn’t have to be acting. I love seeing Izzy’s face as she watches me achieve something. I’m doing the contest for both of us. To prove to myself I can do it, and to help her understand that even when bad things happen, you don’t have to be a victim.”
“I can’t think of a better reason, and I’ll be there working with you and supporting you every step of the way, but you need to talk to me if something is bothering you. Are you just finding the salsa really hard, or is it something else?”
I pull away from Leo for this part of the conversation. I’m shaking as I find my handbag and retrieve my phone from it. Ever since I got the message, I keep looking at it. Of course, I forwarded it straight on to my lawyer, but I couldn’t delete it. I also couldn’t block Simon’s number, because I need to know what he’s planning. He wants to take my little girl away from me, and I can’t let him do that. I’ve barely slept the last few nights. I keep debating whether to leave the show, but every time I decide to quit, I think about the delight on Izzy’s face when she sees me performing.
My lawyer assures me Simon has no way of terminating the contract and getting Izzy back, but I don’t know anymore. I’m so confused by it all and completely terrified I’ll do something wrong and lose her to him. I’m so afraid he’ll beat her like he did me…maybe even kill her. That was the worst nightmare I had this week when I did finally manage to get some sleep.
I hand Leo my phone, and he looks down at the message. It still says it’s from an unknown number, but the meaning behind the words is clear.
“Is this from who I think it is?”
I nod.
“Yes, he phoned me on the first day I was at training. Someone from the show is obviously in contact with him. He’s got spies all around the entertainment world, so it could be anyone. That message was sent after we finished first on the leaderboard. I’ve done nothing wrong appearing on the show. My lawyer has confirmed it’s completely within the terms of the agreement, but I guess Simon doesn’t like the fact I’m being featured in the spotlight. Especially as he doesn’t have a movie out until next year.”
“That man is an asshole. He needs to be taught a lesson.” Leo breathes deeply to control his temper. He looks down at my phone again and then back at me. “Have you sent copies of this message to your lawyer?”
“Yes.”
“Right then, we’re going to put all this worry to bed and forget about him. He doesn’t have a leg to stand on. You’re doing nothing wrong.” Leo presses a few buttons on my phone. I instantly reach out to grab it from him, but he pulls it away and presses a few more before handing it back to me. “The message is deleted and his number is blocked. You’ve nothing more to worry about from him now. Your lawyer can deal with him, and we can get back to dancing. We have a lot of time to make up for.”
“Leo, it isn’t that simple,” I protest while at the same time won
dering how I can unblock Simon’s number. I’d rather know what he’s up to than have him working on a plan behind my back.
“Yes, it is, Elise. Simon is out of your life. He has no say over Izzy, and if he tries anything, then the contract gives you the upper hand.” Leo pulls me into his arms and tilts my head up so I’m looking directly into his face. I can’t help but get lost in the dreaminess of his eyes. “If he tries to take Izzy, then he voids the contract, and you can scream from the rooftops about what he did to you. You can be a confident and determined woman, knowing you have right on your side. You hold the power in your hands to destroy his career if he doesn’t leave you alone. Believe in that and in what you are doing for Izzy. You made the correct decision for her at the time and are continuing to make the right decisions for her now. You worry that she doesn’t see you as strong, but I’ve seen her watching you in dance practice. She’s in awe of you. She loves you and worships you. You’re her strength and her guidance. Now, I’m not leaving here until you show me you can remember the steps I taught you.” Leo taps me on my head. “Because I know full well they’re in there. They’ve just got lost because of all the worry and panic. Neither of which are necessary.”
Leo steals my phone again, and the next thing I know, ‘Conga’ is playing on the sound system in my house. This time, I remember the steps.
Chapter 10
Leo
The next few weeks blur into a haze of dance practice and Saturday night shows. It’s something I’m grateful for because I get the chance to see Elise break out of her shell and blossom. I try not to think about her ex-husband, because every time I do, I want to find him and give him a taste of what he did to her. He abused her and took advantage of her while she was fragile. I won’t let him destroy her again. She’s flourishing too much to let that happen.
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