I pace back and forth, too jittery to sit down. It’s been almost a month since Bora Bora but I still have a hard time keeping my hands from shaking when I think about it. That’s one of the reasons I’ve made an appointment to meet with Giulia.
She watches me move back and forth, her keen eyes seeing more than I want her to, but I can’t help it. I’m still not feeling completely stable.
I huff out an agitated breath. “It pisses me off that there aren’t any charges being filed. Who gets away with things like this?”
Giulia’s soft voice only adds to my frustration. “The rich and powerful do. You know this.”
“That doesn’t make it right. I was attacked. There are witnesses who just won’t come forward.”
“Can you blame them? If the powers that be can get away with attacking someone as in the public eye as you are, what could they do to said witnesses?”
I swear out loud, something I make every attempt not to do one a regular basis. The entire situation has me tied up in knots. Even with my power and prestige, there are still doors being slammed in my face. Injustices are still being laid at my feet.
“But they know the difference between right and wrong. If we all stand up and tell the truth, there won’t be any negative repercussions.”
Giulia tilts her head to the side. “This isn’t your first unfair brush with the law, though.”
The reminder makes me want to cry. She’s right. I’m starting to think that the legal system is just as screwed up as the media world. Nothing seems to be just and fair anymore. My hands plow through my hair and stop at my ponytail. I flinch. “What am I doing? Look at me, I’m wearing sweats. My hair is in a ponytail.”
Giulia smiles for the first time since I entered her office almost twenty minutes ago. “You’re allowed to relax every once in a while, Fallon. I think now is the perfect time to focus more on being comfortable than looking good.”
I throw myself into the plush chair I had been in and out of and sigh. “How can you even say that? Every time I let my guard down, something horrible happens.”
“That’s not true. Didn’t you tell me last session that you had opened up with Harper? You said that was going well.”
Harper. Just hearing his name takes the edge off of my rawest nerves. I run my hands through my hair, wincing as they catch in my ponytail. The worst of my memories dull when I think about him. The way he held me after the police had left made my heart break. He touched me as if I were more precious than gold.
“‘Going well’ doesn’t begin to describe it. He’s perfect.”
I wave a hand in the air when Giulia raises an eyebrow. “Don’t jump to any conclusions. I know that no one is perfect. I didn’t mean that he’s without fault; I just meant that for me…he’s everything I could ever want.”
Giulia nods. “I wasn’t going to get all shrink-y on you. I know what you mean. Anyone could see that you guys were meant for one another.”
Other people have said so too but for some reason, hearing those words out of Giulia’s mouth really touches me. I smile, letting her know that I appreciate it. “There’s a lot more to him than you can see. Not only is he handsome, he’s smart and funny…warm.”
I don’t mention the darkness I’ve seen in him. I know she won’t understand. I fully believe that Harper would kill for me. Would find the people who hurt me and turn them into paste if I hadn’t made him promise not to. There is an intensity and honesty to his love that excites me in the best possible ways.
He was right. Most people would be afraid of the way he loves me. They would run away from the way he looks at me, the way he trembles when he touches me.
But all I see if the potential behind his actions. The intensity in his gaze promises the best sex of my life. It promises the kind of thing people only dream of but are too afraid to ask for. I close my eyes for a second and I can practically feel his hands on me again. That’s how strong our connection is.
His hands, rough but never too rough. Pushing, pulling, dragging me down and lifting me up. I shiver as I picture his teeth on me.
“…Fallon!”
I jerk out of my daydream and give Giulia a sheepish laugh. “Sorry, I got distracted. What were you saying?”
She looks at me suspiciously. “Your face is flushed and you’re breathing kind of hard. What were you thinking about?”
I blush even harder, shaking my head from side to side. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. What were you saying again?”
Giulia grins knowingly before shrugging. “I was talking about your relationship with Harper. I think you should focus on that. You went through a horrible ordeal. No one can ever know the depths of your pain on that. Even if they tried, they might not be able to understand how shaken you are. So don’t let them try.”
“You think I should just let this go, don’t you?”
“No. Hell no. Those bitches deserve the worst kind of punishment.”
Her vehement respond takes me by surprise. “Are you supposed to say things like that?”
She clears her throat. “Probably not but it’s the honest truth. I may be a therapist but I’m still human and what they did was deplorable.”
It feels good to have someone else on my side. I fold my hands in my lap, realizing they’re steadier than they have been in a month. “Thanks.”
She clears her throat, seemingly a little embarrassed by her passion. “You’re welcome. Now tell me about something else that’s happening in your life. Where are your plans taking you?”
I shrug a little, giving her the rundown of my latest business plans. Not only have I acquired several additional companies, I have international traders begging for my attention. It feels as if I could conquer the entire world from behind a desk at this point. However, I’m not sure if that is what I really want.
I am spreading like wildfire, across different industries and barriers. I can do anything I want with these companies. They know that I know how to appoint the right people and implement the right strategies to turn a profit. I take pride in the fact that I am making more money with my brain than I could ever make with my face.
That kind of power can’t be taken away by anyone or anything.
“Harper is even talking about getting me into the art business. Maybe if I breach their world, I can see some actual change happen.”
“You sound like a politician.”
I open my mouth to deny it but her statement strikes me like lightning. I’ve never considered it as a possibility before but most politicians start their careers in either law or business. Why not me?
If I were one of the people helping to put laws in place, I could protect people from the evil mainstream media. I could defend the private lives of celebrities from vulture “reporters” who only thought to spread gossip and lies.
That is a fight worth taking up.
A slow smile curls over my mouth and grows until I am laughing. I laugh even harder when I catch the confused look on Giulia’s face. The thought of me in politics isn’t funny. I know that I will throw myself into everything I do. I never do anything halfway and if I take up this venture, it will be my whole life. I will do anything and everything to help the people I take under my wing.
“Why are you laughing?” Giulia’s curiosity gets the better of her and she taps her finger against her chin.
“Can…you just…imaging the looks…” I gasp between breaths, trying to get my mirth under control. “Can you imagine the looks on their faces if I make an announcement about running for some political position?”
I hiccup as Giulia starts to giggle, understanding why I’m so amused. It would definitely turn the something another world on its axis.
Maybe that’s what I am good at.
At this point, I don’t even know if I’m serious but the possibility is definitely there. It is always something to reach for. And I am made for reaching new heights.