Page 28 of Mafioso's Muse

‘Careful,’ Harrison warned. ‘Willow is an invaluable member of this company and a dear friend. I’m very protective of her.’

‘I bet you are,’ Vaughn replied with a gentle smirk. ‘Surely more of a father figure than a friend, given the decade age gap?’

Harrison set the cup down and straightened. ‘Right. Well, if you’re done with your python analogies?—’

‘You’ve chipped away at her confidence just enough to keep her looking to you for guidance and approval.’

His throat bobbed. ‘I’ve done no such thing.’

‘So, you never told Willow she was too heavy to be anything other than a chorus girl?’

Harrison squared his shoulders. ‘I see what’s going on here. You’ve taken a shining to Miss Hayes, and you see me as an obstacle.’

‘Actually, I see you as a predator—a patient one.’

‘That’s right. A python,’ Harrison laughed. ‘Allow me to put an end to whatever fantasy you’re conjuring by stating that Willow would never get involved with a man like you. She’s everything that’s right in this world, and you’re everything that’s wrong with it. Day and night. Light and dark.’

Vaughn searched his eyes. ‘At least we agree on that one thing.’

A bead of sweat rolled down Harrison’s temple, and he quickly wiped it away.

‘I won’t stand idle while you stifle her,’ Vaughn said.

Harrison all but rolled his eyes at that. ‘I know you think you have a lot of influence over a lot of people, but rest assured, you have no influence over me or any creative decisions within the company. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do—honest work.’

As he walked past, Vaughn said, ‘You’re afraid of what’ll happen if she shines brighter than you.’

Harrison stilled and looked at him.

Vaughn turned his head slowly, meeting his gaze. ‘And you should be.’

With a final heated glare, Harrison left the kitchen.

Vaughn returned to Nigel’s office, where he found the man buried in a pile of paperwork. ‘Sorry about that.’

Nigel looked up with a worried expression. ‘Everything all right?’

Vaughn took a seat and rested his elbows on his knees. ‘Actually, no.’

Setting his pen down, Nigel waited for him to continue.

‘Willow’s the strongest dancer in the chorus,’ Vaughn began. ‘She deserves that solo.’

Nigel’s brow creased. ‘She’s a great dancer, but Harrison’s the creative director, and he’s made his feelings quite clear.’

‘He’s wrong.’

An awkward smile appeared on Nigel’s face. ‘Even if that’s the case?—’

‘I’d like to offer Vic Ballet a donation of $20,000 to be used however you see fit.’ He knew he was overstepping, but he did it anyway.

Nigel’s smile vanished. ‘Vaughn…’ He placed his hands on the table in front of him. ‘We both want to see Willow succeed here, but this isn’t the way.’

‘You’re turning down the donation?’

Nigel chuckled. ‘This doesn’t feel like a donation. It feels a lot like a bribe.’

Vaughn sat up in his chair, knowing Willow would be horrified to learn that this conversation even took place. ‘I understand why it mightfeellike one, but the thing is, Willow should have that part—and not because I want her to have it, but because she’s the strongest dancer in that ensemble. The fact that I have to part with $20,000 because your creative director isn’t doing his job properly is the concerning factor here. Perhaps you should reflect onhismotives.’ He rose. ‘I’m going back to my office now, and I’m going to write you a cheque. Do with it what you want.’