Page 73 of Mafioso's Muse
‘Right.’ Vaughn had bought her a solo—and she was so embarrassed.
Leaning forwards, Nigel said, ‘None of this takes away from your hard work or your phenomenal performances on opening weekend.’
She nodded, barely.
‘That donation has helped to keep our doors open,’ he added. ‘Everything was aboveboard, so you keep your head high, okay?’
Unable to come up with a reply, Willow left his office, nausea swirling in her belly. The truth had cracked the delicate trust she’d built with Vaughn and tarnished her success at the same time. And she had no idea what she was supposed to do next.
Finn was waiting for her in the hallway. ‘He’s out,’ he informed her. ‘Tony too.’
He was out. Just like Paula said he would be. It should have been good news, but Willow was far from happy. ‘Oh. Okay. Thank you.’ She forced a smile because it wasn’t Finn’s fault that Vaughn was a liar. He just followed orders.
‘He’s out front with the car if you want to see him.’
She blinked. ‘Is he?’ Did she want to see him? She really needed to return to the studio, back to Harrison’s smug face looking at her across the room. ‘I think I’d like to see him.’
Willow headed for the lift with Finn in tow. She didn’t say another word as they made their way down and through the foyer. When she stepped outside, she was grateful for the fresh, cool air. Scanning the road, she stilled when she saw Vaughn leaning against his car, smoking and watching her intently.
Taking a long drag of his cigarette, Vaughn observed Willow fighting whatever demons she was dealing with in that moment. Something was wrong—or rather more wrong than when he’d left her the night prior. The second their eyes met, he saw it. There was no hint of relief or happiness at seeing him, only the stare of a person betrayed. He had seen that look many times before, but he didn’t like it coming from her.
She made no move towards him.
Vaughn waited for Finn to reach the car, then dropped his cigarette on the ground. He was about to go to her, but her expression told him she needed a moment, so he gave it to her. Willow looked around, as though deciding what to do next. Her posture hinted at anger. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and bury his face in her scent, but something told him that wouldn’t be happening.
A determined look settled on her pretty face, and her hands balled into fists before she made her way over to him. He readied himself for whatever was about to come out of her mouth. He couldfeelthe tension coming off her as she approached.
‘Twenty thousand dollars?’ she said, stopping five feet away from him. ‘Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? But more importantly, did you think I couldn’t earn that solo on my own merit?’
Fuck.
He took a step forwards, and she immediately moved back. Stopping, he raised his hands. ‘Youdidearn it on your own merit.’
She shook her head. ‘No. No, you took that from me.’
‘You were the best dancer for that solo—period.’
Her eyes welled up. ‘You have no idea how humiliated I feel. Howsmall.’
He took a calming breath. ‘You deserved to be seen.’
‘That’s not how it works,’ she replied, her voice slightly raised. ‘That’s not how any of this works! I don’t want your dirty money tainting what I’ve worked so hard for.’
‘My dirty money?’ He searched her eyes. ‘What the hell are you talking about?’
‘Don’t do that.’ Her chest was heaving now. ‘You know exactly what I’m talking about. You don’t get to control me or my career. Success isn’t something you can buy for me.’
He lowered his head. ‘Is that what you think I was doing?’
‘There’s a reason you didn’t tell me,’ she said, eyes filling with tears. ‘You knew what you did was wrong.’
He looked heavenwards while he composed himself. ‘I should have stayed at the police station.’
‘Did you buy your way out of there too?’ she asked.
His gaze snapped to hers, and she flinched—like she was afraid of him. All his frustration dissipated with that realisation. ‘Willow?—’
‘What the hell is going on here?’ Harrison’s voice sliced through the heated exchange.