Page 92 of Mafioso's Muse

‘Me,’ Finn replied, jamming his foot in the door.

Vaughn jogged up the steps as the door slammed shut on Finn’s boot. He pushed his way inside and looked around the bland entryway.

‘You can’t just show up at my house uninvited,’ Harrison said.

Finn closed the front door and leaned against it.

‘You paid $1.84 million for this?’ Vaughn asked.

Harrison crossed his arms. ‘I see you’ve been doing some research.’

Vaughn continued to look around. ‘Yes. I know everything about you. Every boring detail.’ He met Harrison’s glare. ‘Every bad thing you’ve ever done.’

Harrison tried to appear unfazed. ‘Why don’t we skip the cliché mafia tactics and you tell me what you’re doing here.’

‘Just having a friendly chat with the big man from Vic Ballet.’ The corners of Vaughn’s mouth lifted. ‘You like being the big man, don’t you, Harry?’

Harrison’s face hardened. ‘You better make your point quickly, because I’m moments away from calling the police.’

Vaughn chuckled. ‘I don’t think so. I know they say there’s no such thing as bad PR, but a run-in with the mafia wouldn’t be good for your career, would it?’ His smile vanished. ‘I just came from Willow’s apartment.’

Nothing changed on Harrison’s face. ‘Is that why you’re here? Because Willow and I had a disagreement that’s none of your business?’

Vaughn’s eyebrows rose. ‘You think she’s no longer my business?’

‘Look,’ Harrison began, uncrossing his arms. ‘Whatever she told you?—’

‘She didn’t tell me much. I think there’s a part of her that wants to protect you. After all, you’re the one who built her career from the ground up. Isn’t that right?’

Harrison glanced nervously at Finn. ‘Clearly you’re angry?—’

‘No.’ Vaughn shook his head. ’No, we’re not doing that. This isn’t about me. This is aboutyour actions.’ His voice was a growl. ‘You crossed a line today, Harry. You crossed a line and exposed yourself as the controlling, manipulative paedophile that you are.’

Harrison’s face fell. ‘How dare you?—’

‘You’re a patient little fuck. I’ll give you that. How old was she when you set your sights on her? Thirteen?’

‘I never?—’

‘No father in the picture. You filled the void foryears. So I can only imagine how pissed off you are that things haven’t gone to plan. It must have stung to find out that she doesn’t feel the way you expected her to despite all your effort.’

‘That’s an interesting interpretation,’ Harrison said.

Vaughn looked over at Finn. ‘Remind me again what we did to the last man who couldn’t keep his hands to himself.’

‘We broke his thumbs,’ Finn said.

The colour drained from Harrison’s face. ‘If your intention is to scare me?—’

Vaughn stepped up to Harrison fast, grabbing him by the neck before he could finish the sentence. When Harrison reached up for his arm, Vaughn caught hold of his thumb and twisted it until the director’s body went rigid from the pain.

‘Stop,’ Harrison said, panic in his voice. ‘You’re going to break it.’

‘Not yet.’ Vaughn applied a fraction more pressure.

‘Stop! Please!’

He eased the pressure slightly. ‘It really would be a shame to see this delicate hand ruined.’ There was heat coming off his stare. ‘Now, I’m only going to say this once, so I want to make sure you’re listening.’ He waited a moment, and when Harrison didn’t say anything, he increased the pressure again.