Page 66 of Indescribable Love

Shaking her head, she took a step back. “Don’t do this,” she urged. “Don’t let him win!”

“Don’t you see? He’s already won. He brought the devil here and I’ve worked far too hard to ever have to see his face.” His shoulders sagged. “And now I have. It’s not something I can just forget or move on from.” Sighing, he walked over to his sofa and sat down. “I have another week of this tour before we take a week off. I just need to get through it, but the film crew is gone. I want them all cleared out before the show tonight. Call the hotel and have them removed. I don’t care what it takes…”

“It’s done. No worries. I’m on it.”

Juliette walked in and he could tell she’d been crying, but he refused to let it sway him. She looked at him and obviously knew what he was thinking, and she suddenly looked…defeated.

So I was right, he thought. She betrayed me to save her job.

“Simon,” Nikki began, but he held up a hand to stop her.

“Get rid of the film crew. Take Gage and the team with you,” he murmured, but his eyes never left Juliette’s. Neither moved from their spots and once they were alone, he knew he had to speak first. “I think it would be best if you went back to the hotel and packed. Your services are no longer needed.”

He watched as she let out a shaky breath.

“This entire film is over and you were hired to be here for it, so…” He held his breath and waited for the fight—needed the fight—but…she didn’t give him one.

“Okay,” she said, her voice a mere whisper.

And dammit, he hated her acquiescence. That wasn’t who she was, but clearly he’d been wrong about her, so what did he know? He was about to stand up and go to her—not to touch her, but just because he felt like he should be on his feet—but he couldn’t. Finally, when he couldn’t stand it any longer, he asked, “Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?”

Her shoulders sagged even more. “What difference would it make? You’ve already made up your mind.” There was no fight to her words, no heat, just acceptance.

“What am I supposed to believe?” he demanded. “You betrayed me, Juliette! I trusted you—gave my heart to you—and you betrayed me!” His head fell back against the cushions as he closed his eyes. “You were so damn adamant about people not knowing about us. I thought you were overreacting, but I never thought you’d go to this extent to keep it from getting out there.”

Again, he waited for her to defend herself, but she didn’t.

“This is what I get for seeing what I want to see.” Then he straightened and looked at her. “Was it all an act? Did you ever feel anything for me, or was this just a way to pass the time while we worked together?”

She looked away as if he’d slapped her. “It was never an act,” she said when she faced him. “And no matter what you think you know or whatever you want to believe, I have never betrayed a client, nor have I ever slept with a client. That’s not who I am. I was with you because I fell for you, Simon. I fell in love with you, and I’ve never fallen in love before.” Then she snorted. “But that just proves my feelings in this life were right all along. Love is a myth and it brings nothing but pain.”

Without another word, she turned and fled the room.

And Simon’s heart shattered into a million pieces.

He had no idea how long he sat there, but at some point, his door crashed open and his father came in, breathless and a little disheveled.

Almost as if someone had been chasing him out of the building and he’d gotten away.

The wily bastard.

“Oh, good! I found you! Your security people were hell-bent on keeping me away, but…I found you!” He laughed softly and looked around. “Is this a standard dressing room? I thought it would be a little more glamorous.” Then he smiled at Simon. “You should demand something nicer.”

Groaning, he closed his eyes and let his head fall back again. Maybe if he didn’t engage in the conversation, his father would just go away.

“You know, I kind of got the impression that you don’t want me here, so I guess I’m a little confused. Your girl called me and told me to come. Paid for my flight and hotel and everything.”

She’s not my girl…

They were silent for a solid minute and he could hear Greg moving around, helping himself to snacks and just touching everything.

“You were always a sensitive kid. Too damn sensitive. People know you have a father, Simon. I know I’m no prize, but you don’t have to treat me like I’m contagious or something. What’s the harm with me saying some nice things about you on camera?”

So many replies raced through his head, but he kept them to himself.

“I’m not gonna lie; there was no way I could have gotten myself here. Money’s tight and…and that was something I wanted to talk to you about. Well, maybe you and Jax…you know…about helping me out. You see, there’s something…”

But Simon had heard enough.