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He looked at me with a sneer and then back at Nara.
A light bulb went off. He was the English fucker extorting her for ten grand.
“Simon,” she hissed, looking around, “what are you doing here? This is completely inappropriate.”
He threw his head back and laughed. Just like all dickheads did.
“Oh, that’s rich, darling.” The he turned to me. “I know who you are. I read all about you in Page Six. Mr. Harcourt, did you know you are holding the hand of my wife? My legal wife?”
Nara stepped between us in an attempt to diffuse a situation clearly headed for ugliness. But I held out an arm to keep Simon away from her.
“Look,” I said calmly, “I know who you are now that you’ve opened your big fucking mouth. And you might want to think about backing off, or this may not end well for you.”
Nara looked nervously from Simon to me and back. “Now, guys…”
But in spite of my warning, Simon ignored me and closed in on her again.
“Look you little bitch,” he spat. “You owe me. And if you don’t come through, you will be ruined. And I will enjoy every second of it—”
I could only guess where he was going with that, because he never finished. With a quick jab from my fist, he’d fallen to the ground screaming in pain, blood pouring out of his nose.
Yup. I’d slugged him.
And I wasn’t done.
I grabbed him by the lapels and pulled him back to his feet. He sputtered and swore, his eyes tearing from the pain.
“Simon? Can you hear me?” I asked.
He continued stammering.
“Simon. I need to tell you something really important. Are you listening?”
He made an attempt at a weak nod.
“Listen carefully. I don’t like repeating myself. If I were you, I would not threaten Nara again. Do you hear me?”
I let go of his lapel and as soon as I did, he stumbled and landed back on his ass. He was shouting what were probably obscenities, but his hysterical state mixed with his accent rendered his noise indecipherable. It was just as well. I needed to walk away before I got in trouble for assault. If I wasn’t already.
During the fracas, my car had arrived. The valet stood with his mouth as wide open as the car door, waiting for the fight to end, or us to get in the car, or both.
“Thanks, dude,” I said, tipping him. I closed Nara’s door and we headed home.
* * *
Nara didn’t say a thing until after I’d parked the car and we’d walked to my place.
“This is your building?” she asked, looking up at the old, industrial space.
I looked up at it, too. I had to admit, I really loved it. “Yeah. It used to be a sewing factory or something like that back in the day.”
“I pass buildings like this all the time, and I always wonder what they were before they were turned into residences. This is so cool.”
Like most New York homes, it took three keys and a combination to get in. The old building had been subdivided into four apartments, and the high ceilings lent themselves to the ever-popular open and airy loft configuration. I was a big fan of white walls and shiny black floors.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked.
“Sure. That would be great. What are you having?” She wandered around and checked my place out. She slid a couple books off my shelves, replaced them, and moved on to some family photos.
“Good question.” I surveyed my liquor cabinet. What was I in the mood for…?
“I’m opting for a scotch. Care to join me?”
“Oooh, sounds good. I’d love one.”
A woman who drinks scotch. What planet did she fall off of?
We settled into my oversized sofa.
“Well,” she started, “that was something back there.”
I nodded slowly, unsure about whether I was about to get a scolding or a pat on the back. I was ready for either.
She tilted her head. “Do you think he’ll leave me alone now?”
“I don’t know. He’s an angry little shit. And borderline crazy, if you ask me. I doubt he’ll just go away. If you continue to have trouble from him, let me know.”
She smiled, and if I didn’t know better, was teary eyed. “Thank you for defending me.”
“It’s always a pleasure to put a jerk like that in his place. And to help a kick-ass woman at the same time.”
She set her drink on the coffee table and stood.
“Do you think I could see the bedroom?” she asked.
I was liking this woman more and more.
