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I’m sobbing. Decimated by memories of the two men who used me and then abused me. Every ounce of strength I’ve built falls away, and I find myself weak and vulnerable once more. This time, the whole world is watching.
They will recognize me. The photograph is clear as day. There is no way I can tell anyone the truth of that night. No way in hell. They will never believe me over Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor.
“Tell us what happened.” Liana retrieves the tissues from a small table and offers one. I blow my nose and blink up at them.
As I recount the evening’s events, they listen with rapt attention. Both of them flinch when I get to the confrontation in the hallway. Anger replaces their shock when I finish the story.
“Marcy,” Donna murmurs. “You can’t let him get away with this.”
Liana offers another tissue, and I take it with gratitude. I wipe away the tears while shaking my head. “No one will believe me.”
“Did you go to the ER?” Liana asks, sitting in the chair across from me.
“No.” I hang my head. “I went straight home.”
“Did you speak to anyone after that?” Donna presses. “Anyone who can testify to what happened.”
Rob’s face rises in my mind. His sweet, caring smile. His strong jaw and gentle eyes. “Yeah. I, uh, called a friend. He’s a doctor. He came over and took care of my injuries.”
“Yes. Good. So he can testify on your behalf.” Liana beams.
I shake my head. “No, he can’t.”
“Why not?” Donna asks.
“Because I refused to tell him who did it.” A fresh round of tears springs to my eyes. “If I told him, he’d rush off and try to defend my honor.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“Yeah. They’ll arrest him for assault. There’s no proof. No one saw Vic and me in the hallway. No one saw him hit me.” My hands tremble as I take another tissue. “There’s nothing to back my story.”
“This was at the Plaza?” Liana taps a finger on her jaw.
“Yeah, why?”
“My cousin Milo works at the front desk there. I could make some calls and see if there’s any chatter?”
Hope blooms, then quickly shrivels to dust. “What will it matter? No one will go against Vic Simmons. He’ll deny the whole thing.”
Donna hugs me tight. “It’s okay. We’ll figure this out.”
“It’s hopeless. And now Rob’ll discover the truth, and he’ll—”
“Rob?” Liana cocks her head.
“The doctor who helped me. He’s my brother’s best friend and my...” I can’t even bring myself to say the words. Friend. Lover. My heart and soul.
A knowing look passes between Liana and Donna.
“You love him, don’t you?” Donna rubs my back. I know she’s not talking about Vic. Her words strike straight to the center of the problem.
“Yeah. I do.”
Both of them burst into radiant smiles.
“Finally.” Liana sighs. “We’ve been hoping you’d find a good man.”
“But what will I do? He’ll find out sooner or later, and then it’ll be a shitstorm.” I bury my face in my hands.
