Page 69 of Strut

I almost fucking laughed. No shock. No questions or concern about what happened or how Alec was feeling or coping or anything.

Alec almost shouted down the line, “Did you hear me, Cara? I just told you that Darcy Fenchurchsexually assaultedme. He pinned me against a wall, kissed me, shoved my swimsuit to my knees, grabbed my dick and started jerking me while he pressed himself into my bare arse. I’ve got bruises on my wrist from his hands, for fuck’s sake. And then he said if I wanted the contract, this was how the game was played.”

The silence stretched out and I reached for Alec’s hand, giving him a quick nod to let him know I was with him.

“So, you’re thinking of actually reporting it?” she finally asked, sounding more worried about the idea of that than anything else.

And still no concern for Alec. Un-fucking-believable.

Alec rolled his eyes at me, the colour high in his cheeks. “Yes, I’m thinking about it.” Then he sighed heavily. “But we were alone. There aren’t any witnesses. Which is why Darcy thinks he can say what the fuck he likes. Who’s going to believe me over a famous photographer, right? Just like you did.” He fired a pointed jab at Cara.

She sighed. “Okay. Fair point. But this is Darcy Fenchurch we’re talking about. He’s too big. If there are no witnesses, what earthly good will it do to report him.”

“To get it on record.”

“At the cost of your career?” she said in abject disbelief. “You’d toss your career out the window just because some guy fondled your fucking balls? Jesus, Alec. What business do you think we’re in? We sell sex. We shoot sexy. We aim to create lust and want in the public. We shoot half-naked or fully naked men and women, and if they’re not naked, they look like they want to be. Of course there are going to be some professional...difficulties... that come with that kind of territory. You deal with it. And if I’m being really honest here, if Darcy Fenchurch was promising you your first major ad campaign and a slam dunk career boost as a potential brand face of Berlini...” She trailed off but we all knew what she’d been thinking and I felt sick to my stomach.

I went to grab the phone but Alec jerked it out of reach, his eyes wide and furious.

“Are you for real, Cara? Can you even hear yourself?” Alec demanded. “Would you say that to one of your female models?”

She didn’t answer.

Jesus, this fucking woman.

Alec crumpled a little against me and I slid an arm around his waist.

Finally she spoke. “I don’t tellanyof my models to sleep with someone to land a job. Obviously, that’s not the best way to approach things. And I’m in no way condoning Darcy’s behaviour if he in fact did what you claim.”

“What I claim?” Alec sat bolt upright again. “You don’t believe me?”

“I never said that. But it wouldn’t be the first time a model decided to sweeten the pot, would it? And there’s nothing to back up your story, is there? You’re all independent contractors, you make your own decisions. As an agency, we have no responsibility for you bar providing you with opportunities to be seen so clients can decide if they want you. We’re not responsible for what goes on once you leave this office.”

I clamped down on my tongue that was itching to tear into this arrogant woman.

“Of course.” Alec shook his head in disgust. “Heaven forbid you actually care about what happens to us, right?”

“Don’t be a child,” she spat, and I was ready to rip her a new one when Alec once again clamped a hand on my wrist and shook his head in warning. She continued. “All I’m saying is that you need to think carefully about this before you make it worse for yourself. If what you told me is true and you go up against Darcy again, then he could make things very difficult for you. He’s powerful, Alec, and you know how gossip spreads in this industry. If you want my advice, leave it alone and hope he does the same. You won’t work for him again, that’s a given, but we have a chance to salvage this.”

“Salvage what?” Alec’s eyes couldn’t pop any wider. “Me, my career, or do you really mean salvage your percentage cut? What about what he did, Cara? What about others he might try the same thing with? There are young guys and girls out there, really young. Have you learned nothing from MeToo?”

“Provide some proof and we’ll go to bat for you, of course,” she said flatly. “But you’ve already said you don’t have anything, and the agency isn’t your keeper. In the end, you have to do what’s right for you. I’m just giving you advice gleaned from countless years in this industry.”

“Gee, thanks for your support,” Alec snarled.

More silence.

“Look, Alec.” Cara took a breath and I wanted to reach down that bloody phone and wring her neck so it was her last. “I’m sorry that you went through that.”

Like hell she was.The agency’s bottom line was the only thing that woman was worried about.

“And I certainly don’t condone that sort of behaviour.”

“But you’ll turn a blind eye to it,” Alec pointed out, and I squeezed his hand.

Cara hesitated at that. “I’m just trying to help you see the reality of your situation. I can’t protect you if Darcy decides to take this further.”

Alec stiffened. “What the fuck does that mean?”

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