Page 110 of Faking Ties

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asks.

I pull out the chair next to his manager and sit in it.

“So glad you’re here,” I say to his manager, “since what we’re about to discuss is of critical importance.”

His manager snorts. “I highly doubt that?—”

“Here is a copy of the defamation lawsuit and civil harassment restraining order I’ll be filing against you. These are only the lawsuits that relate to me, but Stella is filing her own as we speak.”

Jax snorts, dismissive. “This won’t stop anything. You’re wasting your time.”

“Am I? Because our lawyers are confident we have a case.” I grin. “You know, lawsuits are expensive. Stella’s a billionaire, and word on the street is that you’re suffering financially after funding your movie that has flopped spectacularly. We have the time and resources to drag this out as long as needed. After we’re done with you, you’ll be a D-list celebrity, if that.”

Jax pales, finally understanding the implications.

“What do you want?” his manager asks.

“For you to stop with the conspiracy theories and for you to release a statement that basically says you were having a tantrum because you couldn’t stand how horrible your movie has been performing and you wanted to punish Stella for it.”

Jax’s face reddens. “It’s her fault. And yours. Themedia are more interested in your relationship than my movie.”

“Don’t say anything more,” his manager snaps. “We’ll do it.”

Jax glares at his manager, and his manager shrugs. “You can recover from a bad movie, but you can’t recover as easily from bankruptcy, your reputation being ruined through a court case,anda bad movie on top of it all.”

“But,” Jax says, “my reputation will be ruined by making a public statement like they’re demanding.”

“Or people will respect you for being honest,” his manager says. “We’ll figure it out.”

“I want this agreement in writing,” I say, “and for you to post the video at the latest by tomorrow morning. If not, we’re filing and will be seeing you in court.” I rap my knuckles on the table as I stand. “My manager will be in touch.”

After that, I inform Andrew and Stella of what’s to come and hop back onto the plane. When I land, I have a missed call from Elodie.

Shit.

I forgot to tell her that I’d be flying, that I wouldn’t be available to talk.

There’s so much going on that I’m running on fumes. I’ve never missed a call from her before. I check the time, but it’s one in the morning.

I chance it and video call her anyway while I drive back to my house.

“Hey,” she says, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. “Are you okay? I was worried.”

“I’m so sorry, I was flying.”

“To where?”

“LA. I confronted Jax. I’m trying to fix everything, for Stella, for me, for us.”

“Babe,” she says, “you’re spreading yourself too thin. When was the last time you ate or slept properly?”

Too long, but I don’t answer, not wanting her to worry. Instead, I say, “But someone has to take care of it.”

“You’re such an amazing person, but you can’t take on everyone’s problems.”

“I can if they affect us, if they affect my livelihood.”

She winces. “I wish I could help. I feel so useless.”

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