won’t leave the media for a minute. Believe me, by the time I release that tape the entire world will be clamoring for a look. String the public along with enough hype and they’ll be cutting each other’s throats to be the first to see a bootleg copy. Like I said, it helps that Janus owns the newspapers, too—you’ll be helping us make money.”
It took a long time before I was able to respond. “And what if I say no? What if I tell you to take a walk in heavy traffic?”
“Then it will be a real shame to see your mother dying brokenhearted in a nursing home, watching her daughter fuck like an animal on a 20 inch CRT TV. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she gets a copy.” I heard his chair creak as he leaned in. “Josephine?”
I couldn’t answer.
“I see everything. I know everything. I’ll know if you talk to him, and I’ll know if you go to the police. And there are worse things that can happen than being caught on film. So be a good girl and bring me that tape.”
Chapter 2
It had to be a nightmare. Some awful nightmare, and soon I would wake up. It would be Saturday morning again, and we would be happy. There wouldn’t be any disgusting newspaper article. Archer’s reputation would be untainted. I would be full of hope again, and in love—happier than I’d ever been.
I opened my eyes. The newspaper was still there.
This time, when the phone rang, it was Archer. “Josie? Have you seen the papers?”
I burst into tears.
“Josie! I’m at the office. Hold on, I’ll come round.”
I’ll know if you talk to him. I wiped at my eyes. “No Archer, don’t.”
“What’s going on? How did this happen?”
“I… I can’t tell you.”
“As in, you don’t know, or you know but don’t want to say?”
There are worse things that can happen than being caught on film. “What does it matter Archer? What’s done is done.”
Though Archer fell silent, I knew exactly what he’d be thinking. He already knew I worked for Janus. I’d told him that, myself. He’d think I’d betrayed him, plain and simple. How could I possibly convince Archer now that none of this was intentional? After everything we’d been through, everything I’d confessed.
“I see,” he said finally. “I’ll be there in 10.”
“No Archer, don’t.” Janus was spying on us, somehow. And that meant I shouldn’t see Archer, though it was the only thing I wanted to do right now. Because as soon as I did see him, I’d have to ask for those tapes. If I didn’t, Janus would know, and they’d release that second video—and my name.
I took a deep breath, and then said something worse than anything I’d previously heard this morning. “I don’t think we should see each other for a while.”
* * *
The minute I got off the phone I walked straight to my bed and curled up in a ball, blankets over my head. My life might as well have been over. Now there was no way out of this mess that didn’t result in Janus winning.
I’d been so hopeful that we could triumph—that the good guys would crush the bad, just for once. How the tables had turned. We were only days away from having our names splashed across the front page, and both our lives ruined.
I shuddered at the thought. What would happen when Mom found out? There was no way she would miss it—I could see the headlines now: High-powered Hollywood director and billionaire Archer Williams caught in salacious acts on camera with failed actress Josie Bellefleur. They’d probably butcher my name while they were at it.
And oh, look! Nude photos! Miss Bellefleur was once photographed in the nude. She must be a sex-crazed maniac. I could see the interviews with friends, schoolmates and old teachers already. ‘ Did you ever suspect Josie had this other side? Did she ever try to seduce you?’
I wrapped my arms around myself, rocking back and forth. I’d be a laughing stock, a joke on the late-night talk shows—like Monica Lewinsky, or Hugh Grant.
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