Allison nodded as she took a deep breath.
“If I tell you what happened, you have to swear to me that you will never, ever press any kind of charges against me. I’m a victim too.”
Jake considered her words, taking note of the genuine fear in her eyes. “Fine. Just tell me.”
Allison leaned on the windowsill. “I got a call from… this person…”
“Who? Who called you?”
“If I tell you, he’ll come after me. He’s been calling me nonstop. If he finds out I’m here, that I saw you...”
“No one knows you’re here except a few people that I trust with my life.”
“That’s just it, Jake. These people you think you know? You think you can trust? You can’t trust any of them. You can’t trust strangers and you can’t trust friends. You can’t trust fans and you can’t trust enemies. Not in our line of work. Everyone always wants a piece of you. Everyone always wants what they think you have. You need to be careful, okay? Trust no one.”
Jake could tell she was scared. He could tell she was serious and maybe even honest. Was someone he trusted or someone he knew responsible for this? “Does this have anything to do with Peter Markum?”
“Who?” she questioned as if she hadn’t heard him.
Jake shuffled as he glanced down at the pen in his shirt. He hoped Madi was able to hear everything.
“Just tell me what happened. Tell me what you can,” he replied.
She took a deep breath and sat back down on the bed. “I got a call telling me I had to go to Australia. I was told he had a part for me to play. He said if I did what he asked, I’d never have to hear from him again.”
Jake nodded his head and watched as she stood and paced the room.
“When I arrived at the airport, there was a hotel key card and a car waiting for me. I followed the directions. I opened the door and saw you. I didn’t even know why I was there. You were naked and lying on the bed. Youweren’tawake. I was told to undress and play the part. I was told to make love to you.”
Jake swallowed hard. “Did we… did we have sex?”
“No!” she gasped. “I may be an exhibitionist and really stupid, but I’m not a rapist!”
Jake expelled a long, held breath from his lips.
“I was told to make itlooklike we were making love. If it makes you feel any better, I cried afterwards. It actually would have been nice, you know? To kiss you. To be wanted by someone like you. You’re a fine looking man and a good one too.”
Jake pursed his lips. “Please. Don’t do this,” he pleaded. “Like I told you before. You and me… It isn’t going to happen.”
She nodded her head. “You really love her, don’t you?”
“More than she knows.”
“I’m sorry about you two. I could tell she really cared about you.” Jake nodded his head.
“What happened after the pictures?” he asked.
“I left. I didn’t know what was going to happen. He told me that I needed to disappear for a few days. He said if I ever told anyone what had happened, that it would be the end of me. He said I should keep my mouth shut and that if I did what I was told, he’d never contact me again. I believed him, until…”
“Until what?” Jake asked.
“Until he called me again. He told me that he’d had some time to think. That he’d been looking at the pictures and he’d decided that he and I made a good team. He said he wasn’t ready to give me up.”
Jake shook his head. “What a bastard. I’m sorry, Allie. Let me help you. Tell me who’s doing this to you.”
“As much as I want to, I can’t. Not right now. I need some time to think. I’m thinking about just coming clean. Then maybe he won’t be able to use me anymore. Just know that what I did—what I’ve done… I never meant to hurt anyone.”
Jake nodded as he watched her pace nervously. “I have people. Good people, who can help. Just say the word…”
“Thank you, Jake. You’ve always been so good to me, and now, even after everything I’ve done—”
“I’m not happy, don’t get me wrong, and I’m not giving this up, even if you’re not willing to tell me who’s behind this. I’m going to find out, one way or another. But at least I know the truth about the pictures. Not knowing—not being able to remember—was killing me inside. I can only hope that Madi can forget what she thinks she saw and give me another chance.” He bent his head a little lower as he spoke, making sure Madi could hear every word he said. Hoping that somehow, they’d be able to get past this and put it behind them.
***
