Just The Tip - Cassandra Dee Page 0,28
needed to be a bitch just to defend myself, to get by in a world that was skewed at the most basic level.
But I’d worked to fix things as an adult, recognizing that I couldn’t survive long-term with a bad personality. Modeling, of all things, had taught me that, taught me humility, that my looks were fleeting, that there was more to life than self-protection.
And the difference in sorting out this mess was really Rafe. The big man had taken charge and I was eternally grateful. Stunned by the revelation of my birth, I’d been a shell, unable to function, collapsing in on myself.
“Rafe, what do we do next?” I asked in a whisper.
“Well, I know what I want,” he said, one brow arched wryly. He’d swooped down on me with a kiss, his lips covering my reassuringly, that big bulk shielding me from the terrors of the world.
And I was eternally grateful. I didn’t think I could survive another day without him, my life had become a hellhole and Rafe’s presence soothed me, acting as a bulwark against the horror of discovering my real past. I was an orphan essentially, Elaine and Mark Golden long since dead.
But the alpha male had taken command of the situation with force and vigor.
“Call MGC Agency,” he’d barked into his phone. And we’d flown up to San Francisco immediately, his authoritative air demanding respect when that bitch Deborah welcomed us into her office.
“Mr. Connor,” she breathed. “What an unexpected surprise! We never thought that the CEO of Levast Corp. would visit a modeling agency in person. Jenna,” she said nodding to me, her expression insincere and simpering.
He didn’t respond to her compliments.
“MGC is signing Jenna Walsh again,” he said. “Immediately. Now.”
“But we can’t,” prevaricated Deborah. “We don’t do porn stars, it’s not in our image, it’ll just bring us down.”
“Do it,” he’d growled. Rafe didn’t even get into an explanation of why or why not, but I guess it didn’t matter. Like magic, a contract appeared and I was a working model once again, albeit one without any jobs.
“Promote her,” he growled angrily at Deborah. “Putting Jenna into magazines and shows is your number one priority going forward.”
“Of course,” murmured Deborah obediently, her eyes flashing at me curiously. “I’m sure Levast will book her for its shows?”
“Absolutely yes,” said Rafe. “And your cut’s only going to be 2%, take it or leave it.”
Given that Levast was a huge potential client, MGC took it and my career was restored. I had shows to walk, photo shoots to be at, my face appearing on national magazine covers once again.
“But what about Violet? What about the porn?” I asked plaintively. “I want people to know that it wasn’t me, that I’m not dirty like that,” I said. It was true. I felt this was essential to reestablishing my image, to clarify that I’d been the victim of a maleficent plot and unlucky past.
“Baby, this is going to be tough to swallow,” said Rafe soothingly, “but no one’s going to believe that it wasn’t you in the video. Who would believe claims of a long-lost identical twin? It’s so far-fetched that it’s better to just wait it out. Don’t worry, with Levast at your back, your career will be back on track within weeks.”
“Are you sure?” I said cautiously. “There were a lot of gleeful people gloating at my demise after that video came out. Besides, couldn’t we trot Violet out for some talk shows or something? People can see with their own eyes that she’s real.”
Jake shook his head slowly. “Listen honey,” he said, tracing my cheek with one big finger. “I know how much you want to reveal the truth, but you’ll be okay, just let this blow over on its own. Look at Frederick Ecklund. That loser did porn and now he’s a millionaire real estate broker with his own TV show and book deal. You’ll be fine,” he growled, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I promise.”
And I sighed, leaning into my man. I hoped it would be true, prayed it would be true because I had another miracle to share.
“Rafe,” I said. “I appreciate what you’ve done for me, I really do, but why? Why did you appear out of the woodwork to save me when you could have left me to suffer?”
“Because I realized that you had more to offer than I’d given you credit for,” he said simply. “You’re sensuous, beautiful, intelligent, and everything I’m looking for. I’d been stupid,