Illusions of Love

chapter 11



Charley felt as though she was operating on auto pilot as she threw a pile of Lily’s clothes into a suitcase, flinging open drawers and cupboards as she stuffed as much as she could into the cases as quickly as possible. She’d already called a cab to take them to the airport because she just wanted to get to Vegas as soon as she could now.

The reappearance of Jimmy Cash had done more than shake her, it had knocked her sideways in a way she’d never thought possible and she just needed to get away from L.A. for a while, away from a threat she’d never, ever thought she’d have to face again. But, more than anything, she wanted her daughter away from a man Charley could only describe as evil.

She didn’t know why he’d shown up now, she’d had no idea he’d even been released from jail, but then, why would she? It wasn’t like she kept up with everything he did. Quite the opposite, in fact. But the second they’d put him behind bars she’d probably, somewhat naively, thought that that was it, that he was out of her life for good. That’s what she’d hoped, but he obviously wasn’t someone who put the past behind them and that’s what Charley feared more than anything. Because he hadn’t just turned up to say hello, that much was obvious.

She knew that him turning up at the salon – she knew that was just the beginning, and it made her blood run cold again to think about what he might have planned, what it was he’d come here to do. Because Jimmy Cash was a dangerous man. All those years locked away obviously hadn’t changed him, but why would they? He liked to have power over people, he liked the way that made him feel, and once again he had power over Charley and that scared her. She’d been down this road before and she’d come through it, but this time she had other people to think about. This time she had Lily. This time she had Vince. And the thought that something could happen to either of them terrified her.

She sat down on the edge of the bed and looked out of the window at the incredible view spread out in front of her – the grounds and gardens of her lovely, safe family home. Except, it didn’t feel safe anymore. Not with Jimmy Cash out there. He knew where her salon was; he was bound to know where she lived. Another shiver ran through her as she stood up, zipping the second case shut and locking it, hauling it down onto the floor before walking over to one of the huge picture windows, drawing the curtains. What use that would do she didn’t know, she wasn’t exactly thinking rationally at the minute, but just knowing he was out there was enough to make her feel sick to her stomach, as if history was repeating itself, and she couldn’t bear that.

‘Lily! Come on, sweetheart! Grab your teddy and let’s get going, baby! We don’t want to be late!’

She pulled their cases out of the bedroom and closed the door behind her, leaning back against the wall and closing her eyes for a second as she listened to the sounds of her daughter playing in her room along the landing, her baby voice singing away to herself, totally unaware of the mess her mummy’s life could become all over again.

Jimmy hadn’t told her why he’d suddenly turned up here, but why would he? That would be too easy for him, that wouldn’t give him any control, no hold over her, and she knew that’s what he wanted. He wanted control – over her. Just like he’d had before, and she couldn’t let that happen. Whatever he wanted, whatever he had planned, she didn’t care; she wasn’t going to let him get to her, not this time. She was stronger now – look how far she’d come!

No, whatever he had planned she wasn’t going to let it get to her. She was going to get away from here and away from the dark shadow his reappearance had cast over her life. He wouldn’t touch her in Vegas, not with Vince there. Surely even Jimmy wouldn’t be stupid enough to try anything when she’d be around so many other people, in the middle of a major movie set? Maybe he wouldn’t even know she’d gone. Maybe Vegas was her escape, somewhere she could run to to get her head together and try and work out what to do next. Jimmy was unpredictable but maybe this time she could stay one step ahead.

She opened her eyes as her little girl ran out of her room, her favourite teddy bear dangling from one hand and Charley crouched down to scoop her up as she ran into her arms.

‘Are we going to see Daddy now, Mommy?’

Charley smiled. The first smile she’d given since Jimmy had reappeared. ‘Yes, baby, we’re going to see Daddy. We’re going to see Daddy right now.’



***



Jimmy sat back in his chair, hung up the phone and smiled to himself as he pulled his now ever-present Stetson down over his eyes. So, she thought that running to Vegas would mean she was safe; she thought it would help the situation, make him back off – how naïve she still was. Did she honestly think, even for one second, that he wouldn’t know where she was going? Because he did. He knew exactly where she was going, and he was planning on going there too. Where was the fun in staying here in L.A. when the game had just moved to Vegas? A city for gamblers – and Charley had just played the biggest gamble of her life.