“And that’s where you got the tattoos?” I remembered the first time I saw his back at the second fight night and was struck by the designs. He hadn’t yet told me about them.
Leo nodded. “I got the nine-spired Gao Yord first.” He reached around to instinctively rub the back of his neck.
I had studied them closely when he’d slept naked on his stomach one night. There were nine parallel spires of increasing height leading to the centre. Each spire shot out from oval shapes.
“It’s a geometric design representing the nine sacred peaks of Mount Meru,” he continued. “The three ovals one above the other is a Buddhist symbol.”
“Did you practice Buddhism?”
“I wouldn’t say practiced, but I studied it and have a deep respect for it.”
“What does the tattoo mean?”
“It’s said that the bearer of the Gao Yord is blessed with the protection from evil spirits and will have good luck.”
“And the other one? The tigers?”
He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “The Tiger Yant. The tiger symbolises strength and power. Supposedly nothing gets in the way of the tiger because it’s fearless and strong.”
“So that’s the meaning behind it?”
“It helps bring strength, power and fearlessness, but will also drive evil spirits away.”
“Evil spirits, huh.”
He just nodded.
“Well I think they’re smokin’ hot.” I winked and was rewarded by his light chuckle.
“I’m glad you think so ‘cause they’re kinda permanent.”
“Have you ever thought about getting any others?” I asked, intrigued.
“Not really.” He leaned back on his chair and laced his fingers behind his head. “I know for a fact you don’t have any.” His gaze raked down my body and a shiver ran through me. “You ever considered it?”
I leaned forward and rested my elbows on the table. “It had never appealed to me until recently.”
“Oh yeah.”
“They were just far too permanent.”
“Would’ve pissed your mum off too, I’m guessing.”
“I could’ve put it somewhere she’d never see, but my motives were never to piss her off.” I took a sip of water and Leo did the same. “Hiding who I was and indulging my need for adrenaline with boxing, racing and fight nights was never about pissing her off.”
“You are a beautiful person, Jules.” His sincerity made my heart swell and my cheeks burn.
“Thanks.” I scrunched my face up.
“So, I was thinking,” he said, removing his hands from behind his head and reaching for mine across the table.
“Sounds dangerous.”
He chuckled. “I was thinking we could head out to the farm on Saturday and spend the night out there.”
Taken aback, but overjoyed, I nodded my head excitedly. “I would love that.”
“I haven’t forgotten what you said in that hotel bar in Perth, and I think it’s time I told you what happened to my father.”
I sucked in a breath as my heartbeat took off at a sprint. “Thank you,” I whispered.
Dam refused payment and we left after saying our goodbyes.
When we got outside, Leo suggested we go for a walk instead of going straight home.
Before we got too far, he piped up. “So I did have another reason for bringing you here and telling you about Thailand.”
“You did?” To be honest, I didn’t need him to have a point. He had started opening up to me about his past and that was massive.
“I’ve been thinking about your job dilemma a lot.”
“And that made you think of Thai food?” I smirked.
Leo chuckled. “Most things make me think about food, but I did have a point.” He chuckled and I leaned into him, eager to feel his body pressed against my side. “My point was that I thought I had everything worked out from a young age. I knew what I wanted, I studied my arse off, got into uni, changed my mind, and then it all went to shit.” He huffed out a loud breath. “Life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to, even when you have a tight plan and a steely determination to see it through.”
He stopped and turned me to face him. “I was going to be a doctor and I ended up in a fight club in Thailand getting inked.”
“Okay. That’s a fair point.”
“I know I’ve said this before, but life can be messy. When I thought I’d lost my way, I turned to fighting. Not because of my anger towards my mother or the grief from losing my father, but because it’s what I love to do and it helped me work through my grief.”
“I really appreciate you wanting to help me with my job dilemma, but all the things I love to do are hobbies.”
“Start there.”
“Okay. Well, then. Maybe something to do with race cars?” The joy I found in driving was never just about silently rebelling against my mother. I genuinely love it.
“Ugh.” Leo’s groan made me laugh. “Why couldn’t your hobbies be cooking or sewing or something that wouldn’t give me heart failure.”
“If you’re looking for a domestic goddess, I’m afraid you’re with the wrong girl.”
“You don’t have to come up with a solution right away, but start thinking about options. Maybe give your friend Jim a call.”
We walked in silence for a few minutes and my mind went immediately back to Leo’s invitation to the farmhouse.
“Are we staying in the house?” I blurted out, not meaning to put a voice to my question.
He shook his head. “We could stay at Bea and Angus’s place, but I had another idea if you’re up for it.”
“Tell me.”
“I was thinking we could camp in the garden at the farmhouse.”
I squealed. “I love camping.”
“Something told me you would.” He laughed at my excitement. “I can’t really see Isabel camping, so when have you done it?”
“My grandparents used to pitch a tent at their farm when I went to stay with them. They let me sleep in the garden. I loved it.”
“Camping it is, then.” He took my hand and started walking in the direction of my car.
“I can’t wait.” I could barely keep my feet from dancing on the spot.
He stopped and pulled me to him. “God, I’m so bloody lucky.”
Before I had a chance to say anything, he was kissing me. It had started to rain lightly and I felt raindrops land on my eyelashes. It was one of those beautiful moments when everything felt right in the world. Leo had started opening up and appeared comfortable doing so, and I was thinking about new careers. I smiled against his lips as the rain started to fall more heavily and I realised we were actually getting really wet.
“Let’s go home.”
“Don’t you two make the most adorable couple?”
We both spun around to be confronted by Gwendolyn standing on the footpath a few feet away under a large black umbrella.
Leo’s arm tightened around me. “What are you doing here?” he asked in a menacing tone.
“I just had dinner with your parents, Juliette.” Her saccharine smile was really creepy. “It’s so nice they are making an effort with your boyfriend’s mother.” She tapped the side of her nose. “I think they might still be worried he’s going to be their son-in-law though.”
“You have no business with Juliette’s family and you have no business with us.” Leo coaxed me around so we had our backs to her.”
“We need to talk, Leo.”
Leo ushered me under a shop awning a few metres away to get me out of the rain. “Wait here one second,” he whispered, before striding over to Gwendolyn.
I couldn’t hear what was being said, but from the tension rolling off Leo and the angry hand gestures, it wasn’t going well.
After several minutes, Gwendolyn left without saying goodbye to me and Leo returned to me looking like he might explode.
“You okay?” I asked, placing my hand o
n his chest.
“I’m so sorry about that.” He enveloped me in his arms. “I’m going to sort this out with her.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Leo
When Jules left for work the next day, I headed home then went for a long run to ease some of my tension before meeting with my mother. Having her show up out of the blue rattled me, and I needed to make sure that wasn’t going to happen again. If I was going to keep moving forward with Juliette, I knew this was something I had to do, so I had agreed to meet her today.
When I arrived in Carlton where we’d agreed to meet the night before, I cursed the driver of a red Honda Civic who’d managed to selfishly take up two spots close to the café so I had to find somewhere a little farther away then walk back along the busy street to our meeting place. I saw her immediately when I entered and grimaced when she stood up to greet me.
“Good to see you again, son.”
I shuddered when she called me son, but didn’t say anything. “Have you ordered?”
“Not yet.”
“What do you want?”
“Long black.”
I walked up to the counter and took some deep breaths while I placed my order. I could not believe I was standing in the same room as this woman, but I had a single purpose. Then I’d be gone.
I reluctantly walked back to her and sat down. “What are you doing back in Melbourne?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
“Melbourne is my home too, Leo, and you’re my only family.”
“You need money, don’t you?” I saw through her attempt at nostalgia immediately.
She clasped her hands in front of her on the table and I was met with cool eyes. “I’ve done some research and it turns out you received a much better deal. That farmhouse is worth a great deal more than the Sydney house.”
“Are you serious?” I asked incredulously. “Everything, other than the farmhouse, went to you. You should’ve been set up for life.” I knew it was going to be about money.
She shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable. “I may have made a few poor investment choices.”
“So, you’ve blown the cash and now you’ve come crawling back here wanting to further benefit from my father’s death?” My expression was deadpan, but my tone had bite. “Have I missed anything?”
“If you want me out of your life, you’ll help me out.”
I placed both hands on the table and was about to stand up. She was out of her mind if she thought I would give her one cent.
“That Juliette is quite the beauty, isn’t she? Too good—”
“Stop.” I cut her off. Her voice was causing bile to rise in my throat.
“I don’t want you to mention her name again, and after this conversation, you’ll forget she exists. Do you understand?”
“Poor girl has been through so much already.” Her pout was laughable and made my blood boil.
“I can protect Juliette from you.” I had to take some calming breaths to stop myself from strangling her. “You need to back off.”
“She lives in Apartment 516, Highgate Building, Southbank. The concierges, whilst efficient, aren’t always at the desk.” She raised her eyebrows. “She does boxing training every Thursday evening from six thirty to eight with Zac then walks home by herself.” Her smile widened. “I know where she works and her favourite café is McQuillens.”
“I get your point.” The bitch knew she had me over a barrel when it came to Juliette’s vulnerabilities. I couldn’t protect her twenty-four seven.
She held up her hand. “Wait. I have more. I met with her delightful ex-boyfriend, Richard, the other day. Despite being completely terrified of you, he is not at all happy with his fall from grace and I know he can be bought.”
“I have no proof of what you did, but we both know you could give me the closure you know I need.” I knew my eyes were filled with hate and she winced slightly when she met my gaze. “I can’t believe you are here for more.” I shook my head, disgusted by her. “Why didn’t you just go out and find yourself a sugar daddy?”
“There’s only one way to keep your little princess safe.” She scoffed, and the sly grin had returned. “I want five hundred thousand dollars.”
I snorted. “I don’t have that kind of money.”
“Sell the farmhouse,” she stated, sitting back in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest. “Developers are sniffing around the area and the value has skyrocketed.”
“Never,” I spat. “It was my father’s house and it has always been passed down through the generations. I’ll never sell it. The farmhouse is mine.” Despite the horrifying memory of that one fateful day, I loved that house and the farm because it was all him. He lived and breathed in that house, and I’d let his death overshadow that.
“Find the money, Leo.” Her eyes were menacing and my rage began to bubble. She cocked her head. “Is she worth that to you?”
I wasn’t going to dignify her question. No one had a price tag, least of all Juliette. “It had been your home,” I whispered. “You had the love of the best man I’ve ever known and you threw it away.”
“That man didn’t love me,” she rebuffed. “He loved that stupid house, he loved his wine cellar and he loved you.”
“He worshipped the ground you walked on. I might’ve been a naïve teenager, but I know that was true.”
She shook her head and shivered. “That’s all ancient history now.”
“I know you had something to do with his death.” My acerbic words had no impact on her hard expression.
She smiled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, son.”
I was staring directly into soulless eyes, a reminder I didn’t need that she was evil. That was our truth, and sometimes there was no forgiveness, no rehabilitation or acceptance. Sometimes there’s just this—a forever damaged son staring at his mother’s black soul. Her cold indifference was something I’d never quite been able to block out over the years. It was the expression that had flashed through my mind every time I’d landed a punch on my opponent’s face, and it was staring right at me. “If I decide to get you the money, you’ll go back to Sydney or wherever the hell else you want to be as long as it’s far from here and never come back.” I was starting to lose my shit. “Unless you are willing to tell me what I want to know, you will stay out of my life. I stood up and leaned forward over the table to get in her face. “And you stay away from Juliette or you and I are gonna have a serious problem.” I waved my finger between us.
Though her face had visibly paled, she sat up straighter in her chair. “I was hoping you’d found someone you loved more than you hated me.” She winked. “She’s your weakness.”
I stared at the woman I hoped to never lay eyes on again. “I’ll be in contact when I’ve made my decision.” I turned my back on her and walked towards the exit.
“Don’t take too long,” she called out. “Having you was the biggest mistake of my life.”
I stopped and turned. “Well, I’d be happy if you pretended I didn’t exist.” I sounded remarkably calm. “Don’t call Juliette and don’t ever set foot on my property.”
My body shook as I walked out of that café and away from the woman who destroyed lives.
I pulled out my phone and tapped the screen. Derek, the illegal cage fight promoter, answered on the third ring. “What’s up, Leo?”
“I want in on your next fight.”
“That is really great news for me,” he replied. “I’ve had a few dropouts so you’d actually be doing me a solid.”
“I’m ready to fight. Thanks, mate.”
“The next one is a couple of weeks away so I’ll text you the details as usual.”
I hung up feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The prize money was going to help pay my mother off quickly, but I also couldn’t deny the lure of the cage. I would just have to make sure Juliette stayed away.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Juliette
I
knew of a store that sold sexy lingerie, and not just your standard Victoria’s Secret kind of sexy. From what I could tell from subtly glancing in the window, it was a whole new level of apparel designed with one thing in mind. Sweet Spot, located in Melbourne Central shopping centre, held everything I could possibly need to blow Leo’s mind and take it off the confrontation with his mother. When I’d come home from work on Tuesday evening, he’d hugged me like he hadn’t seen me in months. I’d asked what was wrong and he’d told me he’d met with his mother and we wouldn’t be seeing or hearing from her again. When I tried to press him for details, he’d said he would tell me everything at the farm, so I didn’t push it.
Friday lunchtime, I made my way to the store with a skip in my step. Leo had spoken to Adriana the night before when he’d gone into work, and she had actually been about to tell him she was leaving too. She was moving to Aireys Inlet with her new bank manager boyfriend, nicknamed Superman by Leo. He’d been looking for a sea change too. Leo was worried she was moving too fast with this new guy, but she’d reassured him she was deliriously happy. Leo, bless him, couldn’t argue with that.
Sweet Spot was all black, gold and expensive looking. I made the decision not to look at the price tags and was just going to be governed by my gut instinct. I’d know it when I saw it.
I knew lingerie and camping didn’t necessarily go hand in hand, but as we kept realising, we didn’t do anything by the book, and I was going to make him forget his own name. The thought made me smile as I entered the store.
“You look happy.” The friendly sales assistant made me feel comfortable immediately, despite being surrounded by sex toys and erotic underwear. “Are you looking for something special?” She was dressed in a form-fitted white shirt tucked into a tight leopard print skirt. Her skin-tone stockings had a black line trim down the back. Her heels were higher than I’d ever dare, but completed her surprisingly classy outfit. She completely owned her look with a confidence I admired.
Impact (The Fight for Life #2) Page 14
