Chapter Nineteen
Lila remained still, frozen in fear as she remained positioned behind Spencer. She had seen that look on Christian's face enough to know that good things were not in store for her. This past winter he had broken her arm when she refused his sexual overtures, despite the fact that no didn't mean anything to him. A month ago he had slapped her so hard blood gushed from her nose because she failed to nab a part in a film. Spencer sensed her fear and moved closer to Christian, all while blocking Lila from his view.
"Anything you need to say can be said right here, right now," Spencer said, doing his best to keep his emotions at bay. The idea of someone inflicting this much fear in the woman he loved so much made him feel an overwhelming rage and hatred he had never felt before. He wanted nothing more than to rip the bastard apart.
"Is this how it is now, Lila? Are you so intent on ruining your career you'll hide behind the government to do it?"
"What are you talking about?" Lila whispered, forcing the words past the lump in her throat.
"I've been trying to call you all damn day Lila, but your Goddamn phone was turned off." Sure enough, Lila had indeed shut it off because she wanted to spend the entire day alone with Spencer with no interruptions.
"The reason I was calling, in case you're even remotely interested, is because Hunter wanted to meet with you again. Jerry was free this afternoon and Hunter wanted to arrange a luncheon so the two of you could meet. After wasting an hour trying to contact you, both men decided they wanted to 'explore other possiblities' with regard to Peepshow. They felt that you 'lacked the commitment and passion necessary to help bring the show to life.' All fucking day I have been trying to salvage your career while you've been too busy playing hooky with Deputy fucking Fife over here!"
Christian reached into his suit jacket to pull out a magazine, ladden with pictures of Lila and Spencer at the magic fair, along with a detailed article dissecting their relationship. He threw it in Lila's direction, the revoltion seeping through, a tsunami against the charming, laid back vibe he was trying so hard to project. Spencer caught the magazine mid air and chucked it back at Christian, hitting him in the chest.
"My name is Supervisory Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid," Spencer said coldly, assuming his best alpha male position. "I'm with the FBI and you will not disrespect Lila while I'm here."
"Oh, is that so?" Christian said, arching an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest. "And just long exactly will you be here? Lila's men have a tendancy to grow weary of her rather quickly."
"I'm an exception to the rule," Spencer said.
"Oh really and why is that? Because Lila messed with your junk a bit and said she liked you? Well, I have a newsflash for you, kid. Lila is nothing more than a washed-up Hollywood wore that I wouldn't give the time of day if it wasn't for her ample busom and smokin hot ass."
Before anyone could react, Spencer lurched towards him, pining him against the wall with a sickening thud. Christian winced in pain, despite his desire to keep his discomfort on the down low. Lila shirked back, looking stunned while Jude acted as if he wasn't even there. Christian tried to wriggle out of Spencer's grasp, but Spencer clutched him tighter, slamming him into the wall again.
"It's because Lila is a woman worthy of dignity and respect and I will not allow the woman I love to be treated with anything less than that. I know you think you're something special because of your job and the power you think it provides, but you're nothing. You're just a self absorbed wanna-be who gets off on hurting and dominating young women. You're about as effective as an agent as an umbrella during a Tsunami."
"You don't know anything about me, Special Agent asshole," Christian hissed.
"Your pseudenum is Christian St. James, but your birthname is Marvin Short. You claim to be in your early thirties, but you're actually pushing forty. Although you claim a pampered upbringing in Bel Air, you were raised by a lower middle class family in Detroit. Your father, George Short, was a dishonorably discharged marine who divided his time between binge drinking and using you and your mother as punching bags before finally walking out on you when you were ten. Your mother, Susan, turned to prostitution to support you and her growing drug habit, which helped cause your hatred of women.
I know that you were fired from three different agencies due to complaints from clients and co workers alike. On the surface you appear to have the success most men dream of, but the truth is everything is about to blow up in your face. Once the other young women you have harassed and abused come forward, your days in Hollywood will be finished."
"What the fuck are you talking about? My business is booming, I have millions in the bank, and there's no way any of those sluts would say a damn word about me."
"Oh they will--and have," Spencer said casually. "I had my team do some digging and it wasn't that difficult to find women who are more than happy to make you pay for what you've done. Even if you never see a day in prison, civil suits can be quite the pain in the ass, or so I'm told. Oh, and speaking of derriere discomfort, the IRS was very interested to discover you haven't claimed taxes in almost six years. So in between the multiple civil and criminal suits and audits, I'm afraid you won't have much time for Lila."
Christian lunged at Spencer, his hands grabbing for his throat. Spencer reacted quickly and it wasn't long until Christian landed flat on his back, the wind having been knocked out of him. Spencer held his hands over his head, his knee positioned right below his groin.
"Anymore bright ideas, Marvin?" Spencer asked, inching his knee up higher.
"You're fucking crazy, man," Christian sputtered, the fear of God struck into his dark eyes.
"When it comes to protecting Lila and her well being there isn't anything I won't do," Spencer said evenly. It was at that moment two uniformed officers stepped off the elevator.
"Agent Reid, is this the man you told us about?" one of the officers asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact it is," Spencer replied, standing to his feet and dragging Christian up with him.
"I trust you can take it from here," he replied, shoving Christian in their direction.
"Yes, sir," the officer said, cuffing Christian as he read him his rights. As the officers dragged Christian away, Spencer looked over in Jude's direction.
"You're free to leave as well, Jude," Spencer said coldly.
"Pardon me sir, but you don't have the authority to do that. I am employed by Miss Archer and the security agency that placed me with her."
"Well, pardon me Jude, but that's where you're wrong. I made a call to your supervisor and he was most troubled by what I had to tell him. Apparently security guards are supposed to prevent their clients from being abused by their agents, as well as themselves. Your boss felt it was best to suspend you 'upon further investigation into the charges.'"
Jude looked at Spencer, slack-jawed. Once he was able to collect himself, he crept towards the elevator, unable to make eye contact with Spencer or Lila. Once he stepped inside and let the door close behind him, Spencer and Lila were left alone with each other.