“I think so. I don’t have any gigs scheduled till next week.”
Sossity paid. They went out to the parking lot. Just as few steps from the door they heard someone shout.
“Leah!”
Both women turned in the direction of the male voice. Leah’s eyes grew round with fear. The young man
coming toward them was tall and handsome, with dark skin and curly black hair. He looked Dominican or
Italian. He walked toward them, expression belligerent, and seized Leah’s arm.
“Goddamn it,” he growled, “I told you to call me.”
He shook her violently. The paparazzi were there in a moment with their cameras. Sossity interposed
herself between the young man and Leah.
“Leave her alone, you bastard.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
“Someone with enough money to hire a lawyer who’ll get your ass locked up for the next twenty years,”
she shot back. “Either let go of her or I’ll call the police.” She moved in closer, wedging herself more firmly
between Leah and her assailant. “Let go of her arm,” she said, her jaw tight. He sneered. He looked like he
might hit her. “Don’t even think about it,” she said.
Recognition lit his eyes.
“I know who you are,” he said, his lip curling up in contempt.
“Let go of her arm. I swear to God, I’ll have you arrested.”
By now people had noticed the altercation. The young man abruptly let go and walked backward, pointing.
“I’ll be back,” he said to Leah, pointing at her. He hurried to his car. “Don’t think this is over. I told you
to call me and you’d goddamned better do it.”
Leah w