*
Nervously Sally entered the restaurant and glanced over to the bar area hoping to see Peter already sat there, but she was disappointed. In fact, Peter was going to be late as there had been an accident in one of his meth warehouses. Usually he did not go near the places, but tonight he had to.
Over the years Peter had taken more and more responsibility for Reg’s business, until Reg was nothing more than a figure head with Peter making all the key decisions. By keeping himself clear of the police he was now slowly legitimizing his businesses with the plan to make all his activities perfectly legal. But this was still some time away, and for now the drugs were still the core of his income.
Recently one of his warehouses had employed a few new men to prepare the meth and unfortunately tonight one of them had used slightly too much of a volatile chemical causing the whole caustic substance to explode. The worker who was closest was killed instantly and the rest of the men were covered in burns. One of them had somehow managed to ingest some of the substance and he had melted from the inside out, his digestive organs burning causing him to die in agonising pain.
By the time Peter arrived it was total chaos with men lying on the ground, rolling around in agony as their skin was burned from their bones. Making a quick decision Peter told his uninjured workers to help the people who could be saved into the vans and shouted, ‘Get them the hell out of here! You two, with me!’
He waited until the men were clear of the building, and then ordered the two men to open up the barrels of acid that they used in the production of the drug. ‘Right, get them two and dump them in the barrels!’
‘But, but one of them is still alive?’
‘He won’t be for long. Do it!’ Peter pulled out a gun that had been tucked in his waistband and pointed it at the men. ‘Now!’
Quickly they walked across and lifted each of the men between them and dumped them into the barrels both of them jumping back as displacement occurred and the acid overflowed from their containers.
‘Right, you, dump the remains of that stupid fucking idiot,’ Peter indicated the melted remains of the worker who had blown himself up, ‘into another barrel and you, pour some from another barrel over where the worst of his blood and guts are. Wash it all away! Do it quick!’
Peter’s idea was to leave no trace of what had occurred here so he spent some time pouring petrol over the walls of the warehouse, throwing some up onto the ceiling too. His thoughts were by the time the fire department put the fire out and were able to investigate the cause; the men in the barrels would be unrecognisable therefore eliminating the trouble of getting rid of their bodies.
When they were ready Peter told the two men to leave and he screamed into the empty warehouse in frustration and anger. ‘For fuck’s sake! Useless mother fucking bastards! Follow the simple fucking instructions!’
With a rage he pulled out his gun again and started firing to the far side of the warehouse, causing sparks to fly. After a few shots one of the sparks ignited some of the petrol and Peter watched as flames whooshed up and took hold, burning the structure of the warehouse. For a few minutes he watched as the building burned, and when he could feel the heat of the flames on his face he turned and left. The two men had taken their car so with another curse Peter got into one of his other cars, a Porsche, and drove quickly home to get changed for his date.
*
Swearing Peter turned his Ferrari into the car park of the restaurant and quickly parked it. As he ran towards the entrance he sniffed himself making doubly sure that he no longer smelled like he had spent the last day swimming in a pool full of petrol. Satisfied he burst through the doors and saw Sally sat on her own at the bar nursing a small glass of wine. He muttered a swear word and walked quickly over to her. ‘Sally! I’m so, so sorry! I tried to call but all I got was your answer phone?’
‘It’s okay. I’m just glad you came. You’re only a bit late anyway.’
‘Fifteen minutes isn’t a bit late, it’s rude late.’
‘No, honestly, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. What was the problem?’
‘Oh, a nightmare at work. Some junior made a mistake, a big one. I had to sort it out. Imbecile, but I suppose we all have to start somewhere.’
‘Yeah, we do. Would you like a drink?’
‘Usually when I drive I don’t at all, but I really want a beer now so I’ll have a bottle of,’ he paused while he looked in the refrigerators behind the bar, ‘Corona.’ As Sally reached into her handbag to get some money Peter touched her arm lightly and said, ‘No, tonight is on me.’
‘I can pay my own way.’
‘No, I insist and it is not negotiable! Barman, a Corona and some more wine please, make it a bottle actually.’
After their drinks were brought and he had topped up Sally’s wine he asked whether she was ready to go through to the table. She replied with a nod and a waiter led Sally to their table. As he walked Peter could not help admire Sally, her toned muscular back that led down to her tight bottom and her long, slender legs. Peter was surprised at the rudeness of the waiter and tutted as the waiter brushed past him. ‘Here, allow me.’ He quickly walked round to her side of the table and pulled the chair out for her. With a smile at him she sat down and so did he in his seat. ‘Terrible service, good food though. Sorry about that.’
‘It’s okay. Can’t remember the last time I was in a restaurant to be honest.’
‘I don’t understand why a woman like you would have not been in a restaurant for a long time.’
‘What do you mean a woman like me?
‘Well just in case you haven’t looked in the mirror recently, you’re beyond gorgeous.’
He watched as Sally flushed. ‘I can’t remember the last time I received such a lovely compliment either.’
‘Well, you are. So why have you not been on a date for so long?’
‘I don’t get out much. I have children to look after so I don’t get to meet many men, and any men I do meet usually run a mile when they find out I have children.’
‘Those men should be locked in an asylum because they are clearly nuts!’
‘Thank you, again.’
‘No worries, but it is only the truth. Here,’ and he passed her a menu, ‘I highly recommend the Cannelloni but order whatever you like. And don’t you dare go for the cheapest thing on the menu!’
Sally nodded and they both spent some time consulting the menu, Sally picking out a starter and a not too cheap, not too expensive main course. While she was looking, Peter’s mobile rang.
‘Shit, sorry. I forgot to turn it off.’ He looked at the screen. ‘Ah, bugger. It’s my boss. I need to answer. Sorry.’
‘It’s fine. Go for it.’
‘Thank you.’ Peter touched her hand lightly as he walked away from the table and stepped out of the restaurant. Hesitantly he answered the phone.
‘And what the hell happened tonight?!’
‘I don’t exactly know yet Reg. There was an explosion. One of the new guys got the ingredients mixed up.’
‘I didn’t think it was that difficult to make?’
‘You know it’s not. Bar that spillage a few years ago this is the first accident we’ve ever had which, when you consider the chemicals we’re dealing with, is pretty good going in my eyes.’
‘I suppose. You destroyed the place?’
‘Should be burned to a cinder by now.’
‘Good. Come by my house tomorrow. I want more information about it.’
‘I will.’
‘Where are you now?’
‘On a date.’
‘On a date?! A few of our men have just been melted and you’re on a date? Fuck me Peter, that’s what I like about you; you just don’t give a shit do you?! See you tomorrow.’ As Reg rang off Peter shrugged his shoulders and went back into the restaurant.
‘Sorry about that. He wanted more info about what had happened. It’s off now. Very rude of me again.’
‘That’s fine
, don’t worry about it.’
‘You okay. You’re not saying much?’
‘Just a little nervous. Can’t remember the last time I was on a date with someone new.’
‘Ah well, have some more wine, relax and I’m sure we can get through the night together. First dates are always a bit awkward. So are you working at the moment?
So Sally made up some story about having to look after children and she did not mention anything about her father, how she had always relied on her partner to work and how she did not have many skills to offer companies. That was how the rest of the night went, both of them making small talk, getting to know each other.
By the time the coffees arrived Sally was feeling quite tipsy. She had drunk a full bottle of wine, alcohol that she was not used to, and Peter could tell this.
‘This coffee is abysmal. Tastes like wet cardboard…’
‘Whatever wet cardboard tastes like!’
‘Indeed! Come back to my place and I’ll make you a proper cup.’
‘I don’t know Peter, I hardly know you...’
‘Come on! Live life! It’s only a five minute drive from here and afterwards I’ll take you home.’
Sally pretended to think about it for a few moments, but she had already decided what her answer would be if a situation like this developed before she had even entered the restaurant. ‘Okay then. One coffee is not going to hurt and then I’ll go home.’
‘Perfect. Garcon! The bill!’
Their waitress walked over with the bill in her hand, threw it on the table and muttered, ‘Garcon means boy.’
With a slight look of surprise on his face at the cheek of the waitress, Peter shook his head, pulled a wad of cash out of his pocket, placed the appropriate amount on top of the bill along with the smallest of small tips. Quickly he stood and took Sally’s hand, leading her out of the restaurant to his Ferrari.
Sally sunk into the luxurious leather seats of his supercar and let out a sigh of contentment as Peter fired up the engine and then left the car park. ‘I love the feel of leather seats. Can’t remember the last time I sat in such a lovely car.’
‘So you’ve been in a Ferrari before?’
‘Yeah, but that was another life, another time.’
‘Comfy?’
‘Very.’
Peter looked across at her and she had her eyes closed. She looked totally relaxed, breathing deeply.
‘I love the smell of the leather too,’ Sally mumbled, ‘and I think this car is quite new.’
‘It is. Hey, my apartment is just down the road but you seem to be enjoying yourself where you are. Want to go for a little drive?’
‘Definitely.’
Peter drove them out of the city into the surrounding countryside and for the first time in as long as she could remember Sally felt relaxed. She was being chauffeured in a luxury car with a handsome man next to her and she felt quite contented. While they drove, Sally thought that if she could not get her exact life back she could at least find a man who can look after her and the children too. She had devoted enough of her life to David and now he had gone beyond depressed. Now he was bitter and evil, unable to forgive her for what her father had done to them. It was time to change.
Slowly she partly opened her eyes to see where his hand was and it was resting on the centre console. Casually she lifted her own hand and placed it gently on his. Sally felt the car jerk slightly as this simple gesture caught him off guard, and inwardly she smiled, remembering how easy it was to manipulate men.
All too soon for her the drive in the supercar that reminded her so much of her previous life was over and Peter pulled into his space under the apartment block. It was only when they entered the lobby did she realise where they were. He led them over to the elevator and pressed his card against the scanner and then pressed the button labelled PH which made Sally cringe as she realised she was about to be taken into the apartment that she used to own.
When they entered the apartment it was dark and Peter said, ‘You’ll like this! Lights! Four!’
For a moment Sally could not believe she was back in her apartment but she had to feign surprise and with obvious excitement she voice controlled the lights, smiling at Peter as she did so. ‘Nice place.’
‘Yeah, this apartment came on the market a couple of years ago. As soon as I saw it I had to have it. Never did meet the owner. It was all done very quickly and quite mysteriously through an agent.’
‘Wow! It is an amazing place!’ Sally wandered over to the balcony doors and looked out at the river and over the city.
‘Thank you.’ He walked over to where she was stood and hovered behind her. ‘Would you like that coffee?’
‘No, not really.’
A look of surprise flashed across his face and one of even bigger surprise as she took a step towards him, placed her arms around his neck and kissed him, passionately. Sally longed for some affection and the wine had made her bold. It was not just the sex she longed for, although after not making love for a long time her body was raging for sex. She also longed for the feel of a man in her arms, to be kissed and cuddled, to have a firm man between her legs as he made love to her all night.
As these thoughts crashed through her mind she increased the passion of her kiss and instantly she felt his body respond, pressing himself hard against her, rubbing his body against her. Slowly he moved his lips away, finishing the kiss, and then took her hand and led her up the stairs to his bedroom.
Before he had even closed the door Sally had unzipped and lowered her dress, standing in front of him in her sexy black lingerie. Peter flung the door closed and approached her to continue the kiss while leading her to his bed.
Chapter 46
They continued to date for the next couple of months, mostly meeting during the day when her children were at school, but when she could offload them to her friend sometimes they met at night. For Peter his initial intentions were to have a one night stand with Sally, but once he had seen her naked, laid between her legs, placed her body into all the positions he could think of and made love to her over and over again, he wanted more of her luscious body, he wanted more of watching her beautiful face orgasm again and again.
During these months Sally was in a daze of fresh love. From being unloved and having no affection shown to her to having such a wonderful man loving and caring for her after all she been through in the last seven years was amazing for her. He was eager to get to know her children some more, even agreeing with her to meet them after school or during school holidays. Those wonderful days spent in the park or having trips out to the zoo with her wonderful new man meant the world to her, but for Peter it was all an act, an act to ensure that he could continue to enjoy her body. He did not care about her and certainly did not care about another man’s children.
All this time Sally managed to keep her new relationship hidden from David and he did not question why all of a sudden she was spending so much time out of the apartment, including sometimes spending nights away. If he had been sober he may have realised the truth sooner, but it was only when he came to bed very late one drunken night and lay down in the bed next to her did he it finally sink in that something was not quite right. The trigger for this thought was the fact that Sally smelled of aftershave, and not a cheap aftershave either, an expensive smelling brand.
Sally had gotten careless and complacent. Usually after spending time with Peter she would shower and shampoo ensuring that no traces of him could be found on her body. Although it was her plan to leave David she wanted to do it on her terms, with her in control of it so she could ensure the safety of Sophia and Jacob.
That night she had been exhausted after a day of frantic sex with Peter and she had collapsed onto the bed after returning home meaning to have a little rest before showering. Unfortunately she fell asleep. Now, as David lay sniffing her sleeping body the thought that she was cheating on him entered his alcohol addled mind. Far too drunk to do anything about it at that mo
ment, he collapsed into a dreamless sleep, but in the morning the thought occurred to him again when he woke and he sniffed her pillow. The scent still lingered and it was unmistakable.
David stormed around the apartment looking for her but she was out, so he stormed into the kitchen and cracked open a can of beer, swigging a big mouthful and then let go a large burp. He looked at his watch and noted it had just gone noon so he settled down in front of the television with the intention of heading out to his children’s school later that afternoon.
At three he stood up and threw some scruffy clothes on and stepped out of the apartment for the first time in six months. He was surprised as he walked along that he was out of breath after only a few hundred meters, but he looked down at his beer belly and realised it was no wonder. He had to slow down his pace but he did not have to rush as he had plenty of time before the school finished.
When he reached the road where the school was he approached it carefully, not wanting Sally to see him. At first he could not see her and he was surprised when the children started to come out of the school and he was even more surprised when he saw Sophia and Jacob holding hands, with Jacob holding the hand of another woman who was also holding hands with another child.
For a moment David was going to intervene thinking his children were being abducted, but when they passed where he was standing David turned his back and he heard Jacob speak to the woman and it was quite clear when he asked her what was for dinner that he knew her. Now puzzled David followed the woman and the children as they walked slowly through the streets until they arrived at a small terraced house. The woman opened the door and David watched as his children disappeared into the house.
Everything to Nothing Page 47