Dangerous Beauty: Part One: Destiny

by Michelle Hardin

  Tessa snorted. “Fuck you. You’re lying for him. I’m not going anywhere.” Nathan chuckled and Tessa turned back to Kyle. “You think I’m just going to let you make love to me and treat me like shit while you worship the ground that stupid bitch walks on? You drool over her like every other dumbass that comes in the bar and it’s pathetic. You are pathetic! You actually still want to fuck the whore after I told you that she almost killed me!” she screamed at him.

  Kyle gripped the counter hard so that he wouldn’t punch her. “Tessa. Get. The. Fuck. Out,” Kyle said in a low tone.

  Tessa slammed her fist on the counter. “No,” she screamed at the top of her lungs. “Fuck you, Kyle! You’re a dumb son of a bitch if you think she’ll actually ever want you the way you want her! I’m so sick of seeing you give her all of the attention you should be giving me. Or looking at her the way you should be looking at me. And she doesn’t even like men.” Tessa let out a deranged laugh. “She comes here and screws your stupid ass and then goes back home and fucks that ugly bitch she lives with! I swear to God Kyle, if you don’t stop seeing her I’ll fucking kill that bitch myself!”

  Carter burst into laughter. No she did not just say what I think she said. “You’ll do what?” Carter said through a laugh, and then she narrowed her cold hazel eyes on Tessa. “Everyone, pay very close attention because if I snap, you will literally have about five seconds to save her life,” her tone was low and deadly.

  Each of the men felt a sharp pang of fear that they would never admit to feeling, not even if you paid them. They could all look at Carter and see that the sweet, energetic, playful Carter was not present with them at the moment. The look in her eyes was all too familiar.

  What the stupid chick in the middle of the room was completely unaware of is that she is in a room full of people who live in an entirely different world then she. In this world they handle issues…differently. They could all tell that Carter had tried her best to leave the lifestyle she was raised in behind her and in the past, but looking at her now they could see that the mask she wore to hide Spook Steele’s daughter had completely slid off, hit the floor, and shattered. Carter may not know it yet, but she was going to kill the crazy bitch, and the guys didn’t know if they would be able to stop it from happening. They had all seen this coming, Carter was raised in the same way as they were, and in their lifestyle it wasn’t a good idea to threaten someone’s life unless you knew for sure that you can get the job done.

  ***

  Carter couldn’t keep her mouth shut anymore, she came to the conclusion in her head that her dad would be proud of her for making it this far. Tessa had crossed the fucking line a long time ago, and it was about time for her to find out how Carter dealt with people who wanted her dead. She decided that even though the bitch just threatened to kill her, she wasn’t going to slice her throat. Instead, Carter decided to just have a little fun and see if Tessa was capable of killing her like she said she would.

  Carter narrowed her eyes on Tessa. “You said that you would kill me?” Carter asked pointing to herself, a smile pulling at her lips.

  Tessa glared at her and clenched her fist at her sides. “Yes, you stupid bitch. Don’t think I’m afraid of you just because you knocked the wind out of me once. You wouldn’t be so lucky if I came over there now,” she threatened.

  Carter’s smile widened. “Hun, what I did to you in that hallway a few weeks ago will be nothing compared to what I’d do to you if you came over here now.”

  “Fuck you, Carter,” Tessa spat.

  “How?” Carter asked, she cocked her head slightly and looked at Tessa inquisitively.

  Tessa frowned confused. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  Carter rolled her eyes. “How would you kill me? I’m just curious to know how I would die.” Carter leaned forward in the chair waiting for her response.

  The guys continued to watch the exchanged curious to see where it was going.

  Tessa snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t give a fuck what you want to know, just know that I’ll fucking do it.” A passionate, hate filled her eyes.

  Carter frowned and sat back in her seat. “Wow, you really hate me don’t you? I honestly have no idea what could make you hate me so much, but then again I don’t really care. I just wish to know how you would kill me,” Carter crossed her legs and folded her arms over her chest. “So tell me. Would you poison me? Beat me to death? Suffocate me?” Carter said inquisitively.

  Tessa clenched her jaw and her face turned crimson. “Kiss my ass you ugly—”

  “Or you could hire someone to do it, if you’re too much of a pussy to do it yourself,” Carter interjected. “But I do advise against that one, some of the best hit men in the world have already tried to kill me and they failed, miserably.” Carter heard Nathan chuckle and she smiled.

  “How about I just shoot you in your fucking face?”

  Carter’s smile faded and her expression went blank. “Say that again,” Carter said in a light calm tone.

  Tessa stepped forward and placed her palms on the Island and narrowed her eyes on Carter. “That face that everyone seems to love so much. I would empty an entire clip in it. That’s how I’d kill you.”

  Each of her words were saturated with hate, and Carter believed her. If Tessa had the chance she just might kill her. So naturally, Carter had to give Tessa the chance she could tell she so desperately wanted.

  Though Carter was struggling to fight the rage building inside of her, she knew she couldn’t go off just yet. There was something she had to see first. As of this moment she knew she wasn’t going to kill Tessa, she was just going to beat the living shit out of her. But not yet, she needed justification first, so her father wouldn’t turn over in his grave, and she wouldn’t risk feeling that God awful guilt.

  Carter stood up abruptly and the men all looked at each other like they were preparing to stop her if she decided to jump over the counter top and beat Tessa to death. Carter raised her hand to stop them from moving in. “I’m not going to kill her, but I’m not making any promises about not beating her ass.” They all seemed to relax, well, all of them except for Nathan and Kyle, the two who knew her too well to completely relax.

  “Carter,” Nathan said to get her attention. “What are you going to do?” he asked trying to read her eyes, but they were empty and her face was expressionless. If she was feeling anything at all at the moment she was definitely keeping it hidden very well.

  “Don’t worry, baby. I’m just going to give her what she wants,” Carter said turning to walk toward the small desk in the corner of the kitchen. She stopped in front of it and opened the desk drawer.

  “Carter, stop!” Kyle said firmly. He knew exactly what she was going for. Nathan looked over at Kyle confused and Kyle motioned for Nathan to look back over at Carter.

  Nathan heard clicking noises and he looked over just in time to see her pull out a silver coated Glock 26 from the drawer, and he jumped off the counter. “Carter, what the hell do you think you’re doing? You’re not giving her that gun,” he said walking toward her fully prepared to tackle her ass to the floor and take that damn gun.

  Carter put her hand against his chest and he moved it. “Nathan, don’t worry. Tessa and I are just going to play a little game,” Carter said touching Nathan’s face lovingly. “Trust me, honey, please?” she whispered to him and kissed him softly on his lips.

  Nathan knew that Carter wasn’t an idiot, but she wouldn’t do anything to actually put her own life in danger, would she? He couldn’t tell right now, all he knew was that if something happened to Carter he would lose his fucking mind and snap that Tessa girl’s neck like a damn tooth pick, and then he’d kill Kyle for bringing her here.

  Carter left Nathan and he watched her walk over to the table and pick up the knife that she used for her apple.

  “Carter, are you sure about this?” Dante asked.

  Lucca reached up and put his hand over Carter’s. C
arter tucked the knife back so it wouldn’t cut him. “I know what you’re going to do and you don’t have to. I’ll personally drag the crazy bitch, throw her outside, and be done with it.” Carter gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

  She looked over and saw that Mickey had a devious smile on his face and she ran her hand over his short hair. “You’re my favorite,” she whispered and gave him a wink.

  She heard Tessa snort and she turned her attention back to her. “Oh my God, I can’t believe I didn’t see it before,” Tessa said with a smug smile on her face. “You don’t just screw Kyle, you let him loan you out to his friends too. What are you? Some kind of party favor that they pass and fuck,” she said through a laugh. “So, I guess it is true what they say about black girls huh? You guys are just a bunch of … Ahh!” Tessa screamed when Carter hurled the knife in her hand across the room toward her, it passed an inch away from her face and stuck in the wooden cabinet behind her.

  “Racism is unacceptable Tessa,” Carter said with disappointment.

  Tessa began to back up toward the door and Carter raised the gun and pulled the trigger, not giving a damn about damaging Kyle’s property. The bullet went right passed Tessa’s shoulder making her turn around and back into the kitchen screaming.

  Carter heard the guys stand up from the table and Kyle looked at her in shock. She also saw Nathan pacing and running his hand through his hair from the corner of her eye.

  “Stop moving, Tessa. Stand still,” Carter ordered calmly and Tessa froze.

  Carter didn’t feel like wasting any more time. She walked toward the island and jumped up on top of it. She stood to her feet on top of the counter and walked to the end of it where Tessa was standing there shaking with her hands covering her mouth and tears filling her eyes.

  Carter glared at her shaking her head. “Uh uh, hell no, don’t start that crying shit now, you were all big and bad a second ago telling me how you wanted to empty a clip in my face. Now that I’m ready to play your game you don’t want to play anymore?” Carter wasn’t going to let Tessa walk away. She already had a chance to leave, and she didn’t take it.

  Tessa looked up at Carter standing on top of the counter with the gun in her hand and she let out a sob. “I don’t know what game you’re talking about,” Tessa cried.

  “A knife,” Carter said staring at Tessa blankly.

  Tessa looked up at her confused. “What?”

  Carter’s jaw clenched. She walked over to stand in front of Tessa then sat down and crossed her legs Indian style placing the gun in her lap. “A knife Tessa, that’s how I would kill you. I would take my knife, and cut you wide open. I wouldn’t even kill you first because I’d want you to feel everything.

  “I would take pleasure in hearing you scream. That is just how sadistic and twisted I am. I thought it was the two years I spent living on the streets of St. Louis after my father died that made me crazy, but no, I don’t want it to be but it’s genetics, my fucking mother,” Carter said in a matter-of-fact tone then she narrowed her eyes on Tessa. “Today you are going to learn two valuable lessons, Tessa. Lesson one, watch your mouth because shit that you say can get you royally fucked up. Lesson two, never threaten to kill someone like me, unless you are certain that you can actually get the fucking job done.” Carter sat the gun on the counter between the two of them.

  Tessa looked at her in shock and shook her head. “What are you doing?”

  Carter smirked. “I’m giving you the gun. What the fuck does it look like I’m doing?”

  “Carter stop, this shit is going too far you are not going to let her shoot you,” Kyle interjected from the end of the counter.

  Carter turned a deadly glare on him. “Stay out of it, Kyle,” she said through clenched teeth.

  Kyle returned her glare. “No, I won’t. Now, give me my gun. Tessa get the fuck out of my house before somebody ends up dead.”

  Carter snorted. “I’m not giving you shit, Kyle. Tessa isn’t leaving yet. This is happening because of you, and I’m ending the shit today.”

  A loud slam against the counter brought Carter’s attention back to a furious Tessa.

  “That’s what gets you pissed off? When I talk to Kyle? Really? Even if we’re arguing?” Carter shook her head. “Hun, this obsession you have with him is unhealthy and a waste of time. He’s never going to feel anything for you, so you might as well let it go.”

  Tessa moved closer to her. “Fuck you. He would be able to acknowledge his feelings for me if your fat ass would stop getting in the way,” Tessa spat angrily clenching and unclenching her fist at her sides.

  Carter laughed loud. “Fat? Oh please slut, having an ass, curves and these,” Carter said cupping her full breasts, “doesn’t make me fat, it makes me a fucking woman,” Carter said through a laugh.

  Tessa snorted and leaned in closer placing her palms on the counter. “Obviously, not enough of a woman because Kyle still fucks me. Obviously, you don’t know what you’re doing, you don’t know how to take care of him,” she said her eyes full of anger and hate.

  Carter’s head fell back and she groaned. “God! How many times do I have to tell you this? Kyle and I are just friends. You’re crazy! I honestly don’t see what Kyle likes about you. I mean you’re cute and you have huge fake tits, but I always thought Kyle was more into real boobs. I mean, he stares at mine pretty hard,” Carter muttered with a shrug and she heard snickering behind her from the guys at the table.

  Tessa shook her head firmly. “Bullshit, you can’t convince me that you’re not fucking him, you lying little cunt! You’re in love with him,” she said accusingly.

  Carter gripped the edge of the counter. There was nothing Carter hated more than to being called a cunt, the last person that called her that got his face cut with her knife. “Wrong, Tessa, I do love Kyle’s dumbass, but the only man that I’m in love with is blondie back there by the desk, aka my fucking boyfriend!”

  Tessa looked behind Carter at Nathan and raised an eyebrow. “Wow, very nice. How does he feel about you and Kyle fucking? He should be just as pissed off as I am,” Tessa said as her eyes lingered on Nathan way too fucking long. Carter hit Tessa’s forehead with the palm of her hand.

  Tessa stumbled back, glaring at Carter.

  Carter returned her glare. “Nathan is not delusional like you, Tessa. He knows that the only person I’m fucking is him.”

  Tessa pointed her long finger at Carter’s face. “Don’t put your fucking hands on me, Carter,” she warned.

  Carter didn’t give a shit, she was ready to get this over with. “Or what?” Carter asked smirking. “You’re going to take the gun and empty the clip in my face? Go ahead,” Carter challenged and she crossed her arms over her chest.

  Tessa’s face seemed to get even redder. “Fuck you!”

  Carter smirked. “I don’t know what you’re waiting for, Tessa. You told Kyle that you would kill me if he didn’t stop seeing me and I can assure you that’s not going to happen. Kyle will see me, a lot. He and I are really good friends and we enjoy each other’s company. Hate it or love it, there is nothing you can do about it,” Carter shrugged.

  Tessa slammed her palms back on the counter and leaned close to Carter. “Well he’s a stupid son of a bit—”

  Her words were cut off when Carter grabbed her face hard and pushed her back. She stumbled before she got her balance.

  “You need to chill with that ‘Kyle’s a dumbass’ shit. You don’t know Kyle well enough for me to let you talk about him like that.”

  Tessa jaw ticked. “I told you not to touch me, and I know him better than you think.”

  Carter shook her head firmly and frowned. “Correction bitch, you know his dick, that’s all, not him. He tells you how to lick, suck, and fuck and then your ass is out the door. That’s your fucking problem, Tessa. You don’t know your damn place.”

  Tessa snorted. “And do you know what your problem is Cart—”

  Tessa’s words were cut off once again when she
flinched at the sound of Carter’s hand slapping the counter top hard. “You don’t get to say my fucking name anymore! You also aren’t going to stand here, or anywhere else, and tell lies about me like you know who the fuck I am. You don’t know shit, including my fucking name!” Carter yelled. She was sick of hearing Tessa talk shit about her. Carter was done playing games this shit was ending right now.

  Tessa slammed her hands on the counter, mimicking Carter. “Have you forgotten that we work together dumbass? I know your name, address, social security number, pretty much everything I need to hunt your ass down if you don’t do what the fuck I say, Carter Alexandria Matthews!” Tessa screamed, right before she gasped loudly when Carter grabbed her face hard and pulled her close.

  Tessa used her hands to try and pull Carter’s hand off her face, but Carter was stronger than her. The more Tessa pulled at Carter’s hand the tighter her grip got on her face. Tessa’s cheeks were being pushed hard into her teeth and she sobbed as tears filled her eyes. Carter didn’t care that she was hurting Tessa because it was passed time that she make something very clear. She pulled Tessa’s face very close to hers as a wicked smile spread across her face and sadistic laugh fell from her lips.

  “That’s not my fucking name, you stupid bitch.” Carter gripped Tessa’s face tighter. “Would you like to know who the fuck you’re talking to right now?” Carter moved Tessa’s head up and down, grabbed her long pony tail, and jerked her head back, causing Tessa to whimper. She leaned in close and spoke in an arctic tone. “Carterina Anastacia Fucking Stone, daughter of Robert Edward Steel, and abandoned daughter of Anastacia fucking Stone. And you have the unfortunate pleasure of being in the presence of what happens when two crazy ass sadistic psychotic motherfuckers, decide it’s okay to fuck without a condom.”

  Carter looked straight into Tessa’s eye’s and saw that she had finally made her snap.

  She let go of Tessa’s face, and everything else after that moment seemed to go in slow motion.

  Tessa let out an enraged scream, grabbed the gun, pointed it at Carter’s face, and pulled the trigger over and over again.