Fatal Agreements

by Ashley Fontainne

  For the first six months after she left, Richard drove himself to madness while wracking his brain to come up with a way to ensnare her again, yet came up blank.

  Things changed the day Shawn and Tiffany Hale made an appointment to discuss tax issues and the possibility of an upcoming IRS audit. When they arrived and mentioned their son, Kip Hale, was adopted through improper legal channels and they feared an audit might reveal the truth, Richard felt as though he won the lottery.

  He recognized the name. Sam had told him all about her childhood, including the incident in seventh grade.

  It was blind luck the couple died in a car accident on the way home from the second meeting a week later. The appointment had been full of all sorts of interesting tidbits, including the purchase of the child from Dr. Halstead.

  The plan to have Sam at his side—forever—formed easily, and now, he was one step away from completing the final task.

  “Wickedly delicious,” Richard muttered before taking another sip of beer.

  While watching the new performer hit the stage, Richard extracted three grand in hundred-dollar bills, unable to wipe the smirk off his face. “Time to set in motion the plan to clip those wings for good my little broken eagle.”

  Rising to his feet, he tossed the wad onstage then headed to the bar. He returned the half-empty glass, sliding a twenty along with it to the bartender. “Please tell Kathy her uncle from Arkansas is here. I came to help her pack.”

  Grinning, the girl replied, “Sure thing.”

  Walking down the hallway toward the back office, Richard turned off his cell phone to minimize distractions. A dark, sinister grin crept across his face as he pulled a lighter from his pocket, ready to lure yet another worthless slut to her doom.

  HER LAST POLE dance over, Kathy scooped up the cash littering the stage, ignoring the whistles and catcalls. Disappearing behind the curtain, she yanked the hot wig off, tossing it to the floor.

  “Some show you put on, girl. I think two dudes blew wads in their seats.”

  Glancing behind her as Ginger approached, Kathy laughed. “Too bad they didn’t blow out their tiny hearts.”

  “Hey, now, don’t be wishing death on my patrons! I need all I can get after you leave. You’re a major draw to this place. When people figure out Shannon Simpson ain’t gonna be grinding on the pole no more, they might go elsewhere.”

  Stepping inside the back room the dancers used to get ready, Kathy kicked off the heels while counting the night’s haul. She recounted twice to be sure she wasn’t hallucinating. “Oh, stop being such a worry-wort! The other girls are good dancers, but I suggest moving KiKi up to the top spot. The girl’s ass is so fine the Pope would pop a boner.”

  “Yeah, right. She’s the wrong sex to catch the eye of a Catholic,” Ginger teased. “I’m really going to miss you and your smart mouth. The place won’t be the same without you.”

  Slipping out of the wet g-string, Kathy grabbed a towel, wiping the dampness from her skin. “I’m only one state away, baby. We’ll come back to visit. I promise. Yes, Kip and I are getting back together but that doesn’t mean I’ll forget all about my girls. You know I consider all of you family.”

  “Better than family. Ain’t none of us trying to cop a feel.”

  Glancing in the mirror at Ginger’s teasing grin in the reflection, Kathy winked while slipping on a robe, knowing the woman had a crush on her. “Oh, I think if I gave you a chance, you would munch away.”

  Heat rushed to Ginger’s cheeks. “Stop. I didn’t come back here to hit on you. I came to give you these.”

  Taking the papers from Ginger’s hand, Kathy smiled. “All signed and notarized, right?”

  “Yes. As soon as you give me your banking information, I’ll scheduled automatic deposits to the account.”

  “Great! Thank you.”

  Stepping closer, Ginger forced her gaze to remain on Kathy’s face. “I appreciate you letting me do a payout rather than all the money at once. The loan officers I approached wouldn’t budge on their stances. Financing a strip club is damn-near impossible.”

  “Not a problem. Like I said before, you girls are like family. Don’t forget, I left detailed instructions on keeping this place running in the middle desk drawer. It’s not too complicated.”

  “True.”

  “Uh, sorry to interrupt but there’s a problem out front. Sugar Bear’s ex refuses to leave.”

  Kathy and Ginger grimaced at the young bartender, Sara, standing in the doorway.

  “Only minutes as the official owner and confronted with a crisis! I’ll be right there, Sara.” Turning to face Kathy, Ginger felt a surge of sadness. “I guess I better go. I hope you two are happy from now on.”

  Heading out the door into the hallway, Ginger stopped as Sara called over her shoulder. “Oh, and Kath? Your uncle is waiting for you in the office. Said he drove all the way from Arkansas to help you pack. If I was into meat, I would be all over him.”

  Kathy’s heart pounded. She didn’t have an uncle. It couldn’t be her step-father. He kicked the bucket a decade prior. “Uh, okay, thanks!”

  Waiting until both women disappeared into the main club, Kathy set the sale papers on the dressing table then snatched a pair of scissors. Racing down the hall, panic welled up inside her chest. She was angry at herself for assuming the club was a safe place.

  Her purse, and the contents of the envelope containing Kip’s secret, were in the office.

  Bursting through the door, Kathy’s mouth dropped open. She recognized the man sitting in her chair, though she couldn’t imagine why he was here, until she noticed the desk drawer was open.

  And empty.

  The fear from before disappeared, replaced by fury. “What the fuck are you doing? Get your filthy ass out of my office!”

  Lips curving into a seductive grin, Richard laughed. “Nice mouth, Mrs. Hale. The filthiness of it matches your profession.”

  Wielding the scissors, Kathy took another step inside. “And you aren’t the first sleazy lawyer in my club and won’t be the last. Put my stuff back or I swear I’ll snip your junk off and throw it out into the alley to the stray dogs.”

  Rising to his feet, Richard shook his head. “I won’t be honoring your request at this time, Mrs. Hale. I prefer all my flesh continue to remain attached to my body. In terms of putting the documents back? Not an option. I’m here because we need come to an understanding about the proper way to use the truth to our mutual advantage. Put the scissors down, shut the door, and lock it.”

  “Bite me.”

  Richard raised one eyebrow at the whore’s rude outburst. “This is your one and only warning. I realize you don’t know me so allow me to say I don’t do veiled threats.”

  Kathy held her ground. “Fuck you. I said leave and I meant it.”

  Flicking the lighter hidden in his palm, Richard lit the edge of the envelope. Flames shot up the side in the blink of an eye. “I warned you.”

  “No!” Kathy lunged for the papers.

  Richard was ready. In one swift motion, he pivoted, dropping the burning pages into the trashcan by the desk. The other papers caught fire, sending plumes of soot into the air.

  Kathy shifted direction, trying to reach the basket. Strong fingers wound through her hair, yanking her backward. Before she could open her mouth to scream, Richard’s muscular arm encircled her neck in a tight embrace.

  “Drop the scissors or I’ll let this disgusting whorehouse go up in flames while you watch.”

  Kathy dropped the scissors.

  “Good girl. Play firewoman while I secure the door.”

  Richard let go. Kathy burst forward, grabbing bottles of water stacked on the edge of the desk. By the time the flames were out, the envelope was nothing more than wet ashes.

  She stiffened at the sound of the lock turning. Looking at the empty bottles on the floor, she remembered there weren’t any on the desk when she left the office to dance.

  Rising to her feet, she didn
’t look his direction. Instead, she went to the chair, sat, grabbed a pack of smokes from the desk and lit up.

  “Such a nasty habit for a beautiful woman to have,” Richard commented while leaning against the doorframe.

  “Again, fuck you. I hope you have one hell of a reason for destroying those papers, and an even better plan up your sleeve. If you ruined my chances of making my son’s life better, I swear I’ll kill you. Not today. Not tomorrow. But someday.”

  “Over the years I learned its best not to say things you’re unable to back up. In terms of the birth record—it isn’t needed at this juncture since I possess the original.”

  Kathy’s heart skipped two beats. Maria was right—the sleezebag was in cahoots with the Chapman bitch. “So what happens now? You plan on killing me? If so, I’ll give you a warning: I’ll put up a fight. You won’t leave here unscathed.”

  Uncrossing his arms, Richard grinned while walking over to the desk. He perched on the edge. “Quite the wall you built up around your emotions. Your step-father did a number on you, but you persevered past the mental and physical pain. Believe me, I understand overcoming childhood trauma and parents who were, shall we say, not fit to raise vermin, much less human beings. I admire your spunk. However, issues with your past are not why I’m here, though they are an added bonus.”

  “Well duh. You came to destroy the evidence about Kip, rough me up so I’ll tell you if I kept copies anywhere and possibly the plans in motion for the Chapmans. Let me save you some time. Trot your ass back home to Samantha like a good guard dog. You wasted a lot of gas, Dick. I’m not telling you a fucking thing.”

  Leaning closer until the smell of her sweat coated his body, Richard’s fingers grazed Kathy’s hot cheek. The touch was soft, sensual, up until he grabbed her jaw, squeezing tight. “You’re right—you aren’t going to tell me a fucking thing. I’m doing the talking now. It’s time you shut up and listen before I lose my temper and break your jaw.”

  For the first time in years, Kathy Poole Hale was scared. Seeing Richard in person, rather than a picture online, brought back old memories from when she first started working at the club.

  How she missed it before when looking at the image on his website made her angry for glossing over something so vital.

  The man was a regular yet stopped coming after Naughty Nikki disappeared. Rumors swirled about a vicious attack from her boyfriend, Rick. Kathy had only been working for a few months and was given the spotlight slot after Nikki vanished.

  Her instincts told her “Rick” was Richard Benton. She needed to remain cautious, doing whatever necessary to make it out of the situation unscathed.

  Richard’s eyes were seductive yet filled with endless depths of controlled rage. Old, childhood fears roared back, freezing her limbs and locking her tongue.

  Noting the dilation of her pupils and the sweat beading around the hairline, Richard traced his fingers from the cheek to the jugular notch. Kathy’s heart raced as fear pulsed throughout her body.

  Removing his hand before the urge to dominate her took over, Richard stood. “Good girl. Now, let’s recap what we’re dealing with then get down to business.”

  Nodding once, Kathy stubbed out the butt then lit another.

  “Your husband’s situation is quite unique, and though each of us has polar-opposite interests in his familial connection to the Chapman clan, if we work together, we’ll both get what we want. I recall from listening to Samantha’s childhood stories there’s history between all of you, stemming from a pathetic incident in junior high.”

  Kathy realized Richard Benton’s interests had nothing to do with money. At all. The predator in him wanted his prized prey—Samantha. She nodded.

  “I want my property back and she needs to pay for disobeying me, which is why I provided Mr. Hale with the package. The situation with him will, undoubtedly, break her spirit, forcing her to do anything to keep the rest of the family from discovering the ugly truth, like her grandmother did for years.”

  Despite trying to control them, Kathy’s legs trembled under the desk.

  “I did an extensive amount of research before providing the little bombshell to your husband, I assure you. You and I—we are cut from the same cloth. We look at life through different sets of eyes than others. Darker lenses, if you will. When an opportunity presents itself to allow us to regain control of a situation, we take it, no matter whom or what stands in our way.”

  A shiver ran up Kathy’s spine.

  “Your husband defiled my woman. At first, I planned on letting her sow some wild oats before settling down with me, yet when I discovered their family tree connections, I changed my mind.”

  Despite trying to keep her cool, Kathy’s mouth dropped open. The dangerous, cold, calculating man in front of her didn’t realize his mistake. He had the wrong sister! The wheels started to spin, wondering how she could use the error to her advantage, along with his connection to Nikki.

  Richard gave her a knowing look. “Come now, Mrs. Hale. I’m sure this isn’t news to you? Feel free to speak, though I recommend you chose the words with care. I’m not fond of hearing a woman use such vulgarities, unless, of course, I’m demanding it while inside her.”

  Kathy swallowed hard. She was terrified yet turned on. “Yes, I’m aware Kip’s been unfaithful, but I don’t care. He can sleep with his sister, niece, cousin or the family dog, it makes no difference to me. Since you seem to know so much about us, you’re aware we were on the verge of divorce?”

  Richard’s smirk was dark and ominous as he nodded once. Kathy was glad she was sitting because her legs felt rubbery.

  “The only reason I’m staying is for the money. Not for Kip, for our son. I had big plans until you turned them into ashes.”

  “As I mentioned, I did extensive research on you both. I didn’t expect much from the drunken buffoon you call a husband. It was you I counted on to assist me with my plans, yet your actions during the last several days disappoint me.”

  Kathy’s mouth went dry. “Excuse me?”

  “Please don’t attempt coyness, Mrs. Hale. It’s not who you are. There’s nothing worse than a woman hiding her true nature. It makes me angry, and I’m not pleasant to be around when angered. Sort of like the Hulk.”

  Kathy said nothing, mind spinning, wondering what in the hell the man knew about her actions in Arkansas.

  “You are sneaky—underhanded even. And though I do applaud your efforts to obtain as much information as possible while seeking out and searching for leverage to use to your advantage as you salivate over the money dangling out of your reach, you screwed up.”

  Lighting another cigarette, Kathy raised an inquisitive brow.

  “It’s impressive two problematic women were taken out of the way while you were in Arkansas. Oh, and leaving Maria’s body in the woods, making sure all signs pointed to an overdose? Nice touch. How fortunate for you Caroline Chapman succumbed to a heart attack in her back yard.”

  Blowing out a plume of smoke, Kathy let a slight grin appear. Knowing Richard had been watching her every move made her feel exposed, yet she hid her fear.

  “Your pathetic drug habit will be your downfall if you aren’t careful. You still have the car you used to cart Maria’s corpse to the woods. I hope you had enough foresight to dispose of her phone properly.”

  Kathy knew lying wouldn’t help since Richard had followed her at least once. “I flushed it down a toilet at a truck stop on I-40 on my way back to Memphis.”

  Richard smiled. “Good girl. Now, if you want to remain out of jail and finish your plans to fill your bank account with funds provided by the Chapmans, you need to take your car to a junkyard and sell it. Immediately.”

  Kathy furrowed her brow.

  “If you’re concerned about how to relocate to Hot Springs, rent a moving van. Once you’re back home with your husband, I’m sure the cash you earned tonight will be plenty to purchase a fine, reliable mode of transportation—at least until your bank a
ccount is full. The wad of cash was from me. You’re quite an interesting specimen to watch perform.”

  Kathy was hypnotized by Richard’s words. The man was devious, wicked, and so fucking sexy—a dangerous trio. He was the epitome of a bad boy. She was drawn to his magnetism.

  Nodding once, indicating he wished her to stand, Richard’s eyes glazed over with lust as Kathy did as instructed.

  Moving closer, gaze never leaving her eyes, Richard’s fingers removed the thin robe. Kathy was mesmerized by the raw sexuality oozing from him with every move. The robe fell to the floor around their feet.

  Richard let his hand travel down the length of her body, stopping between her legs. Slipping three fingers inside the moistness, he smiled when she closed her eyes and groaned.

  “You won’t be upset when your husband dies, correct?”

  “No, I won’t. Relieved is the right word,” Kathy responded in a low whisper.

  “And when his murder is pinned on the Chapman of our choosing, you’ll be so ecstatic—and wealthy—it will take years to wipe the smile from your face.”

  Back arched and hips grinding in time with each thrust of Richard’s strong hand, Kathy whispered, “Yes! It’s what I wanted all along. Make them all pay! Those two sluts ruined my life! Oh, God! Don’t stop.”

  “Ah, you’re a woman as dark as me, one aroused by the mere thought of inflicting pain and suffering on others. Are you ready to hear more of my plan to take them all down?”

  “Yes, oh, yes! Tell me more while fucking me. Please!”

  “Bend over. Now.”

  While the two merged together as one unit on top of the desk, Richard whispered his devious plans. They both came when he said, “You get the money and I get my revenge, along with a subservient mate. Game over.”

  WHILE WATCHING FROM the small window in the bathroom until the taillights of Richard’s car vanished, Kathy resumed cleaning her sore crotch. Three intense orgasms were worth the pain. “You got it right, Rhianna. When pain is for pleasure nothing can measure!”

  Returning to the office, she went straight to her phone tucked inside her purse. Clicking on the cloud, she cussed a blue streak after scrolling through the images.