Stone Incorporated has successfully acquired BSY, a big technology organization. Our lawyer is preparing a contract to be signed tomorrow. Other companies were interested in purchasing the business, so we had to act fast or risk losing the opportunity to further diversify Stone Inc. My assistant, Janet, and I arrived in Melbourne, Australia, late last night on a private airplane. This morning we met with the board of directors to discuss the mutual benefits of the acquisition. Jetlagged from the flight, Janet opted to go to her hotel room, while I chose to have a celebratory glass of wine at the five-star restaurant located in the lobby. This deal will quadruple the holdings of StoneIncorporated, which I am now co-owner of.
Dom’s name flashes across the screen of my cell phone, and I press Decline, probably for the hundredth time. We tied the knot eight and a half years ago, a couple months before the birth of our first child. I walked across the stage to collect my college degree with a bulging belly. We’re the proud parents of four, including Hunter, whom I adopted. For all intents and purposes, I am his mother. He’s almost nine, Brielle eight, Carmen five, and Knox just turned one. Dom’s a great father, but being the wife of a domineering man is challenging, to say the least. There’s never a dull moment. But I’m no longer a timid virgin. I’m confident and refuse to bite my tongue during arguments. This infuriates him, and we end up fucking like wild animals. Eventually, he overcame his aversion to looking at himself in the mirror which greatly pleased me.
Dom was due to attend this meeting in two days, but I changed the date and time. He’s livid, but echoing his favorite statement to me,you’ll get over it.I’m a mother and a career woman, something he fails to understand. He gives me the remedial tasks to handle, as if I’m some incompetent intern. My skills landed us a billion-dollar increase in revenue. I needed to show him I’m his partner in every sense of the word, at home and in the office.
Besides that, I love my life. I go to church regularly with the children, and sometimes Dom joins us. Patrick is a successful sports agent. Lisa signed to a modeling agency and relocated to Paris. We’re still very close. I visit my father on occasion and bring the kids along. He has severe health problems and is under the care of a twenty-four-hour nurse. It took a while, but Patrick has finally forgiven him. My mobile rings, displaying Mia’s name.
“Hello.”
“The wedding is off!” she shouts, voice thick with tears. “I found some skank’s panties in Drew’s bedroom!”
Drew and Mia are engaged after a tumultuous on-and-off-again courtship. They’re in the process of planning a Halloween-themed wedding and closing on a mansion. Currently, they live separately.
“I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.” Drew may be a lot of things, but a cheater isn’t one of them. “Have you spoken to him?”
She comes to me for relationship advice often, which is a drastic change. This is the sort of guidance I used to seek from her.
“No, I left before he got in.” She sniffles. “I can’t talk to him.”
“Where are you?”
“Heading home.”
“Calm down, then call him. Drew wouldn’t be unfaithful to you.”
“You really think so?”
“Of course. He is a good man,” I assure her.
“Okay.”
“Give me a buzz later.” I end the call.
I sigh as my ringtone blares again.
“Hi, Drew.”
“Hey. Have you heard from Mia? I keep getting her voicemail.”
“Yep. She’s pissed because she found some woman’s panties in your bedroom.”
“Fuck, she has the wrong idea. I let a buddy crash at my place on Saturday night since I had a gig in Vegas and his house was being fumigated.”
“Swing by her place and explain.”
“I appreciate the heads-up.”
“No problem.”
I gulp down the rest of my wine.
The waiter appears. “Would you like another glass?”
“Three is enough. Thank you.”
I pay the bill and stumble to the elevator, a bit tipsy. Surprisingly, I make it to my room without falling flat on my face.
After a few clumsy attempts, I insert the key card into the electronic slot.
“Success.” I giggle and push the door open.
I’m ambushed the moment I step inside and dragged through the dark suite.Dom. I didn’t expect him so soon. I’m thrown on the bed. My hands and ankles are quickly restrained with zip ties and then I’m flipped to my back.
“Pepper, you’ve been a disobedient girl, and now there’s hell to pay,” Dom purrs.
“Give me your worst.” I blow a kiss at him.
Moonlight shines into the room, revealing the glint of a knife and his white teeth as his lips form a sinister smile. “My pleasure.”
