Page 14 of Twisted
He whimpers. “Yes, mistress.”
As I raise the paddle, I take a deep breath and then bring it down so hard on his ass he slumps forward, screaming in agony. I watch as he comes all over the wall and falls to a heap on the ground.
I laugh softly. “I’ll see myself out.”
Then I gather my bag and the cameras and head out the way I came. Phase one complete.
Chapter 9
Sam
When Katherine left, I didn’t hang around. I grabbed my gear and the van I rented for this mission. I parked not far from the Musgrave residence and set up my equipment. As soon as Katherine set the cameras, it was game on.
As I watched things play out, I felt sick to my stomach. Although he never touched her, just the sight of him near her was enough for me to grind my fist against the walls of the van. I could tell she was uncomfortable. Something in her eyes made the blood run cold in my veins when she raised that paddle. She was somewhere else, and I can only imagine what torture she’s been subjected to in her past. That miserable creep Musgrave took full advantage and watching him dissolve into a pool of his own spunk made me want to heave. Men like that sit over the rest of us and determine how our lives will be. Well, this time he’s the one with a very public humiliation heading his way.
I thank God for Ryder’s connections, who obviously gave him the green light to let his guard down so quickly. They will have told him that she checked out and was trustworthy and good at what she does. They would have fed him a line about other famous clients, which would have assured her discretion. Fuck, I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of Ryder. These men think they run the country, but he runs them. Now he’s pissed and they are about to suffer a mighty fall because of it.
As soon as she walked out, I called the cab I had waiting for her around the corner.
Time to get the hell out of here.
I head back to the apartment and hope the footage is enough. The last thing we want is a repeat performance. It’s going to be bad enough sorting out the other four, let alone having to go back multiple times.
* * *
Luckily,I reach the apartment first and am waiting when she returns.
As the elevator doors open, I rush forward. As soon as she sees me, I see her lower lip tremble. Her eyes fill with tears as I take the bag gently from her hands. “Come on, Katherine, you need a drink.”
I take her hand and lead her gently to the couch and see her battling to control the tears that threaten to spill. As I hand her the glass of brandy, she looks at me through tortured eyes. I sit beside her and hold her hand as she sobs, “You’d think it would’ve been easy. All I had to do was hit him hard, but it brought back painful memories; I knew it would.”
I rub her back and say softly, “Do you wanna talk about them?”
She shakes her head. “Maybe one day, but I think I’ve had enough today. Did you get the footage you need?”
I nod. “I think so. I’ll run it later on tonight. Why don’t you grab some sleep because I’m sorry, darlin’, but we have a trip to the theater to endure tonight?”
I watch as she turns and looks at me with surprise. “Phase two?”
I nod. “Senator Grady ‘asshole’ Vincent. He loves nothing more than a night at the theater, and he’s your next target.”
She shakes her head and takes a deep breath. “You don’t hang around, do you?”
I squeeze her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Katherine. He’s out of town after tomorrow for a while. This could be our only chance.”
She sighs heavily.
“Ok, what’s the plan?”
I sink back in my seat and take a deep breath. This one is particularly nasty, like the man it involves. It’s going to be hard on us both. Shaking my head, I try to sound business like and leave my emotions locked away. “Grady is one of the most abhorrent assholes I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. He’s married to a well-respected Judge who knows nothing of his double life. Grady likes to humiliate women, probably because he’s so gross and was bullied at school. You know the sort, always fancied the cheerleaders in high school but could never get close. The type that remains a virgin until they make something of themselves and then get their revenge on every woman that ever turned them down. Well, that’s Grady. He likes to make women do things they are uncomfortable with just to massage his own ego. His wife would be disgusted if she knew and the shit would hit the fan.”
She looks confused. “So, what if his wife leaves him? That’s hardly going to bring about his ruin. What’s the real angle?”
I smile wickedly. “Because Grady has been a naughty boy, Katherine. He has used and abused a girl who would bring about his downfall overnight. In fact, she’s the daughter of another well-knownJudgewho is beyond bargaining with. It appears that over the years there are many women harboring a grudge against our friend, who would only be too happy to come forward if he went to trial. Underage girls, rape, false imprisonment, you name it, he’s into it. All you need to do is play the victim and we will capture it all on film.”
She shakes her head and bites her bottom lip, which causes my heart to beat much faster. She looks so vulnerable and frightened, and it’s probably way too soon after her run-in with Preston.
“But the film may not be enough.”