Background
A member of the crime team is drawn into a diabolical scheme by an ex-con, Vito Moretti, who spent eight years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Upon his release, he set out to get revenge using
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James adjusted the knot of his necktie, catching his reflection in a mirror on the library wall. Pleased with his looks, he moved to the window, pushing the pale gray sheers aside as he watched Samantha’s car enter the circle drive. The tiny compact car didn’t suit her long, slim body, and she arched her back and stretched before closing the car door. Her navy pantsuit and low-cut blouse accented her every curve. She adjusted the vibrant colored scarf around her neck and strolled toward the front entrance.
James hurried to the doorway and waited for her to knock. Not wanting to appear too eager, he waited until she tapped again, and then he swung the door open.
“Miss Withers, I am so happy you accepted my invitation. When you didn’t answer my message, I thought you’d decided not to forgive my rudeness.” He took her hand in his, giving it a little squeeze. “I believe Marian’s setback in the garden upset me more than I realized. Normally, I try to protect her from the outside world.”
“Lady Marian and I had a delightful time admiring the roses. I was hoping she’d be joining us today.”
“Oh, I know she’d have loved to see you, but I am afraid she’s under the weather. She had quite a rough night.”
As James took Samantha’s arm, he added politely, “May I please escort you into the study. I hope we can start fresh, and you will tell me all about your ideas.”
Charles raced down the staircase as James was about to close the study door, calling his name. “James. Wait! I need a minute with you.”
James scowled as Charles ran toward him. “I have a guest, Charles. Can’t it wait?”
“No, sir.” Charles leaned close to James’s ear and whispered, “I found Marian’s slipper in the East Wing.”
Sparks of anger lit up James’s eyes as he closed Samantha in the study. He snarled under his breath, “Find her.”
“We’ve been looking.” Charles took a deep breath. “I alerted all the staff in the East Wing, but no one has seen Marian.”
“Are all the bedroom doors locked so she can’t get into them? You know what a problem that would cause, right?”
“I do, but I can’t be everywhere, and it’s Cheryl’s job to keep an eye on her.”
“Quit your whining and go help them look. I’ll be right there.” James glared at Charles as he hurried back to the stairs, then he stepped into the study.
“Is everything alright? Maybe I should go, and we can discuss things on another day. I know you’re a busy man.”
“No, don’t go. Just give me a few minutes. It appears we have a problem with the set, and of course, it requires my attention. Maybe you’d like to browse the garden.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. Business comes before pleasure, so take your time and do what you need to do. It’s a gorgeous day. I would love to stroll through the gardens again.”
“Oh, thank you. I shouldn’t be gone long.” James gave a quick smile and then hurried out of the study.
**************
A small greenhouse nestled amidst a sea of rosebushes. It wore a heavy coat of lush green ivy. Marian watched the pathway from behind the dirt-smudged window, waiting to steal a few brief minutes with Samantha.
When she saw her friend approaching, she cracked the door and tried to catch Samantha’s attention. “Meow. Meow.”
Samantha stopped and glanced around. Speaking very low, she answered the friendly feline, “Marian, are you pretending to be a cat?”
“It fits my insanity if someone should see us.”
Climbing over the vines, Marian stood behind an oak tree hidden from the house. “We must make this fast, but I needed to warn you. Cheryl overheard James talking to someone on the phone yesterday after you left. He asked them to investigate you.”
“Hmm—so he took the bait.” Samantha walked from rose bush to rose bush, stopping to smell each one, making sure she was still within hearing distance of Marian.
“What! You wanted him to find out who you are? Have you lost your mind?”
“He won’t discover the truth. A whole new life has replaced my past. If anything, he made it easier for me to set our trap.”
“Are you sure you can go through with this, Sam? What if he recognizes you? Or sees the scar?”
Samantha’s hand touched the scarf. “He won’t. Besides, cosmetic surgery did wonders. It’s not even noticeable anymore. The scarf is a reminder.
“I don’t know how he would forget your face, Sam? You’re so beautiful, even after the surgeries.”
“He never focused on my face when he forced me to dance for him and his buddies. Besides, he thought I was drunk when he raced out of the room. He was behind the camera, and the other creep was too busy touching me. They were young, drunk, and stupid. I only wish my sister hadn’t paid the price for our foolishness. They wanted sex, and we wanted money.”
“She didn’t deserve to die.” Marian hugged Sam. “I better get back before he gets suspicious.”
“Not to worry. I will distract your husband. I’ve not forgotten what he liked. I play the role over and over in my mind every night.” A tear slid into the corner of Samantha’s eye, and she brushed it away. “Besides, when I offer him the million-dollar deal, all he will see is dollar signs.”
“Please, be careful.”
Marian stepped to leave and then laughed. “When we were young, the hours of roaming secret passages paid off. No one knows they exist except you and me.”
“Be careful, Marian. There’s no telling what James might do if he knew you could spy on him and everyone else in that house.”
Cheryl stood in the doorway, staring at Marian, fast asleep in her bed. Marian’s disappearance mystified her. She shrugged, just glad Marian wasn’t hurt. It was time to tell Charles and James all was well. Listening to the door lock, the lady of the house heaved a small sigh and smiled. She’d made another safe return.
*************
James had found Samantha resting on a bench, enjoying the warmth of the sun. He’d joined her and coaxed her into telling him about her new business, “Seeking Arrangements for Sugar Daddy Millionaires.”
Her thought process astounded James. He’d never known a woman to be so intelligent and thorough. His overgrown ego caused him to lose sight of how this same woman fell into his hands and was so eager to join forces with him.
“Explain to me one more time, Samantha.”
Samantha leaned closer, pressing her breasts against his arm. “Darling James, you know my friends call me Sam. We are going to be friends, right?”
Her perfume was intoxicating as his eyes focused on her lips. He swallowed hard, mentally forcing his mouth to remain a proper distance from hers. When he didn’t respond to her question, she stood and sauntered away, returning to the area by the greenhouse, where she knew no one could see them.
“Where are you going, Sam?” He chased after her and stumbled into her as she timed herself to spin around, tumbling into his arms. “I’m—I’m a man, and you’re just a beautiful woman. Forgive me.”
“Prove you’re a man, James.” Samantha laughed and pushed herself away from him. “No one can see us. Why don’t you prove you’re a man?”
James wanted her; he wanted to show her how a real man would treat her. He grabbed her arms, but then something stopped him. “What’s going on, Sam? Is this another of your games?”
Samantha’s eyes were smokey as she pressed her lips against his and kissed him passionately. He returned the kiss again and again before coming up for air. Her husky voice massaged every inch of him as she whispered, “I assure you, darling, I’m playing for keeps.”
Breathless, James stuttered, glancing toward the house, “We—we better get back inside. After all, you have a lot to tell me about our new adventure together, right? When can we start?”
“Immediately. I have the clients, and you have the studio and the secluded mansion. As long as we satisfy their desires, money is not part of the equation. Men love to have their personal sex toys.”
“And what stops them from turning us in or refusing to pay?”
“One, we are fulfilling their every wish. I can find the girl they dream about, and you can film it so they can relive the fantasy over and over. And of course, our copy of the film offers us security.”
“Still, someone might decide—”
“James, don’t be silly. No millionaire is going to want his dirty sex secrets splashed across the newspapers and the media. They want to play, and they don’t care what it costs as long as we keep their secret.”
Samantha looked at her watch. “I really must go. I have another meeting. Call me tomorrow with a yes or no.” Samantha headed toward the door. “I hope it’s a yes because I already have a very interested client.”
James stood on the veranda, imagining the possibilities. He was sure over time he would lure Samantha into his bed, but in the meantime, the idea of filming wild fantasies and getting richly paid sent goosebumps all over him. Besides, his current batch of play toys had lost their eagerness to please and perform whatever he asked. It was time to pass them off to new buyers, except for Jaz. He had plans for her.
Author Notes
Characters:
Vito Moretti - a black-hearted ex-con with vengeance in his blood
Charles (Charlie) Dubois - a childhood friend who enjoys living luxuriously
Marian Carrington - a star in her own mind and suffers from dementia
Henry and Tina Pagani - an elderly couple living on St. Simon Island
Cheryl - Personal maid to Lady Marian
Angel Bearrows - a wanna-be actress in the wrong place at the wrong time
Alyssa Shelton (Allie)- Investigative Journalist and unofficial FBI Agent
Jasmine Shelton (Jaz) - wanna-be-movie star and living on the edge of life
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and Allie's love interest
Hank and Emmy Armato - retired detectives and current Private Investigators
Sheriff Ortiz - Hayden - Napa Valley Police Department
Sheriff Welcher - Savannah, Georgia Police Department
Tango and Poppa - FBI agents who work closely with Garth
Thomas and Selene - Employees at Francine's
Samantha Withers - femme fatale and entrepreneur
Mary Beth Jacobs - a deceased waitress and stand-in actress
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