Page 11 of Red Retaliation
I am nothing like this creature.
Throwing caution to the wind, I raise my head to look Redmond Bateman square in the eyes. There’s no point in entertaining this idea, I realize that now. This man is completely up himself, so I might as well say what I think, for I have little to lose. “I’m leaving.” My voice holds no trace of nervousness, which surprises me. “It’s clear you’re not interested in helping me. You don’t believe what I say and can’t see you’re missing out on a potential advantage. Oh, well... Your loss!”
Red’s cold blue-gray eyes flash with a spark of amusement, and Ibristle further. “Exactly what is so funny?”
He leans down, his face nearing mine, his lips mere inches away. He’s not contemplating kissing me, is he? The thought horrifies me. This isRedmond Bateman, so why am I not moving?
“It’s amusing to see that you’re so privileged you believe anything you have to offer is something I oranyof us here want!”
His hot breath travels over my skin, leaving tiny goosebumps. With the scent of cigarettes and whiskey, combined with a hint of his musky aftershave, I should be appalled at the enforced closeness this creature uses to intimidate me. But I’m not, his raw maleness is intoxicating.
And this bothers me more than dying.
But wait a minute. His words... Is he... is he insinuating I’d offermyselfin exchange for his help?
My cheeks flush with what I put down to anger, nothing else. Certainly nothing else. The thought is abhorrent. “How dare you! You think I’d prostitute myself to anyone, let aloneyou?” I move to push past, but he tightens his grip on my shoulders.
“Listen, you spoiled little bitch.” The amusement disappears from his eyes, replaced with cold, burning hatred. “Take it whichever way you wish, but I’m not in the market for games. I’m not on the market foranything, so whatever your plan is, take it with you and fuck off back to your husband and daddy.”
At this, the concept of everything I promised myself leaves the building. Yet another person dismissing everything I think, do or say, no matter how much it took me to come here.
Summoning up force I didn’t realize I had, I push against his hard chest with all my might. “You arrogant bastard!” My shove doesn’t shift him, but it’s enough to dislodge his grip. “You think you know it all, but you don’t have a clue!”
Now I’m glad I stopped to take a memento. Not for myself. I want nothing of Roberto’s and want what I took even less, but I was right to suspect I’d need to prove my words are true.
“I killed my husband fromnecessityrather than leaving him with no justification in remaining part of this world. Unlike you...” I say, hearing an audible intake of breath from one of the brothers behind me.
Red lurches towards me, his eyes bright with rage. He’s planning to corner me, and any control not to damage me is gone. He’s wearing the same raw fury I witnessed when he caught me with the photograph, but I can’t stop now. I’ll not be trampled over any longer. I’ve been a doormatfor too long.
Tipping my handbag upside down, my purse and keys fall out to join my lipstick on the floor once again. It’s not like I need those keys anymore, and my purse is all but empty because Roberto didn’t let me have more than a few pounds to my name.
I have nothing. Exceptthis. And I don’t want it in my possession a moment longer. My hand moves to the back pocket of my handbag. “You want more? You want something else? Fine! I’ll give you that!”
“Get the fucking silly bitch out of here before Red kills her!”
My head jolts up as one brother speaks, the other restraining Red.Shit, he really is mad at me. I must act fast. My fingers fumble in my bag, and the contents tumble to the floor just as Red breaks free.
Everything grinds to a halt. All eyes, apart from mine, are on what thunks to the floor and rolls out of its tissue wrapping. I don’t look. I don’t need to. I knowexactlywhat it is.
“Fuck!” someone growls.
With a questioning look, Red’s eyes move from Roberto’s cock in all of its splendor on the floor of his office, to me.
“Now do you believe me?” I slightly enjoy the shock on their faces. “Yes, I cut my husband’s cock off. He deserved it, and...” I add, nudging it with my foot so that it rolls to display the other side, “...there’s the proof.”
Everyoneknew about Roberto’s specially commissioned Prince Albert ring. He screwed enough women through our marriage to ensure the whole of London knew of his pierced cock!
I watch these three brute men rendered speechless. It only lasts a few seconds, but to achieve that, I’m happy.
“Fuck’s sake,” Red mutters. “Looks like she’s telling the truth.”
“Whatever she’s doing, she’s a fucking psycho,” one brother gasps. “She’s got to go.”
“Please!” I squeak, hating my confidence for deserting me. “You have to help. I...” My stomach lurches as the two brothers approach. It’s no good. It’s over. I can’t get these lunatics on side, and I have no bargaining chips left to trade.
“No!” Red steps forward, one jerk of his head stopping his brothers in their tracks. “We’ll keep her. For now, at least.”
“You’ve got to be joking!” A brother moves towards me once more and I back away.
