Page 96 of Wicked Temptation

Samson huffed out a laugh. “Kinda thought he was gonna piss himself.”

“Instead, he barfed up his guts.” Frank shook his head. “Fuckin’ unbelievable.” He nodded toward the bedroom. “Let’s get this done.”

They entered the bedroom, and Samson eyeballed the beautiful brunette sprawled on the bed as Frank’s guys sealed up the plastic bags of evidence insuring Monroe’s loyalty.

Frank stood at the foot of the bed.“Okay, babe, show’s over.”

The brunette sat up and pulled the rubber tubing off her arm. “Shit, that thing was a killer. My damn arm fell asleep.” She swiped the hair out of her face, pushed off the bed, retrieved her clothes piled on the floor, pulled them on, and turned to Frank. “That guy was a real asshole.”

“They usually are.” Frank peeled off a wad of hundreds and stuffed them into the girl’s palm.

She eyed the money and smiled. “Always a pleasure doing business with you.”

She righted her top and sidled up to Samson. “I don’t mind playing dead for money.” She ran her hand over Samson’s crotch. “But I just wanna tell you I’m very much alive.”

“Sorry, sweetheart, not interested.”

The brunette shrugged her shoulder, slung her purse over it, and left.

Frank scanned the room with a practiced eye. “One of the most successful scams going.”

“It’s believable 'cause it's so outrageous.”

Frank nodded to the door. “She’s very reliable. I’ve used her before.”

“A fake death is so effective.”

“Nothing says you're fucked like waking up next to a dead body. Usually, these entitled assholes are so freaked out they never think to check the pulse. They just assume the worst when they can’t wake up their ‘date.’”

“I still remember that pain-in-the-ass congressman we set up years ago. The stupid fucker started bawling and pleading for our help. Dumb shit.”

“Now, that guy pissed himself.”

Samson and Frank shared a laugh, but Samson wasn’t fooled. Frank would get his pound of flesh when he got in the cage and handed over all his winnings. They’d never settled on an actual amount, but he doubted he’d have any more trouble from the Monroes with how things worked out here today.

“I set up your first fight for next Friday at Valley View.”

Yup, Frank never forgot what was owed him. Now, it was Samson’s turn to hold up his side of the bargain.

* * *

After Samson’s mysterious trip to California, he assured Lisbeth it was safe to return to her office. Willow was her usual supportive self, and Evelyn was shocked to hear how Edward reacted to her breaking off the engagement. She agreed Edward had her fooled as well, which comforted Lisbeth. Telling her mother wasn’t quite as easy, but Lisbeth stopped worrying about her mother’s reactions many years ago.

On the surface, Lisbeth and Samson’s life returned to normal. She moved into Samson’s penthouse, and they fell into an easy pattern like they hadn’t been separated for the last ten years. She was back at her job, and he’d spend Friday through Sunday night at Club Wicked.

Then he took the trip to LA, and his whole personality changed when he returned. He started fighting at the Valley View warehouse more often and he became closed off. The underlying tension radiating from Samson was palatable—and it scared her.

“Just wondering if you’re ever going to tell me what’s bothering you?”

“Nothing, babe.” Samson kept his eyes on the nylon shorts and t-shirts he stuffed in his gym bag.

“You seem tense, especially on the nights you fight.”

“Nah, all good.”

Which was a lie. Just the other night Nick had been yelling so loud over the phone that she clearly heard him use phrases like “He’s fucking using you,” “You’re nothing but a fight slave,” and “When the hell is this gonna end” which made Lisbeth wonder what exactly was going on.

“I had no idea you fought so many nights a week.” Perhaps a leading question would make him reveal something.

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