Chapter 2 Stephanie McCain

My ears must be playing tricks on me because he didn't just say what I thought he said, right?

“Stephanie, you know how I feel about repeating myself.”

Oh yes, he definitely did!

“Please, Marcus, don't.”

“Crawl. To. Me.”

I burst into tearful hysterics, shaking my head. “Please don't make me do this, Marcus.” I sob. “Please.”

“You don't want me to come over there, Stephanie. So just do as you're told.”

My lips tremble pathetically. “Please Marcus, I don't want to do this.”

“Then you should've thought of that before you fucking went to the police!” He barked and I flinched. “You know what I always say? All actions have consequences? Well, this is just the start of yours.” He said, pinning me with those eyes in a deadly stare.

My knees began to wobble. If I don't do as he said, he could hurt me in a thousand different ways. I lowered myself to the floor and pressed my palms into the cool floor before the first shards of sharp ceramics. I hesitated, hoping he would tell me it was all one of his silly retarded jokes but it wasn't. Nothing was ever a joke for Marcus Gustavo.

I choked on my own tears as I screwed my eyes shut, reluctantly taking the first step with trembling hands and knees. I started moving forward very slowly.

“And if you avoid the shards, I'll just make you do it again. So don't try to play smart with me.”

My throat burns and I ached all over, my body trying to fight what I was about to do but I literally had no choice.

I crawled forward again, the shards piercing my knees and palms and I yelled out in pain, blood seeping out instantly.

“That's it.” He barked. “Keep going.”

I took another step and then another.

The sounds of my agonizing screams filled the kitchen, like something straight out of a horror movie and I knew no one was coming to save me because no one knew I was in an abusive relationship. Not my mother and not even Athena.

The pain only increased with every new piece that sliced into my skin, leaving a trail of crimson blood behind me.

When I finally caught up to him, he held me by my jaw, forcing me to look up at him as he shoved a picture on his phone in my face.

“Recognize him?”

Wait.

Oh my God!

Was that a picture of Andrew?

I broke out into fresh sobs now, even more scared than I was before if that was even possible.

Marcus chuckled. “Of course you do. That's your brother, Andrew. What you just went through is only a tip of the iceberg to what I could do to him if you so much as go against me again. Understood?”

He landed a slap on my face when I didn't respond immediately. “I said, understood?”

This time, I nodded frantically. “Yes.”

“Good, cause I know where he lives and it would only take a phone call for my men to capture him.”

I nodded again.

I don't doubt him for one second.

They say prison is a source of rehabilitation but how come it only makes its occupants worse?

~~~~

Six months later.

I know my target.

Marcus has been planning this one for weeks. I was not just his ‘girlfriend’ anymore, I was a part of his gang now.

My duty? Seduce rich men with secrets. Secrets that could be used against them to give Marcus unlimited power and the ability to take what he wants. He's fucking obsessed with money and no amount seemed to be okay for him.

I couldn't refuse because I obviously wasn't thinking about just myself anymore. I was thinking about my eighteen year old brother. He was only a child but Marcus had no problem threatening him. He knew how much I loved Andrew and that gave him the right leverage for blackmail.

How the fuck did I end up with such a conniving bastard in the first place?

He might as well have a degree in blackmail because he was a sick twisted man.

He deserves a slow painful death for everything he has done to me. I've planned his murder multiple times in the past six months I've been with him but it's nearly impossible for me to act upon it especially with his men constantly loitering around him.

I tugged down my dress, making sure that it covered the scars in my knees. I've been hiding in the club's toilet for the past fifteen minutes. I know what Hayden Lowe looked like. Marcus gave me all the information I needed before I arrived and if I don't come home with any dirt on the man, I'm going to be punished.

So I have to play this right. Marcus is the last person whose bad side I want to be on.

I roll my lips together, the gloss shining against the reflection in the mirror. It's now or never.

My heels clicked against the floor as I exited the bathroom and walked back inside to the dark suite, pulling my long blond hair over my shoulder. I scanned the room as I walked to the VIP section. Marcus puts me on the guest list somehow and that makes this a thousand times easier.

Hayden Lowe will only be in the VIP section, away from the drunk clubbers below.

I sucked in a breath as I approached the bar, taking a glass of champagne from one of the trays that were floating around. I was desperate for some liquid courage and even though I've been doing this for the past four months, it never gets easier.

When I pressed the glass to my lips, I took a sip and nodded to myself.

It's fine. You can do this.

Men glanced my way as I walked through the room, smiling as I passed but keeping my eyes out for the man I needed. He might not be here yet but that gave me a chance to think about how I was going to approach and what I was going to say.

Smile and flirt.

That's what Marcus always said. Women are good at seducing men with their eyes and apparently, blonde haired women are more desired. Not that I believe him though but I couldn't deny that it has worked in my favor previously.

As I nursed my drink and waited at the bannister that overlooked the dance floor of the club, people slowly filtered inside, most of them having the time of their lives.

I miss my nights with Athena and the crazy fun we'd have. When she's here, everything is better but I haven't seen her in a little while and that was partly my fault. I've been putting off any meeting with her because I felt like just one look from her, and I'd be spilling everything.

I turn my head towards the bar and my ankles rock slightly when I catch a glimpse of Hayden. He's tall and in a sharp gray suit that made him stand out. He's with two other men but I'm not focused on them. Hayden was my only target.

My eyes remained on him until he glanced my way and we locked gazes. I offer him a sweet smile before sipping on my champagne. I turned my head towards the dance floor again, ignoring the way my heart was thumping inside my chest.

Breathe, Stephanie. Just breathe. I remind myself.

If I just manage to get some information, this can all be over.

For tonight at least.

I chew on my lips and peer over at Hayden again. He was already looking at me and my lips curled into a smile as I straightened my spine, placing my foot behind me to showcase the curve of my ass. It was a trick that tends to work.

His eyes dip down to my waist and over my curves effortlessly. He turned back to his company, leaning forward to say something to them before turning and walking in my direction.

My blood rushed through my body as I braced myself for my task.

I glanced away and soon felt his presence beside me. “Are you here alone, beautiful?”

His voice was dark and crisp, matching his age. He must be approaching fifty.

My smile remained glued to my face as I twisted my head to look at him again. I sigh softly. “I'm meant to be meeting up with some friends but I'm not entirely sure where they are.”

“I see.” He said, nodding slowly. “Well, would you mind if I kept you company then? I wouldn't want a beautiful girl like you standing here all alone.”

“How very gentlemanly of you. But that's okay. I don't want to keep you away from your company.”

Hayden shook his head. “They won't miss me.” He beckoned to the men behind him. “What's your name?”

“Stephanie.” I breathe slowly.

His eyes softened and I spotted the wrinkles around them. “Very fitting for a breathtaking woman. I'm Hayden and it's so nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” I said, letting my hair fall over my face.

Hayden stared at me, his eyes paying particular attention to my lips and then my breasts.

They were always the fucking same.

I don't think any man has ever looked at my face without being desperate to see and do more.

“Shall we take a seat?” He gestured to the empty booth behind me.

I nodded and he placed a hand on my lower back, a little too low for my liking. His little finger ran along the thin strap of my thong and it made my skin crawl.

As we sat down, I crossed my leg over the other and watched as he sat down right beside me, his leg brushing mine.

“So Stephanie, tell me more about yourself.” He said as he leaned into the chair, placing his hand behind it.

I cleared my throat gently. “There's nothing much to tell. I work in finance and I like to go out and have a good time.”

He flashed me a grin, showing off his pearly white teeth. “What about you?” I asked. “You're probably a lot more interesting than I am.”

A laugh fell from his lips. “Oh, I don't know about that.”

“What do you do?”

“I own a business.”

I hummed with intrigue like I didn't already know that information. “What kind of business?”

“In stocks and shares. I'll probably bore you.”

I shook my head. “Oh, not at all. I work in finance, remember? So do you enjoy it?”

Hayden inspects my lips again, remaining silent for a few moments. “I do but it can be extremely stressful at times.”

“I'm guessing your company is very successful.” I commented, leaning back into the leather seat only for him to move even closer.

Goosebumps covered my skin but I continued to smile even if I wanted to skin myself alive for being this close to a man I'm not even remotely interested in.

“Well, you could say that.” He smirked before placing a hand on my knee. “But talking about business when we should be enjoying ourselves is extremely boring and I don't want to bore you, Stephanie. In fact, I want to please you.”

My eyes widened slightly and I tried not to let the horror show on my face. I'm only one step closer to getting the information I need. It never takes just one night. It could take weeks, if not months to get these men to trust me but one thing Marcus doesn't want to hear are excuses.

I have to get something useful back to him tonight.

“Oh, I—”

Before I knew it, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to my neck. I froze, feeling his mouth lick and kiss across my skin.

“Wait.” I heaved out, pressing a hand to his hard shoulder but he didn't even move. “I-I would rather we talked for now.”

He laughed into my neck and grabbed my waist, causing my champagne to jump out of the glass and roll down my hand. “Talk? I'd rather get a taste of you, baby. I bet you taste as good as you smell.”

My stomach rolled over inside me and I cringed, heat spiking up my body in a way that made me want to be set on fire. He grabbed my waist even harder and I whimpered at the way his fingers pressed into my hips.

“Stop.” I panted pathetically. “Stop.”

A shadow cast over my face of a body peering over us. The back of Hayden's neck is grabbed and ripped from the booth within two seconds. I took out a desperate breath and glanced up, my face flustered as I brushed my hair away from my eyes frantically.

“When she says stop, you stop, you fucking asshole.” A heavy and raspy voice caught me off guard.