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Shannon’s life was starting to become much more complicated than she liked. She had Logan constantly pestering her. He was a pain in the ass. But she was too nice to come right out and say anything. She hated confrontation. Then somehow, without any planning, everything seemed to have lined up and a perfect opportunity came for her to help Logan when Jack asked her to book him at a hotel. Shannon also felt Payton was being unrealistic with her demands she laid out in the email. Not to mention, sending the email itself was plain rude, she deserved a phone call at the very least.
Logan’s request for her to go to Jack, to essentially spy on him, came at a good time since she was frustrated and always felt better after seeing him. To top off being happy to see Jack, this would give her an opportunity to show Logan that Payton had no mystery dealings with Jack, and that he, too, was a solid citizen.
She exhaled in frustration, New Yorkers always thought the worst of people. It was really too bad.
*
Stepping out ofthe shower, onto the cold tile floor, Payton felt refreshed and able to think more about her predicament. She really didn’t want to have lunch with Jack but she didn’t feel like she had an alternate plan. Feeling as if she hadn’t slept in days didn’t help her function as quickly as she would like. Having a drink with Jack might lead her to some clues about what was happening around her. Still damp from the shower, Payton decided to give her sister a quick call from her cell phone. It was about time she let everything get real. Going to the pile of clothes she peeled off as soon as she entered the room, she looked through the articles of clothing. She was stunned; her phone was nowhere to be found. She was sure she had brought it with her on her run. Not wanting to think it was lost because it had her life in it—contacts, emails and the like—she forced herself to continue to get ready. The alarm clock in the hotel said she had twenty more minutes until she needed to be over at Jack’s.
She needed some sort of plan. It seemed like she and Jack were in some kind of trouble together. Or he had done something to make it look like she was the one in trouble. Either way, the mess had to do with money and Jack. Her stomach began to grow tumors of knots, as she began to think that she had lost Dixon forever, over something totally out of her control. Stay positive! If she was going to fix this problem she would have to step out of her comfort zone. It was about time to become the leading lady of her life, and not rely on her sister to fix everything for her.
She would go to Jack’s room, down the hall, and snoop a little. Maybe there was something in his room that would lead her to something. She knew it was a shitty plan but she had nothing else. Her sister was the Nancy Drew, not her.
Just as Payton was about to knock on Jack’s door, he opened it, causing the fragrance of his cologne to overwhelm her sense of smell. As she stepped inside he handed her a glass of white wine and they lightly touched their glasses together. Without saying a word, he led her out onto the terrace of his room. The room was neat and the TV played music that filled the void.
The afternoon temperature had risen considerably from her early morning run. It was a beautiful, hot day with a small breeze to add a measure of comfort from the heat.
It was obvious that Jack was quite prepared for her visit. She sat down at the table that had fruit and cheese waiting and a bottle of wine chilling in an ice bucket. The terrace faced the beach, allowing for its salty breeze to wind around them. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. She had no idea what she was doing. She could not understand how she always found herself alone with Jack. She couldn’t think of anyone she disliked more, and yet she still slept with him when he offered.
Neither of them had said a single word yet. Instead they stared at each other in some sort of challenge. As if the one to say to say something first would lose. They both slowly sipped their wine as they continued their showdown. Payton could feel the wine go through her body, slowly relaxing her, and giving her some liquid courage.
“How are things with my little sister?” Knowing that this conversation should have been off the discussion list, she asked it anyway.
“Last time I saw her she was enjoying herself more than usual.” He sipped on his wine as he winked at her.
Jack’s cell phone that sat on the side of the glass table buzzed. “Sorry, I need to take this.” Jack stepped inside to his bedroom that was off of the suite for more privacy.
Payton took this moment to look around for anything that could be useful. Automatically taking her wine with her, she went inside to casually look around.
“What the hell is it, Shannon?” whispered Jack.
Forgiving his tone immediately, Shannon cheerfully announced, “I have decided to quit working for Payton. You were right, she doesn’t give me enough respect.”
“Shannon, I do not have time for this—”
Not letting him finished she continued, “I am on my way to see you. I know that you are in some kind of trouble, and I want to be there for you. See you in one hour.” And then she hung up, not letting Jack respond. Fucking women, never leave you alone. Shaking his head in annoyance, he realized he had to decide what to do with Payton before Shannon made it to the hotel.
Payton continued looking around when she saw a cell phone that looked like hers. She picked up the phone but before she had a chance to see if it was hers, Jack re-entered the living space of the hotel room. She slipped the phone into her bra before turning around to greet Jack.
“I never get a free moment without a work call,” he stated, his usual sexy smile pasted on his face as he put his phone down on the counter. “I put it on do not disturb.”
The standoff between them escalated. Neither of them knew where the other one stood in terms of the missing money. Jack liked having the upper hand by knowing all information before anyone else. He figured if Payton was willing to come to his room she must still be in the dark. Advantage for him, he thought.
Payton didn’t fully grasp what was truly happening around her. How did this even begin and how did she end up here? What she did understand was that somehow Jack was in the middle of something bigger than her but she was unsure how or what to do about it. She looked around her surroundings and felt so isolated—it was only her and Jack. An eerie thought popped into her mind, how did he know they were staying in the same hotel? Neither of them had clarified which hotel to meet at. He must have seen her.
Jack realized this was the opportunity he might be waiting for. It was only the two of them standing in the room, no one knew where she was and everyone would know that this room was booked under Shannon Hudson, the assistant who wanted everything, including her boss’ life. It would be a good newspaper title, he thought. And he would get away with everything. There was a reason why he was paid so handsomely. He was the best out there and got shit done without any witnesses. He was a natural. He got to fuck women who thought they were smarter than he was. Dominating them was the icing on the cake. He loved knowing he could make them feel so small after he was done with them. He wished he were a fly on the wall when Payton figured everything out. She would realize she was the most stupid woman ever and that he used her like an old, dirty rag. Jack could not wait to get rid of Payton. In a few seconds he would have to come to a conclusion on how he should do it.
*
Dixon lay inbed thinking about his day and how it took a totally different direction than he thought it would. Something didn’t make sense. From his interactions with Payton that day, to the police questioning him, to Lilly wondering about Payton. Devon tried to stall their breaking up once again and he almost let her. This time he was able to stick to his guns and break it off for good. He did love Payton, or at least he thought he did. Devon and he were over, that he knew. Maybe he should call Payton to see what was going on and to see if he over-reacted when she first called.
*
Jack took afew steps closer to Payton. He decided that he wanted one last session of dominating her before he killed her.
Payton’s legs were unable to move. She felt so helpless and unsure of what to do. The way he looked at her gave her chills down her spine. She was not having fun any more. She had to think fast on her feet. Her heart was beating so hard she thought it would burst out of her chest. “Well, this was nice but I should be going,” Payton said, heading for the door while still holding on to her full glass of wine.
Catching her hand, Jack turned her around. “Why so fast?” He pushed himself against her, letting his liquored breath hit her in the face, causing her to turn her head. One of his hands squeezed her ass, as the other firmly held the back of her head as he pushed his tongue between her lips.
