Tears trickled down her cheeks. “I’ll feel honored,” she said, “honored to be the personal whore of Simon Ruben.”
He sat for several moments staring at her. “Even without make-up, even looking frightened and exhausted, you are a beautiful woman, Mrs. Ryan. And now you belong to me. I own you. I’m going to do things to you: to your reputation, to your mind, to your lovely body, to your sense of self, that you cannot begin to imagine.” He reached across and placed his fat wet hand on her thigh. Kathy flinched. “You must learn very quickly to welcome my touch and respond warmly to it…I mean learn now, this minute.”
Kathy hesitated then took his hand between both of hers. She lifted his hand to her breast, which still bore the angry red marks left by the cage. Ruben pinched her nipple, “Tell me, Mrs. Ryan, what are the things about me you find so appealing? Tell me why you wish to live with me as my personal whore. That is your wish now, is it not?”
Kathy was on the verge of complete exhaustion and felt she might start screaming hysterically. She glanced at the squealing rats. “Yes, that’s my wish. I…I…admire your…your cleverness, your intelligence.” She noticed he’d begun to frown. “I mean the way you get what you want; your power to have others follow you; your power over me.” He still wasn’t satisfied. Kathy pulled her chair closer and took his other hand, which she lifted to her lips and kissed. “You must have paid a great deal to purchase half of my contract. For the next six months I do belong to you. I’m now your woman. I take some perverse pleasure in knowing you own me and in knowing I will do whatever you order me to do.” She thought to herself, ‘if only I can say the right words I may soon be out of this dreadful room and away from this monster.’ She looked directly at him, “I wish to become Simon Ruben’s personal whore. I wish to serve his niece Sheila in whatever ways I can.” She leaned forward and licked her lips, “I…I would like very much to be permitted to kiss you, Simon Ruben.”
Roughly, he grabbed her wrists and pulled her forward so that she was kneeling between his legs. He took her face between his meaty hands and tilted it up. He pressed his mouth hard against her parted lips and slid his thick tongue between them. He held her like that so long she thought she might faint. He withdrew his tongue but did not let go. She knew what he wanted. Hesitantly, she slipped her tongue into his mouth. It tasted sour and old…the way, she thought, decay would taste. He held her face to his even more forcefully until she felt her lips were bruised. It was not a kiss. It was a violent rape of her mouth. At his worst, Abul had never been this angry, this cruel. Kathy realized in that moment that Simon Ruben would kill her before the half year was over.
Finally, he let her go and flung her to the floor. She lay there trembling, afraid he would tie her over the cage again. “Get dressed, bitch. I’ll be given a report from the Club so you damn well better say what I told you to say. And you better follow the instructions that will be given to you tomorrow.”
Chapter Three
Kathy was permitted to shower. Jane brought the same clothes Kathy had worn on her arrival: a short black skirt and jacket, a white nylon blouse, and the black leather stilettos. On the bed were her purse and make-up case. She looked in the mirror imagining what her life would be like with Simon Ruben. With sickening dread she once more felt certain he intended to abuse her terribly until near the end of her contract, then he would find a way to have her killed. She applied the lipstick and gloss over her bruised and swollen lips. How had it come to this? she wondered. And why had Satomi sold her contract to Simon Ruben?
She slipped her bare feet into the spike heels then looked up at Jane. “I’m ready,” she said. Without speaking, Jane led her to the front door where a cab was waiting. For a moment she thought of telling the driver to take her straight home, but fear of Ruben made her say, “The Country Club, please.”
“I know,” the driver replied.
Ten minutes later the cab stopped in front of the Country Club Dining Room. Kathy took a deep breath, reminding herself of the hungry rats. Every part of her body ached. Her head throbbed. She longed for her own bed and sleep. Rudy was tending the bar that, except for two men she recognized, was empty. They were Tom Dolan, the president of Westen Bank and Herb Bennett, the local district attorney. They were close friends of Simon Ruben and, like him, had the reputation of being lecherous old men, but rich and powerful. She was sure Simon had sent them here.
Washing the large expanse of window that looked out on the first hole, was a huge, sullen black man she’d never seen before.
As she started toward the end of the bar, Dolan grabbed her arm, “Why it’s Kathy Ryan!” he exclaimed. He rose and indicated his bar stool, “Can’t let the town beauty sit alone, can we, Herb?”
“That wouldn’t do at all,” his chubby companion said, his tiny eyes appraising Kathy from head to toe. Kathy was about to object, but Dolan’s grip tightened on her arm forcing her to take the stool between them. They would never have behaved this way unless they’d been told of her situation. Rudy approached trying not to meet her eyes. He placed a small tape recorder on the bar in front of her and covered it with a napkin. Not looking at her, he muttered, “Sorry Mrs. Ryan. I got kids, you know, and need to work.”
Kathy nodded. “I’ll have a gin and tonic,” she said. The men on either side of her were in their late fifties. She had seen them around town since she was a little girl. She and Jeff, after they were married, sometimes joked about Ruben and his gang of political thieves. These two men were prominent members of “the gang.” When she’d sat, her skirt had ridden up on her thighs. She started to tug it down.
Dolan touched her arm, “No need to do that, Mrs. Ryan.” He placed her hand on the bar. “I mean you’re wearing such a short skirt and with those heels…well, you must enjoy having men admire your splendid legs. Isn’t that right?” He glanced at the hidden recorder then back at her.
It was clear now that Ruben had called them and sent them here. “Yes,” she said as the color rose to her cheeks. “Yes, I do…like it; like to be admired.”
Herb Bennett placed a fat hand on her bare knee, causing her to flinch, “I must say, Mrs. Ryan, I’ve been admiring those legs and that tight little body of yours ever since you were about sixteen. Like a lot of other men in our town, I’m a long time admirer.” He leaned close, his fetid breath in her face, “I’d watch you at the Country Club Pool here and have myself a world-class hard on in a couple of minutes.”
Dolan chuckled and placed his sweaty hand on her thigh. Pressure from both men forced her legs apart. “That’s true,” Dolan said, “As a young piece of jailbait you were hot. We called you our little Lolita” He put his mouth close to her ear. “At our poker games we often said that of all the young cunt in town, we’d most like to fuck yours.” He sipped his drink, never taking his eyes from her. “You naked under that blouse and skirt, Mrs. Ryan?” He’d spoken loud enough for Rudy to hear. Rudy, embarrassed for her, busied himself washing glasses.
“Yes,” Kathy said.
“No bra, not even any panties?”
Kathy’s face reddened, “No… there’s nothing.”
“Where you coming from so late in the afternoon?” He rubbed her thigh.
“A visit,” she said.
Bennett squeezed her knee, “You can do better than that. Who was it had the pleasure of your company today?”
Kathy glanced toward the window where the angry looking black man continued to work. He was clearly within hearing range. She then turned back, “I was at Mr. Ruben’s. I was invited by Simon Ruben to…to…spend the afternoon at his house.”
“Old Simon Ruben!” Dolan shouted in mock surprise. “Didn’t you and your husband try to have him barred from this very club a little over a year ago?”
Kathy nodded, “Yes, yes we did.”
“Then why would Jeff Ryan’s young widow be spending an afternoon with Simon Ruben?” He tapped the recorder. Before Kathy could answer, the door swung open admitting Billy and Ann Hastings, t
wo of her best friends. Billy had been Jeff’s best man at their wedding.
“Kathy!” Ann shouted. “My God, what a happy surprise.” Quickly Dolan and Bennett put their hands up on the bar and Kathy drew her knees together. Ann and Bill stood before her beaming, obviously glad to see her. Kathy had always been very fond of both of them. Like she and Jeff, they seemed to have the perfect marriage. She was struck now, once again, of their sweet innocence. This was especially obvious in Ann. Her merry blue eyes sparkled. She had flawless skin, very pale. Her natural blonde hair hung almost to her tiny waist. She was not over five feet tall even in heels. Kathy remembered how Ann’s breasts had developed early and were the envy of all the girls during and after their high school years. She didn’t look any older now than she did then, nor did Billy. She noticed the way Billy and Ann still held hands as if they were newly in love.
“We heard you were back,” Billy said. “How long has it been? Two months?”
“More like three,” Kathy said with a thin smile.
“You must come over and tell us all about your world tour,” Ann said. She leaned closer and spoke softly. “Did it help? I mean everyone said when you left so soon after…after Jeff passed on that you were trying to…to.. come to terms with…”
“Yes,” Kathy interrupted quickly, the tears welling up in her eyes. “Yes, Ann it helped. It helped but still…”
Ann patted her friend’s hand, “Oh, it’s so good to have you back.” She smiled and winked at her husband, “And just in time.”
Billy nodded, “We’re having a sort of reunion dance right here tomorrow night. It will be the old gang, some from high school, some from college. Please say you’ll come. You can sit with us.”
Dolan and Bennett exchanged a quick glance. Then Dolan swung around to face the newcomers, “Mrs. Ryan was just telling us about another party she’s attending Friday night, weren’t you?”
Kathy felt her cheeks burning, “Uh…yes, another party,” she said.
Ann and Billy looked puzzled, “Where?” Billy asked. “Who with?”
“Tell them,” Bennett said. “Tell them about the new man in your life who’s been helping you get over your recent tragic loss.”
Kathy looked down at the floor, “Simon Ruben,” she said. “I’m seeing Simon Ruben. The dinner party is at his home.” Kathy glanced at Billy and Ann, then looked away. “Mr. Ruben has…has been good to me. I’ve become…” She stopped. Dolan caught her eye and nodded. She looked at her friends, “Mr. Ruben has been kind and…and…I’ve become attracted to him. He’s not at all the kind of man we thought him to be.” She noticed Dolan’s hand rested on the napkin covering the recorder.
He smiled at her but spoke to Billy and Ann, “Mrs. Ryan has finally admitted she and her late husband had done our friend Simon a great disservice in the matter you just mentioned. Simon has very generously forgiven her and so, I believe, has his niece.” He turned back to Kathy, “Would you like to explain, Mrs. Ryan?”
Kathy felt as if her stomach were dissolving. The incredulous faces of her friends went in and out of focus. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Dolan’s finger tap the recorder again. She thought of her sister-in-law, still a captive at the Facility. She remembered the hungry rats scurrying around in their cage. Fighting to hold back the tears, she looked at Ann and Billy, “Mr. Dolan is right.” She stopped to take a deep breath. “I knew back then. I knew last year that Jeff…that Jeff and the girl…Simon’s niece were lovers and had been for some time. There were letters and other things.”
Billy’s face was red with anger, “You mean Ruben was telling the truth and you and Jeff were…were…”
“Lying,” Kathy said. “Yes, I’m so ashamed but…but…” she couldn’t finish.
Billy stepped closer, “I think, for some ungodly reason, you’re lying now. Jeff couldn’t have. He just couldn’t have!” His voice rose and he glared at Dolan and Bennett.
“I assure you, Mr. Hastings,” Dolan said evenly, “what Mrs. Ryan has just told you is the truth. The slanderous accusations she and her child-molesting husband made last year almost destroyed our dear friend and his niece. Tell them, Mrs. Ryan, tell them.”
Kathy could not look at her friends. She lowered her eyes and spoke just above a whisper, “What Mr. Dolan has said is true. Jeff deceived me. Both of us deceived our friends. Together we tried to ruin Mr. Ruben and Sheila. They have forgiven me and I am most grateful to them.” She looked up at her friends, “I’m sorry,” she said, “more sorry than you can imagine.”
Billy glared at the two men, then turned to Kathy, “We know Jeff couldn’t possibly have had an affair with that skinny, loud-mouthed girl. My god, she was only sixteen or seventeen then. Jeff would never touch her.”
Kathy lifted her head to look directly at Billy, “There are photographs, Billy. Photographs of the two of them. And there are letters, letters they wrote to each other.”
Dolan winked at Billy, “She was just telling us about the long and rather intimate afternoon she spent alone with Simon Ruben.” He placed his hand on Kathy arm and squeezed, “Maybe you might even have let him kiss you, Mrs. Ryan? Did you find our old friend, what shall I say….compelling?”
Kathy lowered her eyes, “Yes, he’s been so good to me…so understanding, and…and forgiving, I let him kiss me and…and.”
Her friends stepped back staring at her in disbelief. Dolan increased the pressure on her arm, “Perhaps, as you get to know him better, you may even well, you know? You might become attracted enough to let him do more than kiss you.” He winked at Billy and Ann.
Not looking up, Kathy spoke loud enough so that her words would be recorded, “This afternoon I was surprised to find my feelings for Mr. Ruben were…were…strong…very strong I…I might let him…let him…” her voice trailed off.
Without another word, Billy took his wife’s arm and they hurried out. Bennett once more placed his hand on Kathy’s knee and parted her legs. “Well done, Mrs. Ryan,” he said. “Simon will be pleased.” His pudgy hand moved along the inside of her thigh. “News like this spreads fast in our little community. By tonight neither you nor your husband will have a reputation worth a Canadian nickel.”
Dolan laughed, “And wait till the word goes round that the beautiful young widow of Jeffery Ryan has fallen in love with Simon Ruben! Or maybe she’s just hungry for old Simon’s fat prick?”
Kathy felt the tears trickle down her cheeks. Dolan asked Rudy for the phone. He pushed some numbers and handed it to Kathy. Ruben was on the line, “Are you tired, my little pet?” he asked.
Kathy could hardly answer. “Yes,” she said finally, “yes, I’m terribly tired.”
“But you’re never too tired to address me with affection and want to please me, yes?”
Kathy closed her eyes, hesitating, “I…I’ll do what you say.”
“Affection,” he repeated.
She glanced at the two men who were grinning, “Yes, darling,” she said.
“Of course, you will,” Ruben chuckled. “There’s never going to be a question about that.” He paused. “I’m sure you’ve met two of my very best friends who, incidentally, will be at our private party at my house. But right now I want you to invite them to your house.”
“Oh, please no, I’m so exhausted….” Kathy began.
Ruben cut her off, “On the drive to your house, you will sit in the front between my friends. By the time you arrive, I want you to have made their cocks hard. Phone me as soon as you get there. I’ll want a report and I will also have more instructions for you. Is that clear?”
Dolan and Bennett smiled as Kathy said, “Yes, dear, I understand.”
Ruben chuckled, “Do I make you hot and wet? Say it affectionately and loud enough for them to hear. I don’t want no simple ‘yes’, you understand.”
Rudy was nearby. “Yes, honey, you excite me. You make me hot and wet.”
“You want me?”
“Yes, honey, I want you.”
“You’ll come to me naked. You’ll give yourself to me naked in my bed?” It was a question.
She glanced at Rudy and then at the two men on either side of her, “Yes, I want you.” She paused. He was waiting. “I want you very much. I’ll come to your bed. I’ll be naked for you.”
“That’s right, little pet, you will, every night. You’re mine now?” It was a question.
“Yes, honey, I’m yours.”
“Let me talk to Dolan.”
She handed the phone to Dolan. He listened for a few moments smiling and nodding to Bennett. Before hanging up, he told Rubin about the dance Kathy’s friends were having tomorrow night at the Country Club. There was a long pause while he listened. He hung up the phone and told Rudy to have the valet bring his car around. Turning to Kathy he said, “Isn’t there something you’d like to ask us?”
Kathy swallowed, fighting against the tears she felt coming, “I’d like to invite you and Mr. Bennett to…to…come to my house for a little while.”
“Well, thank you, Mrs. Ryan, but isn’t that a bit odd? We’ve only just now become acquainted and uh…your husband has recently died. Am I correct in assuming no one will be there but the three of us?” He’d spoken loud enough for Rudy and the black worker to hear.
Blushing, Kathy looked down at her hands, which were folded on the bar. “Yes, my husband is dead. No one’s there. There will just be the three of us.”
Bennett placed his damp hand over hers and squeezed, “Maybe the widow Ryan is lonely for some male companionship? Is that it, Mrs. Ryan? Maybe your bed has been empty too long?” He slid his other arm around her waist.
Kathy drew in her breath, “Yes,” she said.
“Yes what?”
Kathy glanced at Rudy who looked away, “Yes, my bed has been empty too long.”
The car pulled up at the front door. On the way out, Kathy noticed the window washer had put down his squeegee and turned to watch them.
Inner Circle Page 5
