by Blue Saffire
He peruses them. “I know that you’re an honest businessman, Mr. Reed. I had my lawyers read the contract and everything was fine.”
He calls in his assistant to be our witness. This is too easy.
I smile. “Please sign here.” I point to the X, handing over my pen. “Also here. And here.”
I follow and I sign the same places. Picking up the phone, I dial my accountant. “It’s Mr. Reed. Confirmation number 3492. Code IS90. Send it now, Charlie, thank you.”
I hang up the phone and it only takes minutes for the money to reach Huntsman’s account.
His eyes widen as he looks at the millions of dollars sitting in his account. I close my leather folder with all of the contracts.
There’s a knock on the door. “Excuse, Mr. Huntsman, there’s a Mr. Wulf to see you.”
Before Huntsman can reply, Ethan pushes through the door.
“Good Morning, Huntsman, and what a fine day it is.”
I smile in my mind because I know the game my friend is about to play and it’s going to be fun.
Ethan
“Y…you better get out of here before I call the cops,” Huntsman stutters.
Cian rises from his chair. If I weren’t the man that I am, he would intimidate the crap out of me. His silver gaze stares at me hard. His hair is all combed back. Like me, Cian wears a custom suit, made so it fits like a glove.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Cian asks as he places the rigged pen down.
Huntsman dashes in front of me, blocking Cian from my view.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing Wulf, but I’m calling the police.”
I smile, please do. I look at Cian. “You’re the famous billionaire, Cian Reed?”
“That I am.”
“What brings you to Penndel?”
He smiles. “Not that it’s any of your concern, but I just bought Draco Steel and the six companies that are related to it.”
“Hello, Police, this is Joel Huntsman. I have a situation.” I want to laugh out loud at Huntsman. Revenge never felt so sweet.
“Well, technically it’s my company now. Isn’t it, Reed.”
Joel instantly hangs up the phone. “I have no idea what madness is going on here, but Draco Steel now belongs to Cian Reed.”
My friend’s face is turning red, he is dying to laugh. “Technically, I bought it with money in my account,” Cian replies. Huntsman watches on in complete horror.
“Technically, the money was from my account,” I counter.
“What,” Huntsman screams, but we ignore it.
“I will sell you Draco for $2.00,” Cian says, his face red but serious as if he’s making a real transaction.
“I say $1.00.”
He strokes his chin. “I will give it to you for one quarter, not any higher.”
“Sold. Do you have your contracts?”
Cian smiles and pulls them out. Joel stands in shock, watching as his company goes into the hands of his arch enemy. But I’m not done with him yet.
I flip a quarter to Cian. “Nice doing business with you.”
He laughs. “Don’t be a stranger, call me. Congratulations, by the way.”
“I’m looking forward to Daddy life.” We continue to chat as if Huntsman isn’t in the room.
“I will send the contract to Jalyn. Maybe she can run the business,” Cian suggests.
“What the fuck is going on?” Joel bellows through the room.
“That’s my cue. Gentleman, it’s been fun.” Cian turns and exits the room.
I stand looking at the demise of Joel Huntsman. He rips off his tie and paces. “I ought to kill you now.” This is what Huntsman looks like in full distress. I love it.
“How does it feel to be so unhinged?” I ask, leaning on the fabric-covered wall of his office.
“You will never make it. The FBI will take you down before your first quarter.” He stops and sits down. Once again, thinking he has won.
I look out at the view. “Jimbo was offered police protection and he sang like a canary, calling your name on things like human trafficking and the importing of Flakka.”
He smirks, still arrogant even though he has lost. “I have no idea what you’re talking about? What is Flakka?”
“It’s a drug. Kind of like the one you gave to my mother when she got into that accident.” I look to the side and Red walks into the office looking fully in control and powerful, as a tea caddy is pushed in behind her by a staff member.
Chapter 18
The Truth
Amelia
My father tugs off his jacket and he starts to rave. “You disloyal bitch.”
Ethan clears his throat. “Disrespect my woman again, I will take you out now.”
“Here, Daddy. Have some tea.”
He looks at it with fear like he’s seeing it for the first time.
“I had Sheriff Jack reopen mom’s case. She had traces of Fentanyl in her system. A drug you gave her for a headache.” He rocks slightly in his chair rubbing his chin. His nervous ticks are beginning to show. “You killed mom. I just need to know, why?”
The room is silent. I hold my breath, hoping that my lie will pull some truth out of him. I didn’t have the case opened. Sheriff Jack gave me minor details to bait my father.
“She met another man or so I thought. Then, she got pregnant. She said it was mine, but I didn’t believe her.” My hairs rise as he speaks of my mother.
“I realized years after, she never had an affair. She was pregnant with my child, but I was so angry. I poisoned her tea for her to lose the baby,” his shoulders shake as he starts to cry. “I just wanted to get rid of the baby, not her.”
He looks down at his hands. “That night we fought, she figured out what I was doing, but she had already drunk it. She got into the accident after.”
“Drink the tea, Dad! Because this is mixed with Papaya, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Pineapple, something called Dong Quai, with a hint Flakka and Fentanyl.” I pushed the tea toward him. “This would have killed me.”
He cries some more. “I know because I wanted you dead. I’d rather you be dead than the whore of that bastard.”
Ethan moves, but I shake my head.
“Jimbo told the police that you’re the main importer of all the drugs in Penndel.”
“I am,” he whispers.
My heart burns for my mother, her mother, my aunties and my sister. I will have to tell them the truth.
“So, what happens now? I have $340 million dollars. I can go wherever I want. I’m still the mayor after all.”
Heavy footsteps are heading toward us. “Not for long.”
Sheriff Jack walks in. “Joel Huntsman, you’re under arrest for the murder of Jasmine Huntsman, for drug trafficking, and attempted murder.”
“You have no proof,” he screams. “Don’t touch me.”
I pick up the pen and split it open. I can tell when he realizes what has happened.
“You little bitch. I should’ve killed you. I should have—”
The smack greets my ears right before my father’s body slouches before my eyes. Ethan punched him straight in his eye. He is out.
For the first time ever, I feel proud of myself. The teenager who had no power years ago is now standing tall and in control.
“You okay?” Ethan asks.
“Yes, I am. We did it. I knew we could, but why do I feel so sad?”
“Because a part of you hoped it was a lie. He’s your father after all.” He pulls me into an embrace.
“What do we do now, Ethan?” I ask, my voice laced with concern.
“We live.”
Ethan
I drive us back to the manor. Jalyn finally got me the four-poster bed that I requested. I’m happy, my enemy is in jail. My child and woman are safe. My family is prospering. It has been a long road, but I’m happy.
The drama of today has knocked my girl out cold. I park the car and gather my woman from her seat, heading into the house. I c
arry her up the stairs to our new master bedroom.
I ease her down on the bed, take off her shoes and cover her up. Returning downstairs to my finished library, I go to retrieve the box I bought more than ten years ago. Placing it into my back pocket, I move to my desk and pick up the pen-knife and walk to the back wall. I kneel and start to carve out the date.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“I thought you were asleep.” I pull her into my arms and rest my head on her stomach.
“Ethan, baby, your hair is dry as hell. I will treat it tonight.”
I speak to her belly. “You seeing this, son, your mom is the boss of both of us. That’s okay because we get to protect her.”
Her sniffles draw my attention. “Don’t cry, baby.”
“I’m just so happy that’s all. These damn hormones have me a hot mess.”
I hold her close to my chest, her hands resting on my shoulders. I look up and a warm rush enters me.
“Red, I loved you from the first moment I nearly hit you with my baseball bat. You have been my protector, lover, partner and best friend. I’m asking you, please, to continue to be all those things to me, including my wife.” I reach into my back pocket and I hold her hand.
“Will you marry me?”
She starts to cry and blocks her face. Not what I expected. I remain kneeling and waiting.
“So, is that a yes?”
“Oh, my goodness, baby, it’s a yes,” she squeals and just like that she makes me the happiest man in the world.
“I don’t want anything big. Friends and family,” she requests.
“Whatever you want, babe.”
She takes up the pen-knife and starts to carve our names.
Love 2019 Red + Wulfie.
Chapter 19
Baby Wulf
Ethan
Eight months later…
What the hell just happened? I’m still baffled and amazed at the creation that’s a woman’s body. During her pregnancy I attended all her Lamaze classes with her. Nothing in the world could’ve prepared me for this.
I’m in awe of my wife, watching her bring our son Rome into the world. I felt all her pain when she held my hand, now the doctors are passing me scissors like I’m the one who did all the hard work.
“Mr. Wulf, please cut the cord right here.” I do. Still worried about my wife as she lies down on the bed and the medical staff cleans her up.
“Is he all right, Eth? Ten fingers and toes?”
I kiss her forehead. “He’s perfect, love. I’m so proud of you.”
My son decides the medical staff is taking too long to carry him to his mother. He starts to cry, his little fist clenched and pumping slowly in the air.
After the nurses weigh him and clean him up, they bring him back for Red to feed him.
All I can do is stand and watch over them, making sure nothing happens.
“Congratulations, Mayor Wulf.”
My wife smiles. “Please call me, Amelia.”
The nurse blushes before they all leave the room.
Amelia
I’m so sore, and tired. I don’t even remember when I fell asleep. I open my eyes and my husband is talking to our son in hush tones. He looks so much like Ethan, wide forehead, serious face, absolutely handsome.
So much has changed. Two months after Ethan proposed, we had our wedding at the back of Litchfield Manor. With more than eighty-five guests. So much for my small wedding.
It was beautiful, Jalyn and Piper served as my bridesmaids. Olivia as my maid of honor. My husband had Soren and Keegan as his best men and Cian and his brother Hunter as his grooms’ men.
I wore a blush pink Vera Wang dress and, well, Ethan said I looked stunning. It was such a beautiful day. The weather was fine, the food was great, the people of Penndel crashed our wedding, but it was all right.
Weeks later—much to my belief—me and my belly won the election and I became a pregnant mayor. No one cared. My team spun it as me setting a great example of family life and family values.
I look at my husband as he speaks to our baby as if he understands. Rocking him by the window of our room.
“Uncle Soren and Uncle Keegan will teach you baseball. I can’t wait for you to meet your grams and your Aunties, Jalyn and Olivia.
“Uncle Cian will show you how to invest stock, Uncle Hunter will show you how to shoot. Soren will teach you civil engineering. I will love and teach you everything I know.”
“You will also buy him his first car and teach him how to drive.”
He looks up at me and Rome starts to cry.
“I guess he heard your voice and now he’s hungry.” He brings him to me and kisses my forehead. “Thank you, Red.”
“For?”
“For giving us a second chance, for loving me and for giving me a son. When I think about it, you got revenge more than I did.”
I kiss him. “You’re unbelievable. So, what? It’s not Ethan’s Revenge anymore?”
“No, it’s Red’s Revenge.”
“Oh, my goodness, Ethan Wulf. You are such a dork. Just be happy that I love you.”
“I love you way more, Red.”
Epilogue
Big Bad Wulf
Amelia
One year and a half later…
It’s Halloween. The annual adult masquerade party is being held at Penndel Hall.
I’m picking up Ethan at my grams’ house. Rome, the happy spoiled brat that he is, couldn’t sleep without his daddy reading to him.
As I walk up the stairs of my grams’ home, my little red riding hood costume makes a swooshing noise. It’s so annoying; I don’t know why I listened to Ethan when he mentioned that we should go as a couple and win the Penndel best couple costume prize.
Yes, he’s going as the big bad wolf. I push open the bedroom door once up the stairs. A tiny foot is stuck right under Ethan’s chin. Rome’s dark brown ringlets are faced toward Ethan’s legs. I swear this child sleeps like he’s playing in his sleep. Poor Ethan, I nudge his shoulder and he pops up.
“What do we have here? Hello, Little Red Riding Hood.”
“Oh Jesus, let’s go.”
“I’m not Jesus, child just your granny,” he replies.
“Why granny, what big eyes you have.”
He gets out of the bed slowly prowling toward me. “The better to see you with, my dear.”
“Oh, granny, what big hands you have.” I snicker.
He pulls me to his chest. “The better to hold you with, my dear.”
Then, I feel it, the outline of his cock pressing against me. I blush. “Why granny, what a big strong cock you have.”
He nibbles on my neck. I should stop him, or we will be late.
“The better to fuck you with, my dear.”
“Fuck!” We both stop and turn to see Rome sitting up.
“No, no, Rome that isn’t a nice word.” I kiss his head.
“Fuck!”
“No, stop it, Rome,” Ethan says to him and his face crumples. “Come on, Rome. My man doesn’t cry.” Ethan picks him up and rocks him.
I shrug my shoulders. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
Ethan
I love my son. He just has the worst timing in the world. “You’re a cock blocker, you know that, right?” I ask him.
He claps my cheeks. “Cock!”
“No, no. Look, whatever.” I rock him back to sleep.
Twenty minutes later, my wife and I make it to the party. We don’t win best couple or the best costume design, but it’s a rare night out and we have a fabulous time.
A lot has changed. My mom is now living with Jalyn and Keegan in New York. I moved back to Penndel Heights with my wife and son. Grams is engaged to a millionaire named, Edmond Bianchi.
Olivia is now the president of Draco Steel. I had to keep it in the family. Soren is secretly dating; we’re all acting like we don’t know.
My wife is pregnant again. I have to act surprised when she tells me because, h
er grams blew the whistle on her. My wife is an excellent mayor. I’m happy and Penndel Heights is thriving. What more can a man ask for?
Acknowledgments
You made it to the end of the book! OH MY FREAKING GOODNESS! I hope you enjoyed it.
What a journey it has been. I wish we could sit and talk about how I made it here, writing my first book. Maybe someday in the future I will sit and meet with all of you. I will supply the wine and chips.
Until then, I must send my love and thanks to a couple of deserving people.
Thank you, Mrs. Lattimore, for taking a chance on a newbie like me. Thank you for being patient and understanding. You are my big-sister-friend-advisor-mentor, heaven knows I can drive a normal person insane. Yet you have been nothing but graceful, kind, and thankfully sassy.
Sending my love and thanks to my writing sisters, Tiya Rayne and Ivy Harper. I could not pray for a better cheerleading team. Thank you for being there when I wanted to laugh, scream, cry and rant at 2:00 a.m. in the morning.
To my friends, Joann, Joe, and Max. Thank you for constantly supplying me with good food, care, and your friendship.
To my parents and grandmother, thank you for being my motivators in all aspects of my life.
To my husband, you are forever, my heartbeat and my best friend. Thank you for wiping my tears, fighting my demons of self-doubt, thank you for having the confidence in me, especially on the days when I wanted to give up. I love you.
Ok, well, that’s it!
Ha! Ha! Come back. Thank you, to you the readers. Thank you for giving me some time out of your very busy lives. Thank you for reading my stories, for sending me messages on Facebook and Instagram. Please keep them coming. I love hearing from you!
Xoxo
