Sam pulled up to the curb of a restaurant called CUT, it was known as one of the best eateries in the area and very pricey. The valet took his keys and we strolled in.

"Mr. Giraud your table is ready."

"Thank you Jennifer."

The blonde leggy wannabe model smiled and guided us to the table with a nice view. I could see all the jealous people wishing they were me at the moment. Sam pulled out my chair and I sat.

"So are you a regular? I mean she knew you by name."

"I own a small portion of the restaurant. The chef is a buddy of mine."

"So what do you do for a living, Sam?"

"I own a security firm."

"Sounds interesting."

"Let's just say, there's never a dull moment."

"So you make house alarms?" I asked laughing.

"Actually I hire security teams all over the world. They include special forces, combat navigators, special warfare and international intelligence agents. Many protect government officials and the elite. It's a pretty lucrative career."

"Wow! It does seem exciting." I bet he looked really hot in a military uniform. Focus Shae! "So you travel a lot?"

"Yes. I'm normally in and out. The Middle East and European countries are my specialty."

"So I'm sure Mrs. Giraud is a very lonely woman."

"There hasn't been one in a very long time."

"Really? A handsome man like yourself should have a someone special."

"I'm a busy man. Relationships and my line of work normally don't mix."

"Do you get to see your daughter often?"

"Not as I would like, but I'm working on that. She's recently married. He's a good guy, treats her like a woman should be treated and would move heaven and earth to see that she keeps a smile on her face."

"Does he go around buying $30,000 dollar handbags?"

"Actually he could. He's pretty successful, actually they both are. I'm very proud of what she has accomplished, she never gives up, no matter what life throws her way. Besides, she has me and my love has no boundaries."

"So from money to more money, lucky girl."

He laughed. "She should be spoiled. Like you mentioned earlier, daddy's princess. Now it's her husband's responsibility to make sure she's taken care of and I will do my part to fortify that."

"You seem like a loving doting father."

"She brings a joy to my life when I'm around her just like her mother use to. I would do anything for her. If any harm was to ever come to her, that person would regret the moment they caused her pain."

"Very protective I see."

He leaned forward. "Very. It wouldn't matter if it was a man or a woman, they would feel my wrath if something was to happen to her or if they touched a hair on her body."

Somehow a shiver went through me. There was something in his eyes that damn near had me squirming in my seat. They looked to have turned solid black. There was this cold calculating feeling as if this man could have been the devil himself.

"Enough about me, Shaunte what do you do when you're not shopping?"

I swallowed hard. "I work for a sports management firm. I do PR work."

"Sounds interesting."

"The pay is good."

"We all have to make a living."

"True."

A waiter came to the table and Sam ordered a bottle of La Romanée, a very expensive wine. I had just read about it in a food and wine magazine. This man was a wet dream. Rich, handsome, single and rich. Yeah I used rich twice, what I should have said was filthy rich.

"The steaks are perfectly cooked here, the salmon is seasoned just right and the crab cakes are the best," he said taking a sip of his water.

"Everything looks so good."

"Order whatever you like."

"I think I'll take the salmon."

When the waiter came back, Sam ordered for the both of us.

"So Shaunte, why aren't you married?"

"Please. I'm not sure if one man can handle me."

"Everyone can be tamed my dear, you just have to know what you're doing," he said and I watched as his glaze lingered on my lips. Was he imagining me tied up trying to command me to do his bidding? If so that would never happen, but hey he could dream.

"So there isn't anyone special?"

"Well... it's complicated."

"An attractive woman should be living the life with the man of her dreams not living in a complicated distraction."

"I think you're right. It's a long story though."

"I see. Do you have any children?"

"Gawd no. They would cramp my lifestyle."

"Awe that's too bad. I'm sure you would make a great mother."

"Thank you although I didn't have a great role model growing up."

"I'm sorry to hear that. You seem refined, educated and a woman that knows how to get what she wants."

"Really? I didn't graduate college. I'm self taught. I set a goal and I find a way to obtain."

"That's good. Everyone should have a goal. I believe if you work hard, you can achieve it. So what is your end game?"

"That's easy. I want to be happy and live the life I deserve."

"Are you happy now?"

I sat back in my chair. This had to be the first time anyone had ever asked me that. I looked from my hands up to his face.

"At this very moment with you, yes. Outside of these walls, probably no."

"And why is that?"

"It just seems like everyone wants something from me."

"Like what?" He looked at me and those hard eyes seemed to soften.

"My job for instance. My boss keeps pressuring me to get contracts signed and sometimes..." I didn't want to admit anything else but he shocked me when he covered my hand with his.

"He sometimes what?"

I stared at his hand on top of mine.

"I feel like a pawn. Like I have no say in things."

"Maybe you should tell him how you feel."

"Michael wouldn't listen. I'm only as good as my last... I mean last contract but I love him. Then I fell in love with this guy named Sean thinking things would be better. He was nice to me and I thought we had something. I made one mistake and he's punished me ever since. Is it bad that I fell in love with two men that don't love me and they both treat me like shit?"

"Do you want me to talk to them? People say I have a way with words."

I chuckled. He was being my knight in shining armor.

"That's okay."

"I didn't mean to ease drop earlier but was he one of the two men you were talking to on the phone back at the store?"

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Your voice carried and you looked upset. I guess the expression on your face had my protector bells going off."

"It's rude to listen to other people's conversations."

"I apologize, it was just you looked sad for a moment. A beautiful woman like yourself should always look happy."

"What do you care?"

"You're right I shouldn't. Shaunte I have lived a long life, met just about any kind of person you could think of, but the one thing they all have in common is that when they are pained or forsaken, the human spirit is released."

"So my anger from Michael showed upon my face and in my actions you're saying." Damn you are never suppose to let someone read you like that, I messed up.

"You seemed as if you wanted to strangle him in a particular moment or two. It's my job to recognize people's emotional triggers, remember I do security. I eliminate threats and harm."

"So you could kill Michael for me?"

"That's rather harsh, don't you think?"

"After all these years, I've considered it."

"Do tell Ms. Shaunte, it seems that your tale has gotten quite interesting."

I sat back in my chair and smiled. Did he really get me, this man? No preconceived judgement or notions. It actually felt good to be myself.

"Go on, it's okay, I won't tell." He winked and I smiled.

"He treats me like shit. I mean he's my boss, fuckboy, bank and trust to name a few. This is not where I wanted to be in my life. Coming from a very poor life and scrapping to make ends meat and then my prince in shining armor comes and rescue me. He's provided everything for me and now I'm afraid this is my life."

"So do you want to be free from all of this?"

I chuckled. He had no idea.

"I wish. I'm stuck. I have Michael, my boss, breathing down my back, a client slash my second love named Sean wanting info on Michael, and Michael's boss this crazy doctor wanting me to do unthinkable crap, it just seems never ending."

"I hate to see you in despair."

"My life is in total despair."

"I have a question, may I ask?" He took a sip of his wine.

"Sure?"

"Do you cause grief to others?"

That was a weird question to ask.

"I'm a fighter. I will do whatever it takes to get what I want. If anyone stands in my way I will knock their asses out and keep it moving. I'm not afraid of anything or anyone. I'm the big bad wolf and I will take what I want."

"Except when it comes to love correct?" he asked with a venomous smirk.

Damnit! He's good.

He sat there for a moment as his eyes were taking in my demeanor. Oh yeah he was summing me up. I didn't care let him, let's see if he could handle what I dished out. That's the problem these days, too many weakass men.

"I've served years in the military and although at times, I didn't mean to cause harm, I have killed many. I've tracked down my enemies and have annihilated them from existence. I have brought down the boogie man and those that have opposed me. I've spit and pissed on the graves of my enemies and tortured those that have denied me what I've wanted. You see Shaunte, that's what I do to protect the ones I love and cherish."

I stared as he spoke those words. My heart immediately started beating faster in my chest. His eyes had turned back to that oily black evilness. The words were like poisonous spikes pricking my skin. My feet were telling me to run but he seem so intriguing.

The waiter brought out our food. It looked delicious. As I went to take a bite a wave of dread came over me. I sat up for a moment.

"Is something wrong?" he asked concerned.

At that moment I saw Sean and Lizzy walking outside the restaurant. His hand was around her waist and she was feeding him some ice cream. They were laughing as he stopped and she wiped his nose off. They were incognito but I knew it was them. He sweetly kissed her and they continued their walk. My blood was boiling.

"You can order something else." He called the waiter over.

"No it's fine. I thought I saw someone I knew outside."

He turned but they had crossed the street and walked into a store.

"The food smells wonderful," I said changing the subject. He waved the waiter away.

"Here, you haven't had any of your wine." He passed the glass to me and I took a sip.

"Better?" he asked.

"Yes. Wow this wine is delicious." I took another sip, then another and another.

"You may need to slow down on the wine. The alcohol content is a little high." I felt a little woozy but I shook it off.

"I see."

"So do you want to talk about what grabbed your attention outside?"

"I thought I just saw Sean with this woman named Lizzy I can't stand. They have been friends for a long time and she's the only thing standing in my way. I hate her so much. She was dating this one guy and now she's dropped him to take Sean away from me. I beat her ass before, she's begging for me to do it again. I wish she would die a horrible death."

I saw his hand grab on to the corner of the table. He looked angry for a moment but quickly grinned and sliced his steak with fine precision.

"So she's the reason why your life is the way it is?"

"She's a part of it."

"Seems like you want more than your fair share. Life doesn't work like that."

"I'm sorry I shouldn't speak what I'm thinking. I don't know why I said that at least not in the open. Urgh! I've let you in my head, I never let anyone do that."

"I think you feel comfortable expressing your true nature with me. You have been denied that. As far as this woman, maybe she is the right person for him. Sometimes love doesn't love us back. It seems to me you're jealous of her. You admitted that you messed up. If he truly loved you there would have been a possibility of reconciliation but it seems that he never gave his heart to you."

"He was going to but she doesn't like me, hell she was always in the middle of us. Best friends my ass, I could tell he has always been crushing on her. Shit, she didn't even want him until I came in the picture. She's a slut, a thot and everything in between. Gawd I hate her and everything she stands for! I wish I could poke her eyes out and feed them to the alligators. I would love to watch her suffer."

He sat there with an intense look on his face but he remained quiet.

"Now I think they've gotten married but haven't announced it. They don't realize I have eyes everywhere. I will expose them. If it's true, I will make sure they will never be happy."

"Let me get this straight. So because he doesn't love you, you want him to suffer because he didn't choose you?"

"By George I think you got it! Why should he have all the happiness while I suffer. You have no idea what I've been through."

"Enlighten me Shaunte."

"Why should I? You probably already think I'm a horrible person anyway."

"Now why would I think that? We all have despicable thoughts. Believe me, I have some that would make you scream and fear for your soul."

Somehow eerie thoughts ran rampant in my head. I shook it trying to clear it.

"It looks to me that you're always been...what do the younger generation say, oh yes a side piece."

"Excuse you?"

"Let's be honest here. You want what belongs to someone else. You see their happiness and you want to take it away because you can't have that for yourself. That's a big no no. You've allowed Michael and others to treated you that way and so now you know nothing else. Michael has made you feel this way, disposable and non existent. So in return you lash out on others that have nothing to do with your arrangement with Michael."

"Then what do you expect?"

"If you had any respect for yourself you would not be getting played. Playing with fire will surely get you burned. Hell start a new life, get rid of the old and move on."

"Lizzy doesn't deserve Sean. She has a man just as famous and wealthy. What does she have that I don't?"

"Evidently she has self respect, morals and values."

"You trying to say I don't? So because she's a doctor, she's better than me?"

"There's a thing call self discipline and she decided to become someone and in return she found someone that loves her. She loves herself so that others may. Do you love yourself Shaunte?"

"It doesn't matter if I do or not."

"Oh but you're wrong it does matter. You need to take a hard good look at yourself and ask if this is the person you want to be."

Why did I hate myself so much right now? I took another sip of my wine.

What the hell was wrong with me? Why was I letting him get in my head? Why couldn't I stop talking it's like he was pulling shit out of me that needed to remain tucked away. I needed to resist.

"You know what Shaunte?"

"What?"

"We have many things in common."

"Really? Such as?"

"We don't like to be fucked or fucked over. We both like to be in control and we like having people suffer."

I blinked and finished off my wine.

"I like you Shaunte. You could be the female version of me." He chuckled.

"You're kidding right?"

"If I offered you a chance to teach this Michael a lesson would you do it? I mean he is the root to your problems."

I laughed. This dude was mental.

"I'm not trying to go to jail for murder. Now I will beat a hoe's ass in a heartbeat, especially one named Elizabeth Johnson, M.D."

"She is not being offered, Michael is. If you wouldn't go to jail would you do it?"

"It's no way you could get your hands on Michael or any of his associates." It was my turn to laugh.

"Is that a wager?" He smiled but it was almost not human.

"Yeah right?" This guy was crazy. I was only here because he bought my things and treated me to a good meal. My phone started ringing, it was Michael. I slid it in my purse.

"If you need to take the call, you can. I understand you're a busy woman."

"It's not important."

My phone rang again.

He nodded. The phone continued to ring and I finally put it on do not disturb.

"Sorry."

"Whoever it is seems like they want an answer immediately."

"It's Michael, he can get over himself."

"As you wish, or you could just answer it."

I stood up, excusing myself and taking my phone. I dialed Michael.

"When I call you, you better answer," he said yelling at me on the other line.

"I'm busy."

"Are the contracts signed?"

"No..."

"Then you ain't busy. I'm really losing my patiences with you."

"Fuck you Michael."

"Been there done that. You're only good for scratching an itch. You're losing your touch."

"You know what, I'm done with you!"

He laughed. "I own you and those other trifling whores you run. If you no longer want to be top bitch, there's twenty others ready to take your place."

I wanted to throw my phone. I leaned against the wall where I could see Sam slicing his steak. He seemed a little off, but it was something about him that seemed almost genuine. If he could take Michael out, it would be a blessing in disguise.

"You know Michael I could take you out. Sean has offered me a lifestyle if I sell you out. All I have to do is confess that I'm not pregnant, that you are trying to rip him off and you are no good. I just have to call him up and I can walk away."

"Then you will be broke in the wallet and your ass will die by my hands."

"No I won't." I looked over at Sam. He was talking to the waiter.

I could easily find another target. Actually one that gets me. Sam was everything a woman could want besides the mouth at times. He had lots of class and maybe I could tame his savage heart. He didn't seem to mind the baggage I was carrying, who knows, I could just get rid of it.

"Like I said, I'm busy Michael."

"Can't be. I've closed all your accounts. You have nothing until the contracts are signed." I squeezed my eyes tightly. This SOB had no idea who he was messing with.

"Either the contracts get signed by tomorrow, or your apartment will be foreclosed on by me. Get yourself a bus pass because you will be walking and anything else you've bought with my money including clothes and accessories will either be sold or given away. You have been officially warned. If you ever in your life hang up on me again, you will regret the day you were born."

I didn't realize tears were running down my face. I quickly wiped them away.

"Oh and if you ever think of telling Sean or anybody else my plans, I will skin your ass alive. Bitch, I'm not your daddy, I will kill you in a heartbeat."

Somehow Sam's offer was looking better and better. It was like the temptation of a hanging fruit. All I had to do was pull it off the branch.

"Are you done yet?"

"Get the contracts signed or you will face my fury unlike anything you have ever seen."

"Fine!"