Contract of Shame by Sam Crescent Page A

broke for the pain she must have been through. No woman should ever be forced to live life afraid and forever looking over her shoulder.
    The bastard had blatantly touched his woman. Richard wouldn’t let it slide.
    He dried her and carried her through to his bedroom to rest. Richard tucked her in and stroked her hair. “Thank you for telling me.”
    “Do you believe me?” she asked, a fresh wave of tears spilling from her eyes.
    “Of course. I’d never doubt you.”
    She smiled and held his hand in hers.
    Eventually her tears subsided, and she fell into an exhausted sleep.
    He extracted his hand and walked out of the hotel suite. Wayne had booked a room, and he’d been told Tony was currently staying there as well. His other friend hadn’t been able to come to dinner with them at the time. He phoned through to Wayne to make sure Lily wasn’t awake. Richard needed to see and talk to his friends. Half an hour later after checking to make sure Scarlet was still fast asleep, he moved down the hall to where Wayne had booked a room.
    Wayne and Tony stood talking with a glass of whisky in hand. Richard didn’t bother to knock. He’d been told to simply enter.
    “Hey, mate.” Tony went and embraced his friend. “How ya been doing?”
    “Seriously, you still talk like we’re teenagers?” Richard asked, but he smiled.
    He loved being with his friends, the only two to stick by him when his parents were being complete dicks.
    “With you guys spending time with women younger than you, I figured you didn’t like the thought of getting old,” Tony said.
    They caught up about what had been going on, laughing and joking at some of the old stuff they used to do.
    “So, old Richard, what brings us here?” Wayne asked.
    Richard swirled the liquid in his glass and thought about the best way to tell his friends. “You know that guy from earlier, the one who stopped by our table?”
    “The guy that made Scarlet look terrified?” Wayne asked.
    “Yes. I got her to open up to me. You’re not going to like what I’m about to tell you.” Wayne, Richard and Tony despised violence against women. Never would they hurt anyone. He told them everything. How David had charmed her and what happened when she discovered he had a wife. The fact he’d raped her because he didn’t like her refusing him. Once he was done, his two friends looked ready to commit murder.
    “The bastard raped an underage woman and then threatened her?” Tony looked livid.
    “My god, no wonder she looked frightened. And she’s raised Harry all by herself?” Wayne asked.
    “Yes. Even with the severe asthma. She’s asked for me not to interfere. It all happened a long time ago, and she just wants to forget about it.”
    “Fuck, no. We can’t leave that shit alone,” Tony said.
    “What happens if he starts hurting her?” Wayne asked.
    “Which is why I think we need a little intervention,” Richard said.
     
     

Chapter Nine
     
    The following morning, Richard woke with Scarlet in his arms. He lay and stared at her for the longest time.
    After some time she opened her eyes and smiled. “Morning,” she whispered.
    “Good morning. Lily is expecting us downstairs for breakfast,” he said to her.
    She moaned and stretched out. “I’m sorry for unloading on you last night.”
    Richard held her hand.
    “Don’t be sorry. I love the fact you can trust me.”
    He kissed her lips and cupped her face. In no time the kiss deepened, and his cock hardened. “I’ve got to stop. Otherwise we’ll be here all morning, and Lily wants to talk before they leave.”
    “Well, you go down and make excuses for me. I’ll join you soon. I need to get ready and feel alive.” Scarlet kissed him of her own accord, and he waited until the bathroom shut to leave the bed.
    Richard left her to get dressed and do her business, and he made his way down to the foyer. Tony and Wayne were waiting. Wayne looked guilty.
    “What did you do?” Richard asked.
    “What?