Contract of Shame by Sam Crescent Page B

Nothing?”
    “I’ve known you for years. You’ve got that face that tells me you told. You didn’t?” Richard cursed. He couldn’t believe how easily he could read the guilt on his friend’s face.
    “Lily heard the conversation last night. She wanted to find the guy and show him a thing or two. I told her we’ll take care of it.”
    “You better have told her not to mention anything to Scarlet.” Richard knew she’d be mortified and feel like he had betrayed her trust if she found out he’d told his friends.
    “She won’t. You know Lily.”
    “Why are you two standing here?” Richard asked.
    “Your guy was waiting at the bottom of the stairs when us we made it downstairs. We acknowledged him. I don’t think he’s going to let up,” Wayne said.
    “I didn’t like him on first sight,” Tony told him. “He went into the bathroom. We wanted to make sure you had time to get your word across.”
    David came out of the bathroom a little farther down.
    “We also paid the toilet attendant. He knows we’re coming,” Tony said. Ready to do some damage, Richard charged to where David was staring at the stairs. Richard knew David was waiting for Scarlet.
    The man would hurt his woman, had hurt her in the past. He wouldn’t allow it.
    “Hey, David. I’ve got a bone to pick with you.” David stopped and looked at them. Richard knew they were large men.
    Good. He wanted the bastard afraid.
    “What do you want?” David asked.
    “I take it from you staring towards the stairs you’re looking for Scarlet?” A split second was all it took. Richard saw the realisation dawn on his face, and Tony and Wayne trapped him in.
    “I don’t know what that little slut has been telling you, but she asked for everything she got.” David growled in Richard’s face.
    “Big mistake,” Tony said.
    Careful to make sure no one was watching, Richard charged at the man and pushed him through the toilets to the bathroom David had just vacated. Wayne and Tony followed inside to keep watch on the door.
    “You dare to call Scarlet such vile, filthy names?” He rolled up his sleeves, ready as though he were in an old-fashioned bar fight. Holding her in his arms last night without making love had awakened him unlike any kick in the arse could.
    “She was asking for it. What’s it to you? Why would you want a gash with a kid anyway?”
    Richard’s fist connected with David’s nose. The other guy fell back. Wayne placed a hand on his arm to stop him taking more of his anger out of the man.
    “You sick fucker,” David yelled. “You broke my fucking nose.” He got up off the floor and charged at Richard.
    “You force yourself on a teenage girl, and I’m a sick fucker?” Another punch landed.
    Richard was ready and waiting. David got in a few punches, but in no time at all Richard had him locked against the counter, a tight grip around his neck.
    “Now you listen to me, you sick fuck. Scarlet is mine, and Harry is mine. You ever, ever come anywhere near my family again, and I’ll bring you down. No one would even give you the time of day.” Richard’s hand tightened. “Do you understand?”
    “Scarlet put you up to this,” David wheezed out.
    “No. Scarlet wants nothing to do with you. You ruined her life when you raped her. I’d gladly see you rot in some prison cell, but she’s refused to stand against you. I’m going to keep a close eye on you, and if I hear of any other girl from one of your schools suffering the same fate, I’ll find you. And you’ll be sorry.”
    Richard slammed David’s face against the counter and walked outside the bathroom, A smug smile was on his face – until he saw Scarlet against the wall waiting for him.
    She looked at him, and he knew he’d hurt her.
    “She doesn’t look happy,” Tony said.
    He watched her storm off, and without giving an excuse to his friends he chased after her.
    “Scarlet. Scarlet, wait.” He ended up running up the stairs to catch her.
    “You