Daddy’s Little Pet

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. ~ William Congreve.

AMANDA

Arms crossed, I listened to Robert’s press announcement with a smirk playing on my lips.

My gaze never wavered from his image on the screen.

His face was expressionless as he spoke about the investigation and how his team had apprehended the person responsible for framing him. Then he talked about throwing a party to celebrate his victory.

The speech was monotonous and by far the most blatant but idiotic attempt to set a trap I’d ever seen. For someone so clever, it was always so easy to one-up him.

I knew he was after me earlier today when I learned he’d obtained the club footage. Then, a hotel employee informed me of a search warrant issued in my name. At the same time, I’d thought briefly of my son, Dylan.

Was he worthy of being called my son if he ratted me out to his father? Because that was the only explanation for what was happening.

The bastard.

Despite my threats, he decided to rebel against me. I’d deal with him later, though. Right now, all I needed to do was activate the fail-safe phase of my plan and ensure everything went smoothly.

Robert ended his speech, stepping off the stage, and the camera returned to the reporters. They mobbed him, asking questions. His responses were hazy, not that I cared to listen.

My gaze shifted away, and I grabbed the remote control on the table, turning the television off. Dragging my sight across the shabby flat, I took in my surroundings for the first time since arriving.

The building was dirty and barely lit, with fluorescent lighting and old broken windows. Soot and yellow stains coated the whole surface of the walls, floors, and ceilings. An old mattress was pushed into a corner near the door, and a mound of empty beer cans sat beside it.

It was a total pigsty. A filthy, stinky environment rife with dust and mold. It wasn’t the ideal place for a hideout, but it was my only option for now.

I looked around again, sighing at the sorry state of my temporary abode, when a knock on the door startled me.

Before I could say or do anything, Kent had pushed past me to the door.

He took a revolver from the little holster strapped to his belt. “I’ll get it.” Looking back at me, he mouthed, “Stay put.”

Nodding, I watched as he peered through the spy hole before unlocking and swinging the door open. I saw a man with his baseball cap pulled down, and the door smashed shut.

A rustling sound and fast, hushed conversation ensued. Then I heard footsteps retreating, and a moment later, the door opened again, allowing Kent to reenter the room. He was carrying a large brown paper bag.

“Your package is here.” He strolled up and handed me the bag without a glance.

With a cheeky look, I grabbed it and rummaged through the contents.

“Perfect!” I exclaimed as I checked the items in the bag-a passport, an ID card, foreign notes, and a new prepaid phone. “All perfect!”

There was also a little, black-tied nylon pouch inside the bag. My grin widened. This was perfect.

I looked over at Kent, but his eyes appeared distant. They narrowed slightly as they turned to me.

“What?” I asked.

A mute shrug followed my inquiry. His lips stiffened as he spoke, “You’re so calm about all this.”

“About what?”

“The news.”

“That pathetic press release?! Don’t tell me you fell for it.”

“I didn’t. It’s a trick. A trap. That’s why you need to be more cautious.”

“And I am. I’m staying here, aren’t I?”

“Well, you won’t be here forever. That’s what the passport’s for.” He grunted and walked away from me. “You have a tail on your back, ma’am, ready to jump you at any moment. When you walk out the front door…” He shook his head, perhaps in disbelief. “The cops will be on your ass. Our ass. Your entire life will change, and you don’t give two shits about that, do you?”

I scoffed and gave an unpleasant laugh. “Oh, Kent, I’m not calm. But don’t worry, this plan…my plan… will work.

“What if it doesn’t?”

I ignored him and pried open the nylon pouch. When I saw what was inside, I smiled broadly. “I always get my way. You know this. Meanwhile…”

Kent looked perplexed as I tossed the pouch to him and said. “That’s for you.”

“Huh?” He caught it quickly, frowning. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

“You’re going to use that to carry out the plan.”

“I thought the plan was getting you out of the country safely?”

“That’s part of it. But don’t tell me you think I’ll leave without making that bastard pay somehow.” A nasty grin formed on my lips. “Never.”

“Ma’am. I still don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“When I hired you, what did I tell you I wanted?”

“Revenge.”

“Good. The arrangement was to take out my ex-husband or the bitch by his side, correct?”

Kent offered a stiff nod.

“But as you can see, we’ve done neither.”

He swallowed deeply but said nothing.

“When I arranged for these travel documents, I had another sinister plan for the bitch. I wanted to hit her and Robert where they least expected it, then disappear. No trail would lead to me or you. The content of that pouch was my small insurance against that.”

“What’s in it?” He held up the pouch, looking at it like the contents would affect him. “Ma’am, this… this was not what we…”

I disregarded his ranting and continued. “Don’t be silly. Be quiet and listen to me.”

Kent gulped hard again. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Did you see that party Robert announced? It’s happening tomorrow night.”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Are you thinking of going?” He looked concerned for me. “It’s clearly a trap. We know that.”

“I know.”

“So?”

“So that’s where you come in.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. You’ll be attending the party in my stead. I know he expects me to show up and cause a commotion since my initial plan failed, and then he’ll have me arrested. But you and I know I’m much smarter than that. I-”

“This doesn’t explain why I’m attending the party.”

I hissed at the abrupt interruption but reined my anger in. “You’ll attend the party as my proxy. What you have in that pouch…” I moved closer to his ear and whispered, “…is a very special item. One that I believe will take that bitch out and completely ruin Robert.”

Kent tensed instantaneously, and as I drew back, I saw the look of sheer dread on his face.

“What you’re to do is very simple.” I leaned forward and placed my hands on his shoulders. “Go to the party. Lace the bitch’s drink, then watch her drink it. Make sure she downs every drop. And as she collapses and suffocates to death, with everyone gathering around to make sure she’s okay, you make your way out. Simple.”

He blinked again as if to digest what I’d said. He then startled me by saying.

“No.”

“What?”

“No.” He threw the pouch on the floor and took a step back. “There’s no way in hell I’m gonna help you do that.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” He affirmed. “I’m done working for you. Yes, we made a bargain to get revenge on your ex, but the arrangement was only valid for so long. We had a specific timeframe. And that time frame has passed.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” I yelled, but he disregarded me and continued.

“You’ve overworked me, Mrs. Clarke, and never once followed my advice. I warned you about killing that guy. I warned you against sending that box. Every time I advised you, you didn’t listen. Now look where we are. You’ve been served with a search warrant for chrissakes. It would be best to consider leaving the country as quickly as possible, whatever the difficulties, and never returning. You should let this revenge plan go and move on. But you want to murder an innocent woman who did nothing wrong but fall for your ex-husband. Your divorced ex-husband. So, no, ma’am. I’m not going to help you. We. Are. Finished.”

“Hmm.” I laughed dryly. “Interesting. Very interesting. Don’t be stupid.”

“I’m not being stupid! I am telling you how the…”

“You’re such a fool!” I scoffed. “You have forgotten why you’re working for me, Kent. I can so easily ruin your life, you know right?”

His face turned pallid.

“Yes. You know how easily I can destroy you. So, if I were you, I’d do everything in my power to avoid screwing this up.” I looked him directly in the eye. “Now, pick that pouch up off the floor.”

He did it slowly, his entire body shivering. For someone who took pride in his criminal skills, I knew how to bring him down.

Well, I always knew how to make everyone fold by identifying their weakness. Robert’s weak point was Renee, the bitch. For Kent, it was his son. A cute boy who was currently staying with a friend of mine while his dad went on a short trip.

One call from me, and the little kid was a fucking corpse. No call from me, he would suffer the same fate anyway.

“So, am I clear now?”

“Y…yes,” He stammered and glanced away before continuing. “Crystal.”

“Good,” I picked up my bag and checked the time on my wristwatch. “I can’t possibly stay in this dump tonight.”

“But the police-”

“It’s getting late, and I’m still wearing my disguise. I’m confident I’ll be able to find a nice, good motel without anyone noticing.”

I walked away from him to the cracked mirror beside the door. I studied my reflection momentarily, and a satisfied smile crossed my lips.

“I’ll wire you some money later for the last phase of our deal and the extended time frame. I apologize for any inconvenience.” The last statement was delivered in a sarcastic tone. “Try to use the money for good. Maybe clean this stinking building or get someone to do it.” I rolled my shoulders back, then opened the door. “With how much I’ve given you so far, it’s surprising that you live in such a terrible apartment.”

And with that, I walked out of the building, leaving behind an absolutely terrified man who wouldn’t dare double cross me.