Who was this Baxter? She wondered.
"Of course, Baxter." She agreed, taking his cue, she slid her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him on his lips.
When she felt he was satisfied with the show of affection, she broke the kiss. He guided her by her left hand, holding it in his right. Surprisingly enough, his hand wasn't sweaty or clammy. He seemed relaxed and in complete control. They walked into the heart of the party together. This was the first time she had been with him outside of a hotel room.
She noticed all eyes were on her. It was nothing new. Her family was always considered "The Jones". She knew Baxter was loving every moment of it. She kept her gaze forward and walked onward.
She was paid to be here, not have an opinion. The theme of the party was black and gold. She noticed the black and gold decorations strewn through the house. Tables with black tablecloths and gold flower centerpieces were strategically placed within the room. It was quite a scene she was getting very familiar with.
The lighting in the house was red. A strobe light flashed slowly, giving the party a strip club vibe. The music played loudly. A few Rich businessmen with their scantily dressed mistresses were dancing. While more sat at the tables and watched.
They reached the bar. The bartender, was a beautiful, buxom brunette woman. She handed Baxter two glasses of champagne. Baxter gave Bunny one of them. She smiled at him and took a sip. It was delicious and much needed.
His hand rested on the small of her back as she surveyed the goings-on of the party. It was a very 'Joi de vie' atmosphere. The night held an easygoing vibe. Bunny was enjoying herself, smiling and dancing with Baxter. The atmosphere changed suddenly when a very striking, handsome, distinguished-looking man made his way into the party.
He was followed by two other men, who weren't bad-looking either, Bunny thought. She also thought it strange that they showed up with no dates. Baxter had told her this was a couple's party.
Suddenly, the two men with the handsome gentleman cleared the party by reaching into the inside of their suit jackets and brandishing guns. They held them high enough for everyone to see. It elicited the reaction they wanted, fear.
Everyone screamed and ran in the direction of the door. Bunny became terrified and tried to do the same thing, but one of the men grabbed her by her upper right arm and pulled her close. The man pushed his crotch up against her buttocks. Bunny instinctually pushed away from him. He pulled her closer.
She looked to see where Baxter was. Baxter was trying to get to Bunny. He was standing with his hands up above his head. The other stranger had a gun turned on him. He still Spoke. He was angry.
"Hey! What are you doing here? Hey man, tell your buddy to get his hands off of my girl!" Baxter was visibly upset at seeing the stranger manhandle Bunny.
The stranger further antagonized Baxter by making him watch the other stranger run his hands up and down the sides of Bunny's body in a slow sexual manner. His left hand found her left breast. He quickly cupped it, then he squeezed hard. Bunny slapped his hand hard and tried to get away from him. The mysterious trio laughed at her.
She was terrified but knew she had to stay and look calm.
"Come here." The leader commanded.
Baxter walked over to the man.
The leader pulled him close to him. They walked in the direction of Bunny, who was still being molested by the other stranger. Baxter and the strange male stopped when they were a foot away from the other stranger and Bunny.
"I can't trust you, Baxter! You tell me you have no money, but I come here and find you throwing lavish parties. This whore is spending all of my money, or at least some of it."
"No! No, she isn't', Rome, and she isn't a whore!" Baxter rebutted.
"Oh, she isn't?" He let him go, turning his attention to her.
He then walked over. He stood mere inches in front of her. His tanned skin and green eyes did something unexpected to her. She should hate him. He was the one who caused all of this violence. She saw recognition in his face.
Did he know her, or family? He surprised her and squeezed her cheeks with one hand. She wasn't expecting him to touch her. She tried to pull away but his grip was like iron.
"I see a whore. She is your whore, Baxter. Is that not right?" He looked at her then. His eyes were cold.
Terrified of his sudden show of dominance she nodded her head 'yes'.
"Good girl." He let her face go.
"What do you want, Rome? Name it." Baxter blurted out.
Watching Rome touch Bunny made him want to kill him.
"I want my money back from that shit investment, Baxter!"
"I can't," Baxter replied.
"You can't or won't?" He asked.
"I mean, I can't. It was a legitimate investment that went badly."
He tried explaining to no avail.
"Baxter, you leave me no choice," Rome told him.
"What? What are you going to do?" Baxter asked.
"The only thing I can do. Go public." He confessed.
Baxter fell to his knees then and began begging.
Bunny was truly disgusted by his behavior even though it was on both of their behalf.
"Please! N-not that! Anything but that. How much?"
"Ten million, plus interest." He said it without flinching.
"I can't get all of that at once." Baxter cried.
"Get me 3.5 within the next 2 hours. You have a week to deliver the rest. I will be taking your whore as collateral..."
Baxter began begging the stranger, but quickly recalled where he was, and who was with him. Little did he know it was too late to recover. Bunny was absolutely disgusted by his sniveling behavior.
Bunny knew even to a wealthy man, that was still quite a lot of money to lose. Baxter's facial expression let her know he was expecting the dark stranger to say a much lower figure. His eyes practically bugged out of his head when he heard the amount. It made Bunny wonder what kind of white-collar money scheme Baxter had gotten himself tangled into. This would have been funny to Bunny if she hadn't become guilty by association.
Baxter stammered, "I-I can't get such a large amount all at once!" Baxter changed from sniveling to angry.
He rushed forward, standing only a few inches in front of the dark stranger. Bunny didn't know what was happening. Baxter looked like he wanted to fight the stranger. Baxter spoke. "No! She isn't a part of this, Rome! You're taking-"
"Taking this too far," he finished for Baxter. "It seems we both have a habit of that. You made her a part of this the second you stole from me and used my money on her. So I suggest you back the f*ck up. Things could get hectic, Baxter boy."
Bunny unconsciously tried taking two steps back. He was not a man to be toyed with.
Baxter had nothing to say. Bunny was more than shocked hearing the cold, unfeeling way the stranger was speaking to Baxter.
He didn't seem to care about anything but himself.
He continued, "You may want to take a few steps back before my guys get the wrong idea and think you are a threat. We wouldn't want your brains blown all over this nice bachelor pad of yours. Would you, Baxter?"
His tone came off as polite sarcasm, but Bunny knew the stranger was not to be toyed with. He was serious. She watched Baxter cede and take a few steps back from the stranger. Baxter now looked defeated.
Bunny found her voice and spoke up for both of them then. "Hey! I don't care who you are! I am not a piece of meat, and I am not going anywhere with you! Baxter said he would get you your money. So just leave him alone!"
He had no choice but to look at her. He looked at Baxter next. "You should have taught this slut her place. No worries, old boy. I will do it for you." He quipped and laughed at his own joke.
Baxter tried to swing on him. He was caught off guard by an unexpected uppercut punch to his left jaw from the dark stranger. Bunny jumped and screamed as Baxter crumbled onto the marble floor. Baxter had been knocked out cold. She tried to get out of the guard's vice grip, but it was no use.
"What the hell is wrong with you !" Bunny screamed.
She was more than scared now. Baxter fell hard. He wasn't moving.
"Stay out of it, slut, or I will give him more." He told her as he walked over to her.
When he stopped he was close. She thought she felt him smelling her hair.
"You're a monster." She whispered, intimidated by his size and the closeness...