Chapter 36
Lorraine opened the door to face the stranger from her past.
"What the hell are you doing here, T-Mack?" Lorraine asked nervously. "How did you find me?"
"It's good to see you too Vera or should I say Lorraine," he smiled pushing his way past her. He looked around the mansion and let out a hearty laugh. "Damn girl! You didn't just hit the jackpot, you won the fucking lottery!"
"You never answered my question," Lorraine demanded trying to figure out a way to escape. "How did you find me?"
"That's a question you should be asking Malcolm Winters," he said, shaking his head. "Man, that guy really has it in for you Vera. It must have been some sweet con you pulled on him, cause he wants your head on a silver platter."
"Malcolm sent you here?" she hissed. "There was no con. I just flipped the script. He simply couldn't handle my dumping his sorry ass. How much is the little prick paying you anyway? Whatever it is, I'll double..no I'll triple it."
"Now, that sounds awfully tempting," T-Mack replied rubbing his chin closing the gap between them.
"My husband is a very powerful man!" Lorraine stuttered backing away from him. "There's no way you're going to get away with this. He'll hunt you down like a dog!"
"I guess I'll just have to take my chances," he smiled.
"You're making a mistake!" she screamed, before everything went black.
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"How was your meeting with Evangeline?" Jason asked as Keesha entered the private suite.
"It went better than I thought," she smiled, gently stroking his cheek. "You should have seen the expression on her face, when she saw me standing there instead of Victor. It was priceless."
"Do you think they have any idea what's going on?"
"Trust me love," Keesha replied confidently. "By the time we're finished, they won't know what hit them."
Jason pulled Keesha into his arms. "Have I told you lately Mrs. Quartermane how much I love you?"
"I believe you have Mr. Quartermane. But after tonight, you can show me," she whispered with a wicked smile.
"Oh I intend to do just that, over and over again," Jason softly whispered, placing tender kisses on her neck and shoulders.
"Mmmm," Keesha moaned before coming to her senses. "That's enough for now. The Crowning will be starting soon. Now leave so I can touch up my makeup."
"Yes, my lady. You look like a queen," he said turning to leave.
"I agree," Victor replied from the doorway of the adjoining suite.
"Daddy, how long have you been standing there?" Keesha exclaimed giving him a hug.
"Just a few minutes," Victor replied looking upon his daughter with pride. "It won't be long now, my sweet or shall I say my queen."
"My queen will do just fine," she laughed, checking her reflection in the mirror. "By the way, what is Lorraine doing tonight, while you're here?"
"Your mother should be on her way."
"I don't want her here or anywhere near me," Keesha replied in a harsh tone. "I don't understand why you haven't kicked her out!"
"Because I still love her," he stated. "I'm not going to stand here and defend Lorraine's actions or try to persuade you to forgive her. But marriage is for better or worse. We're just going through the worst part right now."
"I'd make Jason's life a living hell, if he were ever unfaithful to me."
"I don't see that ever happening," Victor laughed. "Jason loves you very much."
"I feel the same way about him," she smiled rubbing Victor's hand. "I'm just sorry that Lorraine hurt you."
"Don't worry about you're old dad, Keke. I'll be just fine," he smiled, guiding her towards the door. "Now, that's enough talk. Your loyal subjects await, my lady."
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"We were supposed to meet me at the park," Malcolm yelled. "Why did we have to meet at this abandoned warehouse?"
"There was a change of plan," T-Mack replied nonchalantly.
"What kind of change?" Malcolm asked suspiciously.
"A better offer was made!"
Malcolm turned and stood face to face with a smiling Lorraine. "Surprise!"
"What the fuck is she doing here?" he yelled. "We had a deal."
"Sorry Mal," T-Mack replied hunching his shoulders. "But the lady made a better offer."
"You double crossing sonofabitch!"
"Mal it's just business. Don't take it personally," T-Mack smiled.
"You've really fucked up this time Malcolm," Lorraine stated smugly. "Once Victor finds out about this, your name will be mud."
"I'm not afraid of your husband! There's nothing you or your fucking family can do to me," Malcolm laughed bitterly, before he suddenly started to stagger backwards.
At first Lorraine thought he was high, until she saw the blood on his jacket. "Malcolm!"
Malcolm fell backwards to the ground, with the second shot to his abdomen.
"Malcolm!" Lorraine screamed. She looked at T-Mack, who was placing the gun in his coat pocket. "What have you done?"
"Exactly what I was supposed to do. Now let's go," he demanded pulling her towards the SUV.
"I never told you to shoot him!" she shouted trying to release the grip he had on her arm.
"You didn't, but the person who hired me did," he smiled.
"But you were hired by Malcolm!" Lorraine stuttered, feeling a chill down her spine.
"Unfortunately for Malcolm, I was made an offer too hard to resist, long before he hired me."
"Did this person hire you to kill me too?" she shouted, looking around for some type of weapon.
"If only you knew," he laughed.
"No!" Lorraine screamed, clawing at T-Mack's, as he placed the chloroformed scarf over her face. "I don't want to die!"
