Steph wrapped her arms around John’s neck as his dropped to her waist. The strength of his fingers made her feel safe and secure. He squeezed her ass. She ran her fingers through his hair. He felt his cock starting to bulge as they continued to kiss passionately in his office. There was nothing more that John wanted than to slam Steph down onto his desk to make tender love to her.
She was a distraction for him in this moment, a welcomed one. He didn’t know if there was anything long term with her. They barely knew each other. It was too much to process at this time. Living in the present was all he yearned to do. Living in her embrace was all he could fathom. Her touch cleansed the fault he felt about Amanda. Steph eased his aching heart. The two continued groping and grabbing at each other like teenagers making out under the bleachers until the sound of the elevator opening disrupted them.
Footsteps of several people made their way to John’s office. He and Steph fixed their clothes as they waited to see who was coming in. Steph thought it might be Amanda, but John had no idea. They were the only two left in the building and the janitor had already made his rounds.
The man in the doorway stood at an astounding 6’7”. He was big, out of shape, but he carried the demeanor of a monster. His face seemed familiar to Steph but she couldn’t place it. There were two men behind him and a few others a bit further down the hallway.
“May I help you,” John swallowed hard wondering what the CEO of Marksman Records was doing in his office.
“I apologize for the interruption,” he motioned toward Steph who was still slightly disheveled. “But I received a message from someone in this office about a book in which I’m mentioned in. It was written by an Amanda Dahl.”
“Yes,” Steph cleared her throat as she stepped forward, “That was me. I was contacting everyone mentioned in the book who I didn’t have release forms from. Yours wasn’t in my case files.”
“That’s because I never signed it. I read what that treacherous bitch wrote about me in that God damn book!” the man grew angrier.
“Listen, Cass,” John raised his hands in defense, “Whatever Amanda wrote in that book wasn’t a condemnation of you, your image, or your company.”
“That’s bullshit. You read it. That much I’m sure of. She can’t publish that book as is. I trust that you have received my attorney’s paperwork?”
John nodded and Steph rolled her eyes.
“Very good,” Cass sneered. “So you know that if you violate those terms, you leave yourself open to litigation. I wouldn’t press that button if I were you Mr. Pike. This ain’t no courtroom, but I believe you know the meaning of defamation of character. I’m sure you’re aware of the future compensation damages you’d also be on the hook for, along with your client.”
“Enough,” John firmed his tone. “You don’t have to threaten me. I’m quite knowledgeable of how your court proceedings go. But in all honesty, the events that she’s written about happened over a decade ago! Are you really concerned that silly information in her little book will shine an unnecessary spotlight on you and your business dealings?”
Cass approached John slowly. He stooped down so John could feel his breath on his face. John rolled his eyes trying not to engage the brute in fist to fist combat. It was a fight John would surely lose. Even if he got the best of Cass, his goons would be on him quickly and who knows what would happen to Steph. So he stood there and let the man breathe on him. Steph wanted to step in but Cass hadn’t focused on her at all. Things needed to stay that way. So she remained silent … waiting.
“Do you really think I would allow that twit’s book to undo everything I’ve built over this last decade?! You’re a fairly intelligent man. You should know that certain things about a man’s past can determine the outcome of his future. Mine is a future not to be fucked with. Now you have a few options before I get really upset. You can tell that dimwitted friend of yours to cease all publishing with me involved or be prepared to pay me through the nose. Believe me, this is my nice way of doing business. You don’t know the amount of agony that will fall upon you and this firm should you not follow my instructions, precisely,” Cass grumbled into John’s ear. He backed off to see John’s face clenched in restraint. He snickered knowing that the man in the suit before him was smart enough not to attack.
Steph had had enough. She cleared her throat garnering Cass’s attention.
“Ah yes, the pretty young thing who left the sweetest sounding voicemail on my phone,” Cass spun on his heels to face Steph. He eyed her up and sent shivers down her spine.
“I know you’re upset about the book,” she began. “And I can assure you, that your chapters proved to be quite the read but if you need them removed, I will convince her to do so.”
“Now you and I both know that is a lie,” Cass smiled, “But I like your confidence.”
“You only think that’s a lie because your attempt to change her mind has failed,” Steph snapped back.
“Oh she’s yet to see me make an attempt. Just like I told your boss?” He wanted clarification to which Steph nodded he was correct in his assumption, “Just like I told your boss, I’m doing things the nice way. I’m doing things the legal way these days. So this is your only warning. This is your only opportunity. If I need to act further, your boss will be in my pocket. I don’t care how much money he has, or what Forbes says he’s worth, once a man is in my pocket the only way out is when I release him or death. Take a guess how many I’ve let go.”