"Frank, what happened?" Terry asked with concern in his voice.
"Who cares what happened. Send me the Goddamn Marine. I want that bitch's entrails to be scattered all over the place." My voice was deadpanned, yet filled with venom and anger, if that were possible. Like a serial killer trying to explain to his victim why he was doing what he was doing.
There was silence on the other end of the line. For a moment I thought that I hung up on him.
"Terry?"
"Yeah, I'm here Frank. Tell me what happened."
I sighed in despair, the emotion finding its way to my voice. "She called out the asshole's name. When we were...about to make love. She called out his name."
Saying the words out loud only made me feel more humiliated. I was the one who was giving her an orgasm, and she yells HIS name out?
"Listen Frank, a lot has happened and you need to process it. Your emotions are high. Why don't you go to a hotel? Don't even go back home to pack. You need to get away from her for a moment and clear your head." I was silent on my end. He heard my lack of response and felt that he had a little more convincing to do.
"Now is not the time to make decisions Frank. I've seen this play out time and time again. Trust me, it doesn't end well for anybody, least of all the kids."
"Why would you ask me if I wanted the Navy Seal or Marine, Terry? Why give me the choice to annihilate the bitch in the first place if you were going to wimp out on me?" I spit out in anger. Terry took a deep breath.
"Listen Frank. Had you wanted the assassin from the jump, I would have given you his number in a heartbeat. But your hesitancy shows me that you care about what happens to your wife after this is all over. The fact that you made such a drastic change in so short a time period means that your head is not thinking right. Decisions made on the verge of these circumstances are ALWAYS regretted. Trust me."
I was starting to calm down and see reason. He was right. The last thing I wanted, despite my current mood, was to turn this into a warzone with collateral damage. Namely my kids. No matter what Claire thought of me, I did love my girls. I didn't want to make this any worse for them than it had to be.
Still, I wanted that bitch and her boyfriend to pay. They deserved retribution for what they did to me!
"What do I do Terry? I'm dying here. I'm laying here with my heart shattered into a million pieces, and they are acting like I'm the one in the wrong. What do I do?"
I laid my head on the steering wheel and sat there for a moment, feeling the pain. My world was spinning out of control, and I had nothing to latch on to. That is the worst feeling for a person who is always in control.
"Tell you what." I heard his voice break through. "I'm going to do something completely unethical here. I'm going to text you an address. You are going to meet me there. You need a drink. Maybe even something else."
"I don't think so Terry."
"Frank, this isn't open for discussion. I can be there in about 15 minutes. I'll have a table all ready for us by the time you get there. See you soon." With that he cut the connection, like there was nothing else to talk about. Two minutes later my phone chimed with a message.
***
SAL'S GENTLEMEN LOUNGE.
Is he serious? A strip club? My life has been ripped up by the roots. My sense of self is in question. And he thinks that a lap dance is supposed to make me feel better?
"What can I do for you, sweetie?" a woman with glittery makeup asked me in a sultry voice that just dripped with lust and sex after I'd made the decision to step inside of the club. In fact, her entire body was glittery. Even her full lips, which were bright red, sparkled under the lights. The only clothes that she had on were panties that consisted of a paper thin strip of material in the front and dental floss that ran between her ass cheeks in the back. Magically attached to her nipples were pasties with tassels hanging from them.
Even with the mood I was in, I couldn't help but to take notice to how beautiful she was. Smooth, flawless skin, flat stomach, and hips that curved out from her waist to seamlessly turn into soft, yet firm, thighs.
Shit, even her feet were sexy.
"Um, I'm here to meet a friend. Actually, he's my lawyer. Well, not MY lawyer, but..." I was stammering, I know. I took a deep breath and calmly said, "I'm here to meet a man named Terry. Or Mr. Ross."
The beautiful woman giggled and placed her hand in the middle of my chest to calm me down. Her smile was infectious. I knew that I was making an ass of myself. It wasn't my first time seeing a naked woman, but being here in this environment had me a little out of sorts.
"You're Frank. I'm Starlet. Terry told me to watch out for you. He's in the VIP section. He wanted me to bring you to him when you arrived."
I breathed a sigh of relief that I could stop talking. She casually waved her finger, indicating that I was to come with her.
"Follow me Sugar."
The beautiful goddess led the way, her shapely ass bouncing from side to side as she walked. I couldn't help but to stare. I was so mesmerized that I didn't even realize that she stopped walking until I nearly bumped into her.
"Oh God. I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."
She giggled once again. "It's okay. It's nice to know that you were admiring me so much that you forgot how to walk. I didn't wear these panties because I wanted you to act like a gentleman." She watched in amusement as I stuttered for a response. When I didn't come up with one, she continued.
"The VIP section is right up these stairs." She said as she pointed to a narrow hallway that housed a staircase. The sign above it said Champagne Room. "As we go up, I fully expect your eyes on my ass. I will be highly offended if they aren't. Am I clear?"
I couldn't help but to smile at her. "Yes ma'am." I said with a fake salute. She smiled seductively and winked at me as she led me up the stairs. She took each one slowly, purposefully. Her heels clacked every time they made contact with the wood, and her toned calves flexed with each step as we ascended into the upper room.
I did my best not to offend her.
"There he is!" Terry yelled loudly as he lifted his glass to greet me when I walked into room. He was surrounded by several beautiful women.
Unlike the downstairs, which was stuffed full of leering men and drunken assholes, this area was close to being secluded. The flashing lights of main section weren't found up here. The lighting was now soft and intimate. The booming music was replaced with smooth jazz.
Starlet took me by the hand and led me over to Terry. It was an intimate gesture. Walking hand in hand. Her touch sent chills throughout me.
"I see you've met Starlet." He said as he smiled broadly as we approached. I sheepishly nodded.
"Yeah, we've met." She answered for me. "Frank and I are good friends. Aren't we Frank?" she asked playfully.
"The best." I was able to get out. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the sarcasm that I intended made it through. She laughed and bumped me with her shoulder.
