It’s lonely down on Track Street,

She use to go by Jackie

The cops they’ll steal your dreams and they’ll kill your prayers.

Take a number, Jackie

Where the blood just barely dried

You know I’m on your side.

Wait for something better

No one behind you

Watching your shadows you gotta be stronger than the stories

This is Your Life

~The Killers

This is Your Life

The sound of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” could be heard softly in the background James stood before the window of his office taking in the sight before him. To compare his stance and the regal expression on his face you couldn’t help but to compare him to a king. Like a King he expected nothing less of obedience and loyalty to all in his presence.

Taking the first sip of coffee for the day he continued to look over his property and the surrounding area before him. Down below was the city that in every sense of the word belonged to him…he looked at his watch as the hands read seven thirty. He only had two more hours before everything went according to plan. James was not a cruel man but he expected nothing less than the expected. Crossing a man such as James was never a smart course and in the end you will get burned.

I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption …I planned each charted courses, each careful step along the way. And more, much more than this, I did it my way.

James could relate to this song for it was the true definition of what made him the man that he was…it was his anthem of sorts. Just like We Are the Champions was the anthem to every championship game; this was his anthem when everything was looking up in his direction.

And everything was going…his way. All would fall into place just as it should. All wrongful acts would be made right...today.

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Katherine stepped out of her car adjusting her suit jacket and wiping off any lent or dust as she readjusted her vintage Louis Vuitton purse. Locking her doors she began to walk towards the bank. As she walked through the parking-lot she made sure to see if someone was following her, double checking every so often.

She walked inside ahead of people who were in line and by-passing security towards her personal banker. How could she get away with such a thing? Easy, everyone knew that she was the widow of Michael Alexander Reed and no one dare to speak against her.

Walking towards the door that held the name Thomas Davidson she walked inside without knocking. It was a habit of a woman that always got her way and no one to reprimand her on such obnoxious behavior.

“Thomas dear,” she said giving him one of her charming smiles that held no real feeling to it.

“Katherine,” he said as he pulled her seat out for her, she sat down with the regal and grace she believed herself to hold.

Due to his condescending and unbecoming attitude she failed to notice the nervousness that was laced with his greetings but being a selfish avaricious individual only one thing was on her mind…money.

She set back in her seat as she thought how brilliantly everything worked out…James took everything and that annoying parasite of a daughter.

Did James actually think that she was thoughtless? That she didn’t have any money in a separate account with a different name? That the money he gave her plus the little money she saves up over the years wasn’t somewhere he could find it?

Like she said she could have paid him his money…but she chose a simple way out of all her problems. Did she regret it? No…well she regrets the fact that she had to give the bastard her favorite Rolex. 

“So Thomas I decide to take everything out,” she said with all the care of the world.

He looked at the clock it was ten…

“Katherine…that’s why we need to speak…”

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James looked at the screen before him and the smirk came to his face as he saw the account that was once empty was now filled doubling the amount that was supposed to be there.

“I expect you’ll be getting an angry call from someone,” Ace said as a smirk came to him.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less?” he said as he sipped his coffee.

“Ace, check on Jack she should be hungry by now,” dismissing Ace from the room as he started the countdown.

10

James set his cup and source down on his desk.

9

James fixed his tie.

8

He then tugged the end of his shirt, as his cufflink’s shine in the rays of the sun.

7

He set up straight in his chair.

6

The phone ringed and a smirk came to his face he didn’t even get to five and she was already calling…he picked the phone up pressing the speaker phone button.

“You son of a bitch! How dare you! How fucking dare you!”

“Now…now Katherine ladies of such refine taste like yourself shouldn’t use such language,” James mocked but deep inside he was boiling. The simple fact that she thought she could pull something like this increased his wrath, not a good thing for Katherine.

“Fuck you, you got some fucking nerve! To take my money you bastard” this was the line that broke all the restraint on his anger. No one talked to him in such disrespect…no one.

“I got some fucking nerve? No, you got some fucking nerve to think you could actually play me!” he yelled slamming his hand down against his desk.

She was quiet.

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out…hmm? That I was a simpleton? NEVER FUCKING TESTS MY INTELLIGENCE!” James looked heatedly at the phone. Inhaling and exhaling his temper and annoyance back in place. As he looked at the phone wishing that the bitch on the other line was right in front of him.

 “This is a warning to you, get the fuck out of town before you find yourself in a body bag…don’t test my patience again Katherine. Heed this small act of mercy…” The call abruptly ended. The message was clear and if Katherine had any sense at all she would be packing that very minute.

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It was only four days and yet it felt like a century to her. Her aggravation level was only toppling to its point. She had been wearing the same cloths for three days along with her little leg bracelet. She was only allowed to the bathroom for one thing and that was using it, nothing else. She couldn’t even walk around the room since the damn shackle kept her close to the bed.

There was only one thing that she could do is; lay in bed, daydream, and nap. Currently she was lying in bed staring absently at the hand that was stung by that assassin terminator wasp. The bump was red and little swollen but it was better than it was two days ago. All the while she was cursing James name mental. Wishing only bad things would befall him.

It was the only solace she could find while dealing with all of this mess that was going on in her life.

The sound of the doorknob could be heard, sitting up in bed as the door opened wide there was Ace and some other unknown man who she care less about holding a tray of food.

The smell hit her with a force. The sound of her stomach growling was the outcome of such a force. The man stepped in and placed the tray on the bed.

Of course it was finger food since they did not trust her with a fork…knives…and spoon …seeing that she almost stabbed someone with all three.  Yes, a spoon can be a very dangerous weapon whenever situations seem too arouse.

Ace dismissed the man as he stood on patrol…she ignore him and started to eat sniffing ever so slightly as she ate her food. When she was finished with her breakfast, Ace walked towards her bed and took the tray.

Jacqueline couldn’t help but to notice the knot that was slightly visible on the side of Ace forehead. She couldn’t help but wonder did she do that while trying to escape?

Ace noticed that she was looking at him and he knew what caught her attention. And he couldn’t stop himself from looking at her as he pointed to the knot.

“You,” she could hear the annoyance laced as he said the word.

She looked at him puzzled after all she wasn’t the only one that came out with battle wounds. After all that assassin terminator bee wasp was worse than the kick to the side of the head.

“Sting,” she said belligerently as she pointed to the mark that turned an ugly red and swelled.

“Tylenol,” He rubbed his temple as if his pain was worse than hers.

“Ice,” she responded standing up and holding the very hand that was slowly swelling for Ace to see.

“Go” He said simply shrugging a simple shoulder as if it was that easy.

“Shackle,” Jacqueline narrowed her eyes at him knowing that he was just being an asshole but couldn’t deny the small smile appearing on her face.

Ace glanced down at her leg and couldn’t help but wear a mocking smirk pulling a key from his pocket and tossing it up in the air before catching it with skill.

“Interesting” He commented as the key fell back into the palm of his hand.

“Key,” she said sweetly batting her eyes lashes. If he allows her to get away he would be a saint…but then again…

“No,” he said catching the key again turning around and heading towards the door.

“Bastard,” Jacqueline snapped. After all it was too good to be true… he was the enemy.

“Prisoner,” he countered as he exited the room shutting the door behind him.

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Jacqueline was still sulking about her defeat during the mind wars with Ace. She was getting quite fed with this wearing the same clothes every day.  A long nail tapped against the head of the bed in a steady tap. Her jaw popped slightly at the extreme irritation she was feeling.

Suddenly she heard the door turn again. Assuming it was just Ace again she continued to stare out of the window. Instantly after the door shut a spicy scent invaded Jacqueline’s senses that she recognized as James as having.

She looked up to see him observing her with his usual cold calculating eyes. Her eyes narrowed. She knew that every time James entered the room then it was to tell her something she wouldn’t like. Jacqueline mentally prepared herself to get pissed off.

Slowly James approached the bed with predatory steps.

“Stand” He quietly commanded a glint in his eyes.

She was offended at the command but decided to humor him. You get better result when you respond with sugar then with attitude. But…that didn’t mean she could be an ass about doing it. With mocking movements she stood cocking her head tauntingly.

James eyes narrowed at her sassy attitude but decided to let it pass. He had a bigger objective then winning a minor battle. He was working to win the war. With a predatory prowl he circled Jacqueline with intense eyes. His eyes ran up and down her body with slow movements almost like a caress. She felt tremendously uncomfortable with this.

 Finally much to Jacqueline’s relief he stepped back before leaning over and setting two small pieces of fabric on the bed. Or at least that’s what Jacqueline thought.

Well in fact those two pieces of fabric turned out to be tangible clothing. Jacqueline turned her head to James and raised confrontational brow. She knew for a fact that he didn’t expect her to wear that, and she voiced this.

“I know you don’t expect me to wear those” She said pointing a finger at the clothing as if it was the biggest low life on the planet.

James shook his head seriously. “Of course not…only one.”

Now she knew he I was deliberately being an asshole. She deadpanned. “You’re joking”

“I never joke. Now pick which one you’re wearing today. I’m doing this as a favor since you’ve been a good girl.”

Jacqueline looked at him for a while waiting for him to say that he was joking. Safe to say it never came.

“Good girl? Favor? Have you lost what mind you have left I’m wearing neither one?” Jacqueline expected him to punish her in some way for her disrespect that was more of James style.

Instead a small smirk graced his lips. “Don’t you want to look pretty for me hmm?”

Now Jacqueline was afraid. Was he—dare she say teasing?

She shook her head a couple of times. “I’m not wearing neither”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “You wear one of them or you wear nothing, choose. Of course you being completely naked would make these visits more…enjoyable.” A dark glint entered his eyes as his eyes again trailed down her body hesitating on certain parts. She shivered from the look.

“How do you even know if that’s my size” She tried to counter.

“That’s none of your concern” He responded smirking in a devilish manner. A cold chill ran down her spine at the different possibilities of how.

With a disgustful glance she looked at the two pieces of lingerie since they were no doubt that. One looked more like a bodice that barely covered her most private area. It was all white with clasp running down the middle to connect the two sides. It was strapless with a tube like top. White lace ruffles ran in wave like patterns down the material. It had a narrowed waist that flared out to slightly towards the bottom.

The next piece looked like a long silk naughty gown. It was a thin cream material. It had a low drop in the middle; a drop that she knew would show off the black lacy bra that occupied it. The straps were thin and barely existent. It fell down to the top of her thigh covering a bit more that the other with small ruffles at the bottom.

Both if under different circumstances would have been beautiful to Jacqueline but now she only saw them as ways for James to ogle her.

She bit her lip indecisive. She had two choices. Even she picks one of the pieces of lingerie or she walks around naked. She had no doubt that James would make good on his threat. So she chose between the lesser evils. James must have saw the defeat in her eyes because his smirk became knowing. He walked over causing Jacqueline to step back in caution.

With grace and elegance that shocked her since he was a man, he kneeled down and unlocked the shackles.  In shock at his actions she moved her freed ankle around. Her happiness was short lived when strong iron arm like bands wrapped around her waist pulling her flush with his body. Jacqueline yelped in surprise as her soft body meshed with his tone one. She could feel the outline of every ripped muscle.

James leaned down close to her ear his warm breath causing another chill to run down her spine.

“I’m allowing you to take a shower. I will remain in this room…” His arms tightened in warning as she squirmed in his grip. “You have ten minutes to take a shower…one minute pass that time and I will come in there and bring you out.” His voice grew husky. “I’ll enjoy dragging your naked body out—you won’t…clear?”

Jacqueline swallowed thickly nodding her head. One of his hands ran down her spine stopping at the small of her back just above the swell of her butt.  Her heartbeat picked up to speeds of a racing horse.

“One minute over ten Jack and I’ll see the full profit of my investment, “he whispered before he loosened his grip. Jacqueline shot away from him like a bullet grabbing the silky lingerie gown with the thin straps, the lacy black bra and matching thong and dashing to the bathroom.

James’s low chuckle was heard even after she shut the bathroom door.

“Pervert”

If this was how her life was going to be like this….then she was just going to play this game with him for two weeks and when he thought everything was peaceful…that was when she was going to make her move.