For Better, For Worse: The Serpent's Contract Wife

Chapter 129: Who Wants Candy? [2]

Candy shifted her attention to me. She had on purple contacts that made her eyes pop, and her hair mirrored the same striking shade.

"She looks familiar."

"No questions, just do your job," Shane replied.

She stroked his jaw. "Always."

The men behind forced me to stand, allowing Candy to do a little scrutiny.

"I’m not doing anything until you tell me what this function is about," I said. "It’s the least you can do after dragging me out here."

Shane gave a thoughtful expression, but his next words didn’t do any justice to that. "Do I need to remind you what happens when you don’t behave yourself?"

He came close, and I drew back.

"That protection I offered extends even now, but I flip the switch, then your husband might find out his wife has betrayed him much too soon."

"You’ve got nothing on me."

"Being in this room with me is all the proof I need. You work with me now, and I suggest you put on your best behavior."

I turned away when the back of his hand stroked my cheek.

"This is you gaining my trust. I work with only those I trust. Disloyalty is a disease, don’t make me start a cleansing."

I found my breath back when he took his hand off me. He left the room with his men, leaving me a little shaken. God, I knew this was a big mess already, but now it felt as if he had me on a leash.

"Don’t you wanna be here?" Candy threw the question at me, eyeing the bag that’d covered my face. "Looks like it."

"..."

"Let’s get started." She walked toward a spot.

"How about you tell me where I am, first."

"Didn’t you walk through the front door? I guess not. That is so Shane. He’s creative, and I’m not just talking about his intelligent mind."

I grimaced. "Spare me the details. You didn’t answer my question."

"Acting tough now isn’t gonna do you any good. What do you think?"

The heck?

"Do you expect me to wear that?" I pointed out the outfit she held up.

"Yes, this is a gentleman’s club after all."

"What?!"

I thought this was a fucking elite function, not a strippers’ club.

"Oh, that look on your face can’t be good, not that it’s my business. I’m just here to make sure you look the part."

She tossed the outfit at me, and I caught it clumsily.

"Tick tock, honey."

~☆~

I looked in the mirror, forcing my hands to remain rooted to my sides because the urge to rip this outfit to shreds was very tempting.

I wore an emerald satin corset embroidered with black lace. High-waisted satin briefs were paired with stockings secured by lace garters. It was paired with elbow-length satin gloves and glossy black phantom heels.

"Sit," Candy said behind me.

When I didn’t listen, she tilted her head. "There are two men out the door that can be more convincing than I am."

With my chest rising and falling heavily, I sat before the dresser while she got to work.

She fitted a short red wig over my hair, styling it into soft waves. Then she moved on to my makeup, applying it heavily until I completely transformed.

"Let’s go," she said, already walking towards the door.

I took a moment, watching closely as Candy stepped out of the room before I reached for my clothes, which were on the table, taking out my switchblade.

I hide it inside the corset lining before leaving the room. Candy led me through the lobby until we reached a vip suite.

A polished brass pole stood on a small raised stage at the center, where a stripper was putting on a show, following the beat of the slow, sensual music.

The stage was surrounded by black leather sofas arranged in a semicircle. Low glass tables sat in front of them, holding bottles of liquor and crystal glasses.

"She’s ready," Candy said, standing next to me.

I felt naked.

Shane made me feel naked because those eyes creeping from my head to toe were doing some unsanitary undressing.

Goosebumps rose in my skin, the kind that came with profound disgust.

"She’s perfect," he murmured under his breath, and I wanted to hurl my switchblade right at his fucking eyes.

"Come give daddy a kiss."

Candy giggled as she rushed to him and sat on his lap. They practically tongue fucked with each other right there.

This is the moment I wished I didn’t have eyes.

"Leave us."

Candy left obediently.

"Is this some kind of joke?" I asked acidly.

"Joke?"

"Did you bring me out here to make me watch you get a piece of Candy?"

He barked a laugh, but nothing was funny at all.

"Don’t judge me. I do give my beautiful fiancée all the time in the world, but a man has his needs."

Good riddance.

He snapped a finger, and one of his men handed me a picture of a man I had never seen before.

"Am I supposed to know him?" I asked.

"He’s your target."

A shiver seized my spine. "T-Target?"

"Relax, Mrs. Salvero. You’re not killing anyone. I’d never make you do anything that you’re not capable of. That man in the picture is Andy Cooper, and he works for Zade."

I instinctively clenched the picture tightly.

"You see, Andy Cooper has something in his possession, and he’ll bring it with him. That man can’t go a day without enjoying the view. He’s a regular here."

"What’s in his possession?" I asked faintly.

"A flash drive," he said. "A very important flash drive."

I anticipated something like this. Just not the scenery. My best guess was that flash drive contained something important to Zade.

The last few days, I did a little digging on David Shane. He was CEO of Shane Industries, one of the biggest construction companies in Hightower.

Explained why Zade mentioned something about ’land’ that day at the Night Chamber.

This was the power struggle between these two grown-ass men. Both wanted something the other had. Shane had the lands. Zade had the connections.

"Starting now, you’re Scarlet. Our special attraction for the day. You’ll be entertaining Mr. Cooper, and you’re gonna get that flash drive for me."