Page 96 of Humility

“And?”

He cleared his throat. “When we first arrived here, we didn’t have much money. We wanted to keep our business dealings as well as ownership secret and didn’t have the shell corporations set up…so she…um….”

I sighed. “Let me guess. She took payment for keeping all of your names quiet in a physical manner?” Rage and jealousy mixed in my gut. The idea of this woman touching any of my men made my blood boil.

“Who is her husband, and what does he like?”

“Mr. Sherwood? His name is Greg, and he owns the real estate company where Mrs. Sherwood works. He is worth millions and plays golf at Hatter’s Glen. Is that what you wanted to know?”

“It will do,” I said and marched out of the room.

“Shit,” Dario mumbled.

“As I mentioned, the deal is off. I will have everything drawn up properly next week, but we will no longer pay the way we were for the extra services performed.”

“I don’t care what you say. We had a deal,” Mrs. Sherwood said as I reached the back of the foyer. I couldn’t see her around Angelo and stopped as I thought about what to do. Angelo loved it when I was jealous, but that wasn’t what I wanted. No, I had a far better idea.

I pulled my blouse off over my head, and Dario’s eyes widened. My jeans and socks quickly followed, leaving me in my bra and thong. Angelo’s order to not wear any underwear would take some time.

Bending over, I fluffed out my hair before picking up my clothes and pushing them into Enzo’s arms. “Hang on to these, please.”

“It’s simply impossible,” Angelo said.

“Well, I’m not leaving without a proper explanation,” Mrs. Sherwood said.

With a dramatic flourish, I stepped up beside Angelo and smiled as I draped myself over his arm. “There you are, Shnookems. You said you’d only be a minute before meeting me in bed. I’m all for chasing you around the house, but I didn’t realize we would have a guest.”

I turned my gaze onto Mrs. Sherwood, whose mouth had dropped open. “Hi there, I’m Isabella. I’m Angelo’s wife. Are you that sweet woman he’s been fucking to help us out? I told him that would work, you know. You had that desperate housewife look to you when you first showed up here,” I said, impressed that I could act like the girls I’d grown up with and a little disgusted with myself at the same time.

“No worries though, you’ll be thoroughly compensated with money from now on, isn’t that right, Sweetie Pie?” I looked up at Angelo, who looked beyond shocked as I teasingly ran my nails down the side of his face.

“Yes, most definitely,” he said.

Mrs. Sherwood crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing until she looked like a shrew.

“What if I refuse?”

“Refuse what exactly?” I leaned against Angelo and placed my hand on my waist.

“To take this new payment or anything else.” She huffed.

“Then, this is what will happen. The first call I make is to your husband.” I paused and smiled. “I knew my husband was fucking you. We don’t keep secrets from one another, isn’t that right, hun?”

Angelo nodded, his face composed just enough that it was believable.

“And then, I’ll send him the video footage of you being fucked like a stuck pig on Thanksgiving. You didn’t think we weren’t filming, did you?” Her eyes bugged out of her head, and I knew I had her. “You didn’t. Oh, that is so sweet and innocent of you. I’m sure Greg would love for the video to be shown to all his golfing buddies at Hatter’s Glen.” She swallowed hard. “I bet you signed a pretty iron-clad prenup too.”

Her hands balled into fists. “What do you want?”

I crossed my arms over my chest and tilted my head. I’d seen the girls in school do this so often that mocking the pose had become second nature. “Me? Why I don’t want anything.” I gave her my best Wicked Witch smile. “Other than for you to transfer all the paperwork into Angelo’s business names per his instructions. Then charge a reasonable amount with a lovely twenty percent discount, just because you’re nice and we’re amazing clients who will continue to use your husband’s company.” I wrapped my arm around Angelo’s neck and ran my leg up his. “I’m sure that seems fair to you. It would be a shame for Greg to find out, and you lose that fancy car, clothes, and spa treatments.” I looked her over. “I’m not sure you would hold up well, I’m afraid.”

“Fine. I’ll send the paperwork in the morning, but I want the copy of the tapes.”

I laughed. “Oh no, I don’t think so. Those will remain locked up in the bank box, where they will be kept nice and safe. Please don’t play me for an idiot, Mrs. Sherwood. My husband may be the face of the company, but I’m the bitch that steers the ship. Understood?”

Nodding like some sort of puppet on speed, she stammered yes, then turned and trotted to her car. I raised my hand and waved as she left, but I glared up at Angelo as soon as she was gone.

His mouth hung open, and he stared at me like he was seeing me for the first time. It was good to keep him on his toes.