The Finest Line (21 page)

Kylie sighed and she grinned
sadly. “Commonwealth gymnast turned pole dancer. The media is going
to have a field day with that one but you couldn’t ask for a better
trainer. Damn that boy is fine.”

Her friend was back to normal
and Mairead relished in the small mercy. Kylie didn’t push her for
anymore information and was content to talk about everything except
James. When she left well after midnight, Mairead was ready to
sleep and only too happy to crawl into Amiri’s bed.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

As comfortable as it was, the
night brought unpleasant dreams and the terror of waking up not
knowing where she was. Her hands searched the bed desperately,
looking for James’ body but she was alone and soon she remembered
why. The knowledge only fuelled her terror and Mairead curled up
and laid very still waiting for the sun to come back.

When the room became visible in
the early light, Mairead quietly headed for the bathroom. She could
hear Amiri on the couch snoring softly but all else was silent. The
harsh fluorescent revealed her tired face and massive bruises to
her neck, and abdomen where she had been slammed against the waste
bin. They were a stark reminder of what the next day had in
store.

After she had washed and hidden
her battle scars behind plenty of make-up, she pulled on her jeans
without underwear, a fragile smile creasing her mouth as she still
felt some tenderness in her behind. Her thoughts quickly switched
to the list of tasks that had to be completed, with buying
underwear and tampons at the top.

The morning rushed by with a
good deal of it spent at the family planning clinic. She was
pleased to learn that the contraceptive injection would be
effective immediately because of the start of her cycle. Whatever
Mark Lewis did to her, at least she would not be invaded by his
progeny.

When Mairead returned to the
apartment after lunch she was bombarded by the trio. “We thought
you were gone,” Miranda explained, her concerned face mirrored by
the others.

Mairead sighed. “I had some
things to do.” She shook her head and looked at her friends. “I
don’t want people to worry about me.”

Amiri smirked. “Sweetie, you
have bruises on you. We all saw them yesterday and we’re not going
to ask why but don’t tell us not to worry.”

His remark was reinforced by
Diana. “All three of us have had bruises at one time or another and
we know how it works Mairead. You don’t have to talk about it and
we won’t ask but we will be here for you.”

Tears spilt over and Mairead
hung her head and nodded, instantly receiving a group hug. She
looked up at Amiri and before she spoke he interjected.

“I know, I know, the pole.”

Mairead enjoyed a long solid
workout. Her dismal thoughts were pushed out temporarily and she
focussed on Amiri’s instruction.

He was unlike any trainer she
had ever had. Whenever she found herself mentally kicking him in
the crotch, Amiri had an equally forceful kick up the arse. He
could match any verbal abuse she dished out and she would strive to
do everything he asked of her, just to stick it in his face.

When the night came, Mairead was
aching and exhausted. She couldn’t remember having worked out so
intensely in all her life. Falling into bed, she groaned as she
rolled the covers over herself and closed her eyes. They did not
open again until well into the next morning.

She startled when she saw the
time on Amiri’s clock. She had only one hour until she had to be at
the hotel where Lewis was staying but it would be enough. She had
found out where the hotel was and she had no plans to apply her
make up with any great enthusiasm. Her jeans got their third day of
wear with a plain t-shirt that she had purchased. Her hair was
given a brush and sunglasses and cap were employed.

She stripped Amiri’s bed and
gathered her things before quietly heading out the door. She longed
to say goodbye to everyone and thank them but it would have been
far too emotional and right now she was drawing on the strange
resignation that had settled in her.

As she walked along the streets
Mairead examined what she was feeling. It was as if everything had
been dulled down inside. There were no nerves, no fear, only
acceptance. Losing James had been the greatest agony of her life.
Anything Mark had to dish out would surely pale in comparison.

The foyer of the Grand Vista
Hotel was impressive with its marbled floors, brass trimmings and
chandeliers. Mairead felt slightly under dressed as she approached
reception but she was greeted warmly by the concierge.

“Welcome to the Grand Vista,
Miss Kavanagh. Mr. Lewis is waiting for you in the cocktail bar.”
He smiled and indicated her destination.

Mairead was surprised that he
was expecting her and further intrigued when she received a similar
greeting from the front of house host. The bar was sparsely
populated but she was cursing her choice of clothing as she
attracted some stares.

Mark was sitting in a half
circle booth and he rose as she approached with the host. His thin
smile was as sharp as his eyes as he gazed at her. “Mairead, I am
glad that you could come. You look positively... homely.”

Mairead sat down and smirked. “I
would have dressed up but I didn’t think my clothes were staying on
for long.”

The host shifted uncomfortably
and quickly asked. “Could I get you a drink Miss Kavanagh?”

“Double scotch on the rocks,”
she replied curtly.

When the host was gone, Lewis
grinned. “I am pleased to see you are in a celebratory mood
Mairead.”

“Nothing excites me more than
getting fucked by a scumbag.” Mairead smiled. “Oh and I got my
period last night so I’m bleeding like a stuck pig. I hope that’s a
turn on for you.”

Lewis’s face darkened. “You
really are a dirty little slut aren’t you? But it doesn’t matter. I
plan to have all the time in the world to fuck you.”

Mairead frowned. “I’m going home
in a few days so this disgusting business will be concluded by then
and...”

“This business will be concluded
when I say so.” Lewis leaned towards her. “Have you forgotten that
you owe me more than just your body? My silence has been added to
your list of debts.”

Mairead met his glare. “Do I
want you to tell the world that I caused Josh’s death?” She shook
her head. “But I can’t stop you from telling anyone. Am I supposed
to be at your beck and call for the rest of my life?”

“You won’t have a life if I tell
and I’ve got more than one story to share.” He was grinning
broadly, loving his power over her. “If they see my little video,
the media will destroy you and I dare say that your father will be
a casualty too. Who wants to vote for the man whose daughter
auctions her virginity and causes a man to die?”

Up until then, Mairead had not
even thought of her father. All her despair had been for James but
the weight of her crimes was far heavier than she had imagined.
Mark was right and Mairead knew it. Whatever she felt about her own
life, she had her father’s to consider as well.

Mark had all the control and she
was beginning to feel her vulnerability. “What do you want?”

He smiled. “What would any man
want near you Mairead? Despite your revolting mouth, you are still
a feast for the eyes and probably the most exciting woman I’ve ever
met. I imagine you would fuck like a whore once your cunt was fired
up. You actually would make the perfect wife.”

Mairead laughed bitterly. “Maybe
you should marry me.”

His smile grew wider. “I am
going to marry you Mairead. In fact we’re going to announce our
engagement today.”

“You’re fucking insane.” Mairead
was waiting for the punch line.

“You are quite within your
rights to refuse me,” Mark nodded. “But let me explain something.
In two hours there are going to be reporters coming up to my
penthouse with the expectation of an exciting development.”

Mairead felt cold. “You can’t be
serious.”

His hand went to his coat’s
inner pocket and brought out a small box. “They’ll either hear of
our whirlwind romance in Australia or something a lot more vile and
sad, and don’t worry Mairead you won’t have to love and honour me
but you will have to fucking obey.”

The nightmare just kept getting
worse.

“Why the fuck would you want to
marry me? This is fucking madness.”

Mark glared at her, his mouth
turned up in a cruel smile. “Call it anything you like, but make
your choice.”

He opened the box and she was
sadly amused by how pretty the ring was. One large sparkling
diamond was nestled between two smaller ones in a band of white
gold.

“Why can’t you just fuck me like
any other psychopath would?”

Mark smiled, “Because I have a
feeling that once with you will never be enough.” The smile was
replaced with his cruel glare. “Choose Mairead, me or the
media.”

Never had two choices been so
terrible. Either way her life was over, but only one way meant that
others did not have to suffer. Slowly she stretched out her
hand.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Mairead was staring at the
sparkling stone on her finger as she rode up in the elevator with
Mark.

He watched her study it, “It’s
real if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“Wouldn’t a fake one have suited
our relationship a little better?” Mairead asked dryly.

Mark turned and looked at her
inquisitively. “What happened to the sweet little virgin, wide eyed
with terror as I ripped her panties off?”

“She sobered up.” Mairead glared
at him.

The elevator doors opened to a
small lobby with a large door across from them. Mark opened it and
stepped aside to allow Mairead to enter. She stepped into a massive
white room with polished parquetry floor. The windows gave
extensive views of the city and the furnishings screamed with
expense.

Mairead looked at Mark. “So who
exactly are you?”

“I’m nobody.” He replied. “But
my father owns this hotel and several like it in Asia, Australia
and New Zealand and I’m his only heir. Does that impress you
enough?”

“Yeah it does. It means I’m
going to be stinking rich one day which might make up for the rest
of my shitty life with you.”

Mark nodded. “And what I have
over you, it’s better than any pre-nuptial contract.”

“Very true,” Mairead agreed.
“We’ll be able to make each other miserable to the grave but we’ll
do it in style.”

Mark laughed. “You’re very funny
Mairead. I think I’m going to like this arrangement very much. My
father has been on me for years to marry and I’ve resisted until
now. I’m not interested in marriage but he’s made quite clear that
I won’t get anything until I have an heir of my own.”

She shuddered at the thought.
Having children to Mark had not even crossed her mind. She could
almost hear James berating her for being too compulsive and not
thinking things through clearly, making bad choices. But this was
different. What choice did she have?

“Why me,” Mairead demanded. “You
had girls falling all over you that night. As much as it sickens me
to say it, you’re not ugly by a long shot, on the outside at
least.”

“I don’t do relationships. If
I’m forced to have a wife then I’m going to make sure she’s someone
that’s going to be useful. I’ve told you all this: something pretty
on my arm, in public and in my bed. Something worth looking at and
who others find interesting. Nice walk on the scaffolding by the
way and very entertaining.”

A walk Mairead was beginning to
wish she had never done. Mark sat down on the arm of a chair and
ran his eyes over her. “And a virgin you tell me or is that a
fucking lie?”

The question sent ice through
her veins and Mairead said nothing. He nodded and his face became
menacing. “Come here.”

When she didn’t move, he crossed
the small distance between them and took hold of her hair, forcing
her to look up at him. She showed nothing but contempt.

“This is where the obeying
begins,” he told her quietly. “I want so much to smack that look
off your face but unfortunately the reporters will be here soon.
Besides I think it would actually bother me to damage something so
pretty.”

Mairead scoffed, “I feel so safe
now.”

“You shouldn’t,” Mark warned her
quietly, “I don’t have to hit your face to make you suffer and your
attitude needs some serious adjusting.”

Mairead grew a little nervous,
remembering what he had done to her throat.

Mark saw her reaction and
grinned, “Not feeling so confident now Mairead? Let’s see how
vulnerable you feel when you’re naked.”

He took hold of the t-shirt and
drew it up over her head and dropped it to the floor. His hands
reached around to undo her bra and remove it. Mairead stood
silently, her head turned away from his gaze.

He looked at her breasts in awe,
cupping them, running his thumbs over her nipples.

Mairead felt sick as she felt
her body betray her vilely. Her nipples were hardening under his
touch.

Her response did not go
unnoticed. “You may not like me Mairead, but your tits certainly
do. Tell me what your cunt is doing right now.”

Mairead smirked. “He’s holding
my tits.”

Mark laughed. “You’re funny but
that is really going to cost you.”

His hands reached down and undid
her jeans, pushing them down past her hips. “Take them off.”

He watched her as she complied.
“Tell me truthfully. Do you really have your period or is that just
another lie?”

Mairead nodded. “It started last
night.”

“How long does it go for?”

“About four or five days,” She
had no plans of telling him that she had just had the
injection.

Mark looked disgusted, “I don’t
do blood but I don’t need to fuck you right away to have some fun.”
He nodded decisively, “Don’t move.”