PROLOGUE

IT WAS A SCENE every man would be furious to watch.

A scene where the woman he loved was having passionate sex with another man.

The muted fifteen-minute video disgusted Ambert but he couldn’t take his eyes off it. He focused on Layla’s face, trying to see if she was enjoying the act. But why wouldn’t she? She was in love with Allan, the man she was in bed with, the man currently seated in front of him, watching him watch the video. Ambert grimaced when he saw Layla biting her lip and closing her eyes while Allan sucked her nipple. They were both completely naked, and when he saw Allan kissing her downwards to her belly, he shut his eyes hard.

Enough! he screamed inwardly.

Gritting his teeth, he handed back the cell phone to Allan. It was a good thing Allan wasn’t smiling or grinning at that moment as he was sure he could break his face with his fist if that was the case. Allan’s expression was that of a businessman nervously trying to close a very important deal.

“I’m deleting it now,” Allan said, his eyes on the cell phone.

“Are you sure that’s the only copy?” he asked Allan.

“Yes,” he answered quickly.

Can you assure me that I am not going to find that video in a porn site?”

“Yes,” he answered, more prompt than the first. He uttered just one word, and it still quivered a bit.

“I hope you’re telling me the truth,” Ambert said in a somber voice. “Believe me, I can make you delete that video without me having to write you a check.” He paused and stared at Allan. “But I am never a fan of violence, I always negotiate, I always want a peaceful outcome.”

Ambert then took out his checkbook, took one check and wrote an amount on it.

A ghost of a smile appeared on Allan’s still somber face as Ambert handed him the check.

“And one more thing, I don’t want you talking or communicating in any way with Layla again.”

Allan nodded, his eyes shining hungrily on the check.