Lemuel rang Michael’s line with Inara waiting curiously beside him. “He did not receive it?” “Yeah. And I cannot blame the guy. He could be asleep or not be close to the phone or busy.” “The explanations are endless. So maybe we could just keep him out of the picture?” “Not a chance. I’m already redialing his line.” “Lemuel please, at this point I’m asking that you reconsider.” “Why?” “Because…” Inara found herself searching for the best way to put her point across to him. “Well, let’s just handle it this time and if it happens again, then you can call him. What do you think?” “Hmn.” Lemuel sighed, thoughtful. He listened to the line trill until i

Inside the room, the guy had started kissing Zee and she was just lying there, inebriated. He decided to take pictures before getting down to knowing her body intimately. He got off her, picked up his phone and began taking pictures of her when a rude knock sounded at the door. “Go away.” He shouted. “I’m busy…What the hell…” He gasped in surprise as the door burst open. Lemuel and Inara stormed inside, the Bouncer behind them. “Get away from her.” Lemuel thundered. “Hey, are you taking pictures you pervert? Give me the phone.” The guy got off the bed and held his phone to himself even as Lemuel reached him and grabbed him by his shirt. “Drop the damn phone.” “I’ll take care of him.” Said the Bouncer as he drew forward and Lemuel gladly shoved him over to the Bouncer. The guy was so scared that the phone dropped to the ground as he let go of it. Inara hastened over to the bed, climbed onto it and pulled Zee up. “Zee, wh

Amidst having breakfast and settling down during the morning hours with her family, Zee spent most of her time thinking about what to do to calm her jitters but no idea was forthcoming. Inside her bedroom, she stared at a couple of canned beer on her table, wondering if she should just consume it to gain some confidence a few minutes before his arrival. Alcohol had a way of giving one confidence. Didn’t shy people use it to face crowds? She went for one canned beer, her finger pausing on the opener. Then she changed her mind and put it back on the table. She was already in trouble. There was no need aggravating or escalating issues. To take her mind off her anxiety, she joined her family in the living room to watch TV with Israel on her lap. After what seemed like ages but only a couple of hours, Michael’s call came in. She passed Israel to her father’s waiting arms and excused herself in time to take the call on her way to her bedroom. “Hello

With hurried steps, Zee got back inside the house. Her family was still the way she had left them except that Israel saw her and was immediately following behind her. She was glad that he had forgotten the strange episode of her transformation so quickly. Children were so innocent. That was a good thing. She lifted him. “Forgot something?” her mother asked. “Yeah.” She said and left with Israel to her room where she tried to put him down but he would not budge. He kept clinging to her. “No.” he said adamantly. “Cayi me.” “I want to change. I’ll carry you, okay?” “No.” Zee groaned. Time was not waiting for her. Time waited for no one. Still, she tried to be patient with him. “Izzy, love. I will b

Zee sat quietly beside Michael in the car. He was driving and she had no idea about where their current destination was. He kept running a finger beneath his jaw, which was set in a hard line. After leaving the boutique in the heat of the tense atmosphere, they had been on the road for three minutes and he had not said a word. She had not spoken either because of the fear consuming her. Still, she was using the silence to plan her explanation.   There was no way she would explain herself without mentioning The Last Dare. It would sound ridiculous to him. Hell, it would have sounded ridiculous to her if she hadn't played the game herself.   Michael could not understand why Zee had dared him by displaying another episode of disrespect right after he had warned her. The anger in him was barely controllable and he would have to vent it by teaching her a lesson. That would be good for him but too bad for her.   As far