Complications Minor Chapter 10 (of 20)
Oct. 7th, 2008 11:43 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
misssara11Title: Complications Minor
A Blackpool/Secret Diary of a Call Girl crossover with just a hint of Keen Eddie
Rating: M
Paring: Peter Carlisle/Belle De Jour
Spoilers: All of Blackpool and S1 of Secret Diary of a Call Girl
Summary: Peter Carlisle has needs. Belle De Jour is in the business of fulfilling those needs. It's a simple arrangement. Right?
Chapter Summary: Still distracted from last time, Belle gets in over head and has to call for rescue.
Warning: This chapter contains attempted rape and physical abuse.
Previous chapters can be found here.
AN:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
swankkat and kalleah made this whole thing better. And in the last part of this chapter, what Belle wears.
Belle was still out of sorts. Of course she hadn’t approached Peter, but she didn’t push him away, either. It was affecting the rest of her work as well. While she wasn’t sloppy, if clients paid attention, there was a decline in quality, as it were.
She was on her way to an out call at The Grand at Trafalgar Square. The client was new but she recognized his name from when she was still working under Stephanie. If she remembered correctly, the other girls said he was demanding and picky. He had asked her to wear a camisole, flimsy skirt and a thong. The weather was warmer so she decided to forgo a jacket. When she stepped out of the cab, a breeze caused her to rub her arms.
She sailed through the lobby as she always did and called Ben when she stepped out of the lift. He reminded her that after her next call, he would have his mobile off as he’d be in the cinema but she should leave a message when she left. And once again changed his mind and said he’d leave it on or at least sneak out and check his messages. Belle took the time to remind him that she’d done this plenty of times before, she’d be just fine and needled him a bit as this was the first date he had had since splitting with Vanessa.
“Call you in a minute.” She knocked. The door was soon opened by a man in his early 40s. He was tall and solid. The words ‘football hooligan’ came to mind to describe him. “Tony? I’m Belle. I believe you were expecting me.”
He stepped back to let her in. “Yeah.” He walked over to the side table and picked up an envelope. Belle held her hand out expectantly. “Turn around first. Good.” And the underwear? Excellent.” He handed over the money. “Would you like a drink?” He poured some vodka into one of the provided coffee mugs.
“No thank you, but help yourself. What brings you to London? You said on the phone it was a trip.”
“Business. I’m being courted by several investors.”
“Sounds exciting.”
“It’s really isn’t. I’m going to pop in the shower. When I come back, I’d like you on the bed with the skirt and shoes off.”
“Yes sir!” As soon as she heard the water, she called Ben. “And you didn’t shave your legs, right?”
“What?”
“Never shave your legs on a first date. It’s guaranteed you won’t let things go too far.”
“I’m leaving my mobile on vibrate.”
“Don’t. Really. It’s okay.
He knew she wouldn’t give in on this. “Have fun, Han.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” While she was talking, she kicked off her shoes and slid out of the skirt, laying it over a stuffed chair. She positioned herself on the bed and leaned back on her elbows, pushing her chest forward.
Tony came out of the bathroom, using the towel to dry his hair instead of wrapping it around his waist. He paused to take her in. “Very nice. Lie back for me.”
She did as he asked and watched from the corner of her eye as he slipped a condom on. He climbed on to the bed from the foot and ran his hands up her legs, then dragging them back down, bringing the thong with them. He shoved the camisole up and grabbed her breasts. He was suddenly inside of her, holding her arms above her head.
He was rougher than she liked. The grip he had on her wrists bordered on painful but none of it was anything she couldn’t handle. Without warning, he flipped her over and took her that way. His body held hers down on the bed. He still kept her hands trapped.
Not soon enough, he groaned and rolled off her. She heard him flip off the condom. She turned over and righted her top. “That was…” she tried to think of something, “nice.”
“Yep.” Stunning conversationalist this one was. She waited for him to say something else. Since the blow up with Peter her ideas for chit chat were few and far between. He spoke a couple of minutes later. “You do anal right?”
“As long as there’s enough lube, yes I do. I should have a bottle in my bag.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed.
As she stood up, he called to her. “And put the skirt back on.” It was hardly the strangest request she ever had but something in his voice made her pause. She brushed it off as it missing the intimacy she was accustomed to with her regulars and the nervousness of most of the single session clients. She did as he asked and figured the sooner she complied, the sooner she would be out of there.
Belle smiled at Tony as she stroked him a bit to get him harder. Some might think the move seductive. She did it so he wouldn’t last long. She sheathed and lubricated then turned away and got onto her hands and knees.
For all her posturing, she didn’t actually do this all that often and it had been awhile. He wasn’t that large but nonetheless, she felt stretched almost to the point of pain. He didn’t bother to see if she was comfortable before he started thrusting away.
“Do you like that?”
When one was being paid to do such an act, there was really only one answer. “Uh huh.”
“Yeah. Thought so. You seem the type.” It was a good thing Belle was facing away from him because her eye roll was immense. “That’s right. You’re all the same. You look and sound like a lady but you’re just a dirty bitch who’s gagging for it. Moan for me you slag.”
She was getting anxious so she complied. Once again, it was his tone. She never minded being called names before. For most men that came to her, it was their first time engaging in dirty talk and it gave them, and her, a thrill in being so free. And by the basic definition of the word, she was a slag. As she was unable to use most of her tricks to finish him off due to their positions, she just shut her eyes and hoped he’d be done soon.
He finished with a yell and lied back on the bed. His breath slowed. She looked over her shoulder and found his eyes closed. Carefully and quietly, Belle got out of bed. She had to hunt for her underwear before being able to slip them on.
“Where do you think you’re going?” She turned to find him staring at her, eyes hard and free of any sort of warmth.
“The hour’s almost up. Just thought I’d pull myself together.”
“Stay.”
“That’s nice but I have to…”
“It wasn’t a request. Now get back here!” With each word, his volume rose.
“You paid for an hour and that time is up.”
“I paid for this room as well. Now, you’re going to come back here.”
“No.”
In a flash, he’d thrown her back to the bed, pinning her down by straddling her waist. When he stood, she attempted to get free. He stopped her by slapping her cheek hard. It felt as if her face was going to explode. When she went to check for broken skin, he took the opportunity to rip her skirt from the bottom up.
“STOP IT!” Belle was truly panicked now.
“No.” Tony grabbed the bottle of vodka and smashed it against the wall. He took a larger shard and sliced through the straps of her camisole. He then used it to score the front and tear it open as well. “Don’t tell me this doesn’t turn you on. You sluts are all the same.”
“Why didn’t the other girls tell me about you?” She though if she could keep him talking she could distract him. No such luck as he grabbed another shard and ran it up her thigh.
“Because I haven’t done this before. I was saving it for someone special. You’ll have to do.” He sliced through the elastic of her thong on one side, the other side of the glass biting into her skin. When he did the opposite side, a drop of alcohol fell into the new cut. She cried out. “That’s it. Keep doing that. You know you want it.”
He tossed away the scrap that used to be her underwear. He held her arms by her wrists with his hands and kicked opened her legs. It was obvious what he was planning. He advanced the small distance between them.
With strength she didn’t know she had, she swung one leg, then the other between his. She pulled her knees to her chest then shoved them forward, sending him tumbling backwards. She took her chance and bolted for the door, picking up her bag along the way.
Tony had thrown all the locks and in her haze, she fumbled with them. Suddenly she was yanked back by an ankle. When she landed, her chin hit the floor with a thud and she bit down hard on her upper lip. She was dragged across the carpet. When she came to a stop, she yelped as he kicked her in the side repeatedly.
“You like it rough. Quit playing coy. Don’t worry slag. I’m going to give it to you good.” He stood above her, imposing and stroking himself.
She wiped the blood from her mouth. “You’re a pig.”
“And you like that.”
The contents of her bag scattered when he’d thrown her to the floor. She grabbed and threw the item closest to her at his head. While he was stunned, she picked up her business mobile and locked herself in the bathroom.
Tony pounded the door. “Open up you bitch! You’ll have to come out eventually. And when you do we’ll see about adjusting your attitude.”
Belle took several deep, shaky breaths. She picked up her phone and almost dropped it when there was another bang on the door.
“Belle.” Tony sang from the other side. “I get it. You’re doing the hard to get thing. I can roll with that.”
She dialled. It went straight to voice mail. “Damn it Ben! Turn your phone back on!” She tried ten more times. Her battery was going. She shut her eyes and dialled again.
Peter brooded at his desk. He’d been in a funk ever since that night and it showed. His DCI had reprimanded him more than once about conduct and procedure. He really didn’t care at this point.
A plate appeared before him. Monty sat in his own chair across from him into his line of sight. “Eat.”
“Not hungry.”
“Too bad. I won’t let you destroy yourself. I care too much for that to happen. And I don’t have time to break in another partner. So, if you go down, I’m coming with you. My lifestyle can’t afford to take that kind of hit. So eat. I’m not above feeding you myself. What do you prefer? Airplane or choo choo train?“
Peter did smile at that. “You’re a wanker Pippin. You know that?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. It’s one of my better qualities.” Monty studied him over steepled fingers. “You still really like her. Don’t you?”
“She’s under my skin. She’s a drug I can’t kick the habit of. Don’t want to. But she seems to not want me.”
“I hate to say it but maybe you have to go cold turkey. It may hurt like hell in the beginning but you’ll be better off in the long run.”
“Easier said than done, my friend.” Monty just nodded. Peter’s mobile went off. “Carlisle.”
“Peter?”
“Belle? What’s wrong?” Weak and vulnerable were two words he’d never use to describe her in the time he’d known her. And yet that’s all her voice conveyed in that moment.
“Peter, I’m in trouble. There’s this man.” She whimpered as he heard a slam on what sounded like a door. “I didn’t know. If I knew, I’d never come. Peter, I swear I didn’t know.”
“Where are you?” He was already putting on his trench coat, leaving his jacket behind. Monty gave him an inquisitive look. Peter halted him with a hand.
“The Grand at Trafalgar Square. Room 309. I’ve locked myself in the bathroom.”
“Good. Stay right there. I’m on my way. Don’t open that door for anyone but me.”
“Please hurry. I don’t know what else he’s capable of.”
“What’s his name?”
“Tony. Tony Quince. That’s what he told me anyway. My battery’s almost gone. Please Peter.”
“I’ll be there so fast you’ll not have time to miss me.” Her side went dead. “Look up anything you can on a Tony Quince. Then send backup to The Grand at Trafalgar Square, room 309. That’s not that far from here, right?” He was already on his way out.
“Peter, don’t do anything stupid.”
“You know me.”
“As I said.” Peter heard Monty mobilising everyone as he made his way out. Once he made it outside, he was a man on a mission. He crossed streets without paying much attention to oncoming traffic. Big Ben chimed in the hour as he reached the doors to the hotel. He flashed his badge at the clerk.
“We’ve received a call about something in room 309. Backup is on its way. Please tell you manager. The back-up should have an ambulance on stand-by. When they show up, let them wait down here.”
“Yes sir. Anything else?”
“No, but thank you.”
The lift took forever to arrive and even longer to go up. The closest stair case was at the end of a long hall and it was three flights up, so he cursed the inventor of the lift as he waited. He straightened his coat and knocked. “Hotel security.”
The door opened and he assumed the man clad only in his trousers was Tony Quince. Quince was larger than he was but he knew if necessary, he could take him.
“I’m so sorry to bother you, sir. The guest staying in the room before you claims to have left behind some valuables. You know how it is; they say housekeeping stole them when most likely they just forgot. Do you mind terribly if I had a look?”
“Actually…”
“Sir, it will only take a minute.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
Peter stepped inside; careful to be sure the door didn’t close all the way by subtly kicking the rubber door stop in the jam. He made a show of going through the drawers then taking in the rest of the room. He toed one of the used condoms on the floor. “Didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”
“Nah. We were done. For now. She threw a strop and stormed out. You know how women can be. She’ll be back begging for more. You know the type.” He was starting to get twitchy.
“Certainly packed light for a mini-break.”
“Yeah. Don’t need much, if you know what I mean. It’s not like I’m the type of bloke who has to pay for it!” He clipped Peter’s shoulder and laughed.
Peter just raised an eyebrow, clearly not amused. “You’d be surprised the type of man who hires an escort. Sometimes they don’t want strings. Sometimes they’re lonely. Sometimes they find something they didn’t know they were missing.” Peter looked Tony dead on, eyes cold. “And sometimes they think they can get away with perverse and disrespectful things. Why is there a broken bottle on the floor?”
“Mini-bar accident.”
“They don’t have mini-bars in these rooms. What about the bit of lace over there?” He put his hands in his pockets, balling them up. He nodded toward what was left of the thong.
“We were in a hurry.”
“And why is it cut up?”
“The missus likes it a bit kinky.”
“Where did you say she went?”
“I don’t think it’s any of your business.” Quince took a step toward Peter, his fingers making a fist of their own.
“That’s where we differ because I think it is.”
“What would you care about a worthless slut like that?”
“I really wouldn’t call her that if I were you.”
“Why not? It’s what she is.” They were almost toe-to-toe. “I think you better leave.”
“No.” Quince swung and connected with Peter’s jaw. Peter spun onto the floor, the back of one hand landing in the broken glass. He looked up laughing. “Thank you.”
“What for, you raving lunatic?”
“Because, now,” he reached into his coat pocket, “I have you bang to rights.” He proudly displayed his badge. “And, this is self-defence.” He tackled him at the waist. He punctuated his statements with blows to the face. “You’re lucky to breathe the same air as her. Never touch her, call her, come near her, or even think of her again because if you do, I’ll know. Am I clear?”
Quince nodded. “Good.” He let his guard down and Quince took the opportunity to flip them, grabbing a piece of glass again. Peter blocked its down swing with his injured hand and cried out as it sliced through the skin. He then bestowed the man with a Glasgow kiss, causing Tony’s head to snap back. Peter went to punch him again.
“Carlisle! That’s enough!” His superior was in the doorway surrounded by uniformed officers.
Monty was halfway into the room. “Anthony Quince, I am arresting you on warrants for violation of parole, aggravated assault, attempted rape, violation of a restraining order and whatever else scum-of-the-earth thing you did here.”
“Add assaulting an officer of the law to that list.” Peter looked at him with his most smug expression.
Monty quirked a brow and smiled. “Gladly. And Mr. Quince? You did swing first. We’ve watched the whole ordeal, so don’t claim his word again yours. Come with us, big boy.” Quince was dragged to his feet, cuffed and read his rights.
Peter let Monty help him up and said, “Can you get everyone out of here for a few minutes? I don’t want her any more frightened than she already is.”
“No problem man.”
When the room was empty, he knocked on the bathroom door. “Belle? It’s Peter. It’s okay. He’s gone.” The door opened and he suddenly had his arms full of quietly sobbing woman. He hugged her and she tightened her grip on him. “It’s all right, sweetheart. We got him. You don’t have to tell me what happened if you don’t want to but I’d appreciate it if you did. Or at least tell someone, okay?” He felt her nod against him. He gently stepped her back and took a good look at her. He ran a finger over her bloodied lip. When he saw the state of what was left of her clothes, he shrugged out of his trench coat and handed it to her. “Put this on.” He turned away to give her at least some sense of dignity. He heard her hiss and had to stop himself from finding the bastard and finishing him off.
“I never fall apart.” He turned back to find her tightening the belt around her waist. She looked him in the eye. “I don’t get scared. I know when something’s off and put a stop to it. Why didn’t I know this time? Why would anyone do this?” She started to collapse.
He caught her and swept her up into his arms. “I don’t have those answers, I’m afraid. Let’s get you checked out. Are you going to press charges?”
She curled into his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Absolutely. If I can stop this from happening again, I will. Whatever I can do. Castration’s legal right?”
He laughed. “Not yet.” He carried her out into the hall and addressed one of the uniforms. “Please make sure the lady’s belongings are returned to her. Thanks.” He carried her all the way to the ambulance. She begged him to stay with her during the exam of her obvious injuries and he happily complied. He stepped outside when they had to open the coat but he listened in as they asked questions. He controlled his anger as she explained the cutting, the slap and the kicking. The medics asked him back when they could get no more out of her.
“They want to know if…I had sex with him. You know that. And if they check, they will too.”
“They can’t without your permission.” He took a deep breath. “Did he?” He closed his eyes. “Did he rape you?”
“No. But he was going to.” She took his hand and he opened his eyes. She was smiling. “I threw a vibrator at his head and it stunned him enough to give me time to run to the loo.”
He grinned at that. “Clever girl.” It was his turn to hiss when she took his other hand.
“You’re hurt!”
“I’m fine.”
“You are not.” She yelled, “Help, please!” The medics came back in and fixed Peter up. “My phone! I need my phone. Ben has to know.”
“Let me see.” He returned a bit later. “I found it but the battery’s dead. You can use mine.”
“Thanks.” She dialled. “Ben? I need you. No. No. Yes. Just shut up and when I’m done, don’t you dare blame yourself…”
He left her to her call. He was wrangled away to give his own statement before he could return though. This meant he wouldn’t be involved with the case beyond his own testimony. Part of him was relieved because he knew he’d do a lot worse than punch Quicne if he heard the details of what had happened. Still, if she wanted him for support, he’d be there in a heartbeat. Before he left, he caught her eye, smiled, waved and indicated she could give the phone and his coat to any of the uniforms. She nodded in understanding and mouthed ‘Thanks’ to which he responded with a nod of his own.
Peter arrived for his usual time and Belle let him in. “Hi.”
“I wasn’t sure if I should come or not. You didn’t say.”
“No. I mean, yeah I wanted you to come. I made it a point to see my regulars this week. A safety cushion. Go on through. What would you like to drink?”
“Anything. Whatever you’ll have.” She joined him a minute later and handed him a glass. As she sat, she crossed her legs and the tops of her stockings peeked out of the bottom of her kimono. He took a sip and asked, “How are you?”
“Better. Still a bit bruised. No one’s noticed that I’m wearing dark lipstick in the summer.”
He had, but only because he knew what was beneath. “Show me?”
She retrieved a tissue and wiped the lip colour away. The marks were still angry-looking. He trailed a finger over the wounds and then pulled away.
“Where was your security?”
“I had called him at the beginning and then he went on a date and his phone was off. I even told him to do it. He didn’t want to but I’m the professional and know better. I though everything was okay. I tried calling him.” She looked away. “When I couldn’t get through, I dialled the safest person I could think of.”
He lifted her chin to look at her. She stood and took his injured hand, kissing the still bandaged knuckles. She then led him to the bed.
“Don’t I need to..?” He nodded his head toward the bathroom.
“No. I trust you and I can’t wait that long.” She sat him down and stood between his legs, moving his hands to the sash. He pulled it open and trailed his fingers over her bruised torso. When he looked at her in question, she answered. “I’ve been wearing chemises all week. The clients never questioned it but I don’t have anything to hide from you. So I wore this.” Her bra was sheer pink lace with black Chantilly lace overlay. The French knickers had the same pink material for the thong and the Chantilly made up the skirt. He pulled her forward by the waist and kissed the injured flesh while his thumbs drifted beneath the lace and traced the cuts on her hips.
He let her take the lead completely. She was careful and slow. Much less domineering than she usually was. When they were finished, they resumed their usual stroking, something they had abandoned after the fight. When he turned to look at the clock, she held him tighter.
“Stay. For a while at least.”
“Of course. For as long as you need me.”
A Blackpool/Secret Diary of a Call Girl crossover with just a hint of Keen Eddie
Rating: M
Paring: Peter Carlisle/Belle De Jour
Spoilers: All of Blackpool and S1 of Secret Diary of a Call Girl
Summary: Peter Carlisle has needs. Belle De Jour is in the business of fulfilling those needs. It's a simple arrangement. Right?
Chapter Summary: Still distracted from last time, Belle gets in over head and has to call for rescue.
Warning: This chapter contains attempted rape and physical abuse.
Previous chapters can be found here.
AN:
swankkat and kalleah made this whole thing better. And in the last part of this chapter, what Belle wears.Belle was still out of sorts. Of course she hadn’t approached Peter, but she didn’t push him away, either. It was affecting the rest of her work as well. While she wasn’t sloppy, if clients paid attention, there was a decline in quality, as it were.
She was on her way to an out call at The Grand at Trafalgar Square. The client was new but she recognized his name from when she was still working under Stephanie. If she remembered correctly, the other girls said he was demanding and picky. He had asked her to wear a camisole, flimsy skirt and a thong. The weather was warmer so she decided to forgo a jacket. When she stepped out of the cab, a breeze caused her to rub her arms.
She sailed through the lobby as she always did and called Ben when she stepped out of the lift. He reminded her that after her next call, he would have his mobile off as he’d be in the cinema but she should leave a message when she left. And once again changed his mind and said he’d leave it on or at least sneak out and check his messages. Belle took the time to remind him that she’d done this plenty of times before, she’d be just fine and needled him a bit as this was the first date he had had since splitting with Vanessa.
“Call you in a minute.” She knocked. The door was soon opened by a man in his early 40s. He was tall and solid. The words ‘football hooligan’ came to mind to describe him. “Tony? I’m Belle. I believe you were expecting me.”
He stepped back to let her in. “Yeah.” He walked over to the side table and picked up an envelope. Belle held her hand out expectantly. “Turn around first. Good.” And the underwear? Excellent.” He handed over the money. “Would you like a drink?” He poured some vodka into one of the provided coffee mugs.
“No thank you, but help yourself. What brings you to London? You said on the phone it was a trip.”
“Business. I’m being courted by several investors.”
“Sounds exciting.”
“It’s really isn’t. I’m going to pop in the shower. When I come back, I’d like you on the bed with the skirt and shoes off.”
“Yes sir!” As soon as she heard the water, she called Ben. “And you didn’t shave your legs, right?”
“What?”
“Never shave your legs on a first date. It’s guaranteed you won’t let things go too far.”
“I’m leaving my mobile on vibrate.”
“Don’t. Really. It’s okay.
He knew she wouldn’t give in on this. “Have fun, Han.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” While she was talking, she kicked off her shoes and slid out of the skirt, laying it over a stuffed chair. She positioned herself on the bed and leaned back on her elbows, pushing her chest forward.
Tony came out of the bathroom, using the towel to dry his hair instead of wrapping it around his waist. He paused to take her in. “Very nice. Lie back for me.”
She did as he asked and watched from the corner of her eye as he slipped a condom on. He climbed on to the bed from the foot and ran his hands up her legs, then dragging them back down, bringing the thong with them. He shoved the camisole up and grabbed her breasts. He was suddenly inside of her, holding her arms above her head.
He was rougher than she liked. The grip he had on her wrists bordered on painful but none of it was anything she couldn’t handle. Without warning, he flipped her over and took her that way. His body held hers down on the bed. He still kept her hands trapped.
Not soon enough, he groaned and rolled off her. She heard him flip off the condom. She turned over and righted her top. “That was…” she tried to think of something, “nice.”
“Yep.” Stunning conversationalist this one was. She waited for him to say something else. Since the blow up with Peter her ideas for chit chat were few and far between. He spoke a couple of minutes later. “You do anal right?”
“As long as there’s enough lube, yes I do. I should have a bottle in my bag.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed.
As she stood up, he called to her. “And put the skirt back on.” It was hardly the strangest request she ever had but something in his voice made her pause. She brushed it off as it missing the intimacy she was accustomed to with her regulars and the nervousness of most of the single session clients. She did as he asked and figured the sooner she complied, the sooner she would be out of there.
Belle smiled at Tony as she stroked him a bit to get him harder. Some might think the move seductive. She did it so he wouldn’t last long. She sheathed and lubricated then turned away and got onto her hands and knees.
For all her posturing, she didn’t actually do this all that often and it had been awhile. He wasn’t that large but nonetheless, she felt stretched almost to the point of pain. He didn’t bother to see if she was comfortable before he started thrusting away.
“Do you like that?”
When one was being paid to do such an act, there was really only one answer. “Uh huh.”
“Yeah. Thought so. You seem the type.” It was a good thing Belle was facing away from him because her eye roll was immense. “That’s right. You’re all the same. You look and sound like a lady but you’re just a dirty bitch who’s gagging for it. Moan for me you slag.”
She was getting anxious so she complied. Once again, it was his tone. She never minded being called names before. For most men that came to her, it was their first time engaging in dirty talk and it gave them, and her, a thrill in being so free. And by the basic definition of the word, she was a slag. As she was unable to use most of her tricks to finish him off due to their positions, she just shut her eyes and hoped he’d be done soon.
He finished with a yell and lied back on the bed. His breath slowed. She looked over her shoulder and found his eyes closed. Carefully and quietly, Belle got out of bed. She had to hunt for her underwear before being able to slip them on.
“Where do you think you’re going?” She turned to find him staring at her, eyes hard and free of any sort of warmth.
“The hour’s almost up. Just thought I’d pull myself together.”
“Stay.”
“That’s nice but I have to…”
“It wasn’t a request. Now get back here!” With each word, his volume rose.
“You paid for an hour and that time is up.”
“I paid for this room as well. Now, you’re going to come back here.”
“No.”
In a flash, he’d thrown her back to the bed, pinning her down by straddling her waist. When he stood, she attempted to get free. He stopped her by slapping her cheek hard. It felt as if her face was going to explode. When she went to check for broken skin, he took the opportunity to rip her skirt from the bottom up.
“STOP IT!” Belle was truly panicked now.
“No.” Tony grabbed the bottle of vodka and smashed it against the wall. He took a larger shard and sliced through the straps of her camisole. He then used it to score the front and tear it open as well. “Don’t tell me this doesn’t turn you on. You sluts are all the same.”
“Why didn’t the other girls tell me about you?” She though if she could keep him talking she could distract him. No such luck as he grabbed another shard and ran it up her thigh.
“Because I haven’t done this before. I was saving it for someone special. You’ll have to do.” He sliced through the elastic of her thong on one side, the other side of the glass biting into her skin. When he did the opposite side, a drop of alcohol fell into the new cut. She cried out. “That’s it. Keep doing that. You know you want it.”
He tossed away the scrap that used to be her underwear. He held her arms by her wrists with his hands and kicked opened her legs. It was obvious what he was planning. He advanced the small distance between them.
With strength she didn’t know she had, she swung one leg, then the other between his. She pulled her knees to her chest then shoved them forward, sending him tumbling backwards. She took her chance and bolted for the door, picking up her bag along the way.
Tony had thrown all the locks and in her haze, she fumbled with them. Suddenly she was yanked back by an ankle. When she landed, her chin hit the floor with a thud and she bit down hard on her upper lip. She was dragged across the carpet. When she came to a stop, she yelped as he kicked her in the side repeatedly.
“You like it rough. Quit playing coy. Don’t worry slag. I’m going to give it to you good.” He stood above her, imposing and stroking himself.
She wiped the blood from her mouth. “You’re a pig.”
“And you like that.”
The contents of her bag scattered when he’d thrown her to the floor. She grabbed and threw the item closest to her at his head. While he was stunned, she picked up her business mobile and locked herself in the bathroom.
Tony pounded the door. “Open up you bitch! You’ll have to come out eventually. And when you do we’ll see about adjusting your attitude.”
Belle took several deep, shaky breaths. She picked up her phone and almost dropped it when there was another bang on the door.
“Belle.” Tony sang from the other side. “I get it. You’re doing the hard to get thing. I can roll with that.”
She dialled. It went straight to voice mail. “Damn it Ben! Turn your phone back on!” She tried ten more times. Her battery was going. She shut her eyes and dialled again.
Peter brooded at his desk. He’d been in a funk ever since that night and it showed. His DCI had reprimanded him more than once about conduct and procedure. He really didn’t care at this point.
A plate appeared before him. Monty sat in his own chair across from him into his line of sight. “Eat.”
“Not hungry.”
“Too bad. I won’t let you destroy yourself. I care too much for that to happen. And I don’t have time to break in another partner. So, if you go down, I’m coming with you. My lifestyle can’t afford to take that kind of hit. So eat. I’m not above feeding you myself. What do you prefer? Airplane or choo choo train?“
Peter did smile at that. “You’re a wanker Pippin. You know that?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. It’s one of my better qualities.” Monty studied him over steepled fingers. “You still really like her. Don’t you?”
“She’s under my skin. She’s a drug I can’t kick the habit of. Don’t want to. But she seems to not want me.”
“I hate to say it but maybe you have to go cold turkey. It may hurt like hell in the beginning but you’ll be better off in the long run.”
“Easier said than done, my friend.” Monty just nodded. Peter’s mobile went off. “Carlisle.”
“Peter?”
“Belle? What’s wrong?” Weak and vulnerable were two words he’d never use to describe her in the time he’d known her. And yet that’s all her voice conveyed in that moment.
“Peter, I’m in trouble. There’s this man.” She whimpered as he heard a slam on what sounded like a door. “I didn’t know. If I knew, I’d never come. Peter, I swear I didn’t know.”
“Where are you?” He was already putting on his trench coat, leaving his jacket behind. Monty gave him an inquisitive look. Peter halted him with a hand.
“The Grand at Trafalgar Square. Room 309. I’ve locked myself in the bathroom.”
“Good. Stay right there. I’m on my way. Don’t open that door for anyone but me.”
“Please hurry. I don’t know what else he’s capable of.”
“What’s his name?”
“Tony. Tony Quince. That’s what he told me anyway. My battery’s almost gone. Please Peter.”
“I’ll be there so fast you’ll not have time to miss me.” Her side went dead. “Look up anything you can on a Tony Quince. Then send backup to The Grand at Trafalgar Square, room 309. That’s not that far from here, right?” He was already on his way out.
“Peter, don’t do anything stupid.”
“You know me.”
“As I said.” Peter heard Monty mobilising everyone as he made his way out. Once he made it outside, he was a man on a mission. He crossed streets without paying much attention to oncoming traffic. Big Ben chimed in the hour as he reached the doors to the hotel. He flashed his badge at the clerk.
“We’ve received a call about something in room 309. Backup is on its way. Please tell you manager. The back-up should have an ambulance on stand-by. When they show up, let them wait down here.”
“Yes sir. Anything else?”
“No, but thank you.”
The lift took forever to arrive and even longer to go up. The closest stair case was at the end of a long hall and it was three flights up, so he cursed the inventor of the lift as he waited. He straightened his coat and knocked. “Hotel security.”
The door opened and he assumed the man clad only in his trousers was Tony Quince. Quince was larger than he was but he knew if necessary, he could take him.
“I’m so sorry to bother you, sir. The guest staying in the room before you claims to have left behind some valuables. You know how it is; they say housekeeping stole them when most likely they just forgot. Do you mind terribly if I had a look?”
“Actually…”
“Sir, it will only take a minute.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
Peter stepped inside; careful to be sure the door didn’t close all the way by subtly kicking the rubber door stop in the jam. He made a show of going through the drawers then taking in the rest of the room. He toed one of the used condoms on the floor. “Didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”
“Nah. We were done. For now. She threw a strop and stormed out. You know how women can be. She’ll be back begging for more. You know the type.” He was starting to get twitchy.
“Certainly packed light for a mini-break.”
“Yeah. Don’t need much, if you know what I mean. It’s not like I’m the type of bloke who has to pay for it!” He clipped Peter’s shoulder and laughed.
Peter just raised an eyebrow, clearly not amused. “You’d be surprised the type of man who hires an escort. Sometimes they don’t want strings. Sometimes they’re lonely. Sometimes they find something they didn’t know they were missing.” Peter looked Tony dead on, eyes cold. “And sometimes they think they can get away with perverse and disrespectful things. Why is there a broken bottle on the floor?”
“Mini-bar accident.”
“They don’t have mini-bars in these rooms. What about the bit of lace over there?” He put his hands in his pockets, balling them up. He nodded toward what was left of the thong.
“We were in a hurry.”
“And why is it cut up?”
“The missus likes it a bit kinky.”
“Where did you say she went?”
“I don’t think it’s any of your business.” Quince took a step toward Peter, his fingers making a fist of their own.
“That’s where we differ because I think it is.”
“What would you care about a worthless slut like that?”
“I really wouldn’t call her that if I were you.”
“Why not? It’s what she is.” They were almost toe-to-toe. “I think you better leave.”
“No.” Quince swung and connected with Peter’s jaw. Peter spun onto the floor, the back of one hand landing in the broken glass. He looked up laughing. “Thank you.”
“What for, you raving lunatic?”
“Because, now,” he reached into his coat pocket, “I have you bang to rights.” He proudly displayed his badge. “And, this is self-defence.” He tackled him at the waist. He punctuated his statements with blows to the face. “You’re lucky to breathe the same air as her. Never touch her, call her, come near her, or even think of her again because if you do, I’ll know. Am I clear?”
Quince nodded. “Good.” He let his guard down and Quince took the opportunity to flip them, grabbing a piece of glass again. Peter blocked its down swing with his injured hand and cried out as it sliced through the skin. He then bestowed the man with a Glasgow kiss, causing Tony’s head to snap back. Peter went to punch him again.
“Carlisle! That’s enough!” His superior was in the doorway surrounded by uniformed officers.
Monty was halfway into the room. “Anthony Quince, I am arresting you on warrants for violation of parole, aggravated assault, attempted rape, violation of a restraining order and whatever else scum-of-the-earth thing you did here.”
“Add assaulting an officer of the law to that list.” Peter looked at him with his most smug expression.
Monty quirked a brow and smiled. “Gladly. And Mr. Quince? You did swing first. We’ve watched the whole ordeal, so don’t claim his word again yours. Come with us, big boy.” Quince was dragged to his feet, cuffed and read his rights.
Peter let Monty help him up and said, “Can you get everyone out of here for a few minutes? I don’t want her any more frightened than she already is.”
“No problem man.”
When the room was empty, he knocked on the bathroom door. “Belle? It’s Peter. It’s okay. He’s gone.” The door opened and he suddenly had his arms full of quietly sobbing woman. He hugged her and she tightened her grip on him. “It’s all right, sweetheart. We got him. You don’t have to tell me what happened if you don’t want to but I’d appreciate it if you did. Or at least tell someone, okay?” He felt her nod against him. He gently stepped her back and took a good look at her. He ran a finger over her bloodied lip. When he saw the state of what was left of her clothes, he shrugged out of his trench coat and handed it to her. “Put this on.” He turned away to give her at least some sense of dignity. He heard her hiss and had to stop himself from finding the bastard and finishing him off.
“I never fall apart.” He turned back to find her tightening the belt around her waist. She looked him in the eye. “I don’t get scared. I know when something’s off and put a stop to it. Why didn’t I know this time? Why would anyone do this?” She started to collapse.
He caught her and swept her up into his arms. “I don’t have those answers, I’m afraid. Let’s get you checked out. Are you going to press charges?”
She curled into his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Absolutely. If I can stop this from happening again, I will. Whatever I can do. Castration’s legal right?”
He laughed. “Not yet.” He carried her out into the hall and addressed one of the uniforms. “Please make sure the lady’s belongings are returned to her. Thanks.” He carried her all the way to the ambulance. She begged him to stay with her during the exam of her obvious injuries and he happily complied. He stepped outside when they had to open the coat but he listened in as they asked questions. He controlled his anger as she explained the cutting, the slap and the kicking. The medics asked him back when they could get no more out of her.
“They want to know if…I had sex with him. You know that. And if they check, they will too.”
“They can’t without your permission.” He took a deep breath. “Did he?” He closed his eyes. “Did he rape you?”
“No. But he was going to.” She took his hand and he opened his eyes. She was smiling. “I threw a vibrator at his head and it stunned him enough to give me time to run to the loo.”
He grinned at that. “Clever girl.” It was his turn to hiss when she took his other hand.
“You’re hurt!”
“I’m fine.”
“You are not.” She yelled, “Help, please!” The medics came back in and fixed Peter up. “My phone! I need my phone. Ben has to know.”
“Let me see.” He returned a bit later. “I found it but the battery’s dead. You can use mine.”
“Thanks.” She dialled. “Ben? I need you. No. No. Yes. Just shut up and when I’m done, don’t you dare blame yourself…”
He left her to her call. He was wrangled away to give his own statement before he could return though. This meant he wouldn’t be involved with the case beyond his own testimony. Part of him was relieved because he knew he’d do a lot worse than punch Quicne if he heard the details of what had happened. Still, if she wanted him for support, he’d be there in a heartbeat. Before he left, he caught her eye, smiled, waved and indicated she could give the phone and his coat to any of the uniforms. She nodded in understanding and mouthed ‘Thanks’ to which he responded with a nod of his own.
Peter arrived for his usual time and Belle let him in. “Hi.”
“I wasn’t sure if I should come or not. You didn’t say.”
“No. I mean, yeah I wanted you to come. I made it a point to see my regulars this week. A safety cushion. Go on through. What would you like to drink?”
“Anything. Whatever you’ll have.” She joined him a minute later and handed him a glass. As she sat, she crossed her legs and the tops of her stockings peeked out of the bottom of her kimono. He took a sip and asked, “How are you?”
“Better. Still a bit bruised. No one’s noticed that I’m wearing dark lipstick in the summer.”
He had, but only because he knew what was beneath. “Show me?”
She retrieved a tissue and wiped the lip colour away. The marks were still angry-looking. He trailed a finger over the wounds and then pulled away.
“Where was your security?”
“I had called him at the beginning and then he went on a date and his phone was off. I even told him to do it. He didn’t want to but I’m the professional and know better. I though everything was okay. I tried calling him.” She looked away. “When I couldn’t get through, I dialled the safest person I could think of.”
He lifted her chin to look at her. She stood and took his injured hand, kissing the still bandaged knuckles. She then led him to the bed.
“Don’t I need to..?” He nodded his head toward the bathroom.
“No. I trust you and I can’t wait that long.” She sat him down and stood between his legs, moving his hands to the sash. He pulled it open and trailed his fingers over her bruised torso. When he looked at her in question, she answered. “I’ve been wearing chemises all week. The clients never questioned it but I don’t have anything to hide from you. So I wore this.” Her bra was sheer pink lace with black Chantilly lace overlay. The French knickers had the same pink material for the thong and the Chantilly made up the skirt. He pulled her forward by the waist and kissed the injured flesh while his thumbs drifted beneath the lace and traced the cuts on her hips.
He let her take the lead completely. She was careful and slow. Much less domineering than she usually was. When they were finished, they resumed their usual stroking, something they had abandoned after the fight. When he turned to look at the clock, she held him tighter.
“Stay. For a while at least.”
“Of course. For as long as you need me.”
