Play Upon My Heart Read online

  Play Upon My Heart

  Kathryn Blade

  Play Upon My Heart

  By Kathryn Blade

  All Rights Reserved.

  Copyright © 2019 Kathryn Blade

  www.kathrynbladeauthor.com

  [email protected]

  No portion of this work may be used, copied, or reproduced without the written consent of the author.

  Please contact the author at [email protected]

  if you are interested in using part of this work for educational purposes or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, and events are figments of the author’s imagination. Resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  ISBN: 9781099251009

  Dedication

  I dedicate this novella to my wonderful editor Lavidang1 from Fiverr.com. Thank you for taking the time to work with me, help me grow as an author, and encourage my continued growth. I could not do this without you.

  Acknowledgements

  I want to acknowledge the doubt, help, and support from various people and groups:

  Lisa and Jeremy, thanks for keeping the sausage and coffee hot.

  Breathitt and Letcher county fan clubs, you are amazing!

  Thank you to my doubters. You light the fire in my heart to do what I do.

  Finally, thank you to the all the supportive Indie authors

  and groups I am fortunate to know and be a part of.

  Contact me:

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.blade.50

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/blade_kathryn

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynblade

  If you want to contact me or send some snail mail, here’s how:

  Email: [email protected]

  Kathryn Blade

  PO Box 14

  Pound, VA 24279

  Chapter 1

  Cassandra

  “Get the interview and you have a full-time position here,” proclaimed Ernie as he looked at her through his heavy, black horn-rimmed glasses. It made his already bushy eyebrows look enormous. “Here’s your press pass and VIP pass. This will get you upstairs to the VIP suite. It’s all on you from there.”

  Cassandra clutched the VIP and press passes in one hand, shocked that a chance to interview bad boy Jake Dubois was hers. She knew the owner of JD Talent was notoriously difficult to schedule interviews with. There was no way she would miss out on this chance. “Gotcha, Ernie. Thank you!”

  “Don’t disappoint me!” Ernie called after her as she ran out of the office.

  Cassandra caught an Uber across town to the cramped efficiency apartment that was home. The only thing that saved her from eviction was a part-time job as a hostess at a local restaurant.

  She struggled to locate the perfect outfit. Mundane work attire stuffed the tiny closet. A black dress with a low back and modest hemline beckoned. Cassandra struggled to undress, reapply deodorant, dress again, strap on heels and run out the door before the second Uber arrived. While the car made its way toward the event, she double checked the items in the clutch purse. To her satisfaction, she discovered an extra pen, steno pad, recorder, and business cards inside. The VIP and press passes hung around her neck.

  “Thanks!” she called to the driver as he pulled away from the curb. The party had been going on since seven pm. She hoped eleven pm was not too late for the interview. Ernie would have no qualms about firing her if she screwed this up.

  The guests had thinned out, but the party was still in action. A security guard showed her to a nearby elevator when she flashed the VIP pass. “Penthouse,” he directed.

  The soft hum of the elevator as it rose twenty floors to the penthouse did little to soothe the nerves that threatened to overwhelm her. The doors slid open with a soft hiss. The only occupants of the penthouse foyer were two colossal security guards. “Umm, I’m here for Mr. Dubois?” she squeaked, quickly chastising herself internally for such amateurish behavior.

  One of the security guards looked her up and down before grinning. “Thought you’d never get here. Service is usually faster.”

  “Sorry. Uber got caught in traffic,” she explained with a shrug. “Hope it’s not too late.”

  “He’s waiting.” The security guard opened a door and pointed down the hall toward another door. “Go on in.”

  The first door clicked as it closed behind her. Before she entered the second door, she took a moment to take a deep breath, wiping sweaty palms on her dress before popping a mint in her mouth. Here goes nothing.

  The room was dimly lit. A glass coffee table sat in the center of three black leather sofas. A bar stood near the plate-glass window looking out over the Los Angeles skyline. Another open door revealed a bed. Cassandra closed the door behind her, calling out, “Hello? Mr. Dubois? The security guard said I should come on in.”

  Jake Dubois appeared in the open doorway. Cassandra gulped when she saw that his shirt was fully unbuttoned. He was truly the Greek god that modeling photographs portrayed. Dirty blonde hair hung over his face. Light golden hair covered his chest and ripped abs. Grey slacks hung low on his hips.

  “You’re late.”

  “I’m sorry. The security guard said you were expecting me. I can go if it’s too late.” Even his voice drips sex appeal, she thought. She gulped again, praying he wouldn’t say no. Ernie would not be happy.

  “Pirouette,” he said, finger making a circular motion. “You’re new.”

  She completed the requested spin, then fumbled in the purse for a business card. She held the card out as she stepped forward. “Umm, my business card.”

  He laughed, glancing at the card for less than a second before laying it on the bar. “Stepping up the game, huh? I’ve yet to see business cards in your line of work. Drink?”

  “No thanks. I don’t drink on the job.” She inwardly scolded herself as he turned toward the bar. He poured two glasses of liquor before approaching her.

  “I insist, Cassandra was it?” One brow quirked upward as he spoke. He took a drink from the glass. “Whiskey. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “Call me Cassie. I don’t mind at all. Could we get started?” She stammered. “I, uh, have another job to go to.” She hated late night shifts at the restaurant, but the manager had offered double pay if she worked overnight prep just this once.

  “Busy girl. Sure, we can get started.” He turned and sauntered into the bedroom. Cassandra followed, feeling as if there was some confusion about the interview.

  She stopped in the doorway, shocked to see him standing by the bed wearing only boxers. “Um, I think there’s some misunderstanding here.”

  “No misunderstanding here,” he replied, walking toward her. He took the glass, purse and steno pad from her, setting them on a nearby dresser. “At least they got the details right this time. Young, chocolate brown hair and eyes. Even down to the little black dress.” He pulled her into the bedroom and closed the door. He pushed her against the wall, leaning close, kissing her with a ferocity that was frightening.

  She tasted the alcohol. He was well past being drunk by what she had seen so far. Both hands pushed against his chest as she tried to break free. At last he pulled away but immediately kissed her neck. “Stop! You have me confused with someone else.”

  “No tip if I have to undress you.”

  She could feel his arousal. Pushing and struggling did no good, he was too strong. He slid the zipper down, hands sliding inside the dress to caress her back. “Please!” she cried.

  “I like feisty women. That’s more like it,” he said against her lips. Then he was bearing down on her in the bed, pulling at her clothes. Somehow, he was naked. His hand ripped her
panties away. Her head swirled as she realized no one would save her. She was thankful no one could hear her cry.

  ***

  Cassie

  Cassandra lay frozen on the bed, waiting until Jake Dubois snored. Then she was up, gathering her clothes and shoes before crying in the bathroom. She ached inside. Shame made her scrub the last traces of her blood and his semen away. Thankfully, the dress was in one piece.

  She paused outside the bathroom, waiting briefly as he turned in his sleep. The soft snoring resumed. She snatched her purse and steno pad before running from the room. The first security guard was the only one present in the foyer. Head held high, she walked past him toward the elevator.

  “Hey, you forgot something,” he called before handing her a thick envelope.

  Cassandra looked inside, stomach roiling as she saw the money. She pulled it out, ruffling through the bills as bile rose in her throat. Money flew in the air as she threw it at the security guard. “Keep it.”

  The elevator doors closed before he could catch her. She heard the guard exclaim, “Hey, come back!” but ignored his call.

  She took a cab this time, calling in to work at the restaurant for the weekend. Now if she could find some way to explain to Ernie what had happened. He would never understand, she thought. Two blocks from the hotel she asked the cab to pull over. A walk in the night air would do her good. By the time she made it home blisters covered her feet. She carried her high heels in one hand, slinging them into the corner of her room before staring blankly at the floor until thoughts of Ernie broke through her reverie. Monday and Ernie would be here before she knew it.

  Indeed, the new week arrived too soon. Cassandra entered The Daily Post’s building with a sick feeling building in her gut. He would never understand.

  “How the hell could you screw this up?” Ernie yelled. “It was a given. And you blew it!”

  “Let me explain,” she begged. “Give me another chance. Please!”

  “I’m sorry, Cass. I have to let you go. I’ll mail your last check.”

  She left the office as despair built inside her. He had taken everything of value in her life. Now she was back to square one.

  ***

  Cassie

  The evening at work did not go well either. Everything Cassandra touched fell from her fingers. Some items shattered while others bounced or clanged on the tile floor. The manager eventually sent her home. “Look Cass, we love you here, but I can’t explain this many broken dishes to the owners. I’m sorry about your job at the paper. We can talk tomorrow about more hours. Go on home.”

  Sandra, the only person she trusted, ran toward her as she clocked out and headed out the back door. “Cass! Stop!” Sandra caught her arm. “What is wrong with you? You look awful!”

  Tears welled in Cassandra’s eyes as she clutched her aching head in both hands. “The paper fired me!”

  “We’ve all lost jobs. I can’t remember being this upset. Or looking like a delivery truck ran over me.”

  “I’ve got to go, Sandra. You should probably get back in there before they come looking for you.” She turned to go. Sandra gasped as several dark bruises on her arm became visible.

  “Who did this to you?”

  Cassie realized the bruises were his fingerprints, another way of marking her. Tears fell down her face as the memories flooded back, painful and shameful, piercing her mind and soul with dagger-like precision. “I can’t talk about it. Please don’t ask. I’ve got to go.” Sobs broke her voice.

  Sandra hugged her tight, soothing her as best as she could. “Go home and get some rest. Call me later.” She pulled a wad of bills from her apron pocket. “Here’s enough for a cab. Please take it.”

  Cassie was emotionally numb by the time she made it home. It felt good to curl into a ball, pull the comforter over her head and do nothing but erase Friday night from her memory.

  ***

  Chapter 2

  Jake

  Jake woke late the next morning, alone in bed, naked, and hungover. A cruel drum pounded in his head. He groaned, sat up and rubbed his temples. The girl had disappeared. He barely remembered a thing. Lately alcohol caused more problems than it fixed. As he stood up dark spots of dried blood on the sheets caught his attention.

  “Dammit! You have got to be kidding me!” A cold sense of dread filled his stomach. All it would take to derail his empire would be one allegation of impropriety. Then he saw the discarded press and VIP passes by the bed. He scanned both rooms for some hint of her identity until the business card on the bar came into view.

  He donned a robe before calling the head of security. “Bobby, get everything you can on Cassandra Brooks. I have a business card. I want her found. Yesterday.” He had to find her before she talked. Maybe he could smooth talk his way out of this one. In his gut he knew that was not a possibility. This time he had gone too far.

  He found an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that night. The tremors in his body eased over time. Weekly meetings, work with his sponsor, and a continued search for the girl he had mistaken for an escort filled the next few weeks.

  The weekly meetings at a local church quickly became food for his soul. He met Ted at one meeting, a man with twenty years in recovery who soon became his sponsor. Ted walked him through the steps of recovery. It was a necessary part of his journey. The work involved was deep and painfully introspective.

  The fourth step ripped away at fears, resentments, harm done to others, and even past sexual behavior. Jake dug in, determined to complete the painful process of deep personal examination required by the fourth step of recovery. It made him realize he had to make things right with the woman he had mistaken for an escort. He didn’t discuss his plans for amends with his sponsor. His determination to find her reigned supreme.

  ***

  Cassandra

  Cassandra found it necessary to find another restaurant job after losing her position with the paper. The income from both jobs barely paid her rent. Within a month she could no longer pay the electric bill. Candles provided a nice ambience in the efficiency. Cheap canned food allowed her to survive without a refrigerator. Walking everywhere became a daily necessity. There was no money for Uber or taxis.

  As she scrolled through the calendar on her cell phone, she realized her period was two weeks late. A cold chill settled in the pit of her stomach. She was never late. Mother Nature visited every twenty-eight days just like clockwork. The free clinic a few blocks away confirmed the worst. She was pregnant.

  The counselor talked to her about options. She thought about an abortion until the counselor explained the price and procedure. The counselor’s description of the invasive procedure reminded her of the events of that night. Jake Dubois stripped her dignity once. She would never allow it to happen again. Then came thoughts of the innocent life growing inside her. She could not bear the thought of ending it. At least the clinic gave her free prenatal vitamins and scheduled an appointment in one month with an obstetrician.

  She couldn’t force a thank you from her mouth as she stood to leave. It seemed foreign and wrong given the situation. The three-block walk home seemed to drag on forever. The heat was unbearable, but she trudged along, thoughts racing through her mind.

  One block from her apartment a black limo screeched to a halt beside her. Someone grabbed her from behind then shoved her into the back of the car. There was no time to react or escape. She turned to look at the passenger and saw Jake Dubois staring back at her.

  ***

  Jake

  It came as no shock to Jake when Cassandra jerked frantically on the door handle as she tried to escape. “Drive, Bobby.” A flick of a switch turned the intercom off. A second switch raised the tinted window between the driver and passenger compartments. “I’ve been looking for you, Cassandra.”

  She shrank back against the seat, pale and shaking, a myriad of emotions running through her chocolate eyes. “Stop and let me out. You can’t do this.”

  “We need to
talk first,” he replied, a shaking hand smoothing the hair back from his face. She wasn’t the only one who was nervous. “About what happened.”

  “I have nothing to say to you.” She clutched the brown paper bag with the vitamins inside so hard that the knuckles of her hand whitened. “Because of you I’ve lost everything.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Cassandra threw her head back, laughing as sobs shook her body. “You’re sorry? That’s it?” The bag ripped open easily as she clawed at it. She removed the bottle’s lid before slinging the vitamins at him. The orange ovals clicked against the windows as they scattered across the passenger compartment. The bottle smacked his chest with a soft thunk. “There’s your sorry.” She held her head in her hands as the tears flowed unchecked.

  Jake clutched the empty bottle in one hand. His eyes scanned the label. Prenatal vitamins. The consequences of his actions six weeks earlier gained a new facet. The intercom hissed as he pressed it. “Bobby, head back to the condo.”

  “Right away, boss.”

  Thirty minutes later the limo slid into Jake’s underground parking lot. Cassandra had not spoken the entire time. She jerked away as he reached for her arm. “I can find my way.” Her voice was harsh and low.

  The elevator automatically rose to the condo. It was one benefit of being able to afford an entire building. Privacy was much easier to maintain here. Cassandra stood awkwardly in the living room, glancing around the room.

  “I want to leave now. You have no right to keep me here.” She shifted from one foot to the other, fingers clasping the material of a pale blue sundress.

  Jake retrieved a folder from the office. “When you read and sign this, we can talk about that.” He handed a document and pen to her along with a check. “Give me your phone.”

  “A nondisclosure agreement and you want my phone?” She laughed, hands ripping the document in pieces. “A million, huh? Is that what brushing all this under the rug is worth to you? Let me show you what I think of your million dollars and the NDA.” She ripped the check into pieces before him. The remnants of the check fell to the floor. Jake extended a hand, fingers beckoned for the cell phone. The phone flew past his head, shattering against a wall into dozens of pieces that scattered around the room.