Chapter 10: Loose Ends

Three weeks later...

The mood was somber between the taciturn former dominatrix and her husband as they parked before the title company. It was raining intermittently and windy, so Sterling exited the driver’s side and stepped around to open the door for his beloved, umbrella deployed and ready. Neither had spoken during the trip, each in their thoughts as the conclusion of this chapter in their lives awaited them inside.

The lobby was warm and bright, and they were greeted cheerfully by a receptionist who verified their appointment and made a call. Their wait was brief when a tall, vibrant blonde woman in business casual appeared and greeted them with professional courtesy. “Mr. and Mrs. Calabresi, it’s wonderful to meet you. Thank you for coming on short notice. Please follow me,” she said as she led them into a hallway with offices on either side. “The purchasing agent is here and signed everything. This may be the shortest real estate transaction in all my years.”

Her words echoed the unsettling opinions of the former owners of the China Shop Adult Boutique. Their feelings were mixed over the whole affair. The decision to close and sell the shop wasn’t easy. They had invested their hearts and souls into the business and enjoyed the fruits of their labor. After mortgage and expenses, they lived comfortably off the proceeds. They both loved their work. But after the shock and anguish of last month’s events, they resigned to their carefully built nest egg being destroyed. Still, Leilani’s aversion to submission made the choice difficult, and she was determined not to go down without a token of defiance. She insisted on tripling the offer suggested by their broker after the property evaluation. The ¾ acre lot was more valuable than the building. Their agent argued (his commission depended on actually selling the property) and decided to give it a week before telling the freaky couple where to go and how to get there.

It was a shock when a cash offer far exceeding the exorbitant offer was made ‘sight unseen’ before the MLS listing! Moments later, a 25% earnest payment was received in escrow, locking them into a tentative contract pending negotiations. The buyer was an anonymous shell company, and the representative accepted the contract ‘as is’ requiring no inspections, modifications, or repairs, offering a substantial bonus (to be shared by the seller’s agent and title company) for accelerating the closing.

The couple was shocked at the news, realizing they’d walk away financially secure for years. When they inquired about the rush, their agent suggested the building was likely slated for demolition for another commercial interest.

The hallway ended at a solid door. The woman opened it and stood aside for them to enter. The conference room was comfortably furnished with a long table and wide lavish chairs. In the middle was a stack of legal forms and manilla folders awaiting signatures. Leilani noticed a glossy black helmet at the far end of the table. Her heart tripped when she saw the ‘representative’ in front of the only window, with his back turned, wearing a black leather jacket. She froze in disbelief when he turned around. This can’t be real!

“We meet again, Mistress,” Martin said affably.

The honorific struck the agent as peculiar but not as much as the other woman’s stunned expression. Even her quiet husband seemed taken aback upon seeing the shell company spokesman.

Leilani struggled to compose herself, but her voice failed her, “Ed ... Edward.” She stepped over to the indicated chair and grabbed the back to steady herself.

“Martin,” he corrected with a sardonic smile. “Edward is my middle name, Martin Edward Landry.”

A chill ran down her spine, and her fingers paled, gripping the chair back tighter. The impact of his words struck her dumb, and her legs threatened to give out. Sterling quickly pulled out the seat next to hers and helped her sit, preserving her dignity. Neither noticed the title agent retreating and closing the door behind her.

“I’m sure you have questions,” Martin said calmly as he unzipped and removed the damp jacket, hanging it over the back of his chair before sitting. “I’ve asked for the room for a few moments to answer—”

“You!” she hissed as her shock turned to fury. “You ... fucking BASTARD!” Her complexion darkened as she scowled at him with poison in her eyes. “How dare—”

He shook his head and tsked at her. “Come now. That is no way to begin our new partnership.”

She recoiled from his remark and sat back. Sterling touched her cold hand, and she jolted, glancing toward him. He looked at her with concerned, supportive eyes. Then he turned to the young man at the end of the table.

“Perhaps you could elaborate, sir,” he said softly, neutrally. “Please be considerate of my wife’s sensitivity.”

Martin opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, reconsidering. He nodded respectfully to the man. “Well spoken. Let me offer my heartfelt apology to you both. My actions two weeks ago were ... necessary, albeit excessive.” He steepled his fingers on the table, appearing contrite. “I regret that you both were harmed despite my efforts to mitigate the collateral damage. I did not intend for you to suffer at the expense of my wife’s foolish designs or my retribution.”

“You’ve ruined us!” she spat, ignoring her husband’s grip on her hand. “You’ve destroyed everything we built!”

Martin hesitated before answering. “That is why I am trying to make amends—”

“Amends?” she barked with a derisive snort. She leaned forward, slapping her hands on the table. “How can you make amends for the damage you’ve done?” She whirled on her husband when he reached out again. His expression caught her off guard.

“Reliving the pain serves nothing, my beloved. Let us hear him out.”

She stifled her retort, questioning the sudden resolve in his eyes.