All the Money in the World

Chapter 5

That evening was going to be James' tenth appointment with Katie in only four weeks. It was a lot and he was not her favorite client but she was finally able to end it and it was going to be an enormous weight off her chest. When he arrived she was visibly giddy.

"Hello," she smiled sweetly. "How are you?"

"Good, now that I'm here," he said sheepishly. "Do you want a drink?" James asked as he poured himself one.

"No," she said with a tight smile. "Have a seat, I have something different planned for tonight."

"Different," he smiled broadly. "I'm excited."

"Me too," she gestures to the oversized arm chair. "Sit," she said forcefully. "This isn't going to be dom/sub, James and there is no safe word." His face twisted with confusion as she spoke. "Do you like indie movies?"

"Like, independent films?"

Katie nodded. "Small budget little movies, labors of love."

"I guess," he shrugged.

"I made one and I want you to see it," she clicked on the TV.

"Look, Cassandra, if you're trying to get me to invest in some pipe dream-"

"No " she giggled. "But after you see it I do have an offer."

The movie started but it was hardly a movie at all. Snippets of their dates, audio and visual, played on the screen and Katie watched as the color drained from James' face. His earnest words filled the silence, declarations of love and praise for her.

"You...you recorded us?"

"I did," she nodded slowly, "But only because I need something from you."

"I don't have money," he stammered. "Are you trying to extort me?! I have a wife, I told you about my kids."

"I don't want your money," she explained as she turn the TV off again. "I don't want to hurt your family but I will if I have to. All I need is a favor and it won't cost you a dime."

"What is it?" James asked incredulously. "What the hell do you want?"

"Someone is trying to screw over my family, and I can't let that happen. There's two men coming up for release and I need to make sure those men are granted parole. Please, James."

"Who?" He softened.

"I can't tell you right now, I'm protecting both of us by keeping the secret, but you'll know when the time comes."

Popping up from the chair he paced the room anxiously. "This is bullshit. What's to stop me from just coming out with this? I can tell my wife myself, come clean with her. We didn't even have sex, Cassandra and you're breaking the law here by threatening me!"

"Sure, this isn't illegal," she motioned around the room, "But the girls you picked up in Oakland are very illegal and we may not have had sex but do you want everyone in your life to know you paid me to suffocate you while you masterbated? You want them to see pictures of-

He stopped in his tracks and looked at her with fear and mortification in his eyes. "Alright," he snapped, "Stop."

"I don't want to play nasty but I will. I can destroy your personal life or I could let it get out about the illegal prostitution you're also a fan of."

"How did you know?" He asked her suddenly. "About Oakland?"

"I know," she shrugged. "For the most part sex workers are a tight group. We have to have each other's backs."