The Johnson Saga: The Unwilling Mistress

Chapter 1

"YOU ARE NOT GOING TO THAT DANCE," yells Ryder. His voice. loud and furious. "Catharine Blake, did you hear me?" 

Left with no choice Catharine, or Catt as everyone calls her, moves the phone far from her ear, as Ryder's rant continues. The sound of her full name raising a sense of righteous indignation deep inside. 'Catharine Blake' is exactly how her parents addressed her whenever she did something wrong, and immediately the spirit of rebellion surfaces. Many times, the rebellion turns to anger, like right this moment. "Stop nagging," she yells right back. "You are not my father, stop telling me what to do." Catt was sick and tired of the same argument that had been running for two weeks. 

The Spring Dance was taking place at Stones, a nightclub in downtown Bertrams and Catt had every intention of attending. Her boyfriend had two issues with that, one Ryder had business out of State and could not accompany her. And two, Stones belonged to the gangsters of Bertrams. While Catt had no issues with the gangs, Bertrams being her place of birth. She knew all of them, having grown up with a few. Ryder still did not believe their allegiance to him or more to the mob, genuine. The mistrust came from growing up with guns and wars, you trusted no one. 

 "Stop behaving like a child, then I won't have to act like your father. I told you, I can't take you. So, you can't go. That's final. Catt, you know it is not safe for you to be out alone." 

This is what happens when you are young and make a stupid mistake like, falling in love with the mobster's son. The future heir to the Greater Eastern turf and the prince born with a silver spoon. Ryder the eldest son of Thys Johnson, was exactly like his father, a born mobster. Thys ran the East, consisting of fifty cities that fell under his reign. Drugs, guns, prostitution, gambling, any illegal activity, and the Johnson family owned it. Thys Johnson had turned his illegal money into an empire and his family, the celebrities of the East. They owned mansions everywhere, drove Maserati's and dressed in designer labels. 

Catt did not come from that world. She came from the Ghetto, low-cost housing, apartment buildings, and ordinary people. She lived all her life in the same house, and the Ghetto was her playground. Catt did not fear for her safety. 

"Baby, I need to go," says Ryder, distracted by the voice calling him in the background. He hangs up without a goodbye and Catt is left fuming. Her normally pale skin flushes ruby red as her core temperature increases. Cat-like eyes shoot emerald green daggers at the phone. The only thing missing is her fiery red hair, bursting into flames. Catt Blake is gorgeous, with porcelain skin, hourglass figure and long slender legs. But it is her eyes that get you. Arched eyebrows, long eyelashes that shield bottle green eyes, with flecks of gold. Eyes that stare at your soul and make you feel as if you are the center of the universe.                                                                                                      

Twenty-years of age, Catt believed life should be filled with excitement, adventure and partying. This was accomplished with her two roommates, her lifelong buddy Jase and her cousin, Shai. The three of them lived in her parents' modest but cozy four-bedroom home. Marvin and Veronica Blake were not wealthy but they were the type of parents that loved and cared for her. After their death the previous year, Catt had inherited their house. Completing her second year at Community College and working part-time, to make ends meet, Jase moved in to help cover the bills. Unofficially adopted big brother, Jase and Catt were friends since she was five. He had been in the foster system moving from family to family. When they became friends, Catt always dragged him to her house to play. Veronica and Marvin welcomed him with open arms. They never questioned his parentage and went out of their way to help with school homework and projects. 

Before long Jase was a regular feature in the Blake house. Christmas and holidays spent with them. More importantly, they were his family. Bertrams wasn't the easiest place to grow up. Jase managed to stay out of the gangs because Marvin and Veronica supported him. They pushed him to finish school and make a life for himself. He loved and respected them. The thorn in his perfect life was Ryder. Jase's dislike for Ryder stems from how he treats Catt. How many times did he try to get her to leave him? How many times did she leave him, only to go back, by charm, threat or plain love? 

Catt could not stand the arrogance of Ryder. She grew up in a strict home with curfews, which was ok because that is what parents do. But for your boyfriend to act worst than your father, was a no go. Still standing in front of the ornate mirror in her bedroom, Catt fumes at the phone in her hand. Deep laughter from behind brings her head swinging around. The scowl on her face deepens as Jase, wipes the tears from his eyes, leaning against the door frame. It is clear he heard her entire conversation. 

Jase Walker, a rugged, muscular man, is big and strong. With soulful eyes and a square jaw, he keeps a full shaped beard. A true lover of ink and a real heartbreaker, he turns heads wherever he goes. 

"What's so funny?" she asks. 

Jase does not get a chance to respond as Shai barrels pass him and throws herself on Catt's double size bed. Shai Blake is more her sister then cousin, a year older, they have been close since infancy. Whereas Catt took on their fathers' appearance, Shai looked like her mother. Model beautiful, blonde hair, willow thin, kissable sexy lips and assets in all the right places. Shai recently moved in with Catt to save money on rent. The situation was ideal. "Uncle Marvin is gone, and Ryder has taken his place," responds Shai. 

The comment causes all three to burst out laughing. "Hasn't he learnt by now, you don't tell Catt what to do?" she continues. 

During the three-year span of her relationship with Ryder, the three of them had learnt one important lesson. Catt could not leave Ryder without someone literally dying. In defiance, a motto was born. "Party now, consequences later." 

Catt would not allow Ryder to control her, she would defy him at every turn, and deal with the consequences later. 

"So what time are we going to the dance?" asks Shai. 

"As soon as I am done dressing." 

Thirty minutes later, Catt, Jase, and Shai pull up in front of Stones. The queue is down the stairs and around the corner. Stones has a reputation for being the coolest club downtown, with three dance floors and the hottest DJ's. Dancing until six in the morning, is an easy feat. As the three step into the club, they are engulfed by buzzing music, disco lights, and club smoke. Catt inhales a deep breath and feels the stress leave her body.