4

Isaias Machado sat in the corner of his favorite restaurant happily enjoying a quiet moment. He knew it was short lived. His date had gone to the bathroom and her incessant yammering on and on was making him wish he’d come alone.

He noted a flurry of activity from his security team in opposite sides of the room and then looked up in surprise when a woman he didn’t know sat down in the seat his date had just vacated.

“Can I help you?” he lifted a hand up to ward off his men. He studied the woman. He knew her from somewhere but couldn’t place her.

She slid a thumb drive across the table. “I know you don’t know me. I don’t know you either other than what my husband, or soon to be ex-husband, has told me. Considering how much of a sniveling turd he’s turned out to be, I wouldn’t be surprised if half of what he said was bullshit but it’s irrelevant anyway.”

“What is this?”

“Information.”

“Is this an extortion attempt.”

“No,” the pretty brunette with the dark kohl lined eyes and red lipstick shook her head. “It’s the opposite. My ex fucked me over. Badly. He left information on my laptop pertaining to business transactions which you might be interested in. I don’t want to extort you, Mr. Machado. I want to bribe you to help me ruin the bastard.”

“Bribe me how?” He wanted to laugh at the vehemence of her.

“Merlin McGrath is my ex.”

He sat up straight. That weasel was married to this gorgeous woman? He leaned sideways and let his gaze rake her from head to toe and he gave a low whistle. “How did he fuck you over, dare I ask? Please don’t say he cheated.”

“With my sister.”

“Are you twins?”

“No.”

“Then why? You’re a solid ten.”

She blushed under his scrutiny, and he liked the color on her cheeks. He watched as she slowly shook her head as if trying to clear the cobwebs.

“Look. I can’t speak to his motivation. My brother’s hypothesis is he got dropped on his head as a child. My theory is, he’s a greedy bastard not content with his lot so he wants everyone else’s too. He knocked my sister up at her wedding reception.”

“You know I could ruin his reputation simply with this information alone.”

“Go ahead. It might make my mother cry more but at this point, I’m not caring too much. They’re getting married tomorrow. It’s taken me a month to sift through the information he left on my laptop. He also stupidly forgot to change his email address, so I’ve been looking at his emails every day. He has a hate for you unlike anyone I’ve ever seen. His entire family does.”

“What do you want?” He was intrigued. A woman scorned was frightening but this one had a chip on her shoulder and a score to settle.

“Look through the information on the USB. My contact information is on it. If you want more information, I’ll provide it to you but there’s a catch.”

“There always is.”

“Ruin him. Destroy him and make his life a living hell.”

“Is that all?” He’d gladly do it.

“When his kid turns eighteen, the child will be entitled to a trust fund. I don’t want a child to suffer needlessly. I don’t care what you do to him and my sister, but I don’t want the child to lose what he or she will be entitled to. I draw the line at harming a kid. It didn’t ask to be born. Did you know there’s a woman who sued her parents for not gaining her permission to be born? I kind of want to send the kid all her videos the minute he turns sixteen. Poor bastard is in for a rough time with my selfish bitch of a sister for a mom.”

“Does he not pay you alimony? If I take everything from him, you’ll lose as well.”

“I don’t care. I hate him. I want him to burn.”

An argument near the toilets caught his ear and he looked over to see his date telling off another patron of the restaurant.

The woman opposite him giggled, “oops, looks like my distraction wasn’t long enough. I’ll let you get back to your date. If you think the information on the device is anything you can use, call me. We can negotiate.” She quickly rose from her seat and beelined out of the restaurant.

He palmed the USB and motioned to his head of security to take it. “I don’t know what’s on it. Could be nothing. Could be everything. Keep it safe until we’re in the office and we’ll need IT to make sure it’s not loaded with a virus to wipe us out. Also, find out everything you can on Merlin McGrath’s ex-wife. I want every detail.”

“Yes sir.” The man moved away as his date reappeared to the table.

“Isaias, some bimbo spilled water all over my silk skirt in the bathroom and then when I came out another one crashed into me with another glass of water. How is this your favorite restaurant when the clientele is so clumsy?”

“I am certain it’s merely a series of unfortunate circumstances. I will pay for your new skirt.” He tried not to grin as he realized the brunette had arranged for his date to get saturated. He probably already owed her one.

“The restaurant should pay,” she huffed, tossing her blond hair over her shoulder angrily.

“Was it restaurant staff who spilled water on you?”

“No.”

“Then why should they pay?”

“They should have better control of their guests.”

“We will agree to disagree,” he motioned to the wine, “drink your wine. Dinner will be along soon.”

“Fine,” she huffed. “Who was the lady?”

“Which lady?”

“The one who I saw sitting at the table?”

“She sat at the wrong table,” he lied effortlessly. “She was quite embarrassed.”

“Then why did she leave.”

He leaned forward, “I think her date left her here when she was in the bathroom.”

“Did she leave without paying?”

“I don’t know. I don’t really care. What I do care about is not continuing this conversation.”

Twenty minutes later he had completely tuned her out. He was struggling to remember her name now as well, while he enjoyed the dishes placed in front of him. The woman complained about the fishy taste of her entrée and the caloric content of her dessert. He made a mental note when he dined here next, he was coming alone.

When the bill arrived, he was surprised to see the restaurant owner approach and tell him it was on the house.

“I understand there was a mishap in the ladies’ room, and I could never forgive myself if you had a bad experience at my restaurant.”

“While I appreciate the gesture, I assure you there are no hard feelings over a minor incident, and I am content to pay for my meal. It will not dissuade me from returning, I promise.”

“Thank you, Mr. Machado but I must insist. You’re a valued customer and I appreciate your patronage. Please accept this as my way of apology.”

“Then I accept but next time, I’m paying. Thank you, Mara.”

“You’re most welcome. Please enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“I am sure I shall.” When they got outside, he looked to his driver, “please take my companion home or wherever it is she wishes to go. I’ll ride with security and return to my estate.”

“You’re not coming home with me?” She ran her hand suggestively up his arm.