Badass

Badass - A Hannah Todd Story

Badass - A Hannah Todd Story

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work is copyrighted by the author. All characters involved in sexual activity are eighteen years of age or older at the time of portrayal.

This is the continuing adventures of Hannah Todd. I would strongly recommend you stop reading this and go back and read at least some of "The Bridge" which provides the back story for most of the characters in this story. I know... it's 30 chapters and lots and lots of pages, but I and a small handful of folks think it's pretty good. I have tried to provide some of the history of the characters so that you can feel like you are getting the full story just by reading Badass. So proceed as you wish. And, bad or good, your feedback is always welcome.

Badass - Part Nine

Badass - Part Nine

"Davante. How is the handsomest man I know?"

"Very cute, Hannah. How are my niece and nephew doing these days?"

"Breaking their mothers' heart and their fathers' balls."

"Sounds about right for a couple of Royce twins. Hannah, some folks down here want to speak with you."

"Nah, they want to speak with the man of the house. That would be your brother. Anything law enforcement related goes through Duane. You know that."

"No, Hannah. They want to speak withyou."

"I don't travel much. How about a videoconference appointment? That always works for me. Do I need my lawyer present? Am I under suspicion of anything? What's the story, Davante?"

"It sounds to me like they want you to come down to the Federal Building to meet with them."

"Who is them and who the fuck do they think they are?"

"They are in from Washington, and they've been reviewing some of our cases and they have questions for you regarding some of them."

"Someof them? You're holding out, Davante. Am I under investigation?"

"I don't know. I-I-I..."

"Well, you better learn and then you better tell me. I don't like games, Vante. I don't want any bullshit from you. You tell me what you know, and I'll tell you what I'm gonna do about it. Understood?"

"But I don't know..."

"This conversation is over until you do. Goodbye, Vante."

*CLICK*

Boy, was I pissed. And nervous as hell. What the fuck does the F.B.I. want with me? God knows it could be one of any number of things. To recount would take too long. I wanted to call Linnie right back, but my supercell started to ring. It was Davante. Fuckin' Vante. Well, I blew him off.

"Call RFS."

"Royce Field Services, this is Megan. How might I help you?"

"Megan, this is Hannah Todd."

"Yes, Miss Todd. How can I help you, Miss Todd? Is everything okay, Miss Todd?"

"Calm down, Megan. I need to speak with Mr. Royce. Can you make that happen for me?"

"Yes, ma'am. Please hold."

Another one who thinks I bite people's heads off for sport. I can't imagine the names for me on the rumor mill.

"Hannah, is everything alright?"

"I don't know. I just got a call from your brother..."

"I know. He's on my other line. What the hell is up, Hannah? He says you are being unreasonable."

"He wants me to come downtown and be interrogated, and he won't even tell me what it's about. You tell him to go fuck himself. Nobody summons the Queen Bee. If they want me, they're gonna have to come for me. I'm calling Linnie. I don't trust the feds. And I'm wondering if I can trust your brother."

"Hannah! How can you say that? Vante won't steer us wrong."

"He might not steer you so wrong, but I'm not so sure about me. He is a cop, Duane. Blood or not, is he more true to you or the blue?"

"Would you take a meeting at the house if I can arrange that?"

"Oh, now you're Davante's pimp. I'm definitely calling Linnie."

"Would you not, Hannah. Take the meeting in your own backyard. Do it."

"Find out more. I will take the meeting, but I won't do it in the blind. You find out what this meeting is about and then we'll set the meet. For now, as far as I'm concerned, they can submit their questions to me in writing, and I will answer them that way."

"Hannah, don't..."

*CLICK*

"Call Linnie's office."

"The Lawrence Law Firm. This is Pearl. How may I help you?"

"Pearl, this is Hannah Todd. Can I speak to Mrs. Lawrence, please?"

"Of course, ma'am. Please hold."

"Well, that was fast. Please don't tell me you are under arrest."

"Not yet, but the day is young. F.B.I. is on my ass and I don't know why."

"Is that why Davante was calling you?"

"Apparently. But he won't tell me why."

"Oh, no. That's not the waywedo business. Who do you want me to call? Should I call Davante down at the Federal Building? Give me his number. I'll get to the bottom of this, or Larry will."

"Linnie, you're the best. That's just what I needed to hear. But now is not the time for action. Not yet. Let's play this out. See what Duane can find out from his brother. But I'll put you on- call for now."

"Please, when am I not on-call? Listen, I'm leaving for the day soon, so get me on my supercell if anything changes. Till then I gotta run, Han. Until then, no admissions and no confessions."

"Aye aye, captain."

In the meantime, Rony and Ali were getting ready to leave for Canada, and we did a quick briefing at the house. I allotted an hour in the afternoon to meet with them after my lunch with Bertha which is where I find perspective. She is the most grounded individual in my life. And one of the most important. I credit her with my children's good behavior.

When Romy and Ali got here, we schmoozed for a while and then got down to business. They were to go to Montreal, find the shop called Peintre de la Nuit, abscond with Greta Goldheimer, meet up with our French-Canadian connection and take her across the border at a secret crossing into Vermont. It was an underworld crossing used by many in the human trafficking trade. The good folks at Todd Recovery discovered the route in the course of tracking trafficked girls being transported overseas via Canada.

Once Ali and Romy were dispatched, I decided to call Rhee Spanner. Just to see if there was an update on Building Number 19, which we did not really breach. Hoagie made an appearance and set a wasp drone, but nothing came of it, and he and Anthony headed home after revealing and dealing with the goings on in Building Number 251.

Rhee's operative, Robo Rick, stayed around the Paramus area monitoring any potential action in Building Number 19 and I wanted to know if anything had come of it.

"Call Rhee Spanner."

"Hannah. I expect you are calling about Paramus."

"Yeah, anything new from Rick?"

"Not really. He says there are three men in the entire warehouse, but nothing has been coming in or out. But these guys keep making phone calls that nobody appears to be picking up. As if they are trying to reach someone who is no longer available to them. Rick has been able to hear the dialing, but cannot pick up the numbers quickly enough. He's only been able to pick up eight numbers at the most. I'm keeping him on post in the hope that he can pick up a full number or two. With any luck that will lead us somewhere."

"And Building 251?"

"According to Rick, he heard that a handful of mercenaries and workers were busted and close to a dozen girls rescued. A plethora of treasures was recovered as well. Artwork, gold and other precious items were found ready to be shipped out. The estimates are supposedly in the millions from what Rick said one of the appraisers quoted."

"Good. I hope this stuff will be returned to its rightful owners. I have no use for it. But I would like to see the girls taken care of. If I..."

"You just leave it to the authorities, Hannah. No need to put your fingerprints on this operation. Let the cops do their jobs."

"Yes, ma'am. You are right, as usual."

"If there's nothing else for now, Hannah, I've got to run. Lots of irons in the fire."

"There is one more thing, Rhee. The F.B.I. wants to speak with me. Can you dig into your sources and see if there is anything you can find out about it? I'm a little nervous."

"You nervous? I'm right on it, Han. Stay tuned. I'll let you know what I know as soon as I find out."

"Thanks, Rhee."

*CLICK*

Before anything else, I wanted to check on the babies. Perfect timing, as Becca and Aggie were about to put them down for a late nap. So, I helped out, changing Duanee and giving the Diva some hugs and kisses.

What one would consider the workday was drawing to a close, and I hadn't heard from Duane regarding word from his brother. So, I decided to call him and ask if he'd be home for dinner tonight; not sharing my anxiety at not knowing what Davante was up to.

"Royce Field Services, this is Megan. How may I help you?"

"Megan, Hannah again. Can I speak to Mr. Royce again?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'll get him right away."

"You do that, Megan."

"Hannah, must you harass my people?"

"I can't help it if they're all scared of me. Not my fault. But you, mister, you'd better be afraid."

"And what did I do to earn your wrath, Miss Todd?"

"It's not you, it's your damned brother. He's got me on edge, and I don't like being on edge."

"Monday, the 24th. He and two of his cronies will be coming by to speak with you. If you want to call Linnie, feel free. I will also be joining the meeting. Anyone else you want there?"

"Yeah. I want Avi and I want Hoagie there. And Dom. I will not be intimidated by the fucking feds."

"Planning on a little hand to hand combat with the F.B.I.?"

"If need be, I want Dom there. And I want my human lie detector here too. I am also going to call Linnie and Lizzie and have them both attend. I will not be outnumbered, and I will not be outgunned. Under any circumstances."

"You be you, Hannah Todd. Herman and I should attend as well. Let Bertha know. The kids will be in school as the meeting is set for eleven in the morning."

"Oh, and now you want me to feed these pricks?"

"It would be a nice gesture."

"A nicer gesture would be for them to leave me the fuck alone. I don't like this, Duane. I don't like it at all."

"So, are you going to be home for dinner tonight, or am I going to be feeding you leftovers at ten o'clock tonight?"

"I was hoping to be doing something else at ten tonight, if you know what I mean."

"I don't know if I'll be able to stand looking at your face."

"Oh? What's that all about?"

"Davante Royce."

"I'll wear a mask."

"And nothing else?"

"If it will put a smile on your face."

"You just did, my man. See you tonight. Give me a heads up about your ETA, and I'll have something ready to warm up for you."

"Anything good?"

"I'm sittin' on it. You tell me."

"I love you, Hannah Todd."

"And I love you, Duane Royce."

*CLICK*

I immediately called Linnie Lawrence.

"Hannah, I've been on pins and needles. What is going on?"

"I need you on Monday. We've got a meeting set with the feds at eleven. Can you be here or will you be conferencing in?"

"Oh no. I'll be there. Do we know what it's about yet?"

"No clue. Could be any number of things. I'm going to pump Duane in bed tonight and see if I can getanythingout of him."

"I hate going into a meeting cold, so do what you can. Anything helps. Do you think I should send Larry instead?"

"Oh, no. I want you there, Linnie. We can back Larry in if you deem it necessary. Why don't you come up on Sunday and stay the night. We can discuss the possibilities with the team."

"You're inviting the team to the meeting?"

"Just some of my key players. They are more than a bunch of brutes, Linnie, they are some of my best advisors. They will make sure I am not intimidated."

"I thought that was my job."

"No, your job is to make sure I don't get fucked by these guys. Your job is to keep me from sticking my foot in my mouth. Or both of them."

"Yeah, good luck with that."

"Funny girl, Linnie. I'll see you on Sunday. Bring the kids if you want. Give that handsome man of yours a break."

"Not that I expect him to take a break, but, yeah, Sunday it is. See you for lunch then."

"Lunch it is. I'll let Bertha know. Love you, girl."

*CLICK*

"Call Lizzie."

"Hannah. What's up. Busy as hell down here. Keep it br..."

"Lizzie, I need you up here on Monday. Avi too. I'm having visitors, and I need my closest advisors with me."

"Another operation?"

"Not just yet. The feds are coming to call."

"As in the F.B.I.?"

"Exactly."

"Don't you have Duane's brother to take care of them?"

"He's the one who's calling the meeting."

"I don't know that I like the sound of this. What's it about?"

"Dunno."

"That's not good. I'll tell Avi, and we'll be there. McKelly can hold down the fort."

"How is Les?"

"Amazing. She was a great catch, Han. Great instincts on your part."

"Luck of the draw, my friend."

"Let me go, Han. The wench is calling. There's always some kind of crisis around here. I'll be up on the weekend if that's okay with you? Then I'll stay over for the meeting. Get a chance to see my Georgie."

"I cannot begin to tell you how happy that will make him."

"No need. See you then."

*CLICK*

Enough business for one day. The kids had been home from school for an hour, so I went downstairs and spent some time with my kids. Celeste was out at the Tuttlehills, swimming, and would be home for dinner.

Dom was throwing the ball with Georgie when I engaged him in conversation.

"Dom, are you working Monday?"

"I'm working whenever you say I'm working, Queen Bee. What's the word."

"I've got a meeting with the feds on Monday morning, and I'd like you there. You are one of my most trusted advisors and my head intimidator. Linnie Lawrence, Lizzie and Avi will be there as well. And Hoagie too."

"Hoagie and the feds. Sounds like a potent combination. Don't you worry. If the sparks fly old Dom will be nearby. Nobody fucks with the Queen Bee. Not on my watch."

"And that's exactly why I want you at that meeting. Thanks Dom. Thanks for being my terrible teddy bear. We'll be meeting before the feds get here. They arrive at eleven so I want to meet with you and the gang at nine."

"I'll be there, boss. Those assholes will know they can't mess with Hannah Todd."

"Thanks, Domingo. I'm gonna go help Bertha get dinner ready to serve. The kids must be starving. I know I am."

Dinner went well, although Duane missed it. Bertha saved him a plate of the pasta Bolognese she'd made, and I prepared him a small salad. It was eight-thirty, and the kids were down, so when he finished his dinner, we threw the dishes in the sink and took a walk to the greenhouse. The perfect place to clear my head and to interrogate my man. If this did not go well, there would be no pillow talk tonight. There would be no reason. I was already prepared to kick him out of the bedroom if he couldn't satisfy my burning curiosity.

"It's about Peacock, Hannah. Something about him being the one who precipitated the attack on the house. That's all Davante knows. Apparently, Washington is taking an interest in what happened here and why Peacock's property was attacked in the same way. I don't think they really know anything. They're just fishing right now. You know the feds. They fish and then they hunt."

"It's not the fishing that worries me. I can handle that. I just don't want the feds up in my business. God knows there is enough for them to be interested in. On Monday, we hit them with overwhelming force. They'll never know what hit 'em. And when they get hold of Domingo, they'll leave here shakin' in their booties."

"He does leave an impression, doesn't he?"

"Speaking of leaving an impression, I'm looking to make one of my own. Come. Give me a good reason to make the pillow talk interesting tonight."

He took my hand and pulled me to him and we kissed. Yeah, one of those kisses. I floated back to the house and up to the bedroom. But not before checking on the children who were all fast asleep. Show time.

Whenever we wanted to have rock 'em, sock 'em, bang-bang sex, we'd run to Duane's place and do the deed there. At home, we make a quiet kind of love. Sexy, satisfying and seductive. And we did. We did climax plenty. But the earth did not move. That would be for another time.

----------------------------------------------------

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Considering what was coming our way, the weekend went well. It was nice having Lizzie over. She always adds a spark when the ladies hit the hot tub. And she did, Sunday night, when she and I, Holly and Linnie, hit that big pot of steaming water. I expected to share a lot of confidences this night. I'd kept Holly out of the loop since the dust-up with Peace Dunbar [see: The Bridge]. Dunbar coming into her life changed her completely, but she was coming back. That son of a bitch took her away from me, and every day I hope he is rotting in hell. In its worst corner.

But Holly is making a comeback. She's not coming back to me. She's coming back to herself. She continues to make it known that she thinks I should divorce her and marry Duane. Well, I love her, and I just can't see myself doing that. Not now. Not yet.

I've kept Holly out of it for too long, and tonight's the night to let her in on all of it. She is half of Todd-Bernstein Enterprises, a multimillion-dollar empire of a business. But I am the managing partner, even though in the past, she has done most of the managing. Except for my three little toys; Todd Recovery, Todd Acquisitions, and Royce Field Services. This is where I am most hands on and my managers cover the rest. Holly has been a figurehead, but I am seeing more of her hand in the soup as things move forward.

I love Holly. From the tips of my toes to the last split end on my last strand of hair. What we have been through together is more than a gal can ask from another. There is no one more special. The other mother of my children. How can I let this go? How can I ever lethergo? Am I being too selfish? To want her and Duane both to be the main person in my life. Is it too much to ask? I don't know how I would do without either, or both.

Did you ever hear the one about the three gay women and a straight woman? Or the one about three straight women and a gay woman? Well, at this juncture we just can't figure who is what, between me and Duane, and Holly and her Chuck, the only thing that's certain is that Linnie is straight, and post-baby weight, a knockout. Lizzie, save for two instances at The Bridge, she was a stone cold dyke. There is a reason that the Bridge girls always called her Lizzie the Lezzie. And she had the labrys tattoo to prove it.

Three petite blondes and one big brunette, naked in a hot tub. A visual fuckfest in the mind of Lizzie. But her sights were set singularly tonight. And she licked her lips and gave Linnie a great big smile.

"Don't you go lookin' at me like that, Lizzie Britain. I'm not one of your unsophisticated suburban housewives your gonna fuck till she's gay. Just mind your business. I'm a city girl. I know how you can be. Now, can we call this meeting to order?"

"She says as she sits naked in a hot tub with three women who could absolutely eat her alive. The thin veneer of friendship is the only thing keeping us from jumping your bones, Linnie."

"Stop it, Hannah. This is your meeting. What the fuck?"

"Well, Linnie. You know that the feds are coming to visit tomorrow. What they want to talk about has something to do with our little home invasion this past week. You see, the same kind of invasion happened right afterwards. To someone else. A man named Peacock. Does anyone know that name?"