"Good!" Danielle said fervently. "Apart from getting with Michael, that's the best thing that I've heard in weeks!" Except it means Michael can't kill him, she thought bitterly.

"So," Stacey asked. "Are we changing your Apple ID or not? It's entirely up to you Danielle, entirely. Just bear in mind what we've said. Why should you lose an Email address you've had all your life for one man? That's what he wants after all."

Danielle turned to Joanne then Michael, as if expecting him to speak.

"I agree with Stacey," Joanne said. "I'm sure Michael does too." The killer slightly nodded. "He just nodded," Joanne said, as Michael squeezed Danielle's hand. "I think you're outvoted on this one Danielle, sorry!"

"Don't let him have even a small victory," Stacey said. "Isn't that what you just said? Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to help you change it if that's really what you want, we can do it right now and get it changed instantly. But…"

Danielle shook her head and smiled at the 3 of them. "No," she said determinedly. "You're right. Even that would feel like a victory to the self-important little prick, and I don't want that! He's getting nothing from me!"

"Perfect," Stacey said. "Is there anything else I can do for you Danielle?"

Danielle hesitated. There was one thing she wanted to speak to Stacey about, but should she in front of Michael? As if reading her mind, Joanne whispered in her ear.

"It should be said in front of Michael, honesty is key in a long lasting relationship. If you're worried about sabotaging it, then Michael hearing will also help. If he knows, he can work with you to ensure it doesn't happen."

Danielle knew her guard was right, so she nodded. "Would you like me to leave?" Joanne asked.

"No," Danielle said quickly. "Please don't?" She began to speak and before she'd realised it, the words were tumbling out.

"I'm worried about sabotaging this relationship. From a small way to a big. I don't mean with insecurity or jealousy, I mean by waiting for Michael to say or do something to control me, being afraid to take my phone anywhere, calling him "sir" if I detect he's angry, not to mention he's a very dangerous man anyway!"

She hadn't meant to say that last out loud, but to her relief, Michael's arm tightened around her and he kissed the top of her head. Stacey spoke.

"I think from the reaction you just got; you don't need to worry. He's hardly going to attempt to kill you if you have an argument, Danielle. All couples argue, just ask my husband."

Danielle chuckled; she couldn't help it. "Plus," Stacey continued. "Of course you're going to struggle somewhat for a while so don't be too hard on yourself, Danielle Hayward. It's totally understandable after what you went through, but then you also need to do your part and let Michael show you that you don't need to worry or fear him. The 2 of you need to work together on that. Do not try to do it all alone Danielle, or you might very well make a mistake you'll regret. There's no shame in needing your man, none at all. I've been married for 20 years and I still ask my husband for help and love seeing him every day. A relationship takes 2. Not one person who thinks she has to prove she has everything under control."

There was a short silence, then Danielle smiled. "I… can't argue with that," she said weakly.

"Nope," Stacey laughed. "You can't. Take it from one who knows."

"To quote Charlotte," Joanne said, grinning. "This woman talks sense, so listen."

When the meeting concluded a few minutes later, Danielle couldn't believe how much better she felt. She was not letting Adam win by changing her ID, and she knew Stacey was right re working with Michael when things got tough.

"So tell him when you feel insecure," Stacey had said. "So tell him when you fear him. Let him soothe you if you slip up and call him "sir." Let him hand you your phone if you leave it behind thinking you can't take it with you. You need to let him help you in this Danielle, not think you have to do it all by yourself. You're a couple now, that's the key word. Couple."

Danielle asked Joanne if she could talk to her and Michael. Joanne agreed immediately and led them back out in to the exercise yard and to the waterfall, where they sat on the bench beside it. Joanne adjusting it to Danielle's favourite setting once more.

"Well that went better than I thought it would," Danielle said. "I know Stacey's right with everything she said. I just hope I can do it. I hope I'm strong enough."

"After what we saw that night with Chancer?" Joanne said incredulously, as Michael put both arms around Danielle now and pulled her close, placing her hands on his ears. "After you pointed a gun at his head and interrogated him like a pro? I think you're more than strong enough Danielle. Don't start doubting yourself, because that will also count as a win for Adam. Don't let it!"

Danielle couldn't answer, because Michael leant in then and softly kissed her to the lips. Danielle heard Joanne's intake of breath and knew she was close to tears.

"You see?" Joanne said, her voice cracking proving Danielle correct. "He's here for you through good and bad, rough and smooth. You just need to let yourself trust him and believe that."

Danielle nodded. She knew both Joanne and Stacey were right. With Michael Myers at her side, together they would get through anything Adam Dawson could throw at them, mental or physical. It may take time, but she knew they had years. She smiled at both of them and hugged Michael tightly. There would undoubtedly be tough times ahead but she was ready for them, whatever they were. What would come would come, and she, they, would face it head on when it did.

…

There were only a handful of occasions Chris Leach could remember when he'd actually, seriously considered killing someone. He might be a respected and feared crime boss, but he didn't want too many murders against his name. If he was caught, the consequences could be his own death by lethal injection or the electric chair. He didn't respect the police, judges or any form of authority, accept perhaps other crime bosses. Right now however was one of those times he was close, very close to committing murder. His probable victim was Adam Dawson. The guy had seriously pissed him off. Leach had told him quite clearly the night he'd terminated the guy's contract not to call their number again and to delete it from his phone. Evidently, he'd written it down somewhere or had it memorised. Because Leach had seen him delete it as instructed, yet he'd just called again.

His man who'd answered had recognised Dawson's voice and told Leach straight away. Apparently Dawson had begged for Leach himself to meet with him. Leach was about to do just that, but could very well end up putting Dawson in an early grave for the privilege.

When he entered the internet café Dawson and he had met in before, Dawson was already there. Leach made it very obvious instantly he was angry. "What is it, Adam? I thought I'd made it quite clear and told you your contract was terminated, and not to call us again. You'd better have a damn good reason for doing so, or you won't live past tonight."

"Sir," Adam said immediately. "Please just hear me out? I do have a reason and I really need your help."

Leach considered. Kill him now? Or listen? He decided on the latter, for this moment at least. He couldn't deny Dawson gave them good money for their work and he'd never turn that down, but this guy really got under his skin. He sat down. "You've got 5 minutes," he said briskly. "Start talking and this better be fucking well, Adam!"

"Mr. Leach Sir, I agree with both you and my father. Danielle is too hot; I'll leave well alone. What I'm here for tonight has nothing to do with Danielle at all. I wanted to ask you whether you'd be willing to give me a much smaller contract which just focuses on Charlotte, as it did at the very start of this. You would still get well paid for it though. She is out and about, free. She'd be much easier to watch and listen to than Danielle would. Yes ok Sir, I admit Danielle was my number one target at first, but you're right, she's too dangerous now. Charlotte isn't though. Which is why I wondered if you'd at the very least consider this Sir?"

Leach forced himself to clamp down on his anger and spoke calmly. Dawson really was a stupid idiot. "Adam, in case you've forgotten, target 2 is only target one's best friend?" Let Adam use their names if he wanted, but Leach wasn't going to. He'd told Adam long ago not to do that, the guy really was an ammeter. "Did you seriously just say it has nothing to do with target one, it… kind of does, don't you think? She too will be protected by target one's man, just as target one is. No, Adam. I won't consider that. She too, is too hot."

There was silence for a moment and Leach watched his words sink in across Dawson's face. Jesus! Was the man really that slow? He couldn't have forgotten this, surely? Eventually, Dawson spoke.

"Yes, Sir, that's as maybe, but target one's man won't be getting out of that place. He's there for life. What are the chances he'll escape and find me?"

Leach snorted. Seriously. "Adam," he said as if speaking to a stupid child. "If that's your opinion, why are you still not pursuing target one? If you really think you're safe from her man, why is she too hot for you? You don't think he'll escape ever? Fine, go after her then! Alone!"

Leach was pleased to see Dawson blush. "Good point, Sir," he muttered, looking down at the dirty café table rather than meeting Leach's eyes. Leach was glad watching him squirm. Stupid twat. But then he thought of a question he genuinely wanted to know the answer to. "Why do you not just pick up someone else, Adam? Why are you so obsessed with these 2 bitches? Is it because you dated them? Humour me, I genuinely want an answer."

Adam looked surprised for a moment, as it was the first time Leach was addressing him as an equal. Leach smirked to himself. Don't get used to it, it would also be the last. Adam looked up now, finally meeting the crime Lord's eyes.

"I… I don't know," he said. Leach knew he was telling the truth this time. "I think target one because she tried to kill herself because of me. I want to see her miserable, suffering. Also because I hate women, full stop. Always have done."

"So you're a Misogynist?" Leach asked.

"Very much so," Adam nodded fervently. "My father Edward brought me up to control women. Make them do as they tell you, obey you, work for you, let you fuck them whenever you want. They are property, not people, he said. He treated mum like property the whole of their marriage until he was fucking arrested," he said the last through gritted teeth.

"Purely because your father told you so?" Leach didn't know why he was asking Dawson all this, but he was genuinely interested he realised with surprise.

"My father is everything to me," Dawson said. "I've always wanted to earn his love, approval and respect. Plus he's right. I never liked women anyway. I had my first incident with one when I was 12. She dared to turn away from me while I was eyeing up her tits. I grabbed her ponytail and swung her round, before squeezing her tits so hard they bruised. I was legitimately angry she'd dared to turn away from me. Insolent bitch! I think dad was proud of me to boot. Took me for a meal in his Jag that night and when we were in private he told me so. I felt so good then. I'd made dad proud of me!"

"Hmm," Leach said slowly. "What happened?"

Dawson shrugged. "Nothing, I just got yelled at by the police. No big deal. It was when I was 16 I made a stupid mistake. But damn it I wanted her! It was another bitch, she was fucking gorgeous, Mr. Leach. Gorgeous. I had to fuck her like crazy. I came in my bed every night thinking about her cunt. Jesus man! So one day after school I got her alone behind the bike sheds and fucked her. At knife point of course, so she couldn't get away, didn't struggle or scream. I didn't even know her name. That was bad. Cops were at my house within 2 hours and I got sent to a fucking detention centre. But she remembers me," he smirked. "She's got severe PTSD last time I heard, terrified of men now thanks to me."

Leach kept his mouth shut. Personally, he thought that was a little too far, but he wasn't going to tell Dawson that. "Did you not consider a mask?" He asked him instead. Dawson shook his head.

"No, I was just so fucking horny! I couldn't think straight Sir. I just had to get my cock inside her that was all I could think about. A mask and so on occurred to me later of course, but by then it was too late. Plus I said to her "if you scream I'll slit your throat," so chances are she recognised my voice considering I'd pretended to be Mr. nice until that point. To gain her trust and all that."

Leach nodded. If he was honest with himself, this information only made his dislike of Dawson intensify. The guy really was an outright misogynist. Leach had suspected it before now, but here was the proof from the man's own mouth. But maybe there was something Leach could do for him, for a price of course.

"Listen, Adam," he said slowly. "I'm sorry I stand by what I said. We can't and will not reinstate your previous contract, it's too dangerous. Both Targets one and 2 are. However, I happen to have a gang of misogynists who are just as hating and scathing of women as you are. I could put you in touch with them and you could work together against other women if that's your plan. It'll cost you of course, but I am willing to do this for you. Pick up another woman to control, terrorise. But we are not getting involved in your pursuit of the targets should you wish to continue it; you'll do so alone."

Adam nodded. "Yes, Sir. Thank you, I'll take you up on that offer. I of course don't know many men like me, because we have to keep our heads down as the stupid authorities won't make it law for women to be put in their proper place in society. Underneath men in every way not just in bed! They instead arrest us and call it fucking Domestic abuse! What the fuck?"

Leach didn't answer. Privately, he wouldn't want it to become law. Not that he particularly cared about women one way or the other, but he still didn't think that was the right way to do things. He thought again of Tulip, and smirked. God he wished he'd asked her to attend this meeting with him. Adam would get one hell of a shock meeting her! She'd knock him for 6 and show him quite plainly that not all women were there for the obeying and fucking. Leach smiled to himself at that glorious vision. Chances are Adam would be on the floor bleeding before he'd even unzipped his trousers. Yep, shame she wasn't here right now.

This time, he actually considered calling her. Right now, seeing if she could join them just to see the look on Dawson's face. But no, he decided. Not right now. Next time though? Hell yes! Because there would be a next time, Chris Leach decided then and there. He'd make sure there was, just to put Adam and Tulip in the same room. All he'd bring was the popcorn! It'd be one hell of a show. Hell he'd pay to see it!

5 minutes later, Leach left the café, having given Dawson the phone number of the head of that particular gang he had in his huge ring. What did he care? It was more money for their, well mainly his pockets. He'd charged Dawson 2 hundred dollars just for the number after all! Now though, he couldn't deny he was truly interested in how this would play out. He'd watch, he decided. Use one of his men to see how Adam and his misogynistic friends got on. What they did and who they targeted. But if Adam dared even mention the previous targets to them, Leach would once again terminate his business. He'd made that very clear to Adam just now too. Dawson had just nodded and said, "Yes Sir. I understand, thank you."

Now back in his car, Leach pulled out his phone and dialled the number he'd just charged Adam a small fortune for.

"This is Leach," he said when his man picked up on the other end. The head Misogynist was a nasty piece of work named Ashley, who truly did make Adam an ammeter even in misogyny. He'd fuck a woman if he liked the look of her there and then, dragging her in to bushes or his car to do so. He'd literally see them alone on the street, grab them, and rape them. He was incredibly violent and if a woman even dared speak without his permission, they got at the very least a black eye. Worst, broken bones. Leach suspected he'd even killed a couple of women in his time for such things as daring to speak without his permission, not calling him Sir or taking his plate out after dinner for him quick enough. Oh yes, Ashely would hurt a woman given the slightest excuse, also even without one. Leach once heard he'd also hospitalised many, one for daring not to answer her phone when he called the first time. He'd had to call again. From what Leach had been told, she'd had broken ribs.

"We've got a new recruit joining you guys. Name's Adam Dawson. He's a misogynist and asked to be put in touch with you to join up. Help terrorise women with you."

"Perfect," Ashely almost purred and Leach actually felt a shiver run down his spine. "The more cunts who are scared and do as they're tell so much the fucking better. I need to be quick though Mr. Leach, I have a whore waiting to get her good fucking as we speak."

"No problem," Leach said, surprised at how repulsed he felt at his man's words and Adam's. This was very unusual for him as he never normally felt anything. Cold, emotionless, detached. But then he reminded himself why should he care? This wasn't his business; it was a business. Big difference. But he had made it quite clear to Ashley and his fellow misogynists that they were never, ever to hurt Tulip, Sharon. Leach felt very protective of his deputy. That said, she was built like a brick shit house and would certainly give them a run for their money if they tried anything. But it was an unspoken agreement between them. Sharon, was and would always be safe from them. Any other woman, Leach didn't give a damn. But not Tulip! Or there would be hell to pay.

"I gave him your number," he continued. "He'll contact you soon I'm sure."

"Well if it's tonight, he'll have to wait. I got 3 cunts to fuck before the nights out, my mistress has a huge list of jobs to do around the house, and I will be busy inspecting them to make sure she's done them to my absolute demands."

God help her if she hasn't, Leach thought. Jesus! What motivates these guys to this level?

"I told him to wait until tomorrow," Leach said. This was untrue and he wasn't sure why he'd said it, but he sincerely hoped Adam would do so. A pissed off Ashely might mean men get hurt, never mind women.

"Fine," Ashley grunted and hung up.

Normally Leach would've been angry his subordinate hadn't respected him, but tonight he didn't care he realised as the phone went dead in his ear. He was tired and wanted a good night's sleep. He himself was single, but Sharon was always there if he wanted a good romp in the sheets. Thinking of her now, Chris Leach smiled as he started his car's engine. He would make damn sure Ashley or one of the others told Dawson she was off limits from their misogyny. If they didn't, he would.