A/N – Thanks for the reviews Guest – Liked your assessment. Everyone else was talking and sharing information so they came to the conclusion that he was being setup. I purposely had her lock herself in her room and cut herself off and the information she did have wasn't favorable. Even during the mom talk there were no details shared. She's still in the dark but she did tell Jason she'll give him a chance. Now, she'll get more information and she'll realize her mistake. Happy Reading!

Butterflyliz – Dante really hasn't done anything wrong. Skye can just tell he likes her married daughter.

Silvermaj – lol liked your mankind statement. I agree.

Chapter 20 – The Meetup

Liz called Dante and he came back over to hang out.

"Look, you need to get out and have a little fun. Why don't we go get a drink somewhere?"

Liz frowned. "I don't know if I'm ready to face the world yet."

"Come on. I'll be right there with you. It will be fun. We'll go to Jake's and play some pool." Dante is trying to get Liz out of her depression.

"You mean get your ass kicked?" Liz asked.

Dante laughed. "Okay, I'm willing to take one for the team. Go put on something comfortable. I'll wait for you downstairs."

He started to leave.

"I didn't say yes!"

"Sorry, I can't hear you," he said as he hurried down the steps.

She smiled and ran over to her closet.

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Cooper walked into the living room. Sonny acknowledged him and John just glared.

"Don't you have any older guards?" John whispered to Sonny who laughed.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. She can barely take her eyes off of you."

Tess descended the stairs wearing skintight jeans, and an off the shoulder black top which barely skimmed the top of her pants. The outfit was topped off with some sexy heels.

John and Cooper are clearly taken by her appearance.

"You must be Cooper, nice to meet you."

He smiled and held out his hand. John watched as Tess shook it and then grabbed her purse.

"Let's go." Time is of the essence and she doesn't want to waste another minute.

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Tess perused the bar. It is her kind of place. Coleman immediately went to her side as she slipped onto a barstool.

"And what can I get you, beautiful lady?"

His devilish grin wasn't lost on her. "A beer would be great."

"The flower's a nice touch," Coleman said before giving her a playing wink, making her smile.

She spun around on her stool and immediately spotted Sam at the pool table. Her taste in clothes is gagworthy and she is trying way too hard to be sexy. Tess observed her carefully and eventually, Sam became aware of it and eventually sat next to her and ordered a beer.

"Woman after my own heart," Tess said still looking towards the pool table.

"Excuse me?" Sam asked looking over at her.

"I saw what you did, nicely played," she said before turning and winking at her.

Sam smiled. "Putty in my hands…"

"Want to tag team and really win some money?"

Sam took a swig of the beer and smiled. "My name is Sam."

"I'm Tess."

"So, you're good at playing pool?"

"Very. I'm an even better distraction. Want a shot?"

Sam nodded.

"Coleman, two shots of tequila please," Tess called out.

He quickly brought their order over and the women downed the shots and laughed.

"Let's go," Sam said.

They headed to the pool table and immediately a few guys approached them.

Tess pretended to suck and the two men ate it up. They challenged them and the girls ended up winning four hundred bucks. They laughed as they sat at a table and ordered another drink. Tess looked up as Liz and Dante walked in. She gazed at Cooper and he immediately intercepted them and told Liz to pretend she doesn't know Tess. Fortunately, Sam's back was to them.

"So Sam, how long have you lived here?"

"Oh, for a little over a year."

"I move around a lot. I'm not sure where I'm going to end up next."

"Is it because of your job?"

"Nothing exciting like that, I just tend to get into trouble—a lot of trouble."

Sam laughed. "I know how that feels."

Tess leaned closer. "I know this might not be any of my business, but why is that chick over there staring daggers at you?"

Sam turned around and when she saw Liz she grinned. "Because I fucked her husband and she walked in on it."

Tess tried to look surprised. "Was he hot?"

"You have no idea."

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Dante could tell Liz wants to pull out Sam's hair. "We can go. I'm sorry I dragged you out here. I just thought the change of scenery would do you good."

"You had no way of knowing that she'd be here. I'm fine. I'm going to go use the bathroom."

She walked down a hallway and disappeared.

"She's going to the bathroom," Tess advised. "Now is your chance to rub it in."

"I like the way you think."

"I'll go in first and then wait a minute and then come in."

Sam nodded.

Tess quickly made her way to the bathroom.

"What are you doing here?" Liz asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," Tess said quietly. "Sam is on her way in here and this is how it's going to go down. I'm going to defend her and then you smack me."

"I can't smack you," Liz said with wide eyes.

"Oh don't worry, you'll want to," Tess said mischievously.

Before she could explain, Sam entered the room to find Tess putting on lipstick and Liz washing her hands.

"Well, look who it is. I figured you would still be at home licking your wounds," Sam said as she sauntered towards them.

"Get away from me."

"Aw is someone holding a grudge? Jason has needs and you weren't meeting them."

Tess laughed.

"Get out of my way you bitch," Liz said trying to push past Sam.

She was shoved backward.

"Make me."

Liz hit the wall and didn't move, wanting to punch Sam in the face, but that's not what Tess asked her to do.

"I didn't think you had the guts. Jason was right about you. You are frigid and pitiful."

Now all Liz wants to do was strangle her.

Tess smiled and glanced at Liz. "Too bad, you didn't come into your bedroom a few minutes earlier when he was moaning Sam's name."

Liz smacked Tess as lightly as she could without causing any suspicion. Tess grabbed her face. "You bitch." She lunged towards Liz.

Hearing the commotion from outside, Dante ran through the doorway and grabbed Tess before she could do any damage. He stepped in front of Liz and yelled at them to get out.

Tess and Sam went back into the bar and Dante turned towards Liz. "Are you okay?"

She nodded.

"What happened?"

To his surprise, Liz smiled. "Tess wanted me to smack her, so I did. I think I know what she's up to now. Let's go before we blow her cover."

Dante has no idea what Liz was talking about, but he led her to the car.

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Tess continued to drink and bond with Sam and the watched as John walked in and took a seat at the bar.

John observed while they ripped off some more men and then sat at a table to do more shots. He was going stir crazy at Sonny's and he had to make sure his girl was okay. While Tess can handle herself, he also is aware that underneath all her bravado, she is fragile.

"Hey, give me your number," Tess said.

"Are you heading out already?"

"No, but I see someone over there I want to get to know." She smiled at John who returned it.

Sam giggled. "He is hot."

Tess programmed her number into her phone. "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Later."

Tess sauntered over to John and pretended to pick him up.

Coleman walked by.

"Coleman, I need some keys," Tess said.

He smiled and fished around in his pocket. "Room four."

She put some money in his pocket. "Thanks, honey."

"Room four?" John asked.

"Come with me."

Tess led him to the back and turned and winked at Sam before she took him upstairs. She felt like she had been nonchalant enough that her actions wouldn't raise suspicion. Now, Sam just needed to fall into her trap.